US3604774A - Booth assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A booth assembly or the like includes a plurality of panels which contain slotted apertures. A U-shaped fastener member is inserted through the apertures of adjacent panels and is anchored at one end to a first of the panels and the other end to the other panel by a wedge member which is inserted through the Ushaped fastener member. The panels may be arranged in side-byside relationship or at angles to each other and in one embodiment a strip may be further sandwiched between the panels for supporting shelving. In another embodiment a smooth cover sheet may be provided on a face of each of the panels and anchored in position by a strip which is also sandwiched between the respective panels.

Description

United States atom l 13,604,774

[72] Inventor john R. Furman 2,987,362 6/1961 Bernath 312/264 X Chicago, 111. 3,197,265 7/1965 Rand 312/263 X [21 1 p 778258 Primary Examiner-Patrick D1 Lawson [22] Filed Nov. 22, 1968 A sslstant ExammerGeorge V. Larkln [45] Patented Sept'14197l AttorneysE Mannin Giles J Patrick Ca me and PeterS [73] Assignee Rae Systems, Inc. L g g y ucyshyn Chlcago, Ill.

[54] BOOTH ASSEMBLY ABSTRACT: booth assembly or the like includes a plurality 7 Claims 9 Drawing Figs of panels which contain slotted apertures. A U-shaped fastener member IS inserted through the apertures of ad acent [52] U.S. 1,1 312/263 panels and is anchored a one end to a fi f th panels d 151 I A47) 47/00 the other end to the other panel by a wedge member which is Search" 312/257 inserted through the U-shaped fastener member. The panels 263, 264, l l 1, 107, 108, 140, 198, 14 -1 may be arranged in side-by-side relationship or at angles to 56 R f d each other and in one embodiment a strip may be further I l e erences sandwiched between the panels for supporting shelving. ln UNITED STATES PATENTS another embodiment a smooth cover sheet may be provided 1,173,872 2/1916 Ruse 312/140 on a face of each of the panels and anchored in position by :1 2,172,266 9/1939 Whitaker 312/107 strip which is also sandwiched between the respective panels.

BOOTH ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION together, disassembly of the booth is time consuming and generally results in damage to the panels. Where C-clamps are used to hold the panels together, the C-clamps are difficult to manipulate and time consuming to arrange in position and frequently became loose after assembly resulting in a unstable booth assembly. Moreover the C-clamps areeach relatively expensive and thus their use results in increased cost of the booth assembly and the clamps frequently protrude from the assembly causing an unkempt appearance.

The booth of the like constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention obviates the aforementioned difficulties. Each of he individual panels is assembled and held in position by a simple, inexpensive and uniform fastening assembly which may be employed to fasten together panels of varying configurations with equal facility. The fastening assembly of may invention is also capable of being easily concealed from view from the front of the finally assembled booth presenting a clean and tidy exterior appearance. Moreover the fastening assembly of my invention may be readily used toattach panels together in either side-by-side relationship or in angular relationship with respect to each other. The fastening assembly may also be utilized to secure in place a shelf-holding construction and/or a smooth cover panel sheet in the final assembly. Finally, the assembly of may invention is capable of easy and rapid assembly and disassembly by relatively untrained and unskilled personnel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A booth assembly or the like constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention includes a plurality of panels juxtaposed with respect to each other. An aperture is defined in a reenforcing frame of a first of the panels and an elongates substantially U-shaped fastener member, which is mounted on a second of the panels, extends through and beyond the aperture. A wedge member extends through the U-shaped fastener member and urges the U-shaped member in the direction of the extension firmly attaching the first and second panels together to form the booth.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course of this description, reference will frequently be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. I is an overall partially exploded view of a display booth employing the fastener assembly of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan cross sectional view showing the fastener assembly and panel arrangement taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

. FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the assembly taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the U- shaped fastener and wedge members of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary isometric view of a shelf standard employed in the assembly of my invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectioned plan view of another embodiment of panel arrangement of my invention wherein the panels each have a flat sheet covering their faces which is held to each panel by the fastener assembly of my invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary isometric view of the sheet-covering-holding member;

FIG. 8 is a plan cross sectioned view of a panel assembly wherein the panels arearranged angularly with respect to each other and showing another embodiment of fastener member of my invention; and

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the fastener member of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a display booth is shown in partially exploded form which is constructed of a plurality of back, top and side panels 10, 11 and 12 respectively, which are juxtaposed with respect to each other to form a booth enclosure. Panel 12 forms a side of the booth and comprises a flat planar sheet of material. The back of the booth is comprised of panels 10 which also are formed of a flat sheet of planar material 13 and include a reenforcing frame 14 comprised of vertical l6 and horizontal members 17 attached to the back face thereof. The top panels 11 are constructed in a substantially similar manner as panels 10, but are generally smaller in shape and include an aperture 18 for the installation of illumination for the display booth. Separating the vertical members 16 of each of the respective panel frames, is a shelf standard strip 20 which carries an apertured'elongated track 22 along its vertical edge, the aperture of the track being adapted to receive the hooks of conventional shelf brackets 24 for supporting the shelves of the display booth.

Each of the vertical members 16 of the reenforcing frames of panels 10 and the shelf standard strip 20 include, respectively, a plurality of spaced slotted apertures 26 and 27. Generally U-shaped fastener members 28 are inserted through at least some of the slotted apertures 26 of the reenforcing frames of two adjacent panels 10 and through the slotted apertures 27 of the intermediate shelf standard strip 20. Each of the U-shaped fastener members 28 is bent laterally from the longitudinal axis thereof to form flanges 30. To assemble the two adjacent panels 10 together, the U-shaped fastener member 28 is inserted through the aperture 26 of a first of the panels 10, through the aperture 27 in the shelf standard strip 20 and through the aperture 26 in the second of the panels 10 extending beyond the last-mentioned aperture. A wedgeshaped member 32 is inserted through the extended portion of the U-shaped member 20, the wedge member 32 being of increasing width from end to end. The wedge-shaped member 32 includes a flange portion 33 to provide an increased area tapping surface and avoid any possibility of the wedge passing through the extended portion of the U-shaped member. To affix the adjacent panels together, the wedge member 32 is tapped in a downward direction, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3, the edge of the wedge member contacting the bight of the U- shaped member urging the U-shaped fastener member 28 to the left. The U-shaped member moves to the left until its flanges 30 abut against the frame stopping further movement of member 28 to the left. The vertical members 16 of the frame and the shelf standard strip 20 are thus affixed together in close sandwiched relationship between the flanges 30 of the U-shaped fastener member 28 on one side and the edge 34 on the other.

Referring again to FIG. I, the flat side panel 12 is also attached to one 'of the adjacent vertical members 16 of the frame of one of the panels 10 by a U-shaped fastener member 28 and wedge-member 32. Slotted apertures are provided in the panel 12 similar to the slotted apertures previously described and the U-shaped fastener member 28 is inserted through the apertures in panel 12, through apertures I7 in a shelf standard strip 20 and then through the slotted apertures 26 in the upright member 16 of the frame.

it should be appreciated that although panel 12 is shown as a flat planar sheet in FIG. 1, the side panel may be reenforce as panel 10. The flat sheet was shown to illustrate the versatility of use of the fastener assembly of my invention. Also the panels 11 are shown in FIG. 1 as being attached to panels and panel 12 in the prior conventional manner by C-clamps 36. It will be appreciated that the panels 11 may also be attached respectively to panel 10 and/or panel 12 by the U- shaped fastener member 28 and wedge member 32 as previously described.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a panel assembly is shown wherein the fastener arrangement of my invention is utilized to both hold adjacent panels together as well as provide fastening means for fastening a smooth face cover sheet to the opposite side of the panel frame to provide a smooth backwall to the display booth. Such is particularly desirable where it is desired to provide a smooth finished back to the booth and cover the fasteners such as where an office space or the like is to be provided behind the display booth. Since a substantial number of individual components of this embodiment are substantially identical to individual components of the assembly previously described, like reference numerals will be employed with reference to like components in the drawings. An elongated angle strip 38 is positioned between the vertical members 16 of each of the reenforcing frames 14 of the panel 10 and the shelf standard strip 20. The portion 40 the strip 38 lying parallel to the vertical member 16 includes a plurality of slotted apertures 42 which are adapted to be aligned with the apertures 26 of the vertical members 16. The portion 40 is constructed to extend beyond the edge of the vertical member at 44 by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of a second cover sheet 46. The distal outer ends of the angle strip 38 are bent in a direction substantially normal to the portion 40 to form flanges 48. The second cover sheet 46 is disposed between the flanges 48 and the edge of the vertical member 16. The U-shaped fastener members 28 extend through the apertured slots 26 of a vertical member 16 of a first panel 10, the apertured slots 42 of a first angle strip 38, the apertured slots 27 of the shelf standard strip 20, the apertured slots 42 of the second angle strip 38, and the apertured slots 26 of the vertical member 16 of the second panel. The panels vertical members 16, angled strips 38, shelf standard and cover sheets 46 are firmly held in attached relationship by insertion of the wedge members 32 through the extended portion of the U-shaped fastener members 28.

In FIG. 8 another embodiment of U-shaped fastener member is shown for fastening two panels together in angled disposition with relation to each other such as where a corner is desired in the booth or if desired, for fastening the back panels 10 and top panels 11 together. The fastener member 50 of this embodiment includes a pair of U-shaped leg portions 51 and 52 which are bent at an angle to each other. One of the leg portions 51 is inserted through and extends beyond the aperture 26 of the vertical frame member 16 of a first panel 10 and the other leg portion 52 of the fastener member is inserted through and extends beyond the aperture 26 of the vertical member 16' of the other panel 10. To firmly affix the respective panels together, wedge members 32 and 32' are inserted in each of the extended leg portions 51 and 52, respectively, drawing the panels 10 and 10 together.

It should be understood that the embodiments of the invention which have been described are merely illustrative of a few of the applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

laterally extending members, a fastener memberhaving a pair of U-shaped leg portions extending at a substantial ang e with respect to each other and through and beyond each of the apertures respectively, and a separate wedge member interlocking with each of said U-shaped leg portions each to urge the portion of the corresponding U-shaped leg portion which extends beyond its aperture in the direction of such extension to firmly attach said first and second panels together in an angled disposition with respect to each other.

2. A booth assembly or the like including a plurality of panels juxtaposed with respect to each other to form the booth assembly, at least some of said panels having a laterally extending member attached to one face thereof, the improvement comprising, at least one aperture defined in the laterally extending member of a first of said panels, an elongated substantially U-shaped fastener member mounted on a second of the panels adjacent said first panel and extending though and beyond said aperture, a wedge member interlocking with the extended portion of said U-shaped fastener member to urge the portion of the U-shaped member which extends beyond the aperture in the direction of said extension to firmly attach said first and second panels together in said juxtaposed posi tion, said first panel including an aperture through which said U-shaped fastener member extends, said U-shaped member including anchor means bearing against said first panel when said U-shaped fastener member is urged in the direction of said extension.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said anchor means comprise flanges extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said U-shaped fastener member.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said anchor means comprise a second extended portion and a second wedge member interlocking with said second extended portion to urge the same in its direction of extension.

5. A booth assembly or the like including a plurality of panels juxtaposed with respect to each other to form the booth assembly, at least some of said panels having a laterally extending member attached to one face thereof, the improvement comprising, at least one aperture defined in the laterally extending member of a first of said panels, an elongated substantially U-shaped fastener member mounted on a second of the panels adjacent said first panel and extending through and beyond said aperture, a wedge member interlocking with the extended portion of said U-shaped fastener member to urge the portion of the U-shaped member which extends beyond the aperture in the direction of said extension to firmly attach said first and second panels together in said juxtaposed position, an elongated strip disposed between said first and second panels, said strip having an aperture therein through which said U-shaped fastener member extends, said wedge member urging said first and second panels and said strip together in close sandwiched relationship.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said strip includes means for mounting shelf member thereon.

7. The assembly of claim 5 including a flat planar sheet forming a face on at least one of said panels, said strip extending beyond said laterally extending member, the extending portion of said strip including flange means overlying a portion of said sheet to mount said sheet on the face of said one panel.

Claims (7)

1. A booth assembly or the like including a plurality of panels juxtaposed with respect to each other to form the booth assembly, each of at least two of said panels having a laterally extending member attached to one face thereof, the improvement comprising, at least one aperture defined in each of said laterally extending members, a fastener member having a pair of U-shaped leg portions extending at a substantial angle with respect to each other and through and beyond each of the apertures respectively, and a separate wedge member interlocking with each of said U-shaped leg portions each to urge the portion of the corresponding U-shaped leg portion which extends beyond its aperture in the direction of such extension to firmly attach said first and second panels together in an angled disposition with respect to each other.

2. A booth assembly or the like including a plurality of panels juxtaposed with respect to each other to form the booth assembly, at least some of said panels having a laterally extending member attached to one face thereof, the improvement comprising, at least one aperture defined in the laterally extending member of a first of said panels, an elongated substantially U-shaped fastener member mounted on a second of the panels adjacent said first panel and extending though and beyond said aperture, a wedge member interlocking with the extended portion of said U-shaped fastener member to urge the portion of the U-shaped member which extends beyond the aperture in the direction of said extension to firmly attach said first and second panels together in said juxtaposed position, said first panel including an aperture through which said U-shaped fastener member extends, said U-shaped member including anchor means bearing against said first panel when said U-shaped fastener member is urged in the direction of said extension.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said anchor means comprise flanges extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said U-shaped fastener member.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said anchor means comprise a second extended portion and a second wedge member interlocking with said second extended portion to urge the same in its direction of extension.

5. A booth assembly or the like including a plurality of panels juxtaposed with respect to each other to form the booth assembly, at least some of said panels having a laterally extending member attached to one face thereof, the improvement comprising, at least one aperture defined in the laterally extending member of a first of said panels, an elongated substantially U-shaped fastener member mounted on a second of the panels adjacent said first panel and extending through and beyond said aperture, a wedge member interlocking with the extended portion of said U-shaped fastener member to urge the portion of the U-shaped member which extends beyond the aperture in the direction of said extension to firmly attach said first and second panels together in said juxtaposed position, an elongated strip disposed between said first anD second panels, said strip having an aperture therein through which said U-shaped fastener member extends, said wedge member urging said first and second panels and said strip together in close sandwiched relationship.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said strip includes means for mounting shelf member thereon.

7. The assembly of claim 5 including a flat planar sheet forming a face on at least one of said panels, said strip extending beyond said laterally extending member, the extending portion of said strip including flange means overlying a portion of said sheet to mount said sheet on the face of said one panel.

Images