Quick assembly structures, components, and methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10568443-B2
Application number	US-201816012854-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 20, 2018
Priority date	Jun 20, 2017
Publication date	Feb 25, 2020
Grant date	Feb 25, 2020

Abstract

A collapsible structure (e.g., for use as a single or multi-tiered display table) can include a base having at least five hinges defined therein to define six or more base panels such that the base is foldable to form a shape with at least six sides, the base defining a first end and a second end that are attached to each other. The structure can include a first center support and a second center support. The first center support and the second center support can be attached together at the body of each center support and be configured to allow the base to move between a flat folded position and an open standing position by relative movement of the upper arms and the lower arms relative to the attached bodies of the center supports.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible structure, comprising:
a base having at least five hinges defined therein to define six or more base panels such that the base is foldable to form a shape with at least six sides, the base defining a first end and a second end that are attached to each other;
a first center support and a second center support, each center support including:
a body;
an upper arm defined by a first arm hinge and extending from the body, the first arm hinge allowing the upper arm to fold relative to the body; and
a lower arm defined by a second arm hinge and extending from an opposite side of the body as the upper arm, the second arm hinge allowing the lower arm to fold relative to the body, wherein the first center support is attached to a first panel of the base within the base by the upper arm and lower arm of the first center support,

wherein the second center support is attached to a second panel of the base within the base by the upper arm and lower arm of the second center support, the second panel being spaced from the first panel, wherein the first center support and the second center support are also attached together at the body of each center support the base is movable between a flat folded position and an open standing position by relative movement of the upper arms and the lower arms relative to the attached bodies of the center supports.

2. The structure of claim 1 , wherein the upper arms of each center support extend from the base at least in the flat folded position.

3. The structure of claim 2 , wherein the upper arms and the lower arms fold to a horizontal position when structure is moved to the open standing position.

4. The structure of claim 3 , further comprising a first table section attached to the upper arm of the first center support and outside of the base, and a second table section attached to the upper arm of the second center support and outside of the base, such that when moved to the open standing position, the table sections are moved horizontal to at least partially form a table.

5. The structure of claim 4 , wherein each center support comprises a bottom hinge defining a bottom attachment tab on the lower arm and a top hinge defining a top attachment tab on the upper arm, wherein the each center support is attached to the base at the each attachment tab.

6. The structure of claim 5 , wherein each center support is folded over the bottom attachment tab.

7. The structure of claim 6 , wherein the base further includes an attachment tab at the second end of the base that is defined by an additional hinge and configured to attach to an end panel of the base.

8. The structure of claim 4 , wherein the upper arms include an upper arm slit, wherein the table sections each include a first section slit defined therein aligned with the upper arm slits and perpendicular to the body, and a second section slit perpendicular to the upper arm slits such that, in the open standing position, the table sections define a cross-shaped opening.

9. The structure of claim 8 , wherein the body of each center support includes a cut out between the upper arm and the body.

10. The structure of claim 9 , further comprising a cross support sized and shaped so as to be insertable into the cross-shaped opening in the table sections and to secure to the body, wherein the cross support member includes a first cross support member interfaced with a second cross support member connected to each other and being foldable between a cross flat position and cross open position.

11. The structure of claim 10 , wherein the first cross support member includes a central bottom slit that is slidable over the body within the base and the second cross support member includes a central upper slit that is dimensioned so as to receive the first cross-support member to form the cross support.

12. The structure of claim 11 , wherein each cross support includes a bottom tab that inserts through the cross shaped opening in the table.

13. The structure of claim 12 , further comprising at least one shelf member, each shelf member comprising a cross opening that is slidable onto the cross support so as to allow said each shelf member to rest on a set of ribs of the cross support.

14. The structure of claim 13 , wherein the cross support includes successively smaller diameter sets of ribs, and wherein each shelf includes a cross opening, wherein each successively higher shelf includes a smaller cross opening to rest on successive sets of ribs of the cross support.

15. The structure of claim 14 , further comprising a hat configured to form a box to cover a top portion of the cross support.

16. The structure of claim 14 , wherein each component is made of corrugated paper.

17. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the hinges include living hinges defined by at least one of fold lines, score lines, intermittent cuts, and/or rail scores.

18. A method for assembling a collapsible structure, comprising:
providing a base, the base having at least five hinges defined therein to define six base panels such that the base is foldable to form a hexagon;
providing a first center support and a second center support, comprising:
a body;
an upper arm defined by a first arm hinge and extending from the body, the first arm hinge allowing the upper arm to fold relative to the body; and
a lower arm defined by a second arm hinge and extending from an opposite side of the body as the upper arm, the second arm hinge allowing the lower arm to fold relative to the body,
a bottom hinge defining a bottom attachment tab on the lower arm and a top hinge defining a top attachment tab on the upper arm;
attaching the first center support to a first panel of the base by the lower attachment tab of the first center support;

attaching a second center support to a second panel of the base by the lower attachment tab of the second center support, wherein the second panel is spaced from the first panel by two intermediate panels;
folding the first center support over the lower attachment tab to bring the first center support across the base;
folding the second center support over the lower attachment tab to bring the second center support across the base;
folding the upper arm of the first center support over and attaching the first center support to a first panel of the base by the top attachment tab of the first center support;
folding the upper arm of the second center support over and attaching the second center support to a second panel of the base by the top attachment tab of the second center support,
folding the base between the two intermediate panels such that the body of each of the first center support and the second center support contact and join together via an adhesive or tape; and
attaching a first end of the base to a second end of the base to enclose the center supports within the base such that the base is movable between a flat folded position and an open standing position by relative movement of the upper arms and the lower arms relative to the attached bodies of the first and second center supports.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising attaching a first table section and a second table section to the upper arm of the first center support and the second center support after enclosing the center supports in the base such that, in the open standing position, the first and second table sections sit on the upper arms to form a table having a cross-shaped opening therein.

Assignees

• Westrock Shared Services Llc

Inventors

• Hampton Michael L

Classifications

• A47B43/02

  made of cardboard or the like {(travelling wardrobes A47B61/06; hand-folded from sheet material and specially adapted for display A47F5/116)} · CPC title

• A47F5/116 Primary

  Shelving racks · CPC title

• A47F5/114

  in the form of trays with a base · CPC title

• A47F2005/0075

  Headers for show stands, shelves, racks or cases · CPC title