Mobile structure for display purposes such as shows and exhibitions

Abstract

 A mobile structure for display purposes such as puppet and marionette shows, theatrical performances, exhibitions and suchlike. The structure comprises at least one basic element which is formed by three surfaces (1,2,3) enclosed by frame portions which are jointly and hingably connected to one another.
The frame portion of at least one 1 of the surfaces incorporates a hinge (10) substantially in the centre thereof, and of which the hingeaxis runs parallel with the hingeaxes of the surfaces. In its operating position, the basic element assumes a triangular form in cross-section. The store-away state is obtained by folding the hinged frame portion inward and then clapping the other framed surfaces together.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile structure for display purposes such as puppet or marionette shows, theatrical performances, exhibitions and suchlike.

[0002] It is known to make use of mobile display cases for puppet performances for example, in which a proscenium is provided in the wall of the case facing the public. Such a case has a very limited field of application and it can only be used exclusively for puppet shows. In recent ti-_les a need has arisen, in comprehensive schools for example, to have at one's disposal a cabinet-like mobile structure such that different shows may be given simultaneously, for example both a puppet show and a theatrical show or some other performance; whilst at the same time requiring such a mobile structure to offer the possibility of use for display purposes.

[0003] To provide a mobile structure for use for display purposes with a more versatile field of application, there is proposed according to the invention a mobile structure characterised in that the structure comprises at least one basic element which is formed by three surfaces enclosed by frame portions which are jointly and hingably connected to one another with the frame portion or frame portions of one of the surfaces including a hinge substantially in the centre thereof and of which the hingeaxis runs parallel to the hingeaxes of the surfaces, the arrangement being such that in its operating position the basic element assumes a substantially triangular form in cross-section and that the store-away state of the basic element is obtained by folding the hinged frame portion inward and clapping the other framed surfaces together. It being preferahle here to provide at least one of the surfaces, bordered by the frame portions, at least partially with a wall.

[0004] A mobile structure of such design, and construction offers the possibility for it to be used for different show purposes simultaneously. In addition to its use in the schools previously quoted herein, the structure according to the invention is particularly suitable for exhibiting a wide variety of objects at exchanges exhibitions and suchlike. In its clapped-together store-away state the structure can easily be transported and stored.

[0005] A suitable embodiment of the structure according to the invention is such that the basic element is built up of three vertical posts connected together by at least three horizontal connecting elements, in which the posts and the connecting elements form the frame portions, the joints between the posts and the connecting elements are hinge connections and one of the three connecting elements is provided substantially in the centre thereof with a hingeaxis running parallel to the posts. In this embodiment, the three horizontal connecting elements are arranged on or near to the extremities of the posts lying in the same plane. In order to strengthen the structure, three connecting elements can also be fitted on or near to the other extremities of the posts.

[0006] According to the invention preferably, each vertical post is provided on at least one of the ends lying in the same plane, with at least one pair of projecting bearing-pins running in the longitudinal direction of the post, whilst the connecting elements include bearing-bushes at both ends on which the connecting elements are pivotably arranged on the bearing-pins on the posts.

[0007] Yet another suitable embodiment is such that at least one extremity of each post include three bearing-pins,the centrelines of which, when seen in cross-section, lie substantially co-incident with the corner points of an equilateral triangle. By taking this measure, the possibility is offered to pivotably fix the connecting elements together with the aid of bearing-bushes fitted thereto. Preferably in this arrangement each vertical post comprises three rods fixed together by strengthening elements, the centrelines of which rods when seen in cross-section are substantially co-incident with the corner points of an equilateral triangle. By taking this measure a structure of a particularly low weight is obtained, the manufacturing costs of which are small moreover.

[0008] Preferably, the structure according to the invention is built up of two or more jointly and pivotably connected basic elements, the arrangement being such that the structure can be folded up in a concertina-fashion. By taking this measure, the field of application of the structure according to the invention can be considerably expanded. Through this the connection between the two basic elements can be made by an intermediate wall pivotably connected to the basic elements.

[0009] In another preferred embodiment of the invention each vertical post of the basic element comprises a central column and bottom and head plates connected thereto, said plates being provided with holes the axes of which, in cross section, are lying at the corners of an equilateral triangle, and at least two vertical poles each end of which supports a pin being adapted to be displaced lengthwise with respect to and to be fixed on said pole, each pin being pivotally inserted into a corresponding hole of said bottom and head plate respectively.

[0010] Preferably each pole of the vertical post construction comprises a tube element, both ends of which are slipped onto a respective vertical leg of a substantially solid connecting element having an angled shape, a similar tube element being slipped onto the other horizontal leg of said connecting element, and in that each of said vertical legs of the connecting element has a longitudinal bore for guiding the pin in a slidable way, fastening means being provided for locking said pin in the corresponding bore in a desired extended position.

[0011] The embodiments of the invention are now to be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the principle of a basic element of a structure according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of a suitable embodiment of the basic element shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows a structure according to the invention built up from basic elements and in its operating position.

Fig. 4 shows the structure illustrated in fig. 3 in its clapped-together state for storage.

Fiq. 5 to 11 show different examples of application of the structure according to the invention.

Fig. 12 is an elevational side view of a modified embodiment of a vertical post construction being provided in a corner region of a basic element according to the present invention.

Fig. 12a is a plan view of the embodiment of fig. 12, and

Fig. 13 shows on an enlarged scale a detail of the post construction of fig. 12 and illustrates partially a vertical pole which is arranged in the corner region of the bottom and head plates respectively of the said pole.

[0012] As will be seen in fig. 1, the basic element of a structure according to the invention is formed by three surfaces 1, 2 and 3 which are pivotably affixed to one another at the pivot points 4 and 5, 6 and 7, and 8 and 9 respectively. The three surfaces are enclosed by frame portions in a manner to be described in that following hereon. As shown in fig. 1, a hinge 10 is located substantially in the centre of the (horizontal) frame portion (later to be described herein) of the frame portions of the surface I and the hingeaxis of which (horizontal) frame portion is parallel to the hingeaxes 4, 5 etc. of the surfaces 1, 2 and 3. In the operating position the basic element (see also for example fig. 5) assumes a substantially triangular form. The store-away state is obtained by folding the hinged frame 1 inward about the axis of the hinge 10 and then clapping the other surfaces 2 and 3 together as indicated by the dashed lines in fig. 1.

[0013] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the basic element shown schematically in fig. 1. The basic element is built up from three vertical posts 11, 12 and 13, three horizontal connecting elements 14, 15 and 16 on the upperside and three horizontal connecting elements 17, 18 and 19 on the lower side, and in which the posts and connecting elements form the frame portions of the surfaces 1, 2 and 3 of fig. 1. Each vertical post consists of three rods 20 which are jointly affixed to one another by strengthening members 21 and 21' ... and the centrelines of which when seen in cross-section lie coincident with the corner points of an equilateral triangle (see also fig. 1). The horizontal connecting elements, 14, 15 etc. are provided with bearing-bushes on each of the extremities thereof, for example, bearing-bushes 22 and 23 on element 14 and bearing-bushes 24 and 25 on element 17 such that these elements are pivotable about the extremity of one of the rods 20. The said extremities thus form bearing-pins for the bearing-hushes of the connecting elements.

[0014] One of the upper-lying connecting elements 14 in the exemplary embodiment together with the oppositely lying one 17 of the lower-lying connecting elements, both of which are pivotably affixed to posts 11 and 12, includes a hinge 26 and 27 respectively located substantially at the centres thereof and of which the hingenxes run substantially parallel with the rods 20 of the vertical posts 11, 12 and 13 respectively. The hinges 26 and 27 correspond to the hinge 10 shown schematically in fig. 1. The connecting elements 14 and 17 can be folded inward with the aid of the hinges 26 and 27 respectively as shown by the dashed lines in fig. 2. After folding these connecting elements inward, the surfaces (2 and 3, fig. 1) enclosed by the frame portions 15, 18, 12 and 13 and 16, 19, 11 and 13 respectively, can be clapped together.

[0015] In the embodiment of the basic element shown in fig. 2, the frame portions enclosed surfaces are provided with walls 28, 29 and 30 which completely cover one surface (wall 28) and partially cover the other surfaces (walls 29 and 30). The said walls can each be pivotably affixed on one side to the posts and on the other side to the rods of the posts.

[0016] In fig. 2, it will be seen that only two of the three bearing-pins on the extremities of the posts are used for pivotably affixing the connecting elements thereto. The third pin of three serves to pivotably affix more basic elements together. The joint connection of two basic elements is achieved with the aid of the horizontal connecting elements 31 and 32 (see fig. 3) which are also provided with bearing-bushes on their extremities which can be fitted to the third free bearing-pin of a post of a basic element.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a structure built up of two basic elements and in which the previously quoted basic elements are pivotably affixed to one another by horizontal connecting elements 31 and 32. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3, walls 33, 34 and 35 are arranged between the two basic elements and on an outwardly lying post of each of both elements, and which are pivotably affixed to their associated posts. Fig. 4 shows the structure of fig. 3 in the clapped-togehter store-away state. As will be seen in fig. 4, the structure according to the invention can be folded up in a concertina-fashion through which the structure occupies very little space and can easily be transported.

[0018] Figs. 5 to 11 inclusive show various applicational possibilities for the structure according to the invention with one or more basic elements. In consequence of the description of principles and use of the basic elements anti structure in the foregoing it is considered that these applicational possibilities need hardly any explanation. Figs. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of the invention in its simplest form and in which one basic element is used. Figs. 7 to 11 inclusive show embodiments with a multiplicity of basic elements which are pivotably affixed to one another by horizontal connecting elements (as described with reference to fig. 2), and in which, as well as one wall being fitted between the free outer lying corners of the posts, one or more walls can be pivotably affixed to the structure.

[0019] An alternative modified and preferred embodiment of one of three vertical post constructions of a basic element according to the present invention is shown in figure 12. The vertical post comprises essentially a central column 40, such as a tube element, which is connected to horizontal bottom and head plates 41 and 42 respectively. As shown in fig. 12a, these bottom and head plates 41, 42 are shaped as an equilateral triangle having at least three holes 43, 44, 45 formed therein. As seen in a cross sectional view the axes of the three holes 43, 44, 45 are lying at the corners of an equilateral triangle. Further the vertical post comprises at least two vertical poles 46 only one of which is visible in fig. 12, the extremities of each of said poles 46 are provided with pins 47, 48 being adapted to be displaced lengthwise with respect to and to be fixed on said pole. Each of said pins 47, 48 is pivotally connected with the bottom and head plates 41, 42 by insertion of the pin in a corresponding hole of said plates, an intermediate bearing socket (not shown) being disposed or not in said hole. The third hole 45 in which no pole is arranged, as shown in fig. 12 and 12a, serves to extend the system, when desired, with a further basic element or with a connecting wall just as with the previously described embodiment.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of a vertical pole, such as the pole 46 shown in fig. 12, is illustrated by fig. 13. As shown, the pole comprises essentially a tube element 49, both ends of which (only the upper end is shown in fig. 13) are slipped onto a respective vertical leg 50 of a substantially solid connecting element 51 having an angled shape and thus comprising also a second horizontal leg 52. As shown in fig. 12, 12a and 13, another tube element 53 is slipped onto the horizontal leg 52 of the connecting element 51 so as to complete the framework parts of the basic element. Further the vertical leg 50 of the connecting element 51 contains a longitudinal bore 54 formed therein for guiding the slidable pin, such as pin 47 (see also fig. 12) which can be locked in said bore in a desired extended projecting position. The fastening means for locking the pin can be any conventional means, e.g. screw means 55 or a screw bolt having an actuating knob, coupling fixedly the pin in a corresponding bore in the desired position.

[0021] The preferred embodiment shown in fig. 12 and 13 has the advantages that the versatility of the mobile framework system of the present invention is increased, the assembly of the framework is facilitated and each inventive basic element can be realised from simple, uncomplcx and inexpensive components.

Claims

1. A mobile structure for display purposes such as puppet and marionette shows, theatrical performances, exhibitions and suchlike characterised in that the structure comprises at least one basic element which is formed by three surfaces enclosed by frame portions which are jointly and hingedly connected to one another, and in which the frame portion or frame portions of one of the surfaces includes a hinge located substantially in the centre thereof and the hingeaxis of which runs parallel to the hingeaxes of the said surfaces, the arrangement being such that in the operating position the basic element assumes a substantially triangular form in cross-section and the store-away state is obtained by folding the hinged frame portion inward and then clapping the other framed surface together.

2. A mobile structure as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that at least one of the frame portion enclosed surfaces of the basic element is at least partially provided with a wall.

3. A mobile structure as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the basic element is built up from three vertical posts which are jointly connected by at least three horizontal connecting elements, that the posts and the connecting elements forming the frame portion, in that the connections between the posts and the connecting elements are hinge connections and in that one of the three connecting elements is provided substantially in the centre thereof with a hingeaxis running parallel to the posts.

4. A mobile structure as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that each vertical post is provided with, on at least one end and lying in the same plane of an extremity thereof, at least two projecting bearing-pins running in the longitudinal direction of the post, and in that the connecting elements include bearing-bushes on both ends and by which means the connecting elements are pivotably arranged on the hearing-pins of the posts.

5. A mobile structure as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that at least one extremity of each post includes three bearing-pins the centreline of which, when seen in cross-section, are substantially coincident with the corner points of an equilateral triangle.

6. A mobile structure as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 inclusive characterised in that each vertical post comprises three rods jointly affixed to one another by strengthening elements the centrelines of which rods seen in cross-section form the corner points of an equilateral triangle.

7. A mobile structure as claimed in any one of the foregoing claims characterised in that the structure is built up of two or more pivotably affixed basic elements, the arrangement being such that the structure can be folded up in a concertina-fashion.

8. A mobile structure according to claim 3, characterised in that each vertical post construction of a basic element comprises a central column and bottom and head plates connected thereto, said plates being provided with holes the axes of which, in cross-section, are lying at the corners of an equilateral triangle, and at least two vertical poles, each end of which supports a pin being adapted to be displaced lengthwise with respect to and to be fixed on said pole, each pin being pivotally inserted into a corresponding hole of said bottom and head plate respectively.

9. A mobile structure according to claim 8, characterised in that each pole of the vertical post construction comprises a tube element, both ends of which are slipped onto a respective vertical leg of a substantially solid connecting element having an angled shape, a similar tube element being slipped onto the other horizontal leg of said connecting element, and in that each of said vertical legs of the connecting elements has a longitudinal bore formed therein for guiding the pin in a slideable way, fastening means being provided for locking said pin in a corresponding hole bore in a desired extended projecting position.

Drawing