| Exposition booth installation system and method, for displaying articles at a trade show or convention -> Monitor Keywords |
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Exposition booth installation system and method, for displaying articles at a trade show or conventionRelated Patent Categories: Horizontally Supported Planar Surfaces, Plural Related Horizontal Surfaces, Detachable Enlarging Or Substitute SurfaceExposition booth installation system and method, for displaying articles at a trade show or convention description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060230990, Exposition booth installation system and method, for displaying articles at a trade show or convention. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention is a system and method used to assist in the display of articles at a trade show or convention. The inventive system includes a table having a top and a plurality of ground engaging legs. The top has side edges depending downwardly from an upper surface of the top, and a plurality of holes formed on the side edge. [0002] A table skirt hangs from the table top. The skirt has an upper hem configured to engage the table when the skirt is in its hung position. The system will also include a plurality of clips. Each clip is sewn adjacent the upper hem of the skirt. [0003] Additionally, each clip has a flat portion, and a post emanating therefrom. The post will have a first end extending from the flat portion, and a bulbous second end displaced from the flat portion. The clips and holes (on the side edge of the table) are cooperatively configured so that each clip engages within a respective hole to thereby retain the skirt in the hung position. [0004] Optionally, the holes will include an upper portion and a channel portion depending downwardly. The channel portion will be narrower than the upper portion. The upper portion should be large enough to allow the bulbous end to be inserted therein. However, as the clip is slid downwardly after the bulbous end is inserted, the bulbous end is retained by the channel portion, thereby holding the skirt is in the hung position. In order to create a snap fit, the holes may further have a second round portion formed at a terminal end of the channel portion, thereby allowing the post to snap-fit into the second round portion when the skirt is in the hung position. Further, a pliable gasket may be positioned adjacent edges of each respective hole. [0005] The table top is preferably formed of a lightweight plastic or polyurethane. Additionally, the clips may be formed of a lightweight plastic. [0006] In a preferred embodiment of the inventive system, the clips are triangular having a first edge positioned generally parallel to and adjacent the upper hem of the skirt. In order to assist the in keeping the clips attached to the skirt, the clips may bear at least one spike formed on the flat portion of the clip and configured to point in a direction opposite the post, the at least one spike being configured to engage the skirt. Additionally, the clips may bear small apertures, thereby allowing the clips to be sewn to the skirt by threading through the apertures in the clips. [0007] The invention also includes a method for creating a display system for use at a convention or trade show. The inventive method includes the steps of selecting a table with a top and a plurality of ground engaging legs depending downwardly therefrom. The table will also have a side edge depending downwardly from an upper surface of the top. The method will also include forming a plurality of holes formed on the side edge, and positioning a table skirt to hang from a position adjacent the side edge. [0008] Additionally, the method will also include the step of providing a plurality of clips. Each clip has a flat portion and a post extending outwardly from the flat portion, and the post will terminate in a bulbous end. [0009] The method will also include the step of sewing each respective clip, preferably at evenly spaced intervals, to the skirt adjacent an upper hem of the skirt. The method will also include the step of cooperatively configuring the clips and the holes so that the clips may be frictionally retained within the holes. The method will include the step of hanging the skirt. [0010] The step of hanging the skirt will require the insertion of the respective bulbous ends into respective holes, then allowing the skirt to hang downwardly. Either by the weight of the skirt, or by actually pulling down by the installer, the clip may slide downwardly into the channel portion of the hole. [0011] In order to optionally assist in the retention of the clips within the holes, the method may include the steps of forming the hole to include an upper portion; and, a channel portion depending downwardly from the upper portion. In this embodiment, the channel portion has a width narrower than the upper portion. [0012] Optionally, the hanging step includes the steps of inserting the bulbous end into the upper portion of the hole, and sliding the clip downwardly so that the post engages within the channel portion of the hole. [0013] The inventive method may also include the step of forming the table and/or the clips out of a lightweight plastic, polypropylene, polyurethane, or high density polyurethane. [0014] In order to ease installation, the method may include the forming of the holes along the side edge of the table so that each hole is positioned a selected first distance from a nearest hole, and then attaching (by sewing preferably, but glue, tacking, or hook-and-loop fasteners would also work) the respective clips along the upper hem of the skirt so that each respective clip is spaced the selected first distance from a nearest clip. Preferably, the method also includes the positioning clips adjacent ends of the upper hem of the skirt. [0015] The invention also includes system for creating a configuration of booths for the display of items at a trade show or convention. This aspect of the inventive system will include a plurality of bases, each formed of a durable, heavyweight plastic. It will also include a respective post extending from a central region of each base. The invention also includes a plurality of tubes, each mounted to a respective base so that the posts fit within the hollow tube to thereby retain the tubes in a generally vertical position. The tubes are preferably PVC piping. [0016] The invention also will have at least one notch formed in an upper rim of the hollow tube, and a plurality of curtain rods, each comprising a hollow tube. Preferably a respective curtain hangs from each curtain rod. [0017] This aspect of the invention may also have a plug in each end of each curtain rod. An L-Shaped clip may extend from the plug. This L-Shaped clip engages the notches to secure the curtain rod. [0018] In a preferred embodiment, the invention will include a first base, a second base, a third base, and a fourth base, and four long hollow tubes, each respective long hollow tube having a selected first length and mounted to the post of each of the first, second, third, fourth bases. Further, there may be a plurality of curtain rods including a first curtain rod extending between the first long hollow tube and the second long hollow tube. The invention may also have a second curtain rod extending between the second long hollow tube and the third long hollow tube, and a third curtain rod extending between the third long hollow tube and the fourth long hollow tube. The first length of tube may approximate the height of the standard table, for example three feet high. Further, the tubes of the first length (the shorter tubes) may be disposed at a right angle, or an obtuse angle (for example 135 degrees) from the tubes of the second length. Of course, there is likely to be first, second, and third curtains hanging from the respective first, second and third curtain rods. [0019] Due to their durability and lightweight character, PVC piping (or similar plastic tubing) is preferred for all tubing and curtain rods. Each upper rim of the long hollow tubes may bear notches, each notch positioned at ninety-degree increments along a circumference of the tube. These notches facilitate attachment of the curtain rods via the L-Shaped clips that protrude from the plugs in the end of the curtain rods. [0020] It is important to note that the fire codes of many states and municipalities require that the curtains and skirts all be constructed of a flame retardant or flame resistant material. Consequently, the invention may include the step of constructing the skirt and curtains each to be flame retardant, or the step of treating the skirt and curtains with flame-slowing chemical treatment. [0021] Optionally, this aspect of the invention may include a fifth base, and a post mounted to the fifth base and generally orthogonal to the fifth base. It may also include a sixth base, and a post mounted to the sixth base and generally orthogonal to the sixth base. Additionally, this optional embodiment may have a first short hollow tube (having a selected short length). In this embodiment, the post of the fifth base is inserted within the first hollow short tube and holds the first hollow short tube in a general vertical orientation. In like manner, the invention may also include a second short hollow tube (having a selected short length). The post of the sixth base is inserted within the second hollow short tube and holding the second hollow short tube in a general vertical orientation. Additionally, this optional embodiment will have a hole placed at an intermediate location of the long hollow tubes, each hole located at approximately the selected short length from a bottom end of the long hollow tube. Then, a lower curtain rod having its first end engaging the top of the first short hollow tube, and its second end engaging the hole in the first long hollow tube. Also, a second lower curtain rod having its first end engaging the top of the second short hollow tube, and a second end engaging the hole in the fourth long hollow tube. As a final option, respective curtains may be hung from each of the curtain rods and lower curtain rods. [0022] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Continue reading about Exposition booth installation system and method, for displaying articles at a trade show or convention... Full patent description for Exposition booth installation system and method, for displaying articles at a trade show or convention Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Exposition booth installation system and method, for displaying articles at a trade show or convention patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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