Box frame assembly

Abstract

The elongated box frame structure of the present invention comprises a plurality of frame segments attached to at least one end piece. Preferably, two end pieces are attached, one at each end of the plurality of frame segments. The plurality of frame segments are attached to the end piece such that a column-like structure is formed. The inner space defined within the frame segments can be substantially free of webbing. Structural strength and stability is generally achieved by the bridging support of the attached end pieces.

1 . An elongated box frame assembly for use in constructing displays, comprising: 
 a plurality of frame tubing segments, each of the plurality of frame tubing segments having a first end portion and a second end portion; and    a first end piece webbing secured to the first end portions, a second end piece webbing secured to the second end portions, the first and the second end piece webbings having a top plate portion and plurality of side plate portions, each of the plurality of side plate portions being generally transverse to said top plate portion, and each of the plurality of side plate portions operably connected to two adjacent frame tubing segments in a plane generally parallel to the two adjacent frame tubing segments for bridging support.    
   
   
       2 . The frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frame tubing segments are of a general rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       3 . The frame assembly  claim 1 , wherein each top plate of the first end and second end piece webbings includes a central aperture.  
   
   
       4 . The frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each top plate portion of the first end and second end piece webbings includes a plurality of inset corners for attachment to the plurality of frame tubing segments.  
   
   
       5 . The frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the end piece webbings is fixedly attached to one of the plurality of frame tubing segments using welding techniques.  
   
   
       6 . The frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frame tubing segments are substantially without bracing intermediate the end piece webbings, such that the plurality of frame tubing segments are substantially smooth and free of obstructions along the length between the first end portion and the second end portion.  
   
   
       7 . The frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frame tubing segments are made of a material selected from a group consisting of: polymeric and metallic.  
   
   
       8 . The frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of frame tubing segments is substantially hollow.  
   
   
       9 . The frame assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the securement of the end piece webbings to the plurality of frame tubing segments forms a frame assembly removably connectable to a substantially similar second frame assembly.  
   
   
       10 . The frame assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the removable connectability of the frame assemblies is achieved with fastening means.  
   
   
       11 . A box frame for a display comprising a plurality of frame tubing segments and end webbing connected to ends thereof, the end webbing having a top plate and a plurality of side plates, each of the plurality of side plates being generally transverse to said top plate, and each of the plurality of side plates being operably connected to two adjacent frame tubing segments for bridging support, the box frame having a top and a bottom, each box frame having a plurality of sockets for receiving connectors for connection to other display components.  
   
   
       12 . The box frame of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of frame tubing segments are of general rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       13 . The box frame of  claim 11 , wherein the top plate of the end webbing includes a central aperture.  
   
   
       14 . The box frame of  claim 11 , wherein the top plate of the end webbing includes plurality of inset corners for attachment to the plurality of frame tubing segments.  
   
   
       15 . A method of making a box frame for use in constructing a display, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of frame tubing segments, each of the plurality of frame tubing segments having a first end portion and a second end portion;    providing at least one end piece webbing having a top plate portion and a peripheral edge, the at least one end piece webbing capable of securement to the plurality of frame tubing segments generally adjacent to the first end portion;    forming a plurality of side plate portions in the at least one end piece webbing by bending a portion of the at least one end piece webbing proximate the peripheral edge along a bend line; and    securing the formed at least one end piece webbing to at least one of the end portions of the plurality of frame tubing segments to provide bridging support.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing at least one end piece webbing further includes providing the at least one end piece webbing having a plurality of inset corners to facilitate attachment of the at least one end piece webbing to the plurality of frame tubing segments.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of providing at least one end piece webbing further includes providing the at least one end piece webbing having a central aperture extending therethrough.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further including the step of providing a second end piece webbing securable to the second end portions of the plurality of frame tubing segments.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of providing a second end piece webbing further includes providing the second end piece webbing having a plurality of inset corners to facilitate attachment of the second end piece webbing to the plurality of frame tubing segments.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of providing a second end piece webbing further includes providing the at least second end piece webbing having a central aperture extending therethrough.