Counter

Abstract

A counter which, in use, includes a mainly horizontal top plate and bottom plate arranged with a mutual spacing and a mainly vertical support plate extending between the top and bottom plates and following the rims of these plates at least a distance of their extent. The support plate is made up of a relatively thin, elastic material with a non-stressed initial condition and a clamped mounted condition. The counter has a simple, light and inexpensive structure, and it allows light from a light source in the counter to penetrate the support plate and illuminate an information on this plate. The counter takes up very little space during transportation and storage, and it can be mounted quickly and easily upon use.

1 . A counter comprising, in use, a mainly horizontal top plate and bottom plate arranged with a mutual spacing and a mainly vertical support plate extending between the top and bottom plates, wherein the support plate is made up of a relatively thin, elastic material having a non-stressed initial condition and a stressed mounted condition where the counter in a mounted state is detachably joinable to a complete counter.  
     
     
         2 . The counter according to  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom plates include rims having upright edges facing in opposite directions, and the support plate has upper and lower rims located between the upright edges of the top and bottom plates in the mounted state.  
     
     
         3 . The counter according to  claim 2 , wherein the upright edges have a center part having a relatively large, first radius of curvature and two end parts having a relatively small, second radius of curvature at least along a portion thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The counter according to  claim 2 , wherein the first radius of curvature is between three and fifteen times larger than the second radius of curvature.  
     
     
         5 . The counter according to  claim 2 , wherein the first radius of curvature is between five and ten times larger than the second radius of curvature.  
     
     
         6 . The counter according to  claim 2 , wherein the support plate, seen in horizontal section, is single curvatured in the mounted state with a center part having a first radius of curvature corresponding to the first radius of curvature of the upright edges and two end parts having a second radius of curvature corresponding to the second radius of curvature of the upright edges.  
     
     
         7 . The counter according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the vertical rims of the support plate is stiffened by a stiffening rod, the two ends of which are supported by support means on the top and bottom plates.  
     
     
         8 . The counter according to  claim 7 , wherein the support means are the upright edges of the top and bottom plates.  
     
     
         9 . The counter according to  claim 1 , wherein the top and bottom plates include rims having upright edges facing in opposite directions, the support plate has first and second vertical end parts and upper and lower rims located respectively on the end parts between the upright edges of the top and bottom plates in the mounted state, with the upright edges of the support plates having a center part with a relatively large, first radius of curvature and two end parts with a relatively small, second radius of curvature at least along a portion thereof, wherein the first radius of curvature is between three and fifteen times larger than the second radius of curvature, and with the support plate, as seen in horizontal section, being single curvatured in the mounted state with a center part having a first radius of curvature corresponding to the first radius of curvature of the upright edges and the two end parts having a second radius of curvature corresponding to the second radius of curvature of the upright edges such that the end parts of the support plate function as hollow legs to support the top plate.  
     
     
         10 . The counter according to  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is transparent and includes a message thereon.  
     
     
         11 . The counter according to  claim 1 , which further comprises a support structure extending between the two end parts of the support plate.  
     
     
         12 . The counter according to  claim 11 , wherein the support structure comprises at least one brace rod.  
     
     
         13 . The counter according to  claim 11 , wherein the support structure comprises of at least one shelf.