WO1992016928A1

WO1992016928A1 - Display apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1992016928A1
Application number: PCT/GB1992/000458
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Robin Hodges
Original assignee: The Solicitor's Law Stationery Society Limited
Priority date: 1991-03-15
Filing date: 1992-03-13
Publication date: 1992-10-01
Also published as: GB2269991A; GB9105564D0; CA2105989A1; GB2269991B; AU1365992A; GB9318658D0

Abstract

The apparatus comprises: a frame (1); a reflective member (12) for mounting in the frame (1); a transparent image sheet (15) carrying an image to be displayed; and holding means (6) for releasably holding the image sheet (15) in place on the reflective member (12), so that a person in front of the apparatus can see both the said image and a reflection of themselves in the reflective member (12), the holding means (6) comprising a plurality of holding members (6) each of which can be separately moved between open and closed positions and arranged such that when in the closed position they each hold a peripheral portion of the image sheet (15) in place on the reflective member (12) and, when they are each in the open position, the image sheet (15) can be removed and replaced by another image sheet (15).

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to display apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for displaying a replaceable message, e.g. a health and safety message to people working within a company.

BACKGROUND ART

A number of different forms of display apparatus are presently available including that described in UK patent specification No 1295378. This comprises a display holder having a frame structure with border holder means pivotably secured along each edge of the frame structure which can be 'snapped' between open and closed positions. In the closed position, the border holder means each hold an edge of a poster mounted in the display holder against a backing member to hold the poster securely in place. With each border holder member in the open position, the poster can be removed from the apparatus and a new poster put in its place.

Another form of display holder is proposed in UK patent specification No 1575609. This holder comprises a reflecting device made up of a separate layer of reflecting material placed over a backing member to form a mirror. The mirror is intended to attract a viewer's attention to a message provided on a transparent or translucent sheet laid over the reflecting device which is held in place thereon by a pivotable frame structure carrying a pane of glass which presses the transparent sheet against the reflective device when in the closed position.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided display apparatus comprising: a frame; a reflective member for mounting in the frame; a substantially transparent image member carrying an image to be displayed; and holding means mounted on the frame for releasably holding the image member in place on the reflective member, such that a person in front of the apparatus can see both the said image and a reflection of themselves in the reflective member, the holding means comprising a plurality of holding members each of which can be separately moved between open and closed positions and arranged such that when in the closed position they each hold a peripheral portion of the image member in place on the reflective member and, when they are each in the open position, the image member can be removed and replaced by another image member.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided display apparatus comprising: a frame; a reflective image member carrying an image to be displayed on a reflective background; and holding means mounted on the frame for releasably holding the reflective image member in place on the frame so that a person in front of the apparatus can see both the said image and a reflection of themselves in the reflective background of the reflective image member, the holding means comprising a plurality of holding members each of which can be separately moved between open and closed positions and arranged such that when in the closed position they each hold a peripheral portion of the reflective image member in place in the frame and, when they are each in the open position, the reflective image member can be removed and replaced by another reflective image member.

The invention arises from an identification of the disadvantages of prior art display apparatus and the realisation that a selection of the different concepts embodied in two types of display apparatus as described in the patent specifications referred to above, when combined in a particular manner, enable an improved form of display apparatus to be provided.

Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the subsidiary claims of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, merely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of display apparatus according to the invention, with each of the holding members shown in the open position; Figure 2 is a front view of the display apparatus shown in Figure 1, with each of the holding members in the closed position;

Figure 3 is a more detailed perspective view of one corner of display apparatus such as that shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of part of a display apparatus such as that shown in Figure 3 but having a slightly different form, with the holding members shown in the closed position.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The apparatus shown in Figure 1 has a fixed frame structure 1 similar to that described in UK patent specification No 1295378 (the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in this description). The frame structure 1 comprises four frame members 2 with mitred ends secured together by angle brackets 3 and screws 4 to form a rectangular frame. Each of the frame members 2 has a similar cross-section throughout its length and is preferably in the form of an extrusion, eg of aluminium or a plastics material. As shown in Figure 4, the cross-section of the frame members 2 is such as to define a hinge mounting 5 for border holding members 6 (described further below), a groove 7 for receiving one end of a leaf-spring 8, a channel 9 for receiving the angle brackets 3 and a flange 10 which together with support 11 forms a narrow groove for receiving the edge of a reflective member 12.

The components shown in Figure 4 have a slightly different form to the corresponding parts shown in Figure 3 and, in particular, the flange 10 is omitted so the reflective member 12 simply rests against the support 11.

The border holding members 6 are also preferably formed of extrusions and have a cross-section which defines a channel 13 for sliding over the hinge mounting 5 to pivotably attach the holding member 6 to the respective frame member 2 and an S-bend portion to provide a finger grip 14A for helping move the holding member 6 between open and closed positions, a rib 14B for receiving the other end of the leaf spring 7 and a face 14C for The transparent sheet 16 may, if desired, be pivotably attached along one edge 15A thereof to the fixed frame structure 1, e.g. by a flexible adhesive tape, to one of the frame members 2, so that edge is held in place when the sheet 16 is pivoted away from the frame structure 1 as shown in Figure 1. A tab 17A or other form of finger grip may also be provided to make it easier to pull the sheet 16 away from the reflective member 12. Another form of finger grip can simply be provided by a small cut-out 17B in the corner of the sheet 16, eg about 1.5 cm wide, so a finger can be inserted to pull the edge of the sheet 16 away from the reflective member 12. Having pulled the sheet 16 away from the reflective member 12, a message sheet 15 can then be placed on the reflective member 12 and the sheet 16 returned to its closed position to hold the message sheet 16 in place. The holding means 6 are then closed to hold the transparent sheet 15 and hence the message sheet 16 securely within the frame structure 1.

With the modified arrangement shown in Figure 1 having the transparent sheet 16, the message sheet 15 need not extend under the holding members 6 since the transparent sheet 16 itself holds the message sheet 15 in place when it is pressed against the reflective member 12 by the holding members 6. However, when the apparatus is used in a vertical position, e.g. fixed to a wall, it can be difficult to keep the message sheet 15 in the required position as the transparent sheet 16 is closed. It is therefore preferred for the message sheet 15 to be a close fit within the frame structure so there is little room for misalignment of the sheet 15 within the apparatus.

In another arrangement, the message sheet 15 may comprise a rigid transparent plastics sheet in the form of the transparent sheet 16 but with a message printed on it, preferably on its reverse side. Such a message sheet would simply be held in place against the reflective member 12 by the holding members 6 and should not be attached to the frame structure 1 so it can be easily replaced as and when required by a similar sheet carrying another message.

In a further arrangement, the message sheet may comprise both the message to be displayed and the reflective background on a single sheet, for transparent material the rear face of which is silvered. However, a preferred form of reflective member 12 comprises a sheet of plastics material such as styrene with a reflective coating applied to its upper face, eg by vapour-deposition or screen printing, to act as a mirror, such as a product known as 'mirrored styrene'. The reflective member 12 may be secured within a groove such as that shown in Figure 3 or may be affixed by adhesive to the flange 11 as shown in Figure 4. The reflective member 12 may be mounted directly in the frame structure 1 but an additional backing member (not shown) may be used if desired.

In the preferred form of the apparatus, a message (or other display) is provided on a separate message sheet 15 which is laid over the reflective member 12. Apart from the message or image carried by the sheet 15, the sheet 15 is substantially transparent so a person in front of the display apparatus can see both the message or image carried by the sheet 15 and a reflection of themselves in the reflective member 12. The message sheet 15 preferably comprises a thin, flexible sheet of acetate or other plastics material (typically about 75 microns thick) on which a message or other image has been provided, e.g. by a screen printing technique. As the message sheet 15 is very thin, when it is laid on the reflective member 12, the message and reflective coating of the reflective member 12 are effectively co-planar. This avoids problems of parallax between the image on the message sheet and the image formed in the reflective member which can arise if these two layers are spaced from each other (even if only by 1 or 2 mm). If a thicker message sheet 15 is used, the message or image should therefore be provided on the rear face of the sheet so as to lie in contact with the relective member 12 when placed thereon so avoiding problems of parallax caused by the thickness of the sheet 15.

The message sheet 15 may be held securely in place on the reflective member 12 directly by the holding means 6 as shown in Figure 4. In another arrangement, an additional lightweight transparent or translucent sheet i6, e.g. of acrylic or other plastics material, is provided to hold the message sheet 15 against the reflective member 12, as shown in Figure 1. The transparent sheet 16 may, if desired, be pivotably attached along one edge 15A thereof to the fixed frame structure 1, e.g. by a flexible adhesive tape, to one of the frame members 2, so that edge is held in place when the sheet 16 is pivoted away from the frame structure 1 as shown in Figure 1. A tab 17A or other form of finger grip may also be provided to make it easier to pull the sheet 16 away from the reflective member 12. Another form of finger grip can simply be provided by a small cut-out 17B in the corner of the sheet 16, eg about 1.5 cm wide, so a finger can be inserted to pull the edge of the sheet 16 away from the reflective member 12. Having pulled the sheet 16 away from the reflective member 12, a message sheet 15 can then be placed on the reflective member 12 and the sheet 16 returned to its closed position to hold the message sheet 16 in place. The holding means 6 are then closed to hold the transparent sheet 15 and hence the message sheet 16 securely within the frame structure 1.

In a further arrangement, the message sheet may comprise both the message to be displayed and the reflective background on a single sheet, for example in the form of a sheet of plastics material carrying a message printed over a reflective background or with a message printed on one side and a reflective coating formed on the other side of the sheet. One suitable form of sheet for this is a flexible sheet of Metalon (Trade name) comprising a combination of polyester and polyvinylchioride manufactured by Chamberlain Plastics Limited with a silver polish to form a reflective coating thereon (or some other reflective coating such as a copper polish). The message to be displayed may be printed on the sheet or letters formed by leaving letter-shaped areas of the sheet transparent, i.e. without the silver polish, so the message becomes visible if the sheet is placed over a dark or coloured background.

If the reflective message sheet is flexible, it is preferable to mount a substantially rigid backing sheet in the frame structure 1 to help support the sheet in the frame.

It should be noted that the resilient clamping pads described in UK patent specification No 1295378 are unnecessary. The message sheet 15 and/or transparent sheet 16 are satisfactorily held in place by direct engagement of the face 14C of the holding members 6 . pressing them against the reflective member 12.

The flange 10 or the support 11 and/or the upstanding part forming one side of the channel 9 define a recess into which the message sheet 15 and, optionally, the transparent sheet 16 fit. The recess should therefore be sufficiently deep to receive these components and to keep them in alignment with the frame structure 1. The recess may be of any size to suit the message sheet 15 which is to be displayed. Typical message sheets are, for instance, approximately 280 mm x 450 mm or 440 mm x 550 mm. The apparatus may also be of other shapes, e.g. triangular or hexagonal, to display correspondingly shaped message sheets.

The display apparatus described above has considerable advantages over prior art devices such as those described in UK patent specifications Nos 1295378 and 1575609 referred to above. It provides apparatus which enables an image or display to be provided in association with a reflection of the person viewing the image and allows an image sheet to be easily inserted into the device and removed again when it is desired to replace the sheet by another. The association of the viewers ' reflection with a display giving, for instance, a health and safety message is believed to be important in helping the person to associate the message with him or herself. Conventional posters and display apparatus do not, of course, provide this feature. In addition, the bright, reflective and moving image formed by the reflective member as a person walks past the display, helps attract their attention to the message displayed.

The apparatus described herein also provides a simple, reliable and relatively inexpensive way of displaying a message which is to be changed at regular intervals, e.g. every day or every week. By simply 'snapping' open each of the holding means 6, the message sheet 15 can be easily removed, replaced by another and the holding means 'snapped' shut again. The apparatus also ensures that the message sheet is securely held in place and in alignment with the frame structure 1.

Due to its simple construction, the apparatus is relatively inexpensive to manufacture particularly compared to apparatus such as that described in UK patent specification No 1575609 which has many more parts and includes a frame of complex shape with a retaining clip which has to hold a relatively heavy frame and pane of glass in the closed position.

The apparatus is also safer as it has no heavy components which can swing downwards or outwards onto a passer-by or onto a person changing the message to be displayed. A secure retaining clip is not required to guard against this eventuality, and glass components need not be used.

As well as its use in providing displays in a particular campaign, such as a health and safety campaign within a company, the apparatus described above also has applications in general advertising displays and other consumer display situations. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The display apparatus can be manufactured and used in a wide variety of applications as detailed above.

Claims

CLALMS 1. Display apparatus comprising: a frame; a reflective member for mounting in the frame; a substantially transparent image member carrying an image to be displayed; and holding means mounted on the frame for releasably holding the image member in place on the reflective member, such that a person in front of the apparatus can see both the said image and a reflection of themselves in the reflective member, the holding means comprising a plurality of holding members each of which can be separately moved between open and closed positions and arranged such that when in the closed position they each hold a peripheral portion of the image member in place on the reflective member and, when they are each in the open position, the image member can be removed and replaced by another image member.

2. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the reflective member comprises a sheet of substantially rigid material with a reflective coating formed thereon.

3. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the image member comprises a flexible sheet of plastics material with the image to be displayed carried thereon.

4. Display apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 and 3 in which the reflective coating is formed on the face of the sheet of substantially rigid material which is to be outwardly facing in use and the image member is sufficiently thin so that the image carried thereon is effectively co-planar with the reflective coating when the apparatus is in use whereby parallax between the said image and an image formed by the reflective coating is minimised.

5. Display apparatus comprising: a frame; a reflective image member carrying an image to be displayed on a reflective background; and holding means mounted on the frame for releasably holding the reflective image member in place in the frame so that a person in front of the apparatus can see both the said image and a reflection of themselves in the reflective background of the reflective image member, the holding means comprising a plurality of holding members each of which can be separately moved between open and closed positions and arranged such that when in the closed position they each hole a peripheral portion of the reflective image member in place in the frame and, when they are each in the open position, the reflective image member can be removed and replaced by another reflective image member.

6. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 5 in which the reflective image member comprises a flexible sheet of plastics material with both the image to be displayed and a reflective coating formed thereon.

7. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the frame comprises a plurality of elongate frame members formed by an extrusion process and joined together to form a frame of the required shape.

8. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holding members are pivotably mounted to the respective sides of the frame and extend substantially along the length of each side of the frame.

9. Display apparatus as claimed in claims 7 and 8 in which the holding members are also formed by an extrusion process, the cross-sections of the frame members and holding members being so shaped that a holding member can be fitted onto a frame member so as to be pivotably mounted thereon.

10. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the holding members comprise biasing means, for example leaf springs, arranged to releasably bias the holding members towards the open position when they are open and to releasably bias the holding members towards the closed position when they are closed.

11. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a substantially transparent member for placing over the image member and arranged to be held in contact therewith by the holding members when the holding members are in the closed position.

12. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 11 in which the substantially transparent member comprises a sheet of substantially rigid material, eg acrylic.

13. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 12 in which the substantially transparent member comprises a finger grip, e.g. in the form of a cut-out, adjacent one edge to assist in pulling the substantially transparent member away from the frame to allow access to an image member mounted therein.

14. Display apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.