GB2024003A - A display stand for spectacles - Google Patents

Abstract

The stand comprises six contiguous rectangular panels (11) which, in plan view, form a regular hexagon. Each of the panels (11) has a plurality of pairs of vertically extending elongate slots (18). Each panel (11) also has projecting outwardly therefrom a plurality of pins (20) located between each pair of slots. Each panel (11) also is provided with an additional row of elongate slots (19) located above the respective pins (20). On the inside of each panel (11) there is slidably located a vertically extending elongate bar (27) each bar having a plurality of longitudinally spaced arms (29) each having the shape of a right angle. Pairs of spectacles (35) are located with the arms (38) thereof extending through the first slots (18) and the bridge portions (37) thereof located on the pins (20). The spectacles are retained on the pins (20) by the arms (29). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A display stand for spectacles This invention relates to a display stand for spectacles.

It is known to provide display stands for displaying pairs of spectacle frames. Generally, a range of spectacle frames is displayed by a Retailer on supporting surfaces of a stand so that the frames may be selected by prospective customers. However, although some display stands are arranged to support spectacle frames in a position such as they would be viewed by observers of wearers of the spectacle frames, stands which display a large range of spectacle frames either do not show each of the frames in such a position or occupy a large amount of space.

Furthermore, many display stands suffer from a disadvantage in that they provide no security. In the case of stands intended to display pairs of sunglasses, this disadvantage can be serious because some types of sunglasses are expensive and could result in substantial loss to a Retailer if stolen from display stands.

According to the present invention there is provided a display stand for spectacles com prising:- means for supporting a pair of spectacles in a raised position, and means for locating at least one arm of the spectacles when supported on the support means.

so that movement of the spectacles on the support means is restricted by the locating means.

The support means may be adapted to extend between lens holding portions of the spectacles so as to support thereon a lower surface of a bridge portion connecting the lens holding portions of the spectacles. The support means may be adapted to be engaged by a movable blocking member for retaining the pairs of spectacles on the support means.

The blocking member may be adapted to be engaged by an immobilising device for restraining movement of the blocking member.

The immobilising device may be controlled by control means. The control means may comprise a lock and key so that when the lock is operated by the key, the immobilising device is moved relative to the blocking member to control movement of the blocking member.

The blocking member may comprise an elongate strip having an arm extending therefrom, the arm being adapted to engage the support means to retain the pair of spectacles thereon.

The stand may be provided with a plurality of support means, a plurality of associated locating means and a plurality of associated arms on said strip. The stand may be provided with a plurality of said strips.

Following is a description, by way of exam ple only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one method of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of a stand in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a rear view of a panel of the stand, and Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line A:A of Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a stand 10 comprising six contiguous rectangular panels 11 arranged such that, in plan view, the panels comprise a regular hexagon, each of the panels comprising a wall of the hexagon. The panels 11 are secured to arms, one of which is shown at 1 2 which extend radially from a tubular column 13 extending co-axially of the hexagonal array of panels 11.

Each end of an arm 1 2 is provided with a tapped recess (not shown) and each panel 11 is provided with two circular apertures (one of which is shown at 14). Each of the panels 11 is secured to two arms 1 2 spaced longitudinally of the column 13, the panel 11 being secured to the corresponding arms 1 2 by means of bolts 15, the shank of each of which is inserted through a corresponding aperture 14 of the panel 11 and is screwed into a corresponding tapped recess at an end of an associated arm 1 2. The column 13, on a lower portion thereof, is provided with a collar 1 6 having three legs 1 7 extending outwardly and downwardly from the column 13.

Each panel 11 is provided with two columns of elongate slots 18, the longitudinal axis of the slots extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column 1 3 and each slot 1 8 of one column being spaced transversely from an adjacent slot in the other column so that the slots comprise transverse rows in the panel. Each panel 11 also is provided wiht a third column of elongate slots 19, the column of slots 1 9 being located intermediate the columns of the slots 1 8.

Each of the slots 1 9 has a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slots 1 8 and each slot 1 9 is located between adjacent rows of slots 1 8. Each panel 11 has extending outwardly therefrom a plurality of cylindrical pins 20, each pin being located below a corresponding one of the slots 19. Each pin 20 has an end portion 21 of enlarged diameter. Each panel 11 has, in an upper portion thereof, an aperture (not shown) in which is received a cylinder lock 22. Each panel 11 has secured to a rear face thereof by means of bolts 23 and nuts 24 two vertically spaced blocks 25 each having a slot 26 therein. Each pair of blocks 25 has associated therewith a bar 27, the bar extending through the slots 26 in each of the blocks 25.

Each bar 27 has an upper portion thereof 28 which extends at right-angles to the re maining portion of the bar. Each bar 27 is provided with a plurality of arms 29 spaced longitudinally of the bar and extending at right-angles therefrom in an opposite direction to the upper portion 28 thereof, each of the arms 29 extending through a corresponding one of the slots 1 9. Each of the arms 29 has a depending portion 30, a lower end of which is adapted to engage a portion of an outer circumference of an enlarged diametral portion 21 of an adjacent pin 20 in a lowered portion of the bar 27.

Each cylinder lock 22 is provided with a slot 31 for insertion of a key (not shown) and a shaft 32 adapted to be rotated on a longitudinal axis thereof on insertion of the key through the slot 31. Each shaft 32 has secured thereto by means of a nut 33 an elongate arm 34 extending radially of the shaft 32. Each cylinder lock 22 is arranged such that, upon rotation of the shaft 32 thereof, an upper portion 28 of an adjacent bar 27 is located within the circle of revolution of the arm 34 of the adjacent cylinder lock 22.

The stand 10 is intended to be used for displaying pairs of spectacles 35 each having a pair of lens carrying portions 36 spaced by a bridge portion 37 and each having a pair of arms 38.

In use, a selected panel 11 of the stand 10 has a key inserted through the slot 31 of the cylinder lock 22 thereof and the key is turned thereby pivoting the arm 34 in an arcuate direction away from an adjacent upper portion 28 or the bar 27 corresponding to the selected panel. One of the arms 29 then is raised, thereby sliding the bar 27 upwardly in the slots 26 of the blocks 25 so that all of the arms 29 are raised in their corresponding slots 1 9. Selected spectacles 35 are then arranged so that their arms 38 extending parallel one to another. The first pair of spectacles 35 is then located adjacent the selected panel 11 and the arms 38 of the pair of spectacles 35 are inserted inwardly of the stand through two slots 1 8 of a selected row of slots 1 8 of the panel 11.When the pair of spectacles 35 is adjacent an outer surface of the selected panel 11, the pin 20 adjacent the selected slots 1 8 extends between the lens carrying portions 36 of the pair of spectacles 35 and below the bridge portion 37 thereof.

The pair of spectacles 35 is then lowered so that the bridge portion 37 seats on the pin 20 between the outer surface of the selected panel 11 and the enlarged portion 21 of the pin 20. The procedure is repeated with other spectacle frames and other rows of slots 1 8.

When each of the selected spectacles 35 is located on corresponding pins 20, the raised arm 29 is lowered whereby the bar 27 slides downwardly in the blocks 25 and each of the arms 29 is lowered until the lower end portions of the depending portions 30 of the arms engage the corresponding enlarged diametral portions of the pins 20. The key is then turned in the cylinder lock 22 so that the arm 24 of the lock engages the adjacent upper portion 28 of the bar 27. The key is then removed from the cylinder lock 22.

In this manner, the bar 27 cannot be raised upwardly of the selected panel 11 since upward movement of the bar 27 is blocked by the arm 34 of the cylinder lock 22.

The procedure is repeated with further selected pairs of spectacles 35 and remaining panels 11 of the stand 1 0.

In this manner, the bridge portion of each of the pairs of spectacles 35 is retained on a corresponding one of the pins 20 by means of a corresponding arm 29 of the bar 27. Therefore, the pairs of spectacles 35 located on the stand 10 can easily be viewed, but cannot be removed without operation of each cylinder lock 22. In this manner selected pairs of spectacles 35 can be removed from the stand 10 only under supervision.

Furthermore, location of pairs of spectacles 35 on the stand 10 is such that the pairs of spectacles easily can be viewed in a position such as they would be worn. In addition, the stand 10 provides support for a display of a large number of pairs of spectacles 35 per unit area of floor space.

It will be appreciated that the arms 1 2 supporting the panels 11 of the stand 10 may be rotatable on the longitudinal axis of the column 1 3 so that the hexagonal array of panels 11 may be rotated relative to the column 13.

Claims (10)

1. A display stand for spectacles comprising: means for supporting a pair of spectacles in a raised position, and means for locating at least one arm of the spectacles when supported on the support means.

so that movement of the spectacles on the support means in restricted by the locating means.

2. A display stand as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support means is adapted to extend between lens holding portions of the spectacles so as to support thereon a lower surface of a bridge portion connecting the lens holding portions of the spectacles.

3. A display stand as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the support means is adapted to be engaged by a movable blocking member for retaining the pairs of spectacles on the support means.

4. A display stand as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the blocking member is adapted to be engaged by an immobilising device for restraining movement of the blocking member.

5. A display stand as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the immobilising device is controlled by control means.

6. A display stand as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the control means comprises a lock and key so that when the lock is operated by the key, the immobilising device is moved relative to the blocking member to control movement of the blocking member.

7. A display stand as claimed in any one of Claims 3 to 6 wherein the blocking member comprises an elongate strip having an arm extending therefrom the arm being adapted to engage the support means to retain the pair of spectacles thereon.

8. A display stand as claimed in Claim 7 wherein there is provided a plurality of said support means, a plurality of associated locating means and a plurality of associated arms on said strip.

9. A display stand as claimed in Claim 8 wherein there is provided a plurality of said strips.

10. A display stand for spectacles substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.