GB2070418A - Showcase constructions - Google Patents

Abstract

A showcase is described of the kind comprising a cabinet structure including a rectangular top frame and a rectangular roof panel engaged with the frame; wherein three sides of the frame are furnished with integral channels whereby the panel is restrained against movement relative to the frame except in the plane of the panel in the direction normal to the fourth side of the frame, and a keeper groove is formed in and longitudinally of the fourth side in which a keeper strip is engagable so as to bear upon the top of the panel and to close said fourth side; fastener means being provided applicable from the outside of the cabinet structure whereby the keeper is retained. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATiON Showcase This invention relates to a showcase of the kind having a top panel of glass or other transparent material.

With such showcases it is important to have a rigid, tamper-deterrent structure, strong enough to withstand downward loadings encountered in use as well as to deter unauthorised removal of the top panel. It has been known in the past to provide showcases of the general kind indicated but they have been complicated and generally require the application of locking screws from inside and showcase in a manner which renders them awkward to assemble.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an effectively tamper-deterrent showcase which displays satisfactory rigidity and strength while, at the same time, being simple to assemble.

The invention provides a showcase of the kind comprising a cabinet structure including a rectangular top frame and a rectangular roof panel rested on said frame, characterised in that: (a) three sides of said frame are furnished with integral holding means whereby said panel is restrained against movement relative to said frame except in the plane of said panel in the direction normal to the fourth side of said frame, (b) a keeper groove formed in and longitudinally of said fourth side, (c) a keeper strip which bears upon the top of said panel and has a longitudinally disposed tongue which extends into said groove, and (d) fastener means applicable from the outside of the cabinet structure whereby said tongue is fixedly held in said groove.

An example of the invention is illustrated in the drawings herewith: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the top of a showcase.

Figure 2 is a view taken on lines 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a view taken on lines 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a view taken on line 7-7 of Figure 6.

The illustrated showcase assembly includes a planar glass top 10 supported on a rectangular frame 11 which is itself supported at its four corners by vertical pillars 12 forming part of the showcase cabinet structure.

The frame 11 consists of four mitred sides preferably of extruded aluminium. Three of the frame members 1 3 are of identical section as shown in Figure 4. The remaining frame member 14 at the back of the showcase is of a different section as best shown Figures 5 and 6.

The frame members include a horizontal web portion 1 5 for supporting a peripheral layer of soft or resilient material 1 6 which in turn supports the glass panel 10. A vertical flange 1 7 extends upwardly form the outer periphery of the web of each frame member 1 3 and is provided with an inwardly directed sub-flange 1 8 for holding the glass panel against vertical removal.

The two vertical pillars 20 at the rear of the showcase are sectioned as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The two opposite pillars 21 have the sectional configuration shown in Figure 2. In each case, the pillar is secured to the top frame by screws 22 which extend through holes 23 in the mitred frame member webs 15 and into recesses 24 formed in the extruded pillars 12.

The assembly and alignment of each mitred joint is facilitated by an L-shaped corner piece having a pair of symmetrical wings 26, each of which engages with a channel 27 formed on the underside of each frame member. The wings 25 are also provided with a plurality of raised portions 28 which engage frictionally with the underside of the frame member web 1 5 to retain the corner piece in firm engagement with the frame members, thereby improving the rigidity of the joint.

As best shown in Figure 4, the three identical side frame members 1 3 are provided with a single downwardly opening channel 30 for accepting glass side panels (not shown). The back frame member 14, as shown in Figure 5, defines two channels 31 for mounting a pair of spaced glass sliding door panels 32 as best shown in Figure 6.

It will be appreciated that the top frame can be readily assembled by sliding the pre-cut frame members over the corner pieces and then securing the mitred ends to the respective pillars. With the resilient cushioning material 1 6 in position, the glass panel 10 can then be slid into captive engagement with the side flanges 1 7 from the back of the showcase. In previously known showcases it has been necessary to assemble all of the frame members simultaneously with a glass panel, moving the various components gradually closer into engagement. The complexities of such an arrangement are avoided with the present construction.

This ease of construction is made possible by a modification to the rear frame member 1 4 and the use of a keeper strip 34.

As best shown in Figures 6 and 7 the rear frame member 14 is provided at its upper rearward edge with a longitudinal groove 35. The keeper strip 34 is complimentary to the side flanges 1 7 of the three side members 13. As shown in Figures 1 and 7 the keeper strip has a longitudinally extending tongue 36 which engages within the groove 35 as shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Once the glass 10 has been placed in position, the keeper strip can be securely locked in place by engaging the tongue 34 within the groove 35. The keeper strip is then fixedly held in that position by a plurality of screws 37 or other fastening means for iocking the tongue 36 within the groove 35.

The keeper strip is furnished with an inwardly directed sub-flange 38 to bear upon the panel 10 when the strip is fixed in position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6. Preferably, self-locking or non-reversible screws are used to deter unauthorised removal. The showcase is, however, effectively tamper-proof, even if standard screws are used, because in those thefts for which the present invention is intended to act as a deterrent, the thief rarely has an opportunity to move behind the showcase and, still less, does he have the time necessary to remove a plurality of screws.

Claims (3)

1. The invention provides a showcase of the kind comprising a cabinet structure including a rectangular top frame and a rectangular roof panel rested on said frame, characterised in that: (a) three sides of said frame are furnished with integral holding means whereby said panel is restrained against movement relative to said frame except in the plane of said panel in the direction normal to the fourth side of said frame, (b) a keeper groove formed in and longitudinally of said fourth side, (c) a keeper strip which bears upon the top of said panel and has a longitudinally disposed tongue which extends into said groove, and (d) fastener means applicable from the outside of the cabinet structure whereby said tongue is fixedly held in said groove.

2. A showcase according to claim 1 wherein each of said three sides and the said keeper strip include an inwardly directed sub-flange able to bear downwardly against the top surface of said roof panel.

3. A showcase substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings herewith.