GB2163586A - Display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A display unit comprises mutually parallel strips 14 and 30 which define channels spaced apart so that they can support at least two display sheets or panel portions 48 in such a manner that respective display surfaces thereof face away from one another and that respective upper edges of the sheets are contiguous or adjacent to one another. The display sheets diverge in a direction away from those edges. The display unit further comprises a mount (26 and 28) for a light source 24 adjacent to the position where edges of such sheets are contiguous or adjacent to one another so that light from the source illuminates both display surfaces simultaneously. The sheets are bowed, so that the curvature reduces the angle of incidence of the light at the top of the sheet where it is closest to the light source, and increasing it at the bottom so that each sheet is illuminated more uniformly. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display Unit The present invention relates to a display unit, for use in displaying printed matter on one or more display sheets or panels. Preferably the unit has means for illuminating the printed matter.

One such display unit which has been proposed hitherto may be placed in a shop window. It comprises a sheet metal plinth from a rear side of which extends an upright framework. A display panel may be lent against the framework with its bottom edge resting on a forward part of the plinth. Two arms extend forwardly from the top of the framework to support a fluorescent tube which illuminates a front face of the panel on which graphics or other matter has been printed.

A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the tube can only illuminate one display side of the unit. If opposite display sides are to be illuminated, say one side for people passing by the shop window and the other for those in the shop interior, two fluorescent tubes would be required and a further plinth and supporting framework.

It is an aim of one aspect of the present invention to overcome this limitation. According to this aspect of the invention, respective oppositely outwardly facing sides of two display sheet or panel portions can be illuminated simultaneously by a single light source. Thus there may provided a display unit comprising support means which are so constructed that they can support at least two display sheet or panel portions in such a manner that respective display surfaces thereof face away from one another, and in such a manner that respective edges of the sheet or panel portions are contiguous or adjacent to one another, with the display sheet or panel portions diverging in a direction away from those edges, in which the display unit further comprises a mount for a light source adjacent to the position where edges of such sheet or panel portions are contiguous or adjacent to one another when the unit is in use, so that light from such a source illuminates both display surfaces simultaneously.

In this way, one light source, such as a fluorescent tube, may extend parallel with the tops of two display sheets or panels, so as to illuminate both sheets.

It will be appreciated that if both sheet or panel portions are flat, the upper parts thereof will be illuminated much more than the lower parts, not only because they are nearer the light source but also because the angle of incidence of the light is greater.

A much more attractive illumination of the sheets or panels is obtainabie if they are bowed inwardly towards one apother, so that they appear concave from outside the unit, the curvature reducing the angle of incidence of the light at the top of the sheet or panel, where it is closest to the light source, and increasing it at the bottom of the sheet or panel, where it is furthest from the light source, so that the sheet or panel as a whole is illuminated more uniformly. This is therefore a very much preferred form of the present invention.

One way of blowing the sheets or panels is so convenient, that it forms a second aspect of the present invention. According to this aspect, there is provided a display unit comprising first and second abutment means which are spaced apart and against which respective opposite edges of resilient display sheet can abut when the unit is in use, in which a space is provided between the first and second abutment means which allows such a sheet to be bowed inwardly, so that the resilience of the sheet urges opposite edges thereof against the first and second abutment means respectively and so that the sheet can be viewed from the side from which it appears to be concave.

It will be appreciated that a sheet or panel can be inserted or replaced in such a unit very readily with little fuss.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display unit comprising means to hold or otherwise support a display sheet of panel in such a manner that the latter is curved, and a mount for a light source positioned in relation to the support means so that, when the unit is in use with a light source mounted in the mount, the angle of incidence of the light on parts of the sheet or panel which are nearer to the light source is less than the angle of incidence on parts of the sheet or panel which are further from the light source.

An example of a display unit in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view from one side and above the unit; Figure 2 is a perspective view from the same position of certain parts of the unit shown in Fig. 1, with other parts removed or cut away for clarity; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic end view of the unit, again with some parts removed or cut away for clarity; Figures 4 and 5 are respective perspective views of the unit showing different ways it can be used; Figure 6 is a further perspective view showing how two such units can be placed together; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a support which can be used to support the disply unit shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

The display unit shown in Figs. 1 to 3 com prises an H-shaped base 10 made of square sectioned tubular steel. A fluorescent-tube control unit 12 is screwed on to a cross-piece of the H. Two L-sectioned lengths 14 of steel sheet are soldered or welded respectively to the pairs of free ends 16 of the H, so that they extend parallel to and on opposite sides of the centre-piece of the H. The lengths 14 are substantially co-terminous with the free ends of the H so that these lengths together with the parallel parts of the H define a square or rectangle. The free ends 16 of the H are each cut in a plane which is perpendicular to the plane of the H and which passes through the outside corners of the free end and which is at an angle of 30 degrees to the adjacet outside surface of the H.Thus each free end 16 is pointed, as viewed from above, and only meets the upwardly extending part of the adjacent length 14 at its very end.

An inverted generally U-shaped upright frame 18, also of square-sectioned tubular steel, extends upwardly with its two ends attached to the H-shaped base respectively at the two positions where the cross-piece of the H meets the parallel lengths of the H. The connection to the H-shaped base is shown more clearly in Fig. 2. At each position of attachment (only one of which is shown in Fig. 2) a short upright piece 20 of steel tube is soldered or welded to the H base. A further piece 22 of steel tubing, having an outer cross-section just smaller than the inner crosssection of the piece 20, is soldered or welded thereto with its bottom half telescoped within that piece 20. This leaves its upper part projecting upwardly to allow an associated end of the frame 18 to be slid on to that projecting part, to facilitate easy assembly and dismantling of these components of the unit.

As can be seen more clearly from Fig. 2, a fluorescent tube 24 is suspended from an horizontal portion 26 of the frame 18 by means of resilient clips 28. Arranged parallel to the fluorescent tube 24, and a little therebelow, are two strips of sheet steel 30 soldered or welded to opposite sides of the frame 18. Both strips 30 have their upper edges bent downwardly to give both strips 30 an upper lip 32, each lip 32 and remainder of the strp 30 defining an horizontal downwardlyfacing channel 34. A translucent opal acrylic plastics canopy 36 is screwed to the top of the frame 18 to form a shroud around the fluorescent tube 24. L-sectioned strips 38 are attached to the canopy 36, on both sides thereof, to define upper and lower horizontally extending channels into which a translucent graphics sheet can be held so as to be illuminated from the rear by the fluorescent tube.

Lighweight generally triangular plastics end panels 40, each having inwardly curved (concave) upwardly extending sides, and an inwardly directed flange 42 all around its perphery, and each of which is so shaped and sized as to conform to the general outline defined by one end of the assembly comprising the base 10, the frame 18, and the canopy 36. These end panels 40 are fitted to the rest of the unit accordingly, inwardly projecting studs (not shown) of the panels being secured in respective holes in the upright lengths of the frame 18 to hold the end panels 40 in place. Alternatively, plastics rivets which extend through the panels 40 may be used to secure the panels to the frame. Whether rivets or studs are used, the degree of attachment they effect may be such as to allow easy assembly and dismantling.

Lengths of flex 44 interconnect the fluorescent tube 24 with the control unit 12, and a further flex 46 extends from the control unit 12 to a mains plug (not shown).

When the display unit is assembled ready for use, display sheets or panels 48, which may be, for example approximately 0.06 inch thick card, may be inserted into the unit. Each display sheet or panel then has a bottom edge engaging the channel defined by one of the Lsectioned lengths 14, and is bowed so that it has an outer face, on which there is printed or graphics material, which is concave when viewed from outside the unit, and an upper edge which engages one of the channels 34.

The natural resilience of the sheet or panel 48 urges the top and bottom edges thereof into the upper and lower channels, so that the strips 30 and lengths 14 define abutment means against which the upper and lower edges of the display sheet or panel 48 abut, so that the strips 30 and lengths 14 retain the sheets or panels 48 in a bowed condition.

It will be apparent from Fig. 3 that the display sheets or panels 48 may be readily inserted by positioning their lower edges in the channels defined by the lower lengths 14, bowing them more than is illustrated, and inserting their upper edges into the channels defined by the upper strips 30. Removal is performed in the reverse manner, and new display panels or sheets may then easily be inserted to replace the previous ones.

It will also be appreciated that the two oppositely directed outwardly facing sides of the two display sheets 48 are illuminated by one fluorescent tube 24 simultaneously. Furthermore, because the sheets are bowed, the upper regions of each sheet, which are closest to the tube 24, have a lower incidence of light upon them. Lower regions of each sheet, which are further from the light source 24, have a higher angle of incidence of light upon them. This gives the sheets a more uniform degree of illumination, and an aesthetically more attractive appearance.

Fig. 4 shows how generally upright strips of plastics 50 may be placed over the edges of the display sheets or panels 48, and, where there are two sheets on one side of the unit, over adjacent respective sides of these sheets, centrally in relation to the unit. Such a centre strip not only covers any gap that may be present between the adjacent display sheets but also any slight difference of curvature between the sheets.

Fig. 5 shows how lower parts of the sheet lengths 14 may have holes 52 bored in them to allow the unit to be suspended from a ceiling.

Fig. 6 shows how two units may be positioned on their sides with their tops adjacent to one another to form an attractive display arrangement.

Finally, Fig. 7 shows how a support on which a display unit as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 may be seated. The support has an Hshaped base of 2 inch by 1 inch steel tube 54, to which are attached adjustable pads 56 and upwardly from which extend telescopically adjustable uprights 58 to the upper ends of which are attached horizontal support bars 60.

When the support is in use the unit is screwed to the horizontal bars 60. The whole support can be made so that it is easily assembled and dismantled. Furthermore, the pads 56 can be adjusted to level the unit on an uneven floor surface, and the uprights 58 can be adjusted to give the correct height for the unit relative to an outside ground level.

Numerous variations and modifications may be made to the illustrated unit whilst keeping it within the scope of the present invention.

The side panels 40 may be made of pressed metal or other material instead of plastics. The upwardly extending strips 50 need not be more than about 0.75 inch wide. The telescopically adjustable uprights of the support shown in Fig. 7 can be held in a given setting by means of a plunger screw, for example, engaged selectively in one of a number of vertically spaced holes (not shown). The cross portion of the H-shaped base of the support can be bolted in during assembly to allow easy dismantling.

The unit may be 20 inches wide, 40 inches or 60 inches for example.

Two or more units may be arranged end to end. In this case, the end panels 40 may remain in place, with fixing means extending right through adjacent panels and frame uprights. Alternatively, the end panels may be removed, and fixing means, with spacer elements to take up the gap left by the panels, would extent through the adjacent frame uprights and the spacer elements. Inverted, generally U-shaped clips, which conform to the side contour of the canopies and have upturned ends, would cover the gap between adjacent canopies.

The use of card rather than plastics for the display sheets or panels is cheaper and reduces static. Slots may be cut into the card, and shaped pieces of card inserted through those slots to give a three-dimensional effect.

A further way of attaching the end panels to the frame is to have blocks attached to the insides of the panels (which may be made of melamine), the blocks having blind retaining holes for retaining projections extending through and outwardly beyond holes in the frame uprights.

The canopy may be made of aluminium instead of translucent acrylic. Whilst this will prevent.illuminated display on the canopy itself, additional reflective lighting is thereby obtained for the display sheets or panels.

Instead of the two separate strips 30 with two separate channels 34, one inverted Vsectioned strip may may positioned underneath the fluorescent tube, so that one sheet, with a central crease, may be folded double therealong, and the folded edge inserted in the V-sectioned strip so that two oppositely and outwardly facing display surfaces are provided by two portions of a single sheet, instead of two separate sheet portions.

The lengths 14 are L-sectioned, but may be V-sectioned or otherwise formed to provide abutment means for a lower display sheet edge.

It will be appreciated that the construction of the illustrated unit obviates the need for tools for assembly, also making replacement of parts easy. The angle at which the inside corners of the ends of the H-base of the unit are cut off, viewing those ends from above, may be 30 degrees, or the angle of the remaining end may be 30 degrees, to allow easy insertion of the display sheets or panels without the need for lower sheet corners to be cut out.

Another way a three dimensional effect may be acheived is for a shaped card to have a portion attached to it which slides into the channels on the upper canopy.

Claims (6)

1. A display unit comprising support means which are so constructed that they can support at least two display sheets or panel portions in such a manner that respective display surfaces thereof face away from one another, and in such a manner that respective edges of the sheets or panel portions are contiguous or adjacent to one another, with the display sheets or panel portions diverging in a direction away from those edges, in which the display unit further comprises a mount for a light source adjacent to the position where edges of such sheets or panel portions are contiguous or adjacent to one another when the unit is in use, so that light from such a source illuminates both display surfaces simultaneously.

2. A display unit according to claim 1, in which at least one of the sheets or panel portions is bowed inwardly towards the other, so that it appears concave from outside the unit, the curvature resulting in an angle of incidence of the light which is greater at a region of the sheet or panel portion which is further from the light source than at a region of the sheet or panel portion which is closer to the light source, so that the sheet or panel portion as a whole is illuminated more uniformly.

3. A display unit comprising first and second abutment means which are spaced apart and against which respective opposite edges of a resilient display sheet can abut when the unit is in use, in which a space is provided between the first and second abutment means which allows such a sheet to be bowed inwardly, so that the resilience of the sheet urges opposite edges thereof against the first and second abutment means respectively and so that the sheet can be viewed from the side from which it appears to be concave.

4. A display unit accordng to claim 3, in which a mount for a light source is provided adjacent to one of the first and second abutment means.

5. A display unit comprising means to hold or otherwise support a display sheet or panel portion in such a manner that the latter is curved, and a mount for a light source positioned in relation to the support means so that, when the unit is in use with a light source mounted in the mount, the angle of incidence of the light on parts of the sheet or panel portion which are nearer to the light source is less than the angle of incidence on parts of the sheet or panel portion which are further from the light source.

6. A display unit substantially as described herein with reference to Figs 1 to 3 with or without one or more of the modifications or additions described with reference to Figs. 4 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.