GB2233225A

GB2233225A - Display mount

Info

Publication number: GB2233225A
Application number: GB8914695A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Reginald Victor Bates
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-06-27
Filing date: 1989-06-27
Publication date: 1991-01-09
Also published as: GB8914695D0

Abstract

A display mount (1) has a transparent material top sheet (2), a displayed sheet (3) beneath the transparent top sheet and a one piece moulded resilient plastics material ring (5) of generally C-shaped cross-section having an upper lip (6) abutting the top surface of the top sheet around a marginal portion thereof, a lower lip (7) abutting the under-surface of the decorative sheet - or of an optional backing sheet (8) therefor - around a marginal portion thereof and an annular edge rim (9) to abut the peripheral edge of the transparent top sheet. <IMAGE>

Description

Display Mount The present invention relates to a mat.

As used herein the term "display mount" means a printed sheet (usually having aesthetic qualities) mounted behind a transparent sheet. It is envisaged that display mounts of the invention may be used as mats or pictures for instance.

Decorative mats on which items can be stood, such as a coaster for a tumbler or a place mat for a plate, are often made as laminates with the decoration printed onto a paper layer which is incorporated into the lamination with a top coating of waterproof varnish or the like. Such mats can suffer from deterioration either by chipping of the paper lamination at its edge or damage to the varnish. In either case the mat is liable to become unattractive and be discarded.

The object of the present invention is to provide a more durable mat.

A display mount according to the invention comprises a transparent material top sheet, a displayed sheet beneath the top sheet and a one piece moulded resilient plastics material ring of generally C-shaped cross-section having an upper lip abutting the top surface of the top sheet around a marginal portion thereof, a lower lip to abut the under-surface of the decorative sheet - or of any backing sheet therefor - around a marginal portion thereof and an annular edge rim to abut the peripheral edge of the top sheet.

Usually the display mount will be circular, but it may be of other shape.

Conveniently the top, transparent sheet will be relatively thicker and/or of stiffer material, whereby the mat's rigidity is provided by the top sheet. The displayed sheet can thus be relatively thin and will not usually require a backing sheet engaged by the lower lip.

A separate bottom support sheet will normally be provided within the internal diameter of the lower lip.

A bottom finishing sheet will also normally be provided to close the bottom of the display mount when it is to be used as a mat. Preferably it is adherred to the lower surface of the lower lip, conveniently by means of being self-adhesive.

The top sheet of the mat provides wear and liquid resistance. It is preferably of glass. The ring provides a seal against lateral ingress of water. Because it is thus well protected, the decorative sheet can be a conventionally printed light-weight card.

Where the display mount is to be used as a picture, a hanging loop can be included preferably adhered within the finishing sheet or directly to the lower lip.

To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mat in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mat of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view of the cross-sectional shape of the ring; and Figure 4 is a view of the cross-sectional shape of the cavity in which the ring is moulded.

The mat 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is generally circular, having a glass top sheet 2, a displayed sheet 3 displayed below the glass sheet and a protective bottom surface provided by a sheet 4 of flock sprayed, adhesive backed material as sold under the trade mark SUEDEL. A moulded polypropylene ring 5 surrounds the glass and displayed sheets 2,3. The ring has an upper lip 6 which over-lies the margin of the glass sheet and a lower lip 7 which under-lies the margin of the decorative sheet. The protective sheet adheres to the underside of the lower lip 7 and an optional bottom support sheet 8, which is of a thickness substantially the same as the depth of the lip 7 and a diameter to fit within the internal diameter of the lower lip.

Between its lips, the ring has a rim portion 9 with an internal diameter nominally the same as the external diameter of the glass sheet. The ring is of a grade of material such as to be sufficiently flexible to be sprung onto the glass sheet - possibly with a small degree of initial heating. The displayed sheet 3 is slightly smaller in diameter, typically 1 mm in 72 mm, and can be snapped into position within the lower lip. As shown in Figure 3, the lower lip slopes down from the displayed sheet, which facilitates final fitting of the sheet by running a pointed instrument around within the lower lip. This shape is achieved by bumping the ring off the over-hanging mould core 10 - see Figure 4 - by pressure on the underside of the ring towards its outer periphery, in the direction of arrow 11.

The mould cavity itself is not of downwards sloping shape.

The invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above described embodiment. For instance, if the displayed sheet is of paper, a separate backing sheet of card of the same diameter may be required. Alternatively if the decorative sheet is adequately stiff, the support sheet 8 may be dispensed with. The SUEDEL sheet may itself be fitted within the lower lip.

The above described embodiment is of a mat. Where the invention is to be used for pictures to be hung on a wall, a hanging loop can be included, secured within the SUEDEL or other adhesive finishing sheet and protruding at the lower lip for hanging of the picture.

Claims

1. A display mount comprises a transparent material top sheet, a displayed sheet beneath the transparent top sheet and a one piece moulded resilient plastics material ring of generally C-shaped cross-section having an upper lip abutting the top surface of the top sheet around a marginal portion thereof, a lower lip abutting the under-surface of the decorative sheet - or of an optional backing sheet therefor - around a marginal portion thereof and an annular edge rim to abut the peripheral edge of the transparent top sheet.

2. A display mount as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transparent top sheet is thicker than the displayed sheet.

3. A display mount as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the transparent top sheet is of glass.

4. A display mount as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, including a bottom support sheet provided beneath the decorative sheet or the optional backing sheet.

5. A display mount as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bottom support sheet is provided within the internal diameter of the lower lip.

6. A display mount as claimed in any preceding claim, including a bottom finishing sheet adherred to the underside of the backing sheet or of the bottom support sheet - where provided.

7. A display mount as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bottom finishing sheet is adherred to the lower surface of the lower lip.

8. A display mount as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bottom finishing sheet has a self-adhesive backing and preferably is of flock sprayed material.

9. A display mount as claimed in any preceding claim, including a hanging loop adherred within the finishing sheet, where provided, or directly to the lower lip.

10. A display mount as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lower lip slopes down from the annular edge rim.

11. A display mount as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sloping-down shape of the lower lip is achieved by bumping the ring off an over-hanging mould core.

12. A display mount substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.