GB2240270A - Display frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A display frame comprises a plurality of nested subframes 20, 30 joined by engagement means 22, 23, 32, 33 allowing relative rotation of the subframes, wherein one or more of the subframes includes means 21, 40 to support the display frame. The frame can be assembled and dismantled by hand; this being facilitated by the flexibility of the wires comprising the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

Display Frame This invention relates to display frames, and in particular to display frames for plants and the like.

Plants are generally displayed by placing them in a container which stands upon a surface, or by placing them in a container that is suspended from a hook or similar. Some containers, in the form of a display frame having a plurality of longitudinal bars, can display a plant in both of these ways. However, known display frames are bulky and difficult to store and transport efficiently. Also, it is difficult to get a large plant into the frame through the bars. The present invention seeks to overcome these problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a display frame comprising a plurality of nested subframes joined by engagement means allowing relative rotation of the subframes, wherein one or more of the subframes includes means to support the display frame.

In a preferred arrangement, the means to support the display frame comprise means to suspend the display frame and/or means to stand the display frame on a surface. The engagement means comprises interlocking rings, each ring forming an integral part of one of the subframes.

Preferably, the subframes have longitudinal spines which can be moved by the rotation between a first position in which they do not obstruct access to space within the display frame, and a second position in which they form boundaries to said space.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a display frame comprising a plurality of interlocking subframes, wherein the display frame can be assembled and dismantled by hand.

In order that the invention and its various other features may be understood more easily an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the display frame; and Figure 2 is a side elevation of the two subframes that form the display frame.

The display frame comprises two subframes 20,30. The frame has a ring portion 40 at the base of the frame.

A semcircular loop 21 is provided for suspending the frame. The display frame is made from wire having a uniform diameter (X).

The first subframe 20 comprises upper and lower circular rings 22,23, joined by lobes 24. The loop 21 is secured to the inner part of the upper ring 22.

The second subframe 30 comprises upper and lower circular rings 32,33, joined by lobes 34.

The diameters of the lower circular rings 23,33 are such that the lower ring 23 on the first subframe 20 just fits inside the lower ring 33 on the second subframe 30, or: D2 = D1 + 2x where D1 and D2 are the internal diameters of the lower circular rings on the first and second subframes respectively. This is illustrated in figure 1. The internal diameter of the upper ring 32 on the second subframe 30 is approximately equal to the diameter of the loop 2.

The display frame is assembled by placing the first subframe 20 within the second subframe 30 as shown in figure 1; the flexibility of the subframes allows this to be done by hand. The lower ring 23 on the first subframe 20 fits inside the lower ring 33 on the second subframe 30. The upper ring 32 on the second subframe 30 fits over the loop 21 on the first subframe 20 and lies on top of the upper ring 22 thereon.

The subframes 20,30 can be rotated relative to each other from a storage position, in which lobes 24 are adjacent to lobes 34, to a display position as shown in figure 1, in which the lobes 24,34 are mutually at right angles.

To use the display frame the subframes 20,30 are assembled in the storage position. A pot plant or the like is stood on the ring portion 40 and the subframes are rotated tp the display position. The display frame can then either be stood on a surface, on the ring pprtion 40, or suspended from a suitable fixing point by the loop 21.

When the subframes 20,30 are in the storage position it is possible to stack large numbers of display frames in an efficient way. Equally, the subframes can be stored and transported in the disassembled state.

The lobes 24,34 protect the foliage of the plant from damage, especially during the hanging up of a suspended display frame.

A pot plant that is equal in diameter to the ring portion 40 can be displayed in the display frame. The foliage on a plant in the pot can extend to the lobes 24,34 and still be protected.

The simplicity of the construction of the display frame allows it to be produced economically, with the minimum of equipment. Only two different subframes need be produced, and assembly is a simple manual task.

To further protect the plant a third subframe can be placed around the display frame. This has a lower ring that fits around the lower ring 32 in the second subframe 30 and an upper ring that is the same diameter as the upper ring 32 on the second subframe.

Claims (6)

Claims

1. A display frame comprising a plurality of nested subframes joined by engagement means allowing relative rotation of the subframes, wherein one or more of the subframes includes means to support the display frame.

2. A display frame according to claim 1, wherein the means to support the display frame comprises means to suspend the display frame and/or means to stand the display frame on a surface.

3. A display frame according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the engagement means comprises interlocking rings, each ring forming an integral part of one of the subframes.

4. A display frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the subframes have longitudinal spines which can be moved by rotation between a first position in which they do not obstruct access to space within the display frame, and a second position in which they form boundaries to said space.

5. A display frame comprising a plurality of interlocking subframes, wherein the display frame can be assembled and dismantled by hand.

6. A display frame substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.