GB2535540A - Display panel with improved mounting pane - Google Patents

Abstract

A display panel 100 comprises a frame 10 a removable graphic sheet 30 and a transparent cover sheet 40. The transparent cover sheet is coupled to the frame by magnetic coupling means 50 concealed between the frame and the transparent sheet to retain the graphic sheet in place against a backing panel 60. The transparent cover sheet preferably has an opaque border to conceal the coupling means and may be configured to overhang the frame at one edge to enable the sheet to be gripped at the overhang and removed. The magnetic coupling means 50 preferably comprises a magnet retained in a channel in the frame and a metal strip secured to the rear of the transparent sheet. The frame 10 may be formed of extruded sections and may house a light source 70. The display panel has an aesthetic frameless appearance.

Description

Display Panel with Improved Mounting Pane The present invention relates to a display panel of the box type structure. Such display panels are known and comprise a box having an open face. A graphic pane is fixed to the box to cover the open face. The graphic pane is reconfigurable to display alternative graphics. For instance, the graphic pane is typically formed from a graphic sheet and an outer transparent sheet. The graphic sheet can be replaced to display a different image. The transparent sheet protects the graphic sheet from damage. The box may include a lighting apparatus to back light the image as known in the art.

It is known to provide a clip frame to clip the transparent sheet to the box. Here the frame has a front face, defining an opening through which the transparent sheet and graphic sheet are visible and a side face of the frame extends down the sides of the box away from the front face. The sides include an attachment means to co-operate with the box and clip the frame to the box. Consequently, the frame secures the graphic pane to the box in a releasable manner so that the graphic pane can be released and reconfigured.

The clip frames create an opaque border around the front periphery of the graphic pane. It is desirable from an aesthetic perspective for the graphic pane to be secured without a frame extending over the front surface to avoid obscuring the graphic sheet. Furthermore, the clips remain visible along the side surfaces of the box, which also reduces the aesthetic nature of the display panel.

The display panels are typically mounted in retail environments. Hence, the graphic panes are replaced by retail assistants. For instance, the new graphic sheet is received by the store and the retail assistant is required to remove the clip frame and graphic pane, replace the graphic sheet and reinstall the graphic pane and clip frame. Consequently, it is advantageous if the graphic pane can be removed and installed with ease and without the use or need for tools. It is a further trend of display boxes to reduce the depth of the box so that the boxes extend a lesser distance from the wall or mounting structure to appear more a part of the mounting structure. Here, the known clip frames can prove problematic due to the limited extension from the wall and the relatively high force required on the fingertips to release the clips.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome at least one of the above or other disadvantages. It is a further aim to provide a display panel having an improved mounting means that can be removed and replaced with ease and without the use of specific tools. It is a further aim to provide a display panel having an improved mounting means, where the front transparent sheet appears frameless in order to maximise the visual area of the graphic pane.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to the exemplary embodiments there is provided a display panel. The display panel comprises a frame and a graphic pane. The graphic pane is removable from the frame and comprises a graphic sheet for displaying visual information and a transparent sheet for protecting the graphic sheet. The graphic sheet is adapted to be held fast to the frame by the transparent sheet via a coupling means. Therefore, the transparent sheet aims to protect the graphic sheet from surface damage. The coupling means concealed between the frame and the transparent sheet once coupled together such that a coupling force is provided between the frame and transparent sheet. The coupling force may therefore resist movement relative to the frame in a particular direction, i.e. a first direction. Although movement is possible in all other directions, the resistance to relative movement may be lower than in the first direction.

Finally, a light source may be housed within the frame and arranged to provide light towards the graphic pane and illuminate the graphic sheet once the frame and graphic pane are coupled together.

Advantageously, the coupling means is a seemingly "invisible" fixing that not only improves the appearance of the display panel but also reduces or avoids excess wear or potential damage to the outer surfaces. Furthermore, the concealed coupling means reduces the assembly and/or disassembly times and avoids the need for specialist tools or training. The concealed coupling helps to prevent unwanted tampering with the display panel such that the graphic pane cannot be removed without authorisation. A concealed coupling means allows the graphic pane to be disassembled and then reassembled in an expeditious manner because the coupling and decoupling process can be performed on the graphic pane as a whole, rather than attaching individual fixings or clips around the edge of the display panel. Therefore, access to the entire perimeter of the display panel is no longer required, because access to only part of the graphic pane is necessary.

The coupling means may be provided by a mechanical coupling. For example, male and female connectors may be used, wherein either connector may be located on the frame. This helps to reduce the complexity and cost of manufacture. When a mechanical connection is provided, the coupling force may be a frictional force. However, the coupling force may be a magnetic force in order to improve the speed of assembly. The magnetic force may be provided by a magnet held fast within the frame or a magnet attached to the transparent sheet. Alternatively, a combination of magnets held in either the frame and/or transparent sheet may be used. For example, a first magnet may be disposed at the top of the frame, whereas a second magnet may be disposed at the bottom of the transparent sheet. Advantageously, this may help to correctly orientate the components of the display panel in order to reduce the burden on the retail assistance, for example. In either case, a ferromagnetic portion or member may be comprised within the other part to be coupled (transparent sheet or frame) in order to achieve the necessary coupling force. Advantageously, the magnetic force provides feedback to the user that sufficient coupling has been achieved. This improves the coupling speed because the close alignment of the parts is objectively achieved. In this instance, the magnetic force established a positive connection and there is no concern that the transparent sheet is not sufficiently and safely coupled to the frame. The magnetic force should be sufficient to counteract at least part of the gravitational force acting on the graphic pane in order to keep the graphic pane and frame coupled together and correctly in position.

The transparent sheet may comprise a projection such that the coupling force is arranged to act between the projection and the frame, which may be between the magnet and the projection. At least one projection may be provided on the perimeter of the transparent sheet or in proximity to the perimeter. However, all of the projections may be provided along the perimeter. Each projection provides positive feedback to the user about the alignment of the coupling means. Furthermore, the frame may comprise a channel configured to receive the projection, such that the coupling means resists movement of the transparent sheet relative to the frame in a first direction and the channel resists movement of the transparent sheet relative to the frame in a second direction whilst allowing movement relative to the frame in a third direction. The channel may also be used to locate the graphic sheet such that the graphic sheet is held fast against the channel when the transparent sheet is coupled to the frame. Alternatively, an abutment may be used to contact the graphic sheet or a backing sheet, to hold the graphic sheet in place. The channel may be U-shaped but may also be L-shaped. For example, a slot and key may be provided, whereby in the third direction, the transparent sheet slides relative to the frame. Advantageously, the channel helps to align the component parts to expedite the alignment process and prevent any subjective misalignment.

The transparent sheet may have a partially transparent region. The transparent sheet may be made from a plastic such as acrylic. The graphic sheet may be made from a similar material to the transparent sheet. The transparent sheet may be partially transparent or may have a specific colouration or tint to provide a colour bias. The colour bias may be constant across the transparent sheet or may vary across the sheet. The thickness of the transparent sheet may be at least double the thickness of the graphic sheet. Alternatively, the thickness of the transparent sheet may be around 10% to 20% of the depth of the frame. The display panel may have an overall width and/or height greater than 0.4m.

Further, the transparent sheet may comprise an opaque region arranged to visually conceal the coupling means. This helps to disguise the location of the fixing points, to give the impression that the display panel is one piece. For example, an opaque border may be provided on the transparent sheet around the periphery of the transparent sheet in order to conceal any coupling means located around the perimeter of the display panel. The width of the border may be around twice the depth of the frame. Advantageously, the border is minimised to fulfil the above purpose such that the visual area of the graphic sheet that is maximised. The channel in the frame or transparent sheet may be configured to abut a corresponding projection in the transparent sheet or frame, respectively, in order to resist the gravitational force acting on the transparent sheet so that the display panel remains coupled together.

The frame may comprise a restriction configured to limit the extent of the relative movement in the third direction. The restriction may be an abutment portion configured to abut the projection. For example, when a slot is provided, the slot may taper or have a narrow portion such that when the key moves further along the slot and reaches the narrow portion, the friction between the key and slot increases within the narrow portion and the key is gripped by the slot. The slot may have a non-linear path or an abrupt change in direction in order to lock the key in place. Therefore, the insertion path may be non-linear to provide feedback to the installer. Advantageously, the restriction provides a predetermined alignment orientation.

This helps to prevent issues of poor alignment because the process is objective and the visual appeal of the display panel is maintained. Furthermore, the restriction helps to improve the repeatability of the assembly process so that the alignment is not subjectively determined by the user each time the display panel is coupled.

At least two of the aforementioned directions may be orthogonal to each other. For example, when the transparent sheet includes a plurality of projections and the projections engage the channel of the frame, an abutment of at least one projection and channel prevents, for example, lateral movement of the transparent sheet and frame in one direction and the magnetic attraction between one projection and a portion of the frame resists relative movement of the transparent sheet and rear box in a second orthogonal direction whilst allowing lateral movement in a third, orthogonal direction. Advantageously, the restrictions provide a repeatable alignment process that is predetermined and objectively controlled.

The transparent sheet may be configured to overhang the frame at one end of the display panel such that the transparent sheet can be gripped by hand at the overhang and removed from the frame. The overhang may be a lip or a cantilever portion that protrudes beyond the extent of the frame such that transparent sheet can be pulled or slid away from the frame. Here, to remove the transparent sheet, a force is applied to move the transparent sheet relative to the rear box (i.e. the frame) in the third direction and sufficient to create an overhang at one edge. The overhang provides a convenient finger pull to enable a user to exert sufficient force on the transparent sheet to overcome the magnetic attraction and peel the transparent sheet from the box. Advantageously, the graphic pane is removed from one end of the frame before being removed entirely. In this way, the transparent sheet can be tilted in one action so that the coupling force is gradually overcome and the display panel can be released in a more expeditious manner.

The transparent sheet may comprise a plurality of projections. Advantageously, the distribution of the coupling force can be improved because the number of coupling points is increased. This helps to counteract the weight of the transparent sheet when the frame is mounted on a mounting surface, such as a wall. The graphic sheet may also be arranged to fit within a region delineated by the plurality of projections. The graphic sheet may therefore be pressed into and fitted within the plurality of projections in order to hold the graphic sheet in place before coupling the display panel together. Advantageously, the alignment of the graphic sheet is predetermined but easily removable by the fingertips.

The display panel may comprise a lighting sheet housed by the frame such that light from the light source is directed toward the lighting sheet to backlight the graphic sheet. The lighting sheet may be configured to evenly distribute the light toward the graphic sheet such that dark spots are reduced and more consistent light distribution is achieved. Alternatively, the lighting sheet may have light blocking regions whereby no light is transmitted. This helps to control the illumination of the display panel. The light source may comprise light emitting diodes (LEDs), for example, a strip of LEDs may be provided around the periphery of the frame or at least along one side of the frame. Alternatively, the light source may be provided at the rear of the frame, within the peripheral edge, in order to provide a more direct backlight to the lighting sheet. Alternatively, the lighting sheet may be the light source. The lighting sheet may be formed as a composite panel, whereby a rigid back board is provided behind a front printed matrix light board, or LED dot matrix display, that is configured to illuminate the graphic sheet. Advantageously, the light source directly faces the graphic sheet and localised light emission can be controlled.

The frame may be an extrusion. The frame may also be made from metal, for example aluminium. Therefore, the frame may be formed as an aluminium extrusion. The frame may have a constant cross section. Further, the thickness of the frame may be constant. The frame may be provided as a box and may be called a rear box. The display panel may be mountable to a supporting structure. For example, the frame may have an attachment means for mounting to a supporting structure. The attachment means may be a hanging portion such as a hanging channel, whereby the hanging channel can hook onto at least one bracket on the supporting structure. When the display panel is provided in front of the supporting structure, the frame or box may be arranged adjacent to the supporting structure and the transparent sheet may be provided at a distal location to the frame.

According to the present invention there is provided a display panel as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a display panel; Figure 2 shows a front view of a corner of the display panel; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a display panel; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional perspective view of a lower part of the display panel; and Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the frame.

Figure 1 shows a display panel 100 having a frame 10 and a removable graphic pane 20. The graphic pane 20 comprises a graphic sheet 30 and transparent sheet 40. The frame has a front face to which the graphic pane is removeably coupled. When coupled to the frame 10, the graphic sheet 30 is interposed between the transparent sheet 40 and the frame 10 and is held fast to the frame 10 by the transparent sheet 40 via a coupling means 50 (see Figures 3 and 4). The coupling means 50 provides a coupling force between the transparent sheet 40 and the frame 10. Said coupling force resists movement relative to the frame 10 in a first direction D1 away from the front face of the display panel 100 (see Figure 4) to ensure a positive coupling between the coupled components. As with known display panels, the transparent sheet 40 provides an outer layer to protect the graphic sheet 30 when installed in the display panel 100. However, the coupling means 50 in the example shown is concealed to reduce damage to the transparent sheet 40 because the way of handling the transparent sheet is different. When coupled to the frame 10, the coupling means 50 is concealed and the transparent sheet 40 appears to float.

As further shown in Figure 2, the transparent sheet 40 comprises an opaque border 42 disposed around the periphery of the transparent sheet 40. The opaque border 42 may be sufficient to conceal the coupling means 50 from view. By hiding the coupling means 50 in such a way, the display panel 100 may appear to be one piece in that the transparent sheet 40 is integral to the frame 10. The opaque border 42 is shown with a constant width W. However, the transparent sheet 10 may have an overhang in order to provide a gripping portion that extends away from the frame 10. The overhang may be provided at the lowermost region of the display panel 100 in order for the transparent sheet 40 to be easily gripped and pulled away from the frame 10. In this instance, the opaque border 42 may be wider at the overhang than at other parts of the panel 100. The display panel 100 also has a light source housed within the frame 10 (see Figures 3 and 4), which provides light towards the graphic sheet 30 in order to illuminate the graphic sheet 30.

Although the display panel 100 is shown in use in a portrait orientation, different orientations, such as a landscape orientation, are possible. Accordingly, any hanging channels 12 may be arranged to suit the hanging orientation. Further, the coupling means 50 may be mounted on at least two sides of the display panel 100, preferably opposing sides, such as the top and bottom, or left and right sides. However, a single coupling means 50 may be provided, preferably in the top or bottom regions of the display panel 100, rather than on either side region. The size of the display panel 100 is not limited but preferably has a width A and height B of at least 0.25m. Typically, the large end of the market may be for displays of a size around 3m-by 1.2m. Thereby, the display panel 100 can be clearly viewed in a retail environment from a distance in order to display marketing, advertising or general public information material. As shown in Figure 1, the display panel 100 is relatively planar. That is, the depth of the display panel 100 is considerably lower than the width A and/or height B. Therefore, the display panel 100 is a relatively flat panel so that the display panel 100 has a slimline shape. This allows the display panel 100 to lie substantially parallel to a mounting surface when attached to the mounting surface by an attachment means, such as screws, bolts or hangers for example. Although the frame 10 in this example is shown with a hanging channel 12, which allows the display panel 100 to be mounted to a mounting surface, the display panel 100 may be attached from the top or side of the display panel 100 to a mounting surface. Therefore, the display panel 100 is suitable for all types of commercial environments where wall space may be a premium and so vertical hanging from the ceiling is required.

Figures 3 and 4 each show a cut-away section of the display panel 100. The graphic sheet 30 is shown to be held fast to the frame 10 by the coupling means 50, so that the graphic sheet 30 is disposed between the transparent sheet 40 and the frame 10. Here, the coupling means 50 is provided by a magnet 52 disposed within the frame and a ferromagnetic steel strip 54 comprised by the transparent sheet 40. The magnet 52 is provided with a retaining means in order to retain the magnet 52 within the frame 10. In this instance, the retaining means is a channel 18 comprised by the frame 10. Therefore, when overcoming the magnetic force, the magnet 52 is not dislodged. In order to hold the graphic sheet 30 securely in place, an abutment portion 14 is also provided within the frame 10.

The graphic pane 20 may further comprise a second transparent sheet 32 disposed between the frame 10 and the graphic sheet 30. The second transparent sheet 32 acts as a back board to keep the graphic sheet 30 compressed to the first transparent sheet 30 and therefore retained within the display panel 100. The graphic sheet 30 may be relatively flexible compared to second transparent sheet 32 and so the second transparent sheet 32 helps to provide rigidity and support. The display panel 100 is provided with an internal space arranged away from the rear of the graphic sheet 30. The light source 70 is arranged in this space and directs light towards the graphic pane 20. The light source 70 may be arranged as a side light source or a back light source. In the example, two light sources are shown. These light sources may be used independently of each other or in combination. The first light source is a side light source 70 that comprises a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs) spaced apart from each other. The second light source is a printed matrix light board 60 with a light sheet 62 that provides direct lighting.

When the graphic sheet 30 needs to be replaced, the graphic pane 20 can be removed from the frame 10. To remove the graphic pane 20, an edge of the transparent sheet 40 is gripped such that the transparent sheet 40 can be pulled in a first direction D1 by overcoming the magnetic force between the magnet 52 and the steel strip 54. This allows the transparent sheet 40 to be removed as a whole without having to sequentially uncouple clips that may be located around the perimeter of the display panel 100. When recoupling the graphic pane 20 to the frame 10, the magnet steel strip 54 of the coupling means 50 is brought towards the magnet 52 and positioned within a channel 16 of the frame 10. This allows the channel 16 to oppose movement in a second direction D2, which may be a downward direction, orthogonal to the first direction Dl. Although, it is largely the magnetic force that resists movement in the second direction D2, the weight of the graphic pane 20 can be supported by the channel 16.

Furthermore, the channel 16 helps to align the magnet 52 and steel strip 54 in order to position the transparent sheet 40 in the correct predetermined location. The channel 16 allows the alignment process to be objective because the channel 16 acts as a guide. Advantageously, the channel 16 improves the repeatability of recoupling the graphic pane 20, such as when a damaged graphic sheet 30 needs to be replaced or a new graphic sheet displaying new information needs to be inserted. Further, an abutment portion 14 is shown, which can help to provide positive feedback of the engagement of the transparent sheet 40 with the frame 10.

Once coupled to the frame 10, the graphic pane 20 may slide relative to the frame 10 along a plane parallel to the front face of the frame 10. Therefore, the coupling means 50 does not resist movement in a third direction D3 that may be orthogonal to both the first and second directions D1,D2. In order to prevent lateral displacement of the graphic pane 20, an abutment portion may be provided. This helps to limit the lateral extent of the transparent sheet 40 so that the alignment process is more objective and repeatable.

A cross-section of the frame, i.e. a profile of the frame 10, is shown in Figure 5. The profile is formed by an extrusion process, so that, in this example the frame 10 is formed as an aluminium extrusion. This allows the frame 10 to be manufactured in a cost and time effective manner. The frame 10 has a constant cross-section, as defined by the shape of the profile. The profile has at least two channels, whereby the first channel 16 is arranged to resist movement of the steel strip 54 in a direction orthogonal to the first direction D1, i.e. orthogonal to the direction of the coupling force, and the second channel 18 retains the magnet 52 within the frame 10. The frame 10 further has a hanging channel 12 to allow the display panel 100 to be mounted to a mounting surface. The first and second channels 16,18 are adjacent to each other in order to closely couple the frame 10 and the graphic pane 20. The second channel 18 is shown as C-shaped, whereas the first channel 16 is shown as L-shaped. When the magnet 52 is placed within the second channel 18, the magnet 52 can only slide along the second channel 18 in a direction parallel to the front face of the frame 10, whereas the steel strip 54 can be brought into the first channel 16 and toward the front face.

Although preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.