WO1997005810A1

WO1997005810A1 - Display apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1997005810A1
Application number: PCT/GB1996/001911
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Smith
Original assignee: Alouette Innovation Limited
Priority date: 1995-08-07
Filing date: 1996-08-06
Publication date: 1997-02-20
Also published as: GB2304042A; GB9611441D0

Abstract

A display apparatus (Figure 2) has a frame (2) receiving an insert (10) such as a photograph. A sheet (3) of flexible material has a fixed portion (11) bonded to a backing portion (4) of the frame and a free portion (12) defining an aperture (15). The free portion thereby provides a hanger for hanging the frame from a picture hook (16). Alternative display apparatus (50) (Figure 9) additionally includes a connector (57) allowing a support member (54) to be engaged in a socket (62) when it is required to stand the frame on a supporting surface (155). The apparatus provides a simple and convenient means of displaying photographs in a hanging or standing configuration.

Description

Display Apparatus

This invention relates to display apparatus for displaying an insert in sheet form, the insert typically being a photograph, painting or printed material which is desired to hang on a wall or other vertical supporting structure.

It is known to provide apparatus comprising a frame having a window portion and a backing portion co-operating to define a slot for receiving an insert so as to be viewable through the window portion. It is also known for the window portion and backing portion to be unitaπly formed from a transparent plastics material such that the portions are rectangular plates, each joined to the other along one edge so as to give the appearance of a single plate which has been folded in half. Such frames have typically been hung by attaching a hanger to the backing layer, that hanger being a solid plastics component having a keyhole fixing or similar aperture so as to be co-operable with a picture hook projecting from the wall.

A disadvantage of such frames is that the manufacture of the hanger and assembly with the frame is relatively complex and expensive

According to the present invention there is disclosed display apparatus for displaying an insert in sheet form, the apparatus comprising a frame having a window portion and a backing portion connected so as to define a slot therebetween for receiving the insert so as to be viewable through the window portion, the apparatus further comprising a sheet of flexible material having a fixed portion bonded in face to face contact with the backing layer and a free portion having a partially or fully formed cut out defining an aperture in use whereby the free portion constitutes a hanger which in use defines the aperture and is co-operable with a picture hook so as to support the apparatus.

An advantage of such apparatus is that such a hanger is easy to assemble with the frame, typically the sheet of flexible material being available with the fixed portion pre-coated with a contact adhesive and supplied with a removal release layer which is removed therefrom immediately prior to assembly with the frame.

Preferably the frame is unitaπly formed of a transparent plastics material.

Such frames have the advantage of being simple to produce, simple to use and resistant to damage.

Preferably the backing portion and the window portion comprise rectangular plates joined along one edge of the frame and disposed in substantially parallel configuration to define the slot therebetween.

Conveniently the sheet of flexible material comprises polyester tape.

The cut out may extend peripherally around a cut out portion which can be removed to reveal the aperture prior to bonding the sheet to the backing portion Alternatively, the cut out may define a zone of weakness which is frangible in use to disptace a cut out portion of the sheet thereby defining the aperture in use. In this latter instance, the aperture will not be formed until the user prepares the assembled display apparatus for hanging by pushing out the cut out portion, such as for example by using the picture hook The display apparatus may be provided in combination with an insert comprising a display device having a rectangular profile substantially equal to that of the backing portion and to which a photograph having smaller dimensions than the display device is adhesively bonded.

The photograph may thereby be retained in position within the slot at a pre-selected location. Photographs which are smaller than the frame may thereby be displayed without falling to the bottom of the slot.

Advantageously the insert further comprises a mount having a rectangular profile substantially equal to that of the backing portion and overlaying a peripheral portion of the photograph

The aesthetic presentation of the photograph may thereby be improved The mount may for example include a coloured or decorative border or may carry indicia such as a greeting

Preferably the sheet is bonded to the backing portion at a location such that when viewed in a direction normal to the backing portion the hanger is within the peripheral outline of the backing portion when the free portion is disposed parallel thereto

This ensures that the hanger does not project above the top edge of the frame and that the hanger is concealed from frontal view in use.

Preferably the sheet is adhesively bonded to the backing portion.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is disclosed display apparatus for displaying an insert in sheet form, the apparatus comprising a frame having a window portion and a backing portion connected so as to define a slot therebetween for receiving the insert so as to be viewable through the window portion, the apparatus further comprising support means comprising a base bonded to the backing portion, a hanger connected to the base and defining an aperture co-operable in use with a picture hook so as to support the display apparatus in a hanging configuration, a support member for use as a prop supporting the frame in a standing configuration of the display apparatus in which the frame rests upon a supporting surface, and standing means for selectively deploying the support member in the standing configuration in which a first end portion of the support member is connected to the base and a second end portion of the support member engages in use the supporting surface upon which the frame rests

An advantage of such support means is to allow the frame to be selectively supported either in a hanging configuration against a wall or in a standing configuration in which the frame rests upon a supporting surface.

This is particularly advantageous where the frame is of the unitary construction described above, formed of a single sheet of folded transparent plastics material, since hitherto there has been no satisfactory means of deploying such frames in a standing configuration other than by integrally forming a support in the form of a fixed buttress or prop, the presence of which precludes the deployment of the frame in a hanging configuration

Preferably the standing means comprises a connector connected to the base and operable to releasably connect the support member to the base, the connector defining a socket for receiving the upper end portion of the support member The connector may be formed unitarily with the base and the hanger and may for example comprise a folded strip of sheet material, the strip being folded at a lower edge of the base whereby the base merges with an inner portion of the connector extending upwardly from the lower edge. The strip may be folded at aπ upper edge of the inner portion whereby the inner portion merges with a downwardly extending outer portion of the connector, the inner and outer portions defining the socket therebetween.

The socket may be configured to receive the first end portion parallel to the backing portion and the support member may be in the form of a rigid sheet having a bend adjacent to the first end portion. By reversing the support member so that a second end portion thereof is received in the socket, the support member may thereby be conveniently stowed in proximity with the backing portion when it is desired to deploy the display apparatus in the hanging configuration.

Alternatively, the socket may be configured to receive the support member at an acute angle relative to the backing portion, the support member then being preferably a flat sheet which is entirely removed from the display apparatus when deployed in the hanging configuration.

Alternatively, the connector may be bonded directly to the backing portion, the connector being formed unitarily from a strip of rigid material constituting the base which is bonded to the backing portion, the strip extending upwardly of the base to constitute the hanger and extending downwardly of the base in a folded configuration to define the socket. Such an arrangement is particularly convenient when it is desired to form the connector and hanger by bending a strip of plastics material such as using a hot wire technique. Similarly, the connector and hanger may be formed by cutting lengths from an extruded section.

Alternatively, the connector and hanger may be unitarily formed in a configuration in which a base bonded to the backing portion comprises a first flat plate also constituting an inner portion of the connector, the connector further comprising an outer portion in the form of a further flat plate joined unitarily to the inner portion by a bridging portion at the respective upper edges of the inner and outer portions, the inner and outer portions defining the socket therebetween, and wherein the hanger is constituted by a further flat plate merging with the bridging portion and extending away from the bridging portion in an opposite direction to the extension of the inner and outer portions.

The connector and hanger may thereby be formed in a single moulding or extrusion .

Alternatively, the connector may be in the form of a folded sheet of rigid material in which an inner portion is bonded directly to the backing layer of the frame, an outer portion of the connector being spaced from the inner portion to define the socket, and a sheet of flexible material having a fixed portion bonded to the outer portion of the connector and a free portion extending upwardly therefrom to define the hanger.

Alternatively, the support means may comprise a single strip of sheet material constituting not only the base which is bonded to the backing portion of the frame but also the hanger and the support member, the strip being formed with zones of weakness extending transversely of the strip to define hinge lines intermediate the base and hanger and between the base and support member. The support means thereby adopts an initial position in which the strip extends parallel to the backing layer and either the hanger or the support member is deflectable in use by bending about the respective hinge lines so as to extend at an acute angle relative to the backing layer to deploy the display apparatus in the hanging configuration or standing configuration respectively.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is disclosed an auxiliary frame for use with a frame mounted in a hanging configuration, the auxiliary frame comprising a second window portion and a second backing portion connected so as to define a second slot therebetween for receiving a second insert so as to be viewable through the second window portion, the auxiliary frame comprising attachment means operable to attach an upper edge portion of the second backing portion to a lower edge portion of the frame.

The auxiliary frame thereby allows a calendar or other indicia to be inserted as the second insert to be viewed in conjunction with the first insert.

Preferably the attachment means comprises a releasable adhesive operable to releasably attach an upper edge portion of the second backing portion to a lower edge portion of the backing portion of the frame.

The auxiliary frame may thereby be added or removed as required .

The above described support means may be provided with adhesive means for bonding the base to a backing portion of a frame, thereby constituting support apparatus which may be supplied separately from the frame and assembled therewith by the user. The adhesive means may conveniently be a layer of contact adhesive applied to the base and covered by a release layer which is removable prior to use.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which; Figure 1 is a rear elevation of display apparatus in accordance with the present invention showing the backing portion and hanger;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the display apparatus of Figure 1 shown in use;

Figure 3 is a front elevation of an alternative hanger; Figure 4 is a front elevation of an insert comprising a photograph and a display device prior to assembly;

Figure 5 is a further elevation of the insert of Figure 4 during assembly;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the display device of Figures 4 and 5 after assembly with the photograph;

Figure 7 is a front elevation of an insert incorporating the display device of Figures 4 to 6 in combination with a mount;

Figure 8 is a rear elevation of an alternative display apparatus having a support member; Figure 9 is a side elevation of the display apparatus of Figure 8 in a standing configuration in which the frame is upstanding from a supporting surface;

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the display apparatus of Figures 8 and 9 shown in a hanging configuration in which the support member is in a stowed position; Figure 1 1 is a side elevation of a further alternative display apparatus in a standing configuration;

Figure 1 2 is a side elevation of the display apparatus of Figure 1 1 in a hanging configuration; Figure 1 3 is a side elevation of a further alternative display apparatus in a standing configuration;

Figure 14 is a view of a support member for use in a further alternative display apparatus;

Figure 1 5 is a further display apparatus incorporating the support member of Figure 14;

Figure 1 6 is a rear elevation of a further alternative display apparatus having a support means in the form of a moulded block;

Figure 1 7 is a side elevation of the display apparatus of Figure 1 6;

Figure 1 8 is a side elevation of a further alternative display apparatus in a standing configuration;

Figure 1 9 is a side elevation of a further alternative display apparatus in a standing configuration,

Figure 20 is a side elevation of the display apparatus of Figure 2 in combination with an auxiliary frame in a hanging configuration; Figure 21 is a side elevation of the display apparatus of Figure 2 in combination with an alternative auxiliary frame in a hanging configuration,

Figure 22 is a front elevation of the display apparatus and auxiliary frame of Figure 20, and Figure 23 is a side elevation of a support apparatus for use in display apparatus of Figure 1 9

Figure 1 shows a display apparatus 1 consisting of a frame 2 and a hanger 30 formed from a flexible sheet 3 of polyester Figure 1 is a rear view of the display apparatus 1 illustrating that the sheet 3 is bonded to a backing layer 4 of the frame 2 at a location such that, when viewed in projection in a direction normal to the backing layer 4, the hanger 30 lies entirely within the peripheral profile of the frame 2. In other words, the hanger 30 does not project beyond the outline of the frame 2 and in particular does not project above the frame so that it is concealed from view in use as may be determined from Figure 2 which is a side elevation of the apparatus 1 when hung against a wall 5.

Figure 2 also shows the frame 2 to comprise a window portion 6 which is joined along a bottom edge 7 of the frame to the backing layer 4. The window portion 7 and the backing layer 4 are unitarily formed of acrylic, a transparent plastics material, both being substantially rigid but being resiliently deformable to an extent sufficient to allow respective free edges 8 and 9 of the backing layer and the window portion to be separated during insertion of an insert 10.

The insert 10 is shown schematically in Figure 2 as a single line but in practice may be either a single sheet such as a photograph or a plurality of sheets to provide a backing and/or mount for the photograph as will be described below with reference to Figures 4 to 7.

The flexible sheet 2 comprises polyester tape of 50 microns thickness having a fixed portion 1 1 adhesively bonded to the backing layer 4 and a free portion 1 2 constituting the hanger 30 and which is free to bend away from contact with the backing layer as shown in Figure 2, the fixed and free portions being delineated by a bend line 13.

The sheet 3 is assembled with the backing layer 4 by presenting the fixed portion 1 1 into contact with the backing layer and applying pressure, the fixed portion being pre-coated with a high sheer rubber resin layer of 375 microns thickness, alignment being achieved using a suitable jig and subsequent pressure being applied until the adhesive bond is cured.

The free portion 1 2 is provided with a cut out 14 defining an aperture 1 5 through which in use a picture hook 6 extends so as to support the frame 2 as shown in Figure 2.

Such sheets 2 incorporating hangers are available in the form of hang tabs used to display goods at point of sale outlets by attaching adhesively the hang tabs to an upper edge of packaging within which an article is contained such that the hang tab projects above the packaging. Multiple articles may then be displayed by threading a support through a series of apertures defined by a series of hang tabs.

Such hang tabs are provided with a large number of tabs pre¬ coated with adhesive and applied to a peal-off backing sheet from which they are removed immediately before application.

An alternative shape of hanger 30 is illustrated in Figure 3 using corresponding reference numerals to those of preceding Figures where appropriate . The alternative hanger 30 includes a cut out 31 which communicates with a side edge 32 of the free portion 1 2 so that the free portion forms a hook.

In contrast, the hanger 30 of Figure 1 has a cut out which is generally in the form of a horizontal slot but with an upwardly tapering upper edge which comes to an apex at a central position relative to the frame 2. When hanging the frame 2, the hook 1 6 will tend to self locate at the apex of the cut out thereby automatically centring the hanger 30 relative to the hook 1 6. As shown in Figure 2, the bottom edge 7 of the frame will generally rest in contact with the wall 5. Figure 4 shows a particular form of insert 1 0 during assembly. The insert 1 0 comprises a photograph 1 7 and a display card 1 8 of a type disclosed in WO 95/10421 . The display card 1 8, as shown in Figure 6 consists of a folded card of a material and size commonly used for greeting cards and, as shown in Figure 4, is provided with an adhesive layer 1 9 protected by a removable release layer 20 which in Figure 4 is shown partially removed. The photograph 1 7 is assembled with the display card 1 8 by removing the release layer 20 and adhesively bonding the photograph to the display card as illustrated in

Figures 5 and 6.

As shown in Figure 7, the insert further comprises a mount 21 (not shown in Figures 4 to 6) and which overlays the front of the display card 1 8. The mount 21 may be pre-printed with suitable indicia such as a greetings message or decoration so as to provide a peripheral border to the photograph, or portion of the photograph, revealed by the mount. The insert 10 including the photograph, display card and mount may be inserted as a single insert into the frame 2 as shown in Figure 2 such that both the photograph 1 7 and the mount 1 8 are visible through the window portion 6.

The frame may be extruded or cast from any suitable plastics material including acrylic, PVC, high impact acrylic, polyester, polycarbonate or clear polystyrene.

When formed from acrylic, the frame may be formed by bending a rectangular plate in half over a hot wire. Alternatively, the frame may be injection moulded so as to have a rectangular backing layer and window portion joined unitarily along three edges, an opening being defined along a top edge to allow access to the slot formed therebetween

An alternative display apparatus 50 will now be described with reference to Figures 8, 9 and 10 using corresponding reference numerals to those of preceding Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements. The display apparatus 50 consists of a frame 2 corresponding in construction to the frame of the display apparatus 1 described above and includes a backing layer 4 to which a support means 51 is bonded as shown in Figure 8.

The support means 51 comprises a hanger 52 defining an aperture 1 5 through which in use a picture hook 1 6 extends so as to support the hanger as shown in Figure 10 when the display apparatus 50 is disposed in a hanging configuration upon a wall 5.

The support means 51 also includes standing means 53 allowing the display apparatus to be alternatively deployed in a standing configuration as shown in Figure 9 in which a support member 54 serves as a prop to enable the frame 2 to be supported in a near vertical position on a supporting surface 55.

The standing means 53 comprises a base 55 comprising a flexible sheet of polyester tape of the type described above with reference to apparatus 1 , the tape extending upwardly to unitarily form the hanger

52 and having its lower half secured by an adhesive layer 56 to the backing layer 4

A connector 57 is bonded to an outer face of the base 55 by means of double sided adhesive tape 58, the connector comprising a sheet of acrylic plastics material having a folded configuration as shown in Figures 9 and 1 0 in which a fixed inner portion 59 is overlaid by an outer portion 60 being joined along an upper edge thereof to the inner portion. The connector may be formed by a process of folding an acrylic sheet using a hot wire for example or by moulding the connector as a unitary item.

The support member 54 consists of a elongate rectangular sheet of rigid plastics material having a first end portion 61 received within a socket 62 defined between the inner and outer portions 59 and 60 of the connector 57. The outer portion 60 has a lower edge which, in the absence of the support member 54, rests against the inner portion 59. Insertion of the support member 54 requires deflection of the outer portion 60 to move its lower edge away from the inner portion by a distance equal to the thickness of the support member, this resilient deformation resulting in the support member being gripped.

The first end portion 61 is bent slightly relative to the major part of the support member 54 about a transverse bend line 63 such that the first end portion 61 is confined by the socket 62 to lie parallel to the backing layer 4 while at the same time the major portion of the support member 54 extends at an acute angle relative to the frame 2 as shown in Figure 9 when the standing means is deployed in the standing configuration.

As shown in Figure 9, the support member 54 has a second end portion 64 which engages the supporting surface 1 55 at a location spaced from the point of engagement between the bottom edge 7 of the frame 2 and the supporting surface 1 55. The angle between the major portion of the support member 54 and the frame is selected such that in the standing configuration the centre of gravity of the display apparatus is intermediate the points of contact with the supporting surface 1 55 while at the same time holding the frame in a nearly upright position.

When it is required to deploy the display apparatus 50 in the hanging configuration of Figure 1 0, the support member 54 may be removed from the connector 57 and the second end 64 inserted into the socket 62 as shown in Figure 10. In this arrangement the support member 54 is oriented such that the first end portion 61 is bent towards the frame 2 The display apparatus may then be hung on a wall 5 by means of picture hook 1 6 engaging the hanger 52 via the aperture 1 5.

The configuration of Figure 10 may also conveniently be utilised during storage of the display apparatus, thereby retaining the support member 54 and the frame in a compact arrangement convenient for packaging and storage

In an alternative stowed configuration of the display apparatus 50 (not shown) the support member 54 may extend horizontally with the support member being gripped in the socket 62 at any position along its length (other than the first end portion) , but preferably gripped at its middle This is also a suitable stowed configuration for storage and packaging

The connector 57 may alternatively be bonded to the base 55 by other means such as a layer of adhesive

A further alternative display apparatus 70 is shown in Figures 1 1 and 1 2 using corresponding reference numbers to those of preceding Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements The display apparatus 70 comprises a frame 2 and a support member 54 which are identical to those of the apparatus 50 described with reference to Figures 8, 9 and 10. In particular the support member 54 is a strip of rigid plastics material having a transverse bend line 63 near one end and being bent such that in the standing configuration of

Figure 1 1 a first end portion 61 is held in socket 62 so as to lie parallel to the backing layer 4

The display apparatus 70 however comprises a modified connector 71 formed unitarily of a single elongate strip of relatively rigid plastics material such as acrylic. The sheet material defining the connector 71 has a base portion 73 adhesively bonded to the backing layer 4 and a hanger portion 72 extending upwardly of the base portion and at an angle thereto so as to extend at an acute angle relative to the frame 2. The hanger portion 72 defines an aperture 1 5 for use in hanging against a wall as shown in Figure 1 2 in a hanging configuration of the display apparatus

A lower edge of the base portion 73 is folded (i.e. bent through 1 80° ), merging with an upwardly extending inner portion 74 of the connector which is folded at its upper edge to merge with a downwardly extending outer portion 75 such that a slot shaped socket 76 is defined between the inner and outer portions

The hanger portion 72, base portion 73, inner portion 74 and outer portion 75 are formed unitarily of a single strip of acrylic material either by forming the folds in the strip by bending about a hot wire, by extrusion or by a moulding operation

The connector 71 is formed with a shape memory such that the outer portion 75 tends to pinch against the inner portion 75 thereby positively gripping the support member 54 when inserted into the socket 76

The standing configuration as shown in Figure 1 1 and the hanging configuration as shown in Figure 1 2 correspond to the configurations described above with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In the stowed configuration, the support member 54 may be gripped either at the second end portion 64 as shown in Figure 1 2 or at its middle (not shown) so as to extend horizontally.

A further alternative display apparatus 80 is shown in Figure 1 3 and will be described using corresponding reference numbers to those of preceding Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements.

The display apparatus 80 has a support means 81 formed unitarily from a single strip of acrylic sheet which is bent and folded as shown in Figure 1 3 to include a base portion 83 adhesively bonded to the backing layer 4, a hanger portion 82 extending upwardly of the base portion and at an acute angle relative to the backing layer 4, a depending portion 84 extending downwardly of a lower edge of the base portion and at an acute angle away from the backing layer, a lower edge of the depending portion being folded (i .e. bent through 1 80° ) to merge with an upwardly extending inner portion 85, and an upper edge of the inner portion being folded to merge with a downwardly extending outer portion 86, whereby the inner and outer portions co-operate to define a socket 87 of a connector 88. The strip has a shape memory whereby the outer portion 86 tends to pinch against the inner portion 85 to provide gripping action within the socket 87.

A support member 89 consists of a flat strip of plastics material having a first end portion 90 received and gripped within the socket 87 when the display apparatus 80 is placed in the standing configuration as shown in Figure 1 3. In this configuration, a second end portion 91 engages a supporting surface 55 such that the support member serves as a prop to maintain the frame 2 in a generally upright position.

When it is required to display the display apparatus 80 in a hanging configuration (not shown), the support member 89 is removed from the socket 87. The frame 2 may then be hung on a hook by means of aperture 1 5 defined in the hanger portion 82. It will be apparent that in the display apparatus 80 the support member 89 must be removed entirely when it is to be deployed in the hanging configuration and in this respect the display apparatus 80 differs from the display apparatus 50 and 70 described above in which the support member may be retained in a stowed configuration.

A further alternative display apparatus 1 00 will now be described with reference to Figures 14 and 1 5 using corresponding reference numbers to those of preceding Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements.

The display apparatus 100 consists of a frame 2 of the type described above in combination with a support means 1 01 comprising a strip of polyester sheet 1 02 which, as shown in Figure 14, is rectangular in profile with upper and lower hinge lines 103, 104 extending transversely of the sheet and delineating between a hanger portion 105, a base portion 106, and a support member portion 1 07.

The base portion 106 is adhesively bonded to the backing layer 4. The upper and lower hinge lines 1 03, 1 04 are defined by scoring or otherwise indenting the sheet 1 02 so that the sheet is deflectable about these hinge lines in the manner of a live hinge. When initially supplied, the sheet 102 lies flat against the backing layer 4 as indicated by broken lines at 108 in Figure 1 5.

In use to deploy the display apparatus 100 in the hanging configuration, the hanger portion 1 05 is manually bent through an angle of about 30° relative to the backing layer 4 by bending about the upper hinge line 1 03. The frame may then be hung on a wall by means of aperture 1 5 receiving a picture hook (not shown) .

When deployed in the standing configuration shown in Figure 1 5, the support member portion 107 is bent manually so as to extend at an angle of about 30° to the backing layer 4 by bending about the lower hinge line 104. These bending operations may be reversed as required to reconfigure the support member 1 7.

A further alternative display apparatus 1 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 1 6 and 1 7 using corresponding reference numbers to those of preceding Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements .

The display apparatus 1 1 0 consists of a frame 2 as described above and a support means 1 1 1 in the form of a moulded block 1 1 2 of rigid plastics material

The block 1 1 2 is adhesively bonded to the backing layer 4 and has an aperture 1 5 defined in an outer face 1 1 3 of the block, the aperture being of keyhole shape for receiving and locking on to a picture hook (not shown) when the apparatus is deployed in a hanging configuration (not shown) As shown in Figure 1 7, the block 1 1 2 further defines a socket 1 14 opening via a lower face 1 1 5 to receive a first end portion 1 1 6 of a support member 1 1 7 which is required when adapting the display apparatus into a standing configuration

The socket 1 14 defines a slot which extends at an angle relative to the backing layer 4 so that the support member 1 1 7 which is in the form of a flat sheet of rigid plastics material, extends at a corresponding angle when received in the socket as shown in Figure 1 7. This angle is selected to be about 30° so that in the standing configuration the support member 1 1 7 acts as a prop to support the frame 2 in a stable manner upon a supporting surface 1 55.

A further alternative display apparatus 1 20 will now be described with reference to Figure 1 8 using corresponding reference numbers to those of preceding Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements.

The display apparatus 1 20 is similar to the display apparatus 50 as shown in Figures 8, 9 and 1 0 but differs in that the connector 57 is bonded directly to the backing layer 4.

The connector 57 comprises a sheet of acrylic plastics material having a folded configuration in which a fixed inner portion 59 is overlaid by an outer portion 60 being joined along its upper edge to the inner portion The connector 57 thereby defines a socket 62 for receiving the first end portion 61 of a support member 54 when it is required to stand the display apparatus in a standing position on a supporting surface 1 55. The inner portion 59 thereby constitutes a base bonded to the backing layer 4 and to which both the hanger 52 and connector 57 are connected

A flexible sheet 3 is bonded to the outer surface of the outer portion 60 of the connector 57, the sheet being of the type referred to with reference to display apparatus 1 and therefore being constituted by a hang tab A fixed portion 1 1 of the sheet is bonded to the outer portion 60 of the connector 57 and a free portion 1 2 of the sheet extends upwardly to constitute a hanger 52 The hanger 52 defines an aperture 1 5 enabling the hanger to be used in the manner illustrated in Figure 2 when it is desired to mount the display apparatus 1 20 in a hanging configuration

A label 1 21 is self adhesively applied to the fixed portion 1 1 .

A further alternative display apparatus 130 will now be described with reference to Figure 1 9 using corresponding reference numbers to those of preceding Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements

The display apparatus 1 30 differs from the display apparatus 1 20 in that the connector 57 and the hanger 52 are integrally formed as an extrusion or moulding An inner portion 59 of the connector 57 is adhesively bonded to the backing layer 4 and co-operates with the outer portion 60 of the connector 57 to define a socket 62 The inner and outer portions 59 and 60 are joined by a bridge portion 1 31 at their respective upper edges and the hanger 52 is joined unitarily to the bridge portion 1 31 so as to extend upwardly and co-planar with the outer portion 60 When it is required to insert the first end portion 61 of the support member 54 into the socket 62, manual depression of the hanger 52 in a direction towards the backing layer 4 may be used to temporarily distort the bridge portion 1 31 so as to outwardly pivotally displace the outer portion 60, thereby widening the socket 62 to facilitate insertion.

Release of the hanger 52 after insertion enables the outer portion 60 to relax to a position in which it positively grips the first end portion 61 .

When it is desired to mount the display apparatus 1 30 in a hanging configuration, the support member 54 may be removed or alternatively stowed in the manner illustrated by Figure 1 0 in which the second end portion 64 is inserted into the socket 62 When mounted in the hanging configuration (not shown), it may prove necessary to outwardly deform the hanger 52 (i.e. away from the backing layer 4) in order to accommodate the configuration of the picture hook 1 6 as shown in Figure 2 To this end, the unitary moulding of the connector

57 and hanger 52 may be such as to impart greater flexibility to the hanger 52 than to the inner and outer portions 59 and 60, for example by the use of localised differences in the moulded material or by the use of variations in thickness to provide zones of relative weakness (not shown) .

As shown in Figure 23, the unitary moulding constitutes a support apparatus 1 60 which may be supplied separately from the frame 2 for assembly therewith by the user The user may alternatively choose to apply the support apparatus to another frame of his choice. The support apparatus 1 60 includes an adhesive layer 1 61 applied to the inner face of the inner portion 59 and covered prior to use by a detachable release layer 1 62. The support apparatus 1 60 is moulded such that the material of the outer portion 60 and the inner portion 59 has a shape memory tending to close the mouth of the socket 62 such that the free ends 1 63 and 1 64 of the outer and inner portions are closed together. In use, the support apparatus 1 60 is applied to the frame 2 by removing the release layer 1 62 and pressing the connector 57 firmly against the backing layer 4, the adhesive layer 1 61 therefore preferably being a contact adhesive.

Insertion of the support member 54 into the socket 62 may then be accommodated when required by manual depression of the hanger

52 to temporarily distort the bridge portion 1 31 and cause the free ends 1 63 and 1 64 to move apart.

A further embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 20 using corresponding reference numbers to those of previous Figures where appropriate for corresponding elements.

In Figure 20, a display apparatus 1 of the type illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is shown in a hanging configuration in which hanger 30 engages a picture hook 1 6. An auxiliary frame 140 is connected to the frame 2 adjacent to the bottom edge 7 so as to constitute a downwardly projecting extension to the frame. The auxiliary frame 140 consists of a transparent second window portion 141 having a bottom edge 142 along which it is joined to a second backing layer 143. The second window portion 1 41 and the second backing layer 1 43 are unitarily formed of acrylic so as to be substantially rigid but resiliently deformable to an extent sufficient to allow a second insert 144 to be inserted into a second slot 145 defined therebetween. As shown in Figure 22, the second window portion 141 has a rectangular shape allowing a rectangular second insert such as a calendar to be viewed in conjunction with the insert 10 viewed through the window portion 6 of the frame 2.

As shown in Figure 20, the second backing layer 143 extends upwardly beyond an upper edge 146 of the second window portion 141 to constitute an attachment portion 147 having an adhesive layer 148 on its front surface. The adhesive layer 1 48 enables the attachment portion 147 to be secured to a lower edge portion 1 49 of the backing layer 4.

The adhesive layer 148 is a clean peel adhesive allowing the auxiliary frame 140 to be readily attached and detached from the frame 2 without leaving any residual adhesive on the frame.

The auxiliary frame 140 is particularly useful in allowing a user to mount a calendar or other indicia such as an advertising logo beneath the frame so that for example the user may frame an insert in the form of a photograph and utilise the auxiliary frame to present a composite display of both the insert 1 0 and second insert 144. When used as a calendar, the display apparatus may then be repeatedly used with successive inserts 144 for different calendar years or successive inserts 10 providing alternate pictures.

The auxiliary frame 140 may be modified as shown in Figure 21 by forming the upper edge 1 46 of the second window portion 1 41 in a folded configuration in which a downwardly extending lip 1 50 extends into the second slot 1 45, thereby spacing the second window portion 1 41 from the second backing layer 143 by the thickness of the lip 1 50.

The thickness of the second slot 145 is thereby determined so that typically the second insert 1 44 will be received as a loose fit within the second slot 1 45. Insertion and removal of the second insert 144 is then via openings 1 51 formed at each end of the second slot 145 so that for example in the configuration shown in Figure 22 the second insert 144 is horizontally slideable into and out of the second slot.

Although openings 1 51 are also present in the embodiment of Figure 20, insertion of the second insert 145 may require manual deformation of the second window portion 141 away from the second backing layer 143 in order to expand the openings 1 51 sufficiently to allow insertion. The presence of the lip 1 50 in the embodiment of Figure 21 avoids the need for such deformation

The auxiliary frame 140 may be provided together with any of the display apparatus described above thereby providing the user with the option of having display apparatus with a single frame for displaying a single insert or alternatively having display apparatus combined with the auxiliary frame in which both the insert 1 0 and second insert 144 may be displayed . It will be apparent that use of the auxiliary frame 140 is only possible when the display apparatus is utilised in a hanging configuration and the auxiliary frame 140 will therefore need to be detached from the frame 2 in the event that it is required to convert the display apparatus from the hanging configuration to a standing configuration

Alternative materials may be utilised in the embodiments of display apparatus described above. For example the support member 89 or 1 1 7 may be formed of a rigid card . Where plastics materials have been indicated above, alternative plastics materials or other alternative materials having equivalent or similar properties may be substituted where appropriate. P.V C. (Polyvinyl chloride) , polyester, polycarbonate or polystyrene may for example be substituted for acrylic or polyester wherever mentioned above

The support means may be combined with other types of frame than the unitarily constructed frame described above. The display apparatus described above may optionally be provided in kit form in which the support means is adhesively applied to the frame by a user who may then select the appropriate location of the support means for portrait or landscape orientation of the frame

It is also envisaged that support apparatus may be supplied comprising any of the above described support means and having adhesive means for bonding the base to the backing portion of a frame in use. The adhesive means in a preferred embodiment as shown in Figure 23 comprises a self adhesive area of the base formed by a layer of contact adhesive 1 61 protected prior to use by a removable release layer 1 62.

Throughout the specification, the term "fold" is used to denote a bend in a sheet material of 1 80° or substantially 1 80° The term

"upper" and "lower" are used in the context of the normal orientation of the frame as shown in the drawings.

The insert described with reference to Figures 4 to 7 may be used in any of the embodiment of display apparatus described herein.

The above described display apparatus will typically be dimensioned to provide a frame 2 suitable for accommodating standard size photographs or enlargements Display apparatus in accordance with the present invention may also be utilised for displaying inserts of larger format, such as, for example collages of photographs or display posters and in this instance it may be appropriate for the frame 2 to be provided with a plurality of support means, thereby providing a plurality of hangers and/or a plurality of connectors for receiving support members.

Claims

1 . Display apparatus ( 1 ) for displaying an insert ( 10) in sheet form, the apparatus comprising a frame (2) having a window portion (6) and a backing portion (4) connected so as to define a slot therebetween for receiving the insert so as to be viewable through the window portion, the apparatus further comprising a sheet (3) of flexible material having a fixed portion ( 1 1 ) bonded in face to face contact with the backing portion and a free portion ( 1 2) having a partially or fully formed cut out ( 14) defining an aperture ( 1 5) in use whereby the free portion constitutes a hanger which in use defines the aperture and is co- operable with a picture hook ( 1 6) so as to support the apparatus.

2. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame is unitarily formed of a transparent plastics material.

3. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the backing portion and the window portion comprise rectangular plates joined along one edge (7) of the frame and disposed in substantially parallel configuration to define the slot therebetween.

4. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet of flexible material comprises polyester tape.

5. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cut out extends peripherally around a cut out portion which is removed to reveal the aperture prior to bonding the sheet to the backing portion.

6. Display apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the cut out defines a zone of weakness which is frangible in use to displace a cut out portion of the sheet thereby defining the aperture in use.

7 Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cut out (31 ) communicates with a side edge (32) of the sheet to form the hanger (30) in the shape of a hook.

8. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with an insert comprising a display device ( 1 8) having a rectangular profile substantially equal to that of the backing portion and to which a photograph ( 1 7) having smaller dimensions than the display device is adhesively bonded .

9. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the insert further comprises a mount (21 ) having a rectangular profile substantially equal to that of the backing portion and overlaying a peripheral portion of the photograph

10. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the sheet is bonded to the backing portion at a location such that when viewed in a direction normal to the backing portion the hanger is within the peripheral outline of the backing portion when the free portion is disposed parallel thereto.

1 1 Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the fixed portion is adhesively bonded to the backing portion.

1 2. Display apparatus (50) as claimed in any preceding claim comprising a support member (54) for use as a prop when standing the frame on a horizontal supporting surface ( 1 55) and a connector (57) operable to releasably engage an end portion (61 ) of the support member, the fixed portion of the sheet of flexible material constituting a base (55) to which the connector is bonded .

1 3. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 2 wherein the connector comprises a strip (59,60) of sheet material having a folded configuration in which an inner portion (59) is bonded in face to face contact with the base, an outer portion (60) joined unitarily with the inner portion along a folded upper edge thereof, the inner and outer portions defining a socket (62) therebetween for receiving the end portion (61 ) of the support member (54) and wherein the connector has a shape memory tending to close a lower edge of the outer portion against the inner portion to thereby grip in use the end portion of the support member.

14 Display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 3 wherein the connector is operable to engage the end portion of the support member such that the end portion extends parallel to the backing portion of the frame and wherein the support member is bent adjacent the connector such that the remainder of the support member, including a second end portion (64) , extends at an acute angle relative to the backing portion whereby in use in a deployed configuration of the display apparatus the support member may function as a prop by engagement of the second end portion of the support member with the supporting surface.

1 5. Display apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the connector is operable to releasably engage a part of the remainder of the support member in a stowed configuration in which the support member extends in proximity with the backing portion to facilitate hanging of the frame by means of the hanger.

1 6. Display apparatus (50;70;80; 100; 1 10; 120; 130) for displaying an insert ( 1 0) in sheet form, the apparatus comprising a frame

(2) having a window portion (6) and a backing portion (4) connected so as to define a slot therebetween for receiving the insert so as to be viewable through the window portion, the apparatus further comprising support means (51 ) comprising a base (55) bonded to the backing portion, a hanger (52) connected to the base and defining an aperture

( 1 5) co-operable in use with a picture hook ( 1 6) so as to support the display apparatus in a hanging configuration, a support member (54) for use as a prop supporting the frame in a standing configuration of the display apparatus in which the frame rests upon a supporting surface (1 55), and standing means (53) for selectively deploying the support member in the standing configuration in which a first end portion (61 ) of the support member is connected to the base and a second end portion (64) of the support member engages in use the supporting surface upon which the frame rests.

1 7. Display apparatus (50;70;80; 1 10; 1 20; 1 30) as claimed in claim 1 6 wherein the standing means comprises a connector (57) connected to the base and operable to releasably connect the support member to the base, the connector defining a socket (62) for receiving the upper end portion of the support member

1 8. Display apparatus (70;80; 1 1 0) as claimed in claim 1 7 wherein the connector (71 ;88) is formed unitarily with the base (73;83) and the hanger (72;82) .

1 9. Display apparatus (70;80) as claimed in claim 1 8 wherein the connector (71 ;88) comprises a folded strip of sheet material.

20. Display apparatus (70) as claimed in claim 1 9 wherein the strip is folded at a lower edge of the base (73) whereby the base merges with an inner portion (74) of the connector (71 ) extending upwardly from the lower edge, the strip being folded at an upper edge of the inner portion whereby the inner portion merges with a downwardly extending outer portion (75), the inner and outer portions defining the socket (76) therebetween

21 Display apparatus (70) as claimed in claim 20 wherein the socket (76) is configured to receive the first end portion (61 ) in parallel disposition to the backing portion (4) of the frame.

22 Display apparatus (70) as claimed in claim 21 wherein the support member (54) is a sheet of rigid material having a bend formation (63) adjacent to the first end portion (61 ) and wherein the remainder of the support member including the second end portion (64) is flat whereby in a stowed configuration the second end portion of the support member is engaged in the socket (76) and the support member extends in proximity with the backing portion

23 Display apparatus (80) as claimed in any of claims 1 6 to 1 9 wherein the socket (87) is configured to receive the support member

(89) at an acute angle relative to the backing portion and wherein the support member comprises a flat sheet.

24. Display apparatus (80) as claimed in claim 23 wherein the connector (88) is formed unitarily from a strip of rigid material constituting the base, the strip extending upwardly of the base to constitute the hanger (82), the strip extending downwardly of the base to constitute a depending portion (84) extending at an acute angle relative to the backing layer, a fold being formed at a lower edge of the depending portion to merge with an upwardly extending inner portion (85) of the connector, and a further fold being formed at an upper edge of the inner portion to merge with a downwardly extending outer portion (86) of the connector whereby a socket (87) is defined between the inner and outer portions.

25. Display apparatus ( 1 30) as claimed in claim 1 8 wherein the base comprises a first flat plate (59) aiso constituting an inner portion of the connector (57), the connector further comprising an outer portion (60) in the form of a further flat plate joined unitarily to the inner portion by a bridging portion ( 1 31 ) at the respective upper edges of the inner and outer portions, the inner and outer portions defining the socket (62) therebetween, and wherein the hanger (52) is constituted by a further flat plate merging with the bridging portion and extending away from the bridging portion in an opposite direction to the extension of the inner and outer portions.

26. Display apparatus ( 1 20) as claimed in Claim 1 7 wherein the base comprises a first flat plate (59) also constituting an inner portion of the connector (57), the connector further comprising an outer portion (60) in the form of a further flat plate joined unitarily to the inner portion by a bridging portion of the respected upper edges of the inner and outer portions, the inner and outer portions defining the socket (62) therebetween, the display apparatus further comprising a sheet (3) of flexible material having a fixed portion ( 1 1 ) bonded in face to face contact with the outer portion of the connector and a free portion ( 1 2) extending upwardly therefrom, the free portion defining the aperture

( 1 5) and constituting the hanger (52) .

27. Display apparatus ( 100) as claimed in claim 1 6 wherein the support means ( 101 ) comprises a strip of sheet material constituting the base ( 106), the strip extending upwardly of the base to constitute the hanger ( 105) and extending downwardly of the base to constitute a support member ( 107) , the strip being formed with zones of weakness ( 103, 104) extending transversely of the strip to define hinge lines (103, 104) intermediate the base and hanger and between the base and support member whereby the support means adopts an initial position in which the strip extends parallel to the backing layer and either the hanger or the support member is deflectable in use by bending about the respective hinge lines so as to extend at an acute angle relative to the backing layer to deploy the display apparatus in the hanging configuration or standing configuration respectively

28. Display apparatus (50;70;80; 1 00; 1 10; 1 20, 1 30) as claimed in any of claims 1 6 to 27 wherein the frame (2) is unitarily formed of a transparent plastics material, the backing portion (4) and the window portion (6) comprising rectangular plates joined along one edge of the frame and disposed in substantially parallel configuration to define the slot therebetween.

29. Display apparatus ( 1 ) as claimed in any preceding claim comprising an auxiliary frame ( 1 40) having a second window portion ( 141 ) and a second backing portion ( 143) connected so as to define a second slot ( 1 45) therebetween for receiving a second insert ( 1 44) so as to be viewable through the second window portion, and attachment means ( 148) operable to attach an upper edge portion ( 147) of the auxiliary frame to a lower edge portion ( 149) of the frame such that the auxiliary frame depends from the frame.

30. Display apparatus ( 1 ) as claimed in claim 29 wherein the attachment means comprises releasable adhesive means ( 148) operable to releasably attach an upper edge portion of the second backing portion to a lower edge portion of the backing portion of the frame.

31 An auxiliary frame ( 140) for use with a frame (2) mounted in a hanging configuration, the auxiliary frame comprising a second window portion ( 141 ) and a second backing portion ( 143) connected so as to define a second slot ( 145) therebetween for receiving a second insert ( 1 44) so as to be viewable through the second window portion, the auxiliary frame comprising attachment means ( 1 48) operable to attach an upper edge portion ( 1 47) of the second backing portion to a lower edge portion ( 1 49) of the frame.

32. A method of forming a display apparatus ( 1 ) as claimed in any of claims 1 to 1 5 comprising the step of adhesively bonding the fixed portion ( 1 1 ) to the backing portion (4) .

33 A method of forming a display apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 6 to 30 comprising the step of adhesively bonding the support mean to the backing .

34. A method as claimed in claim 33 wherein the support means has a base provided with a layer of contact adhesive covered by a release layer, and including the step of removing the release layer and presenting the base to the backing to effect bonding

35. A support apparatus for use in supporting a frame (2) having a backing portion (4), the support apparatus comprising a base (55), adhesive means (56) for bonding the base to the backing portion, a hanger (52) connected to the base and defining an aperture ( 1 5) co- operable in use with a picture hook ( 1 6) so as to support the frame in a hanging configuration, a support member (54) for use as a prop supporting the frame in a standing configuration of the display apparatus in which the frame rests upon a supporting surface ( 1 55), and standing means (53) for selectively deploying the support member in the standing configuration in which a first end portion (61 ) of the support member is connected to the base and a second end portion (64) of the support member engages in use the supporting surface upon which the frame rests.

36. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 35 wherein the standing means comprises a connector (57) connected to the base and operable to releasably connect the support member to the base, the connector defining a socket (62) for receiving the upper end portion of the support member.

37. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 36 wherein the connector (78;88) is formed unitarily with the base (73;83) and the hanger (72;82).

38. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein the connector (71 ;88) comprises a folded strip of sheet material.

39. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 38 wherein the strip is folded at a lower edge of the base (73) whereby the base merges with an inner portion (74) of the connector (71 ) extending upwardly from the lower edge, the strip being folded at an upper edge of the inner portion whereby the inner portion merges with a downwardly extending outer portion (75), the inner and outer portions defining the socket (76) therebetween.

40. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 39 wherein the socket (76) is configured to receive the first end portion (61 ) in parallel disposition to the backing portion (4) of the frame in use.

41 . Support apparatus as claimed in claim 40 wherein the support member (54) is a sheet of rigid material having a bend formation (63) adjacent to the first end portion (61 ) and wherein the remainder of the support member including the second end portion (64) is flat whereby in a stowed configuration the second end portion of the support member is engaged in the socket (76) and the support member extends in proximity with the backing portion .

42. Support apparatus (80) as claimed in any of claims 35 to 38 wherein the socket (87) is configured to receive the support member (89) at an acute angle relative to the backing portion in use and wherein the support member comprises a flat sheet.

43. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 42 wherein the connector (88) is formed unitarily from a strip of rigid material constituting the base, the strip extending upwardly of the base to constitute the hanger (82) , the strip extending downwardly of the base to constitute a depending portion (84) extending at an acute angle relative to the backing layer, a fold being formed at a lower edge of the depending portion to merge with an upwardly extending inner portion (85 ) of the connector, and a further fold being formed at an upper edge of the inner portion to merge with a downwardly extending outer portion (86) of the connector whereby a socket (87) is defined between the inner and outer portions.

44. Support apparatus as claimed in claim 37 wherein the base comprises a first flat plate (59) also constituting an inner portion of the connector (57), the connector further comprising an outer portion (60) in the form of a further flat plate joined unitarily to the inner portion by a bridging portion ( 1 31 ) at the respective upper edges of the inner and outer portions, the inner and outer portions defining the socket (62) therebetween, and wherein the hanger (52) is constituted by a further flat plate merging with the bridging portion and extending away from the bridging portion in an opposite direction to the extension of the inner and outer portions

45. Support apparatus as claimed in Claim 36 wherein the base comprises a first flat plate (59) also constituting an inner portion of the connector (57), the connector further comprising an outer portion (60) in the form of a further flat plate joined unitarily to the inner portion by a bridging portion of the respected upper edges of the inner and outer portions, the inner and outer portions defining the socket (62) therebetween, the support apparatus further comprising a sheet (3) of flexible material having a fixed portion ( 1 1 ) bonded in face to face contact with the outer portion of the connector and a free portion ( 1 2) extending upwardly therefrom, the free portion defining the aperture ( 1 5) and constituting the hanger ( 52) .

46 Support apparatus as claimed in any of claims 35 to 45 wherein the adhesive means comprises a layer (56) of contact adhesive applied to the base and overlaid by a release layer which is removable prior to use.