AU663512B2 - Corrugated sheet display medium - Google Patents

Description

AOJP DATE 29/04/93 PCT NUMBER PCT/GB92/01292 S1111111 I 11 11111 11111 11111 I II11111 11111 II l AU9223206 INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 5 (11) International Publication Number: WO 93/02441 G09F 7/00, 15/00 Al (43) International Publication Date: 4 February 1993 (04.02.93) (21) International Application Number: PCT/GB92/01292 (81) Designated States: AT, AU, BB, BG, BR, CA, CH, CS, DE, DK, ES, FI, GB, HU, JP, KP, KR, LK, LU, MG, (22) International Filing Date: 15 July 1992 (15.07.92) MN, MW, NL, NO, PL, RO, RU, SD, SE, US, European patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IT, LU, MC, NL, SE), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, Priority data: Cl, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, SN, TD, TG).

238988 16 July 1991 (16.07.91) NZ 239260 5 August 1991 (05.08.91) NZ 240493 6 November 1991 (06.11.91) NZ Published Wit,. international search report.

(71)(72) Applicant and Inventor: BICKER, Robert, Laurence [GB/NZ]; 29 Lyons Avenue, Murrays Bay, Auckland 1310 (NZ).

(74) Agent: GILL JENNINGS EVERY; 53-64 Chancery 63 Lane, London WC2A IHN (GB).

(54) Title: DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT AND DEVICE 6 (57) Abstract 2' A display arrangement is provided comprising a display means with a plurality of sheets (2 and 3) of a corrugated or fluted material wherein opposite surfaces of the sheets are demountably securable together to hold the sheets with their respective flutes or corrugations disposed orthogonally with one another to provide a substantially rigid display means. A display medium (figure 9) is also provided comprising corrugated or fluted sheet material wherein the sheet material has a smooth forward display surface (37) for the placement of prints ar. like and a rear de-tensioned corrugated or fluted surface (38) preferably having slits (39) therein. A display device (22) is pro Jed to adjustably tension a planar display medium in its extended position across or around a support frame. Methods of operation of the display arrangement, display medium and display device are also provided.

I I- DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT AND DEVICE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to display means.

More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a display device for sheet type display materials.

To the present time various types of display devices have been commercially available but to varying degrees have suffered from the disadvantage of being expensive, complex and/or inefficient. In particular, existing display devices may be heavy, and require backing to the sheet material to maintain its rigidity. Furthermore the frames necessary to house such displays may themselves be heavy and expensive and accordingly difficult to transport and erect. In the case of display devices used in exhibitions and the like visual presentation is important and while some current display devices meet existing display expectations the aforesaid disadvantages make them unwieldy and expensive.

In the case of display means such as white boards the display surface has the ability to be written on and the writing subsequently erased. White boards do of course have the inherent disadvantage of being heavy and cumbersome affecting their portability and also requiring storage space. Their advantage is in providing a rigid and smooth surface to carry the display whether tacked on by means of writing with a felt pen or the like.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a display device and component parts thereof which can provide a relatively, Ssimple and effective display device. In the case of the preferred I i -2embodiments the object is to achieve a display surface which is able to provide in use a substantially rigid surface to carry the necessary display but which can also then be readily transported and stored.

l It is a further object of the present invention to provide a display I means which overcomes or at least obviates disadvantages in display i I, available at the present time or at least will provide the public with a useful choice.

i Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

i- SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a display medium comprising a corrugated or fluted sheet material characterised in that said sheet material has a substantially Ssmooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted surface, the rear surface having a plurality of cut-outs or slits in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes so as to render the sheet material rollable.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of displaying information on a display medium comprising providing a corrugated or fluted sheet material characterised in that the said sheet material has a substantially smooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted surface and placing a plurality of cuts or slits in the said rear surface in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes so as to render the sheet material rollable.

I Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of a possible embodiment thereof and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1: Shows a cross-sectional plan view of part of a display means in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2: Shows a perspective view of a tubular display means according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3: Shows a plan view of two annular sections of fluted board adapted to be joined together and placed in the top and bottom of the display tube to maintain its tubular shape in use.

Figure 4: Shows diagrammatically a display device according to a further embodiment of the invention without the display medium in place.

Figure 5: Shows a sectional view of a display device according to Figure 4 illustrating in particular the locking means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a display device which in one embodiment thereof is particularly suitable for use in displaying promotional and advertising sheet materials. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention has applications wherever the varied and efficient erection of display materials is required, whether this be for temporary or permanent purposes.

It will be appreciated that the present invention is adapted for the display of various types of display mediums. For the purposes of this specification such mediums may be described as various types of sheet like material which include photographic materials, silk screened materials, offset printed materials and other imaged substrate, for example vinyl cut lettering sheets. It could also include sheet type materials which are suitably reinforced, for example by suitable corrugations or fluting.

'-9 F_ -4nIn the specification reference is made to "sheet materials". It will be appreciated that the present invention relates to the utilisation U of such materials in various forms. In certain embodiments the sheet material may be retained in a substantially planar form or in other embodiments formed into a shaped form, for example, a tubular i column. The benefit of the present invention is that it is adaptable to i various shapes and forms.

i I Referring to Figure 1, a display means is referenced generally by arrow 1. It is seen to comprise a sheet of material having a forward display surface 2, which is substantially smooth, and a rear surface 3 Shaving a plurality of corrugations or flutes 4.

Such sheet material which is commercially available as a plastics fluted board for use for packaging may be suitable for this purpose.

I Any other type of corrugated or fluted board may however be suitable i t i l 'for use in the present invention. The board or sheet may be of any i suitable thickness such as 5 mm for example.

i As is seen in Figu! 1, forward surface 2 is able to carry a suitable display, which may be a permanent display provided by etching, painting, embossing or the like or may be removable by being applied by some removable ink for example or by some display such as a printed sheet secured on to the surface 5. Other types of displays will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art.

Corrugated or fluted rear surface 3 has a plurality of cut-outs or slits 5 therein. The cut-outs or slits 5 are in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes 4.

The fluted or corrugated rear surface 3 is designed to give the display rigidity either vertically or horizontally, depending on which way the display medium is positioned.

A t S. 7- In order to achieve the ability to bend the board into a tubular shape and avoid ridging in the forward surface 2 of the display medium 1 the surface tension of the board needs to be reduced.

The cut-outs or slits 5 reduce the surface tension of rear surface 3 and allow the medium to be rolled up, either to form a tubular display arrangement, as described below, or when not in use.

Such cuts or slits may be either formed in the material or cut with a scalpel or suitable tool. The surface 3 may for example be cut every second flute but this depends on the diameter of the tube as the smaller the tube the greater the number of cuts that are required.

Figure 2 shows a tubular display medium, referenced generally by arrow 6 and comprising a forward display surface 7 to which a 2 photograph or like promotional device may be attached. The rear side 8 of the display medium 6 comprises corrugated or fluted board having slits in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes.

In the embodiment shown, hook and loop joining strip 9 is provided to secure together the two ends of the display medium 6.

In order to retain the display medium 6 in a tubular shape crossfluted board cut in an annular shape, or to any other final shape, for example, oblong etc. are provided. These are shown in Figure 3 and comprise boards 10 and 11 each of which contains hook and loop fastenings 12 and 13. It will be appreciated that when boards 10 and 11 are placed together in a cross-fluted manner with the corrugations oriented orthogonally) they will form a rigid shaped sheet of material which can be placed in the ends of the tubular display means 6.

Furthermore, for displays having a larger diameter a shaped inner support, for example, made from lightweight foam type material, can 4 -6- I be provided. Inner support bars can also be provided to buttress the Sarrangement.

In the case of tubes having a smaller diameter it may not be i necessary to insert the boards 10 and 11 as the material would itself •maintain its shape.

It will be seen from the above that the display means of the present invention is capable of forming to various shapes (including Soblong and oval shapes) and sizes; may be rolled up and transported with relative ease and is substantially free standing when formed into a shape as shown in Figure 2.

Alternatively, a framework may be provided for the display means 1 such as a framework of metal extrusion into which the sheet material may be mounted.

A framework suitable for use according to this embodiment of the invention is shown diagrammatically in Figure 4. It is referenced generally by arrow 14. It comprises sides 15 and 16 and ends 17 and 18. It has a stand comprising two horizontal feet 19A and 19B. The Ssaid feet may be rotatable upon pivot 20 so as to be aligned in the same plane as bottom end 18 whei the device is collapsed and stored or otherwise transported.

i In its preferred form, the device is modular in construction. It 1 comprises corner portions 21 which inter-connect the sides 15 and 16 and ends 17 and 18. in addition, a further inter-engagement means or section is provided whereby 22A represents the upper section and 22B the lower section. This is illustrated in both Figures 4 and (4 Figure 5 shows in greater detail the modular nature of the device. Between portions 22A and 21 and 22B and 21 is a further frame section 23A (the upper section) and 23B (the lower section).

i r 7- While the preferred embodiment illustrates standard frame tubing V (square in cross section) the frame rmay be substantially shaped in cross section. This would provide the device with greater strength and stability. It w- Id also allow the locking means (described below) to be inserted within (and thus partly or substantially concealed) the "U" shape making for a more aesthetically appealing product.

Between the aforesaid sections 23A and 23B is a locking means which comprises a substantially annular roller 24 having an indent or slot 25 therein and at its upper end an adjustment means 26. The said adjustment means 26 may comprise a ratchet type knob which is recessed into the frame itself and which may be rotated by a person.

It will be seen that roller 24 is positioned substantially adjacent to end 15 so as to leave a gap only sufficient for the width of the planar display medium which would be inserted into slot It will be appreciated that ends 27 and 28 of display medium 1 would be threaded into the indents or slots 25 of the respective locking means and tightened or tensioned. The fluted surface 3 will provide rigidity in the other direction and avoid folding or bowing of the surface.

In Figure 4, two locking means are shown. The first is the adjustable/rotatable locking means 24 and the second is locking means 29 positioned adjacent the edge of side 16. In the Figure 4 embodiment locking member 29 is fixed while locking member 24 is rotatable. (However, as discussed below, two rotatable locking members may be used.) In use, end 27 of the display medium 1 would be inserted into the slot (not shown) of locking member. The sheet would then be unrolled and the other end (28) inserted into slot 25 of locking member 24. Knob 26 would then be rotated which would tighten or tension r -7 _ii

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-8the display medium I across the face of the display device. In this embodiment the flutes 4 would run vertically and they would provide vertical strengthening.

i It will be appreciated from the above that the fluted surface 3 may be comprised of any material which imparts strength into the i material and still allows it to be rolled up before and after use.

Once the display has been used the knob may be rotated so as i to loosen the tension on the planar display medium 1, which may then be removed from the respective locking means. It may then be rolled up. The frame means may then be dismantled and the entire device stored in a suitable holdei for purposes of transport.

In use the locking means 29 may bow when the display medium is tensioned between one or more of the said means. To reduce or obviate this it is envisaged that the locking means may be arcuate or bowed. By rotating the locking means through 360 (or the like) the tension of the display medium would straighten out the bow in the locking means resulting in the display medium sitting substantially flushly with the inside edge of the frame of the device. This feature may be important if a substantially perfect fit between the frame and print was required, for example, for advertising and promotional displays.

While the aforesaid embodiment illustrates the invention in one manner of operation various variant are envisaged. In the aforesaid embodiment the locking system is rotatable at one end while the other

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end is fixed. It may be desirable in certain circumstances to allow for both locking means to rotate so that the sheet material/display medium may be properly aligned and positioned before tightening.

/f 1 _i _ii_ i 1~_1 -9- It is also envisaged that the knob 26 may be recessed in 'he frame portion 23A so as not to be visible to the eye. The system may Sthen be operated by means of an Allen key or similar tools.

t As to the engagement of the display medium with the locking means it is envisaged that the respective ends 27 and 28 of the display i medium 1 may contain a strip of hook and loop fastener. Likewise, the Sslots 25 in the locking means may themselves contain a reciprocal strip of hook and loop fastener. This would allow the respective end and slot to be correctly aligned to ensure that the display medium fits correctly into the outer frame, wilhout distortions or gaps.

While this embodiment describes a display medium spanned across the frame means it is envisaged that the display medium may be engaged to the rear of the frame means threaded around the front of the display means around the other side and then once again engaged with the securing means. In this way, the frame means would be substantially obscured from view thus providing for a display device i with improved characteristics.

i Because the system described in this embodiment is modular the size of the frame may be increased or decreased, as required.

Furthermore, the basic shape of the frame may be changed, for example, to an octagonal shape, depending on the required usage.

The frame itself may be square, rectangular, shaped or annular in i cross section depending on the required usage again. Plastic corner plugs may be used 1.to hold the device together. Likewise the corners may be welded or soldered together, for example, in the case of aluminium or stainless steel. The frame may then be powder coated.

This would make the device weatherproof, particularly if used outdoors.

i i_ i; i It is also possible to provide the frame means with a handle so i that when collapsed the frame means may be carried. Furthermore, r the display medium may be stored in a hollow side of the frame.

i While the present invention has particular application to indoor j promotional signs, it should be appreciated that it may be used for i outdoor signs, regardless of size or location.

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Claims (9)

1. A display medium comprising a corrugated or fluted sheet material characterised in that said sheet material has a substantially smooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted surface, said rear surface having a plurality of cut outs or slits in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes so as to render said sheet material rollable.

2. A display medium according to claim 1 wherein the said cut outs or slits have a width ranging from .1mm to 2mm.

3. A display medium according to claim 1 wherein the edges of the sheet in the same axis as the corrugation or flutes are releasably securable thereby forming a substantially continuous demountable stand alone display means.

4. A display medium according to nlaim 3 wherein the display means is substantially tubular and is annular, oblong or oval in cross section.

A display medium according to claim 3 having inner support means to maintain the shape and/or stability of the display medium.

6. A display medium according to claim 5 wherein the inner sui port means comprises a foam type material and/or support rods.

7. A display medium according to claim 1 further comprising a ,A support frame adapted to engage with said sheet material so as to adjustably tension said display means substantially across or around said support frame.

8. A display medium according to claim 7 wherein the support frame has locking means at one or more ends or sides of the support frame and wherein at least one of said locking means is substantially arcuate and adjus'able so as to tension said display S/ means. -12-

9. A method of displaying information on a display medium 'I comprising providing a corrugated or fluted sheet material I characterised in that the said sheet material has a substantially smooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted i surface and placing a plurality of cuts or slits in the said rear surface in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes so as to render said sheet material rollable. A method of displaying information according to claim q characterised in that at least two ends of the said sheet material are engaged with a support frame, and the said sheet material is adjustably tensioned substantially across the support frame to provide a display medium. |I DATED this 20th day of June, 1995 ROBERT LAURENCE BICKER WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA