AU680542B2

AU680542B2 - A display case

Info

Publication number: AU680542B2
Application number: AU75823/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Manfred Johannes Frank
Original assignee: MAGDESIGN NZ Ltd
Current assignee: Group dEtoile Ltd
Priority date: 1994-10-14
Filing date: 1994-10-14
Publication date: 1997-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-14
Also published as: AU4281097A; AU700125B2; AU7582394A

Description

_I 44649 DP:MH P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: MAGDESIGN (NZ) LIMITED Actual Inventor: MANFRED JOHANNES FRANK Address for Service: COLLISON CO.,117 King William Street, Adelaide, S.A. 5000 Invention Title: A DISPLAY CASE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Ir This invention relates to a display case and more particularly a display case which is openable for access to the interi3r thereof.

A display case as used in a museum to show objects of interest, but at the same time protect them, typically comprises a base and a transparent cover over the base to house or enclose the objects.

In an upright display case, often one glass wall of the display case is unscrewed to enable access to the interior of the case. Unscrewing one wall of the display case essentially involves partial disassembly of the display case which is time consuming and inconvenient. Alternatively a door can be provided in one wall of the display case or a wall of the display "15 case can be hinged at one side with a lock at the other, but the hinges need to be quite large to carry a heavy :.."glass door. 'the hinges and lock can thus be unsightly *ee.e e which is contrary the objective of a display case to provide an unobstructed view of the objects on show, 20 almost as if the glass walls of the display case were S not present.

oe* In a "table top" type display case the base of the display case may typically be positioned at about waist height. The display case has a transparent cover that can generally be wider than it is tall. Typically the -1 I I transparent cover is formed from glass and as a result the cover is quite heavy. The weight is increased if the cover is formed of thick glass to guard against theft of the often valuable objects on display, or accidental breakage from someone dropping something such as a camera on the display case.

When the display case is opened and closed to, for example, rearrange objects of a display, the glass cover is lifted off and on the base by, for example, a person at either side of the cover. This is necessary because, as stated, the cover can be quite heavy. There is a risk that the cover could be broken during this operation if not handled correctly.

Display cases take on different sizes and shapes irrespective of whether they are of an upright (wall r.Lounted or free standing) or of table top configuration.

They can be of large or small overall dimensions depending on the exhibits to be displayed therein. This Sfactor along withi the aforementioned different 20 configurations of display case can present the manufacturer with manufacturing problems so far as uniformity of componentry and physical appearance of the ooee finished display case are concerned.

The present invention has as one of its objects the providing of an improved or at least alternative form of display case.

I 9C~-sllP--~ II I According to one broad aspect the invention provides a display case comprising a base and a cover over the base, said cover including side walls at least one of which is transparent, the edges of the side walls which are adjacent the base being located with an edge member, said edge member having a first channel into which said edge of each wall locates, a flange extending away from the first channel in a direction substantially opposite to that direction in which a wall located in said first channel extends, and a wheel receiving track located below said first channel and formed in part by said Sflange.

oe S *e In accordance with a second broad aspect the invention comprises a display case comprising a base, transparent side walls including an openable side wall, and a moving subframe extending adjacent the openable side wall along the lower edge thereof and mounted to the base by rollers or slides enabling withdrawal of the moving subframe and the openable side wall from their normally closed position away from the other walls of the display case, the bottom edge of the openable wall being carried by the subframe through rollers or slides enabling subsequent sliding of the openable wall along the subframe to enable access to the interior of the display case.

uf~ a Sr~ "s4~1 I_ Preferably the display case comprises a fascia formed by said edge members extending around the base of the display case and the lower edge of the openable wall is carried by a removable part of the fascia, which removable fascia part is in turn mounted to the moving subframe by said rollers or slides.

To open the display case the openable wall is first withdrawn away from the other walls of the display case slightly, at least at its lower edge, by withdrawing the sliding subframe. The openable wall is then moved sideways on the subframe, to enable access to the interior of the display case. The display case is closed by sliding the wall back into position on the subframe and then pushing it inwardly to meet the other walls.

a third broad aspect the invention comprises a o* go display case comprising a base, a pivotally mounted ~transparent cover, and at least one stay pivotally connected at one end to the cover (or the base) and connected at its other end to the base (or the cover) by an eAd of the stay sliding within a track in the base (or cover), the track comprising a main run extending along the side of the case, a detent face in said main run against which the end of the stay can engage to hold the transparent cover open for access to the interior of the display case, and a return loop of the track from behind the detent face over the detent face over which rrpyg 1 I 1 l~f--1~ the end of the stay may pass to return to the main run to allow closing of the transparent cover.

With the display case of the present invention the typically heavy transparent cover which is often formed of glass is pivotally mounted rather thai lifted off.

When the display case is opened by lifting up the pivotally mounted transparent cover, the stay mechanism holds the cover stably in its open position. The display case can subsequently be closed by first lifting the cover open slightly further and then lowering the cover back to its closed position. Opening and closing of the display case can be done by a single person, and it is not necessary for that person to take one hand off the heavy glass cover during closing to release the stay mechanism.

SIn the description reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a view of one form of the display case shown in a closed position, Figure 2 is a view of the display case of Figure 1 from one side, in the direction of arrow A showing the openable wall and moving subframe carrying same :withdrawn away from the other walls of the display case but before sideways sliding of the openable 25 wall, Figure 3 shows the display case after sideways sliding of the openable wall along the moving

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subframe to enable access to the interior of the display case, Figure 4 is a corner view showing detail of the base of the display case, moving subframe, and the removable part of the fascia of the display case, Figure 5 is a view from above of the display case, showing the moving subframe withdrawn and the openable glass wall slid sideways, showing further detail, Figure 6 is a sectioned elevation view showing a detail along line A-A of Figure Figure 7 is a similar view but showing a modified form used for carrying heavier weights arising from, say, a large dimension (particularly height) display case, Figure 8 is a detail sectioned elevation view of a fixed wall mounting typically employed with a display case of the type shown in Figures 1 to 7, S 20 Figure 9 is a view of a further form of display case in a closed position, °ee Figure 10 is a view of the display case of Figure 9 when open, Figure 11 shows the track of the stay mechanism in Figure 10 on one side of the display case, in which one end of the support stays run, Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along line I-I of Figure 8, showing engagement of the end of one of the stays into the track of Figure 11, Figure 13 is a detail cross-sectional elevation of the hinging of the cover of the display case of Figures 9 to 11, Figure 14 is a similar view to Figure 13 but showing the stay coupled at its end to the edge member of the cover, and Figure 15 is a perspective view of a length of edge member according to one preferred form thereof.

In one preferred form the display case comprises a base 1 with legs 2, glass side walls 3, and an optional lighting roof 4 (which may be replaced by simply a glass or wood roof). One of the side walls 3a is openable to enable access to the interior of the display case. The openable glass side wall is normally locked in position by a lock 6.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6 a moving subframe 7 is slidably mounted by rollers 8 to the fascia 12 of the display case. The rollers 8 run in tracks 10 within the 20 edge members 30 of the fascia of the display case. The moving subframe 7 may be formed of box section ste 1 as shown in Figure 6 or of any other suitable construction.

The rollers 8 enable the subframe to be withdrawn away from the base B of the display case in the direction of 25 arrow X in Figures 4 and 5, as the display case is being opened.

I IYUII IIILI~I I I The moving subframe in turn supports the openable glass wall 3a through rollers 9 along the side of the moving subframe 7. The lower part of the wall is located in an edge member 30 which provides a track 10 in which rollers 9 engage, so that the glass wall can slide in the direction of arrow Y in Figures 3, 4 and In the preferred form of the display case the edge members 30 form a fascia 12 around the base edges of the walls 3 and 3a of the display case. The fascia edge members 30 are preferably formed of aluminium extrusion or of any other suitable metallic or less preferably non-metallic material including wood. The lower edge of the glass wall 3a is carried in a channel 14 in a removable edge member 30a of the fascia 12. As shown edge member 30a has track 10 by which the wall 3a is mounted onto the rollers 9, as shown in Figure 4.

To open the display case, the lock 6 is unlocked and removed. This enables the edge member 30 of openable wall 3a to be withdrawn outwardly on moving subframe 7 to the position shown in Figure 2, so that the subframe r is in the position shown in Figure 5. The partly open glass wall 3a is then slid sideways on the subframe 7 to the position shown in Figures 3 and 5. The procedure to close the display case is the reverse.

While the preferred form shown in the drawings uses rollers which are preferred having regard to the weight I L~Y I of the typically glass sidewall, suitable slides could alternatively be used.

The moving subframe arrangement as described mounts the removable glass wall 3a by its lower edge. The upper edge of the openable glass wall 3a engages into a downwardly facing channel 13 at the top of the display case. However, in an alternative arrangement a second moving subframe arrangement similar to that described could also be provided for mounting the upper edge of the openable wall 3a in the roof of the display case.

In the preferred form the corners of the removable S fascia part 30a are mitred to match with the complementarily mnitred corners 12b of the rest of the fascia 12 around the base of the display as shown, so that when the openable wall 3a is closed the. fascia visually looks to be a one piece fascia, ie there is minimal visual interruption to the look of the display case by virtue of one of the glass walls being removable for access.

o C The display case of the invention is particularly suited to being a larger display case where a removable glass wall would otherwise be very heavy and require more than one person to lift it out to enable access to the interior of the display case, but the invention could also be applied to smaller display cases. The display case can be free standing (as illustrated) or can be wall mounted.

The edge member 30 which forms the individual lengths of the fascia 12 is more particularly shown in Figure The edge member 30 comprises a channel 14 as previously describid to receive the edge of a glass wall 3. The inner walls of channel 14 are preferably serrated as shown. Flange 31 of channel 14 (this being the flange which is outermost as shown in Figures 1-4) extends downwardly beyond the floor of channel 14 to form with a downwardly extending flange 32 a small channel 34.

Flange 32 forms with the underside of channel 14 and a ::...return 35 the track 10 in which rollers 9 locate.

Preferably a small 1- 35a is formed downwardly from the

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15 base of channel 14 and spaced from flange 32, this lip serving to locate the upper portion of the roller.

:i e The upper end of the inner flange 36 has a return 37 which in the arrangement illustrated in Figure 6 locates over the base board 38 of the base B or as shown in .:eoei Figure 7 aligns with the edge of base board 38.

CCCo The arrangement in Figure 6 shows rollers 8 located in channel or track 10 these rollers being carried by an axle 39 extending from the box section of subframe 7.

Axle 39 is preferably mounted eccentrically in a bush carried in subframe 7. By rotating bush 40 the eccentric mounting of shaft 39 causes the shaft to move I I I c extet:aing inverted channel 50 into which the upper edge of the glass wall 3 with a capping piece 51 can be inserted. A series of set screws 52 or the like extending through the inner flange of the inverted channel 50 can be used to tie the channel to the upper edge of the glass via the capping 51.

For large or heavier covers a modified form of the arrangement in Figure 6 is used and this is more particularly shown in Figure 7. According to this arrangement a second larger roller 53 is mounted a spaced distance along the subframe 7 from roller 8 this larger roller 53 locating between the return frames 37 and plate 44. This roller 53 absorbs weight transmitted .i from the cover and thereby reduces loadings on rollers 8. No height adjustment as for roller 8 is provided with roller 53. Furthermore a heavier eg larger crosssection of box section is used for subframe 7 and to this extent base board 38 is located slightly higher and incorporates an undercut 54 to accommodate the larger 20 dimensions of the subframe 7.

According to a further form of table top type display case (see Figures 9 to 14) the case also comprises a base 1 with legs 2, and a glass cover C. In the drawings the glass cover is box shaped but it could be of other shapes such as half a cylinder for example.

The glass cover C is pivotally mounted, r example, by hinging along one edge thereof so that the cover C can be opened to the position shown in Figure 10, and closed back to the position shown in Figure 9.

As shown in Figure 13 the hinging is achieved by one leaf 56 of a hinge 55 fastened through to the base B while the other hinge leaf 57 extends through a slot formed in the return 35 at lower end of edge member to be fastened to flange 32. The mechanical fastening F used to fasten leaf 57 of the hinge extends through a thickened portion of flange 32 such that the end thereof resides within channel 34. The fastening is thus hidden from view by skirt 31a. Thus while skirt 31a together with fiange 32 and the small step portion 58 (see Figure 15 15) at the lower end thereof provide aesthetically pleasing lines at the join between the cover C and the base B the skirt 31a nevertheless provides the useful function of hiding the ends of any fastenings extending through flange 32. This also applies as will be 9*99 hereafter seen to the mounting of the stay arm.

*9**b9 As shown in Figure 13 a substantially Z-shaped element 59 is anchored to base B via one leg 60 while the other leg 61 locates and supports the base board 38. Element 59 extends about the base B to form a flange over which the cover C fits. As shown in Figure 14 the dust seal S sits on flange A stay arm 16 is provided one on either side of the cover C. The upper end of each stay arm is pivotally connected to the cover via edge member 30 which as previously described forms part of a fascia 12 around the edge of the cover 3 this fascia when the cover is closed engaging over the flange of interjoining elements 59 on the base of the display case.

As shown in Figure 14 the end of the stay arm 16 is coupled via a mechanical fastening 63 through flange 32.

In the illustrated arrangement a lock nut 64 is provided so as to prevent the mechanical fastening from unscrewing upon repeated opening and closing of the display case applying a torque via the stay arm 16 to *i the fastener.

i. 15 The lower end 18 of each stay arm 16 slides within a track 19 formed in vertical flange 64 of surround element 59. The track 19 can be seen in Figure 10 and is specifically shown in Figure 11.

eeoc One stay arm and track mechanism is described and it 20 will be understood that in the preferred form display oeo ~case where there are two stay arms, they are the same on each side. Also for heavy covers a pair of stay arms and associated track mechanisms can be provided at each side of the cover.

i Referring to Figure 12 it can be seen that the lower end 18 of the stay arm carries a pin 20 which protrudes into the track 19. The pin 20 has an enlarged head 21 which is captured within the cross-sectional shape of the track 19 as shown in Figure 12. The lower end 18 of the stay arm 16 is thus securely held slidingly within the track so that it cannot come free. The sliding movement of the lower end 18 of the stay carrying the pin along the track 19 and return as the cover of the display case is opened and then closed as indicated by arrows in Figure 11. The track has a main run 22.

When the cover C is closed the lower end 18 of the stay arm 16 is in the position indicated at Z in Figure 11.

Towards the other end of the main run of the track 19 is 15 provided a detent face 23 formed by the end of the track dropping down to a lower level. When the cover of the display case is opened, the pin 20 of the stay arm moves along the track 19 and then drops down behind the detent face 23. If the person opening the cover then releases the cover, the cover will be held in the open position

*SS**S

shown in Figure 10 with the pin 20 on the lower end of the stay arm against the detent face 23 in the position at O in Figure 11. When the display case is intended to be wall mounted small springs can be used to apply a bias to stay arm 16 to ensure it correctly moves into position 0.

I 'C A block 65 is fastened to surround element 59. This block 65 has a shaped projection 66 which locates within the enlarged part 67 at the end of main run 22.

Projection 67 thus defines the inner edge of the track about which pin 20 moves as hereinafter described.

A spring plate 24 formed of a resilient plastic for example, is mounted by bolt 25 at the end of the block The position of the spring plate 24 is shown in phantom outline in Figure 12. To subsequently close the cover of the display case, the person raises the cover of the display case slightly further, which will cause the lower end 18 and pin 20 of the stay arm 16 to continue moving along the path indicated by arrows in Figure 11 away from the detent face 23 and up and over a 15 loop part 26 of the track 19 against the spring plate 24 i.: and along, dropping down onto the main run 22 of the track, and then back down the track to its original starting position. As the pin 20 passes against and out of engagement with the spring plate 24 it will give a 20 positive "click" and the spring plate prevents the pin too*#: on the end of the stay arm from dropping back down.

"The person opening and closing the display case can at all times hold the heavy glass cover with two hands so that it does not drop, and does not need to take one hand off to operate or release the stay mechanism. At the same time the stay mechanism holds the cover securely in its open position, and because the cover i i j I; does not need to be completely lifted off the base of the display case the chance of the cover being broken is much lower.

If desired, a suitable lock such as that indicated at 27 may be used to lock the cover of the display case closed.

The display case of the invention does not need to be of the shape and size exactly as shown in the drawings, but could be any type of display case which is provided with a hinging cover. Also as described it can be wall mounted rather than supported on a plinth or legs as shown in Figures 9 and The foregoing describes the invention according to preferred forms thereof, and alterations and modifications as will be obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope *000 0*e 00 0 hereof.

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Claims

1. A display case comprising a base and a cover over the base, said cover including side walls at least one of which is transparent, the edge of the side wall which is adjacent the base being located with an edge member, said edge member having a first channel into which said edge of each wall locates, a flange extending away from the first channel in a direction substantially opposite to that direction in which a wall located in said first channel extends, and a wheel receiving track located below said first channel and formed in part by said flange. *o

2. The display case of claim 1 wherein said wheel receiving channel is further formed by a part of the under side of said first channel and a wall 0* which projects from said flange, said wall being spaced from and in a plane substantially parallel to the under side of first channel.

3. The display case of claim 2 wherein an elongate slot is carried by the wall of the wheel receiving track and into which elongcte slot a dust seal can locate.

4. The display case of claim 2 or 3 wherein a second .2 V channel is provided, this second channel being ooo S* 10 C fl e 15 f f formed to the side of the flange opposite said wheel receiving track.

The display case of claim 4 wherein the second channel is formed by a part of the under side of said first channel, a part of said flange and an extension of one side wall of the first channel.

6. The display case of claim 5 wherein a second wall extends outwardly from a second side wall of the first channel.

7. The display case of any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the outer edge of the flange includes or forms a step.

8. The display case of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cover comprises transparent side walls including an openable wall, there being a moving subframe extending adjacent the openable wall along the lower edge thereof and mounted by rollers or slides enabling withdrawal of the moving subframe and the openable wall from the normally closed position away from the other walls of the cover, the bottom edge of the openable wall being carried by the subframe through rollers or slides enabling subsequent sliding of the openable wall along the subframe to enable access to the interior of the display case. Zi~ i Y fik I S. S S. 1 S S '.44" 1, I

9. The display case as claimed in claim 8 wherein a fascia is formed by the edge members extending around the cover and the lower edge of the openable wall is carried by a part of the fascia, which fascia part is in turn mounted to the moving subframe by said rollers or slides.

The display case as claimed in claim 9 wherein said rollers or slides of the subfrnme engage in the wheel receiving track of the edge members which mount the walls of the cover which are adjacent said openable wall, the rollers or slides mounting the openable wall being carried by the subframe and engaging in the wheel receiving track of the edge member of the openable wall.

11. The display case of claim 8, 9 or 10 wherein the edge of the openable wall opposite the bottom edge is mounted by mounting means in a manner such as to be hingable and slidable.

12. The display case of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cover is a pivotally mounted transparent cover, there being at least one stay pivotally connected at one end to the cover (or the base) and connected at its other end to the base (or the cover) by an end of a stay sliding within a track in the base (or cover) the track comprising a ii I main run, a detent face in said main run against which the end of the stay can engage to hold the transparent cover open for access to the interior of the display case, and a return loop of the track from behind the detent face over the detent face over which the end of the stay may pass to return to the main run to allow closing of the transparent cover.

13. The display case of any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the cover includes locking means for locking the cover to the base.

:14. A display case substantially as herein described e with reference to Figures 1 to 8 and 15 of the C C accompanying drawings.

15 15. A display case substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 9 to 14 and 15 of the accompanying drawings. .i

16. An edge member performing the fascia of the cover of a display case said edge member being substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 15 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 22nd day of May 1997 Collison Co 117 King William Street Adelaide South Australia 5000 Australia if- *.a *VL nc, -I I I I ABSTRACT A display case comprises a base and a cover over the base. The cover including side walls at least one of which is transparent, the edges of the side walls which are adjacent the base are located with an edge member The edge member (30) has a first channel (14) into which the edge of the wall locates. A flange (32) extends away from the channel (14) in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the wall located in channel (14) extends. There is a further channel (10) located to that side of channel (14) from which the flange (32) extends. Cover can have an openable wall The cover (C) can be openable by being hinged to base .o *e a -sll