CA1048586A - Modular display case system - Google Patents
Modular display case systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1048586A CA1048586A CA77282044A CA282044A CA1048586A CA 1048586 A CA1048586 A CA 1048586A CA 77282044 A CA77282044 A CA 77282044A CA 282044 A CA282044 A CA 282044A CA 1048586 A CA1048586 A CA 1048586A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- column
- side extension
- slots
- display
- columns
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/06—Walls
- F25D23/062—Walls defining a cabinet
- F25D23/063—Walls defining a cabinet formed by an assembly of panels
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A modular display case system in which closed illuminated display cases include side extensions open at their top and bottom. The side extensions have mounting keys which can be pushed through substantially invisible slits in carpet covered columns and then through slots in cross members behind the carpet in the columns, the mounting keys then being turned to lock the cases to the columns. The inside area of the side extensions is not visible to a viewer, hiding the mounting keys and also providing a place for the light ballasts so they will not heat the interior of the display cases.
A modular display case system in which closed illuminated display cases include side extensions open at their top and bottom. The side extensions have mounting keys which can be pushed through substantially invisible slits in carpet covered columns and then through slots in cross members behind the carpet in the columns, the mounting keys then being turned to lock the cases to the columns. The inside area of the side extensions is not visible to a viewer, hiding the mounting keys and also providing a place for the light ballasts so they will not heat the interior of the display cases.
Description
This invention relates to a modular display case system.
Museums frequently display and safeguard exhibits in display cases. A disadvantage of display cases commonly used is that they do not readily lend themselves to modular assembly and lay-out in a display room.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention in one of its aspects to provide a modular display case system in which the display cases can more readily be laid out and assembled at the desired location. To this end the invention provides in one of its aspects, a modular display case system comprising: a substantially closed display case having a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces, a window in said front surface through which an exhibit in said case may be viewed, a side extension portion extending outwardly from each of said side surfaces, each side extension portion comprising A
pair of side extension members, each side extension member being oriented in a substantially vertical plane and extending outwardly from a said side surface, the side extension members of a side extension portion being spaced in a front to rear direction from each other and forming front and rear walls for such side extension portion, each side extension portion having an opening at its top and bottom, fluorescent lighting means in said case for illuminating an exhibit therein, a ballst for said fluorescent lighting means and wiring for said ballast, said ballast and wiring being disposed in one of said side extension portions; a column having a column side surface, said column and said side extension portions having co-~k ' r - 2 - ~U~
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operating mounting means for supporting an end of said display case with a side extension portion thereof against said column side surface; so that said ballast may be cooled by air convection currents through the side extension portion in which it is located and together with said wiring is concealed from view from the front and rear by . -said side extension members.
Advantages that can be achieved by use of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered together - 2a -.. . .
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11)48586 with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of two modular display cases constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and mounted on columns;
Fig. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a column of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a top view of a corner of the column of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a modular display case constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and also shows a partial perspective view of a side of the column of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of Fig. 4.
Reference is first made to Fig. 1, which shows two modular display cases 2 and 4 constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The display case
Museums frequently display and safeguard exhibits in display cases. A disadvantage of display cases commonly used is that they do not readily lend themselves to modular assembly and lay-out in a display room.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention in one of its aspects to provide a modular display case system in which the display cases can more readily be laid out and assembled at the desired location. To this end the invention provides in one of its aspects, a modular display case system comprising: a substantially closed display case having a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces, a window in said front surface through which an exhibit in said case may be viewed, a side extension portion extending outwardly from each of said side surfaces, each side extension portion comprising A
pair of side extension members, each side extension member being oriented in a substantially vertical plane and extending outwardly from a said side surface, the side extension members of a side extension portion being spaced in a front to rear direction from each other and forming front and rear walls for such side extension portion, each side extension portion having an opening at its top and bottom, fluorescent lighting means in said case for illuminating an exhibit therein, a ballst for said fluorescent lighting means and wiring for said ballast, said ballast and wiring being disposed in one of said side extension portions; a column having a column side surface, said column and said side extension portions having co-~k ' r - 2 - ~U~
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operating mounting means for supporting an end of said display case with a side extension portion thereof against said column side surface; so that said ballast may be cooled by air convection currents through the side extension portion in which it is located and together with said wiring is concealed from view from the front and rear by . -said side extension members.
Advantages that can be achieved by use of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered together - 2a -.. . .
.
11)48586 with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of two modular display cases constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and mounted on columns;
Fig. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of a column of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a top view of a corner of the column of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a modular display case constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and also shows a partial perspective view of a side of the column of Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view along line 5-5 of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view along line 6-6 of Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 is a sectional view along line 7-7 of Fig. 4.
Reference is first made to Fig. 1, which shows two modular display cases 2 and 4 constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The display case
2 is releasably mounted on hollow columns 6 and 8, and the display case 4 is releasably mounted on hollow columns 8 and 10.
The cases 2 and 4 differ essentially in size only.
As illustrated, both display cases 2 and 4 face so that their exhibits can be viewed by a person standing on one side of the assembly. However, as will be explained, either display case, or both display cases, may face in the opposite direction and either display case may be releasably mated to any two of hollow columns 6, 8 and 10.
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` 1048586 The construction of the display case 4 will next be described, with reference to Figs. 4 and 6. As best shown in Fig. 6, display case 4 has an upper compartment 12, a display portion 14, a lower compartment 16 and side extension portions 17 (Fig. 4).
Either upper compartment 12 or lower compartment 16 is provided with lighting means for illuminating an exhibit in the display portion 14. Preferably, the lighting means are disposed in the upper compartment 12 and are cool-white fluorescent lights 18, one of which is commonly a reserve light. Each light 18 is enclosed in a conventional ultraviolet radiation absorbing sleeve 18a. Ballasts 19 for the fluorescent lights 18 are mounted on an exterior sidewall of the display case 4 in one of the side extension portions 17 so that heat generated by the ballasts 19 will produce little heating effect within the compartments of the display case.
Disposed between the fluorescent lights 18 and the display portion 14 is an "egg crate" plastic grille 20 which rests removably on a removable radiation absorbing plastic panel 21. The panel 21 forms the floor of the upper compartment 12 and the roof of the display portion 14. The sleeves 18a absorb approximately 80~ of the ultra-violet radiation emitted by the lights 18 and the panel 21 absorbs approximately 70% of the residual radiation not absorbed by the sleeves 18a.
Entry to the upper compartment 12 is gained either from the display portion 14 by removing panel support 22 (which is typically held simply by insertion in a tight fitting slot 22a) and lowering panel 21 and grille 20 into the display portion 14 or from the roof ~;
1048586 :~
of the display case 4 by removing a roof access hatch 23.
Roof hatch 23 is sealed with a foam rubber gasket tnot shown) and is secured to the roof of the modular display case 4 by spring-based screws 24 to prevent uncontrolled - ~-flow of outside air into the upper compartment 12.
An exhibit in the display portion 14 is viewed through a 1/4" laminated glass window 25 which is preferably downwardly angled to minimize reflection-caused viewing problems. The laminated glass window 25 absorbs approximately 99~ of incident ultraviolet radiation.
The window 25 is set in a window frame 26, as shown in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and frame 26 is secured to the front of the display case 4 by a piano hinge 27 along its top and by stainless steel Phillip's-head screws 28 along its sides and bottom, as best shown in Fig. 4. Preferably at least twenty-five such screws are used, and screw into threaded metal plates 29 set into the front edges of the display case.
To prevent outside air from leaking into the display portion 14, a U-shaped vinyl spline 30 is fitted snugly between the edge of the window 25 and the frame 26 and the inside surface of the frame 26 is sealed with a foam rubber gasket 32.
Locking means comprising a latch 34 and a latch-receiving lock 36 allows the window 25 to be locked to guard against the theft of a valuable exhibit. The latch-receiving lock 36 is enclosed in an air-tight box 38 in the lower compartment 16 to prevent outside air from leaking through the key opening into the lower compartment 16, and therefrom, into the display portion 14.
The lower compartment 16 is separated from the display portion 14 by a partitioning member 39 (Fig. 6) having an aperture 40 at each side thereof. The apertures .... , :
1q~48586 40 contain ventilating grilles 41. The compartment 16 is fitted with trays 42 containing a moisture absorbent material (not shown), preferably silica gel, for absorbing moisture from the the air within the compartment 16.
Access to the compartment 16 to add or replace the moisture absorbent material is gained through a rear door 44, which is sealed with a foam rubber gasket (not shown) to prevent outside air from leaking into the compartment 16 and, therefrom, into the display portion 14.
Heat generated by the fluorescent lights 18 creates a slow circulation of air between the display portion 14 and the lower compartment 16. As the circulating air passes through the lower compartment 16, moisture in the air is re ved by the moisture absorbent material and a relatively constant relative humidity environment in the display portion 14 is eventually established. By varying the amount and the purity of the moisture absorbent material, the relative humidity of the air within the lower compartment 16, and thus also within the display portion 14, may be changed to meet the requirements of a particular exhibit.
To eliminate moisture absorption by the interior surfaces of the lower compartment 16, the interior surfaces of lower compartment 16 are preferably coated with polyurethane.
To allow for expansion and contraction of air within the modular display case 4, and particularly within the upper compartment 12, display case 4 is provided with roof vents 46 (Fig. 4). Lightly oiled fibreglass (not shown) is disposed in the vents 46 to filter out particulate matter from air passing through the vents 46. A very limited . , . . . ~ , . .
1~48S86 flow of air can also occur between the upper compartment - -12 and the display portion 14, past the edges of panel 21, which is not tight fitting. This allows for expansion and contraction of the air in display portion 14 and in the lower compartment 16.
The side extension portions 17 will next be described, with reference to Fig. 4. Each side extension portion 17 is defined by two horizontally-spaced side extensions 48 and S0 extending outwardly from the side of the display case 4.
The side extensions 48 and 50 are preferably substantially vertical and parallel.
Disposed on the inside surface of the side extensions 48 and 50, adjacent to the outer edges thereof are four L-shaped ~rackets 52, each having an a~erture 54. Disposed loosely within each aperture 54 is a locking key 56 having a large flat thin head 58 and a shaft 60. Nut 62 and washer 63 are attachable to the shaft 60. As will be explained, the locking keys 56 are used to releasably mount one side of the display case 4 to a column.
Before describing the mounting of display case 4 on a column, reference is again made to Fig. 1 where columns 6, 8 and 10 are illustrated.
Column 6, in cross-section, is a right-angled triangle whose mutually perpendicular sides 64 and 66 are of equal width. Therefore the included angles 70 and 72 between sides 64 and 68 and sides 66 and 68, respectively, are each 45.
Colu~n 8, in cross-section, is a quadrilateral having sides 74 and 76 of equal width and parallel sides 78 and 80. The included angles 82 and 84 between sides ~04858f~i 74 and 78 and sides 76 and 78, respectively, are each 40.
Column 10, in cross-section, is a rectangle.
The width of sides 86 and 88 is equal to the width of sides 64 and 66 of column 6 and of sides 74 and 76 of column 8 while the width of sides 90 and 92 is e~ual to the width of side 80 of column 8.
The construction of column 8 is shown in Fig. 2, the construction of columns 6 and 10 being similar. The column 8 includes a frame formed by three vertical steel channel members 94, 96, 98 connected together by a number of horizontal cross members, including cross members 100, 102, 104, which are welded to the vertical members. The cross members 100, 102, 104 are channel shaped, each having a base 106, sides 108, and outwardly diverging vertical flanges 110. Since the bases 106 are welded to the vertical members 94, 96, 98, the area of the welds is minimized, reducing the likelihood of warping of the flanges 110.
$he bases 106 contain horizontally elongated slots 112 as shown.
The vertical member 98 includes channel-shaped cross members 114 welded thereto, but the cross members lack the slots 112.
The column 8 is covered by plywood panels 116 which are secured to the cross members 100, 102, 104, 114 by rivets 118 fastened through holes 120 in the flanges 100, 102, 104. The outward spacing of the flanges from the vertical members 94, 96, 98 allows ample tolerance for cutting and applying the plywood panels 116.
The plywood panels 116 are provided with slots 124 which correspond in size and positioning to the slots 112 .: . . .
~ 48S86 in the cross members. Each plywood panel is covered with a textured resilient flexible material 126, typically carpeting, containing very narrow slits 128 located over the slots 112, 124. As shown in Fig. 2, the slits 128 are barely visible, and may frequently be almost undetectable even when the surface of the column is exposed.
The construction of the acute angle corners of colu~ 8 is shown in Fig. 3. A rounded corner is achieved by a wooden insert 146 which is glued to the vertical member 94 or 96 and is then covered by the material 126.
The manner in which a display case 4 is mounted on its supporting columns will next be described, with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Firstly, the display case 4 is moved so that its side extensions 48, 50 are in close proximity to the desired surface of the column, at the chosen level, with the heads 58 of keys 56 aligned with the slits 128 in the covering material 126. The head 58 of the locking key 56 is then pushed throughthe narrow slits 128 in the covering material 126 and slots 124 and 112 in the plywood sheets 116 and the frame cross members 102 respectively. m e head 58 is then turned through 90 to grip the channel of the cross members 102 and 104 and nut 62 and washer 63 are tightened on the shaft 60 of the locking key 56, thereby securing the display case 4 to the column 8. The inner surface 150 of each head 58 is concave as shown in Fig. 5, so that it will be cammed to an upright position as the nut 62 is tightened.
Access to the shafts 60 and nuts 62 is available through the open top and bottom of the extension portions 17 but after installation the fastening means will not be visible to a casual viewer.
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1()g~8586 After installation, since the side extension portions space the window frame 26 away from the columns, the window 25 may be opened and closed to change the exhibit without interference from the column. At the same time, the window frame 26 can extend the entire length of the display compartment 14 and can be fastened to the edges of the panels forming the closed compartments of the case, thereby simplifying the construction and providing an attractive appearance for the case.
Since the insides of the side extension portions 17 are not visible after assembly of the cases and columns, the side extension portions serve as a convenient location for wiring, including the ballasts 19 as previously indicated.
Since the side extension portions 17 are open at the top and at the bottom, air may circulate through them to carry away heat generated by the electrical connections and the ballasts 19 .
Asshown in Fig. 4, junction box 158 and cord 160 having male plug 162 are disposed in the side extension portions 17. A femalereceptacle 164 for accepting the male plug 162 is disposed in coumn 8 adjacent to a door 166.
Door 166, which is covered with the material 126, is spring-based in a closed position and may cover a male plug (not shown) located within the calumn 8.
Electrical wiring (not shown) carrying power to the rear of the female receptacle 164 is conveniently run through the interior of the column 8. For example, an overhead cable may be dropped into the interior of the column.
Because columns having different cross-sections ' 10 .. ..
-1~48586 may be employed, the modular display cases may be disposed at various angles to each other, thus avoiding, for example, obstructions in the display room and, at the same time, providing an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of display cases. Using the columns described, the modular display cases may be assembled parallel to each other and at angles of 40, 45 and 90 to each other. Other angles can be chosen and columns constructed accordingly, but experience has shown that the above-mentioned angles are particularly aesthetically pleasing and are also highly versatile in avoiding obstructions. With the angles mentioned, a wide variety of pleasing case configurations can be achieved, and the physical layout of the cases can rapidly be altered.
Since the sides of the columns may be covered with carpeting ! or the like in which the slits 128 are not easily seen,the exposed faces of the columns maintain an attractive appearance. The system described is particularly suitable for museums for displaying valuable and delicate articles.
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The cases 2 and 4 differ essentially in size only.
As illustrated, both display cases 2 and 4 face so that their exhibits can be viewed by a person standing on one side of the assembly. However, as will be explained, either display case, or both display cases, may face in the opposite direction and either display case may be releasably mated to any two of hollow columns 6, 8 and 10.
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` 1048586 The construction of the display case 4 will next be described, with reference to Figs. 4 and 6. As best shown in Fig. 6, display case 4 has an upper compartment 12, a display portion 14, a lower compartment 16 and side extension portions 17 (Fig. 4).
Either upper compartment 12 or lower compartment 16 is provided with lighting means for illuminating an exhibit in the display portion 14. Preferably, the lighting means are disposed in the upper compartment 12 and are cool-white fluorescent lights 18, one of which is commonly a reserve light. Each light 18 is enclosed in a conventional ultraviolet radiation absorbing sleeve 18a. Ballasts 19 for the fluorescent lights 18 are mounted on an exterior sidewall of the display case 4 in one of the side extension portions 17 so that heat generated by the ballasts 19 will produce little heating effect within the compartments of the display case.
Disposed between the fluorescent lights 18 and the display portion 14 is an "egg crate" plastic grille 20 which rests removably on a removable radiation absorbing plastic panel 21. The panel 21 forms the floor of the upper compartment 12 and the roof of the display portion 14. The sleeves 18a absorb approximately 80~ of the ultra-violet radiation emitted by the lights 18 and the panel 21 absorbs approximately 70% of the residual radiation not absorbed by the sleeves 18a.
Entry to the upper compartment 12 is gained either from the display portion 14 by removing panel support 22 (which is typically held simply by insertion in a tight fitting slot 22a) and lowering panel 21 and grille 20 into the display portion 14 or from the roof ~;
1048586 :~
of the display case 4 by removing a roof access hatch 23.
Roof hatch 23 is sealed with a foam rubber gasket tnot shown) and is secured to the roof of the modular display case 4 by spring-based screws 24 to prevent uncontrolled - ~-flow of outside air into the upper compartment 12.
An exhibit in the display portion 14 is viewed through a 1/4" laminated glass window 25 which is preferably downwardly angled to minimize reflection-caused viewing problems. The laminated glass window 25 absorbs approximately 99~ of incident ultraviolet radiation.
The window 25 is set in a window frame 26, as shown in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and frame 26 is secured to the front of the display case 4 by a piano hinge 27 along its top and by stainless steel Phillip's-head screws 28 along its sides and bottom, as best shown in Fig. 4. Preferably at least twenty-five such screws are used, and screw into threaded metal plates 29 set into the front edges of the display case.
To prevent outside air from leaking into the display portion 14, a U-shaped vinyl spline 30 is fitted snugly between the edge of the window 25 and the frame 26 and the inside surface of the frame 26 is sealed with a foam rubber gasket 32.
Locking means comprising a latch 34 and a latch-receiving lock 36 allows the window 25 to be locked to guard against the theft of a valuable exhibit. The latch-receiving lock 36 is enclosed in an air-tight box 38 in the lower compartment 16 to prevent outside air from leaking through the key opening into the lower compartment 16, and therefrom, into the display portion 14.
The lower compartment 16 is separated from the display portion 14 by a partitioning member 39 (Fig. 6) having an aperture 40 at each side thereof. The apertures .... , :
1q~48586 40 contain ventilating grilles 41. The compartment 16 is fitted with trays 42 containing a moisture absorbent material (not shown), preferably silica gel, for absorbing moisture from the the air within the compartment 16.
Access to the compartment 16 to add or replace the moisture absorbent material is gained through a rear door 44, which is sealed with a foam rubber gasket (not shown) to prevent outside air from leaking into the compartment 16 and, therefrom, into the display portion 14.
Heat generated by the fluorescent lights 18 creates a slow circulation of air between the display portion 14 and the lower compartment 16. As the circulating air passes through the lower compartment 16, moisture in the air is re ved by the moisture absorbent material and a relatively constant relative humidity environment in the display portion 14 is eventually established. By varying the amount and the purity of the moisture absorbent material, the relative humidity of the air within the lower compartment 16, and thus also within the display portion 14, may be changed to meet the requirements of a particular exhibit.
To eliminate moisture absorption by the interior surfaces of the lower compartment 16, the interior surfaces of lower compartment 16 are preferably coated with polyurethane.
To allow for expansion and contraction of air within the modular display case 4, and particularly within the upper compartment 12, display case 4 is provided with roof vents 46 (Fig. 4). Lightly oiled fibreglass (not shown) is disposed in the vents 46 to filter out particulate matter from air passing through the vents 46. A very limited . , . . . ~ , . .
1~48S86 flow of air can also occur between the upper compartment - -12 and the display portion 14, past the edges of panel 21, which is not tight fitting. This allows for expansion and contraction of the air in display portion 14 and in the lower compartment 16.
The side extension portions 17 will next be described, with reference to Fig. 4. Each side extension portion 17 is defined by two horizontally-spaced side extensions 48 and S0 extending outwardly from the side of the display case 4.
The side extensions 48 and 50 are preferably substantially vertical and parallel.
Disposed on the inside surface of the side extensions 48 and 50, adjacent to the outer edges thereof are four L-shaped ~rackets 52, each having an a~erture 54. Disposed loosely within each aperture 54 is a locking key 56 having a large flat thin head 58 and a shaft 60. Nut 62 and washer 63 are attachable to the shaft 60. As will be explained, the locking keys 56 are used to releasably mount one side of the display case 4 to a column.
Before describing the mounting of display case 4 on a column, reference is again made to Fig. 1 where columns 6, 8 and 10 are illustrated.
Column 6, in cross-section, is a right-angled triangle whose mutually perpendicular sides 64 and 66 are of equal width. Therefore the included angles 70 and 72 between sides 64 and 68 and sides 66 and 68, respectively, are each 45.
Colu~n 8, in cross-section, is a quadrilateral having sides 74 and 76 of equal width and parallel sides 78 and 80. The included angles 82 and 84 between sides ~04858f~i 74 and 78 and sides 76 and 78, respectively, are each 40.
Column 10, in cross-section, is a rectangle.
The width of sides 86 and 88 is equal to the width of sides 64 and 66 of column 6 and of sides 74 and 76 of column 8 while the width of sides 90 and 92 is e~ual to the width of side 80 of column 8.
The construction of column 8 is shown in Fig. 2, the construction of columns 6 and 10 being similar. The column 8 includes a frame formed by three vertical steel channel members 94, 96, 98 connected together by a number of horizontal cross members, including cross members 100, 102, 104, which are welded to the vertical members. The cross members 100, 102, 104 are channel shaped, each having a base 106, sides 108, and outwardly diverging vertical flanges 110. Since the bases 106 are welded to the vertical members 94, 96, 98, the area of the welds is minimized, reducing the likelihood of warping of the flanges 110.
$he bases 106 contain horizontally elongated slots 112 as shown.
The vertical member 98 includes channel-shaped cross members 114 welded thereto, but the cross members lack the slots 112.
The column 8 is covered by plywood panels 116 which are secured to the cross members 100, 102, 104, 114 by rivets 118 fastened through holes 120 in the flanges 100, 102, 104. The outward spacing of the flanges from the vertical members 94, 96, 98 allows ample tolerance for cutting and applying the plywood panels 116.
The plywood panels 116 are provided with slots 124 which correspond in size and positioning to the slots 112 .: . . .
~ 48S86 in the cross members. Each plywood panel is covered with a textured resilient flexible material 126, typically carpeting, containing very narrow slits 128 located over the slots 112, 124. As shown in Fig. 2, the slits 128 are barely visible, and may frequently be almost undetectable even when the surface of the column is exposed.
The construction of the acute angle corners of colu~ 8 is shown in Fig. 3. A rounded corner is achieved by a wooden insert 146 which is glued to the vertical member 94 or 96 and is then covered by the material 126.
The manner in which a display case 4 is mounted on its supporting columns will next be described, with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. Firstly, the display case 4 is moved so that its side extensions 48, 50 are in close proximity to the desired surface of the column, at the chosen level, with the heads 58 of keys 56 aligned with the slits 128 in the covering material 126. The head 58 of the locking key 56 is then pushed throughthe narrow slits 128 in the covering material 126 and slots 124 and 112 in the plywood sheets 116 and the frame cross members 102 respectively. m e head 58 is then turned through 90 to grip the channel of the cross members 102 and 104 and nut 62 and washer 63 are tightened on the shaft 60 of the locking key 56, thereby securing the display case 4 to the column 8. The inner surface 150 of each head 58 is concave as shown in Fig. 5, so that it will be cammed to an upright position as the nut 62 is tightened.
Access to the shafts 60 and nuts 62 is available through the open top and bottom of the extension portions 17 but after installation the fastening means will not be visible to a casual viewer.
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1()g~8586 After installation, since the side extension portions space the window frame 26 away from the columns, the window 25 may be opened and closed to change the exhibit without interference from the column. At the same time, the window frame 26 can extend the entire length of the display compartment 14 and can be fastened to the edges of the panels forming the closed compartments of the case, thereby simplifying the construction and providing an attractive appearance for the case.
Since the insides of the side extension portions 17 are not visible after assembly of the cases and columns, the side extension portions serve as a convenient location for wiring, including the ballasts 19 as previously indicated.
Since the side extension portions 17 are open at the top and at the bottom, air may circulate through them to carry away heat generated by the electrical connections and the ballasts 19 .
Asshown in Fig. 4, junction box 158 and cord 160 having male plug 162 are disposed in the side extension portions 17. A femalereceptacle 164 for accepting the male plug 162 is disposed in coumn 8 adjacent to a door 166.
Door 166, which is covered with the material 126, is spring-based in a closed position and may cover a male plug (not shown) located within the calumn 8.
Electrical wiring (not shown) carrying power to the rear of the female receptacle 164 is conveniently run through the interior of the column 8. For example, an overhead cable may be dropped into the interior of the column.
Because columns having different cross-sections ' 10 .. ..
-1~48586 may be employed, the modular display cases may be disposed at various angles to each other, thus avoiding, for example, obstructions in the display room and, at the same time, providing an aesthetically pleasing arrangement of display cases. Using the columns described, the modular display cases may be assembled parallel to each other and at angles of 40, 45 and 90 to each other. Other angles can be chosen and columns constructed accordingly, but experience has shown that the above-mentioned angles are particularly aesthetically pleasing and are also highly versatile in avoiding obstructions. With the angles mentioned, a wide variety of pleasing case configurations can be achieved, and the physical layout of the cases can rapidly be altered.
Since the sides of the columns may be covered with carpeting ! or the like in which the slits 128 are not easily seen,the exposed faces of the columns maintain an attractive appearance. The system described is particularly suitable for museums for displaying valuable and delicate articles.
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Claims (11)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A modular display case system comprising:
a substantially closed display case having a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces, a window in said front surface through which an exhibit in said case may be viewed, a side extension portion extending outwardly from each of said side surfaces, each side extension portion comprising a pair of side extension members, each side extension member being oriented in a substantially vertical plane and extending outwardly from a said side surface, the side extension members of each side extension portion being spaced in a front to rear direction from each other and forming front and rear walls for such side extension portion, each side extension portion having an opening at its top and bottom, fluorescent lighting means in said case for illuminating an exhibit therein, a ballast for said fluorescent lighting means and wiring for said ballast, said ballast and wiring being disposed in one of said side extension portions; a column having a column side surface, said column and said side extension portions having co-operating mounting means for supporting an end of said display case with a side extension portion thereof against said column side surface; so that said ballast may be cooled by air convection currents through the side extension portion in which it is located and together with said wiring is concealed from view from the front and rear by said side extension members.
a substantially closed display case having a front surface, a rear surface, and a pair of side surfaces, a window in said front surface through which an exhibit in said case may be viewed, a side extension portion extending outwardly from each of said side surfaces, each side extension portion comprising a pair of side extension members, each side extension member being oriented in a substantially vertical plane and extending outwardly from a said side surface, the side extension members of each side extension portion being spaced in a front to rear direction from each other and forming front and rear walls for such side extension portion, each side extension portion having an opening at its top and bottom, fluorescent lighting means in said case for illuminating an exhibit therein, a ballast for said fluorescent lighting means and wiring for said ballast, said ballast and wiring being disposed in one of said side extension portions; a column having a column side surface, said column and said side extension portions having co-operating mounting means for supporting an end of said display case with a side extension portion thereof against said column side surface; so that said ballast may be cooled by air convection currents through the side extension portion in which it is located and together with said wiring is concealed from view from the front and rear by said side extension members.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes male mounting means secured to the top and bottom of each side extension portion and female mounting means within said column, said male mounting means being accessible and operable through said openings at the bottom and top of said side extension portions.
3. A system according to claim 2 wherein said column includes a frame having a plurality of cross members, said cross members having slots therein, said slots constituting said female mounting means, said male mounting means including a plurality of locking keys each pivotally and slidably mounted at the outer ends of said side extension portions, each key having a thin wide head which may be inserted through a said slot and turned to grip a said cross member, and means for holding said locking keys tightly against said cross members.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said column is covered with a textured resilient flexible material having narrow slits therein covering said slots, so that the head of a said locking key may be pushed through a said slit to enter a said slot, and so that said slit will be of limited visibility when said side of said column is exposed to view.
5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said material is a carpeting material.
6. A system according to claim 4 or 5 wherein said cross members are channel shaped, each having a base, a pair of legs connected one to each side of said base, and a pair of vertically oriented flanges extending in opposite directions from said legs, said slots being located in said bases, said columns includings thin support panels having slots aligned with said slots in said cross members, said textured material covering said panels.
7. A system according to claim 1, 4 or 5, and including a window frame in which said window is mounted, said window frame being hingedly mounted at its top to said display case and extending from one side surface to the other side surface of said display case.
8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said display case includes a display portion for said exhibit, an upper compartment above said display portion and a lower compartment below said display portion, one of said compart-ments containing said lighting means and the other of said compartments communicating with said display portion to permit air circulation between said display portion and said other compartment, and a moisture absorbent material disposed in said other compartment for absorbing moisture from air circulating between said display portion and said other compartment.
9. A system according to claim 8 wherein said lighting means are disposed in said upper compartment and said moisture absorbent material is disposed in said lower com-partment.
10. A system according to claim 1, 2 or 3 and including a plurality of said columns, of of said columns being rectangular in plan, another of said columns having the form of a right angle triangle in plan, and a third of said columns having a pair of said column sides, a narrow front and a wide rear, each column side of such column defining with the column rear an included angle of approximately 40 degrees between them.
11. A system according to claim 1 wherein said male mounting means includes a plurality of thin hook-like members and said column includes frame members having slots, said slots constituting said female mounting means, said column being covered with a textured resilient flexible decorative material having narrow slits therein covering said slots, so that a said hook-like member may be pushed through a said slit to enter a said slot, and so that said slit will be of limited visibility when said side of said column is exposed to view.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA77282044A CA1048586A (en) | 1977-07-05 | 1977-07-05 | Modular display case system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA77282044A CA1048586A (en) | 1977-07-05 | 1977-07-05 | Modular display case system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1048586A true CA1048586A (en) | 1979-02-13 |
Family
ID=4109065
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA77282044A Expired CA1048586A (en) | 1977-07-05 | 1977-07-05 | Modular display case system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1048586A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5647648A (en) * | 1995-10-13 | 1997-07-15 | Food Concepts, Inc. | Support structure and assembly method for food court systems |
| US5944143A (en) * | 1995-09-01 | 1999-08-31 | Choice Hotels International, Inc. | Fast service food court systems and method of establishing variations thereof |
| AU770864B2 (en) * | 1999-07-16 | 2004-03-04 | Richard James Thomas | Prefabricated modular furniture |
-
1977
- 1977-07-05 CA CA77282044A patent/CA1048586A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5944143A (en) * | 1995-09-01 | 1999-08-31 | Choice Hotels International, Inc. | Fast service food court systems and method of establishing variations thereof |
| US5647648A (en) * | 1995-10-13 | 1997-07-15 | Food Concepts, Inc. | Support structure and assembly method for food court systems |
| AU770864B2 (en) * | 1999-07-16 | 2004-03-04 | Richard James Thomas | Prefabricated modular furniture |
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