EP0220006A2

EP0220006A2 - Fittings for displaying spectacles

Info

Publication number: EP0220006A2
Application number: EP86307671A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Xenofon Syrrafos
Original assignee: Plastic Dies Manufacturers Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Plastic Dies Manufacturers Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1985-10-04
Filing date: 1986-10-03
Publication date: 1987-04-29
Also published as: EP0220006A3; PT83493A

Abstract

A display fitting for spectacles has a body (10) with a spine (16), formed with a series of recesses (18) one abovethe other, each recess suitable to receive the bridge (24) of a spectacle frame. Each recess (18) is flanked by a pair of holes (17) into which the ends of the earpieces (40) fit. When the spectacles have been mounted, a displaceable member (20,22) is moved to close off the mouths of the recesses and is locked, so that the spectacles cannot be removed until the member is unlocked and moved away from the recesses to enable the spectacles to be removed.

Description

The invention relates to display fittings for spectacles.
Fittings which are used in shops to display spectacles and spectacle frames are vulnerable to shoplifters, Who need merely don the spectacles or frame, and walk out of the shop. :

The object of the invention is to provide a fitting that prevents this from happening.

According to the invention, the fitting consists of a body with a spine having a series of recesses one above the other, each recess being suitable to accommodate the bridge of a frame; a pair of holes flanking each recess suitable to accommodate the ends of the earpieces of the frames; displaceable means movable between a closed position in which they simultaneously obturate the recesses, and an open position in which they are displaced from the recesses; and means to lock the displaceable means in their closed position.
The displaceable means, further according to the invention, consists of a closure member providing a series of closure formations, the member being mounted on the spine for sliding movement between its two positions.
An embodiment of the invention is seen in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the fitting (partly sectioned), with the closure member in closed position;
Figure 2 is the same view, but with the closure member in the open position;
Figure 4 is an end view; and
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail of part of Figure 4.

The fitting illustrated has a backing 10 which, as seen in Figure 4, has curved wings 12,14 straddling a spine 16. The backing wings each carry holes 17 (shown only in Figure 3) for receiving the earpieces of spectacles located on the fitting.
The spine has a series of recesses 18, each suitable to receive the bridge of a spectacle frame.
A closure member 20 is arranged to slide up and down on the spine. It has a line of hook formations 22 in number and spacing corresponding to the number and spacing of the recesses 18.
In the lower position of the member 20, the hook formations 22 (Figure 2) are displaced from the recesses 18, to allow the bridge 24 of a spectacle frame 26 to be passed into each recess, to rest on the floor 28 of the recess. To facilitate location of the bridges, the tip 30 of each hook projects somewhat above the floor of the recess.
The sliding movement of the member 20 up and down the spine is dictated by bifurcating the rear edge of the member to provide a slot 32 which accommodates the spine 16. Relative movement of spine and member other than reciprocating sliding motion is prevented by the presence of ribs 34 on the spine that are contained within grooves 36 on the spine.
When the frames have been inserted into the recesses, (the member 20 being in its lower position), the member is moved manually upwardly into its closed position, when the hook formations are in register with the recesses to obturate all the recess openings. When the member reaches the limit of its travel, it is locked in position by any suitable means, which may consist of a padlock passed through registering holes in the spine and the closure member; or by a pin 38 (Figure 1) that engages a notch in the rear edge of the member 20 and that can be withdrawn to free the member for downward movement into its open position, by say a key inserted into a lock 40 in the backing member. The pin may be spring-loaded, so that, when the member reaches its upper limit of movement, the pin clicks into engagement with the notch.
The fitting is mounted vertically. The spectacles are displayed with their earpieces 40 within the holes 17. With the closure member in its upper position, the frames cannot be withdrawn from the fitting because of the hooks that obturate the recesses; nor can they be with drawn sideways because the earpieces are held within the holes 17. Therefore, the frames or spectacles can only be removed from the fitting.under the supervision'of an'attendant having the means to unlock the closure member; thereby, if not eliminating, at least minimising the threat of shoplifting.

Claims

1. A display fitting for spectacles or spectacle frames, characterised by a body (10) with a spine (16) having a series of recesses (18) one above the other, each recess being suitable to accommodate the bridge (24) of a frame; a pair of holes (17) flanking each recess suitable to accommodate the ends (40) of the earpieces of the frame; displaceable means (20) movable between a closed position in which they simultaneously obturate the recesses (18), and an open position in which they are displaced from the recesses; and means (40) to lock the displaceable means in their closed position.

2. The fitting of Claim 1, characterised in that the displaceable means is a closure member (20) providing a series of closure formations (22), the member being mounted on the spine (16) for sliding movement between its two positions.

3. A fitting as claimed in Claim 2, characterised in that the closure member has a series of hook formations (22) that, when the member is in its closed position, are in register with the recesses (18) to obturate them.

4. The fitting of any of the above claims, characterised in that the locking means is a key-operated lock or latch (40).

5. The fitting of any of the above claims, characterised in that the locking means (40) is automatically operated when the displaceable member is moved into its closed position.