EP0415860B1 - Prismatic display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a display panel device having the shape of a prism, obtained from a sheet (1) of substantially rectangular shape, whose parts (10, 11) overlap in order to form one of the faces of the prism; this panel is characterised in that the said end parts (10, 11) each comprise a series of holes (3) which line up in pairs and in that the said holes (3) are adapted to receive elastic plugs (5) which provide the link between the two end parts (10, 11) of the sheet in order to form the face of the prism intended to come to bear on a support (S), and which serve as isolating blocks for the panel to bear on the said support (S). Display panels, especially advertising. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an information panel having the shape of a prism. It is in particular a panel intended to receive advertising type information and adapted to be mounted on the roof or the hood of a vehicle, or suspended in an inverted position.

Panels of this type are already known. They are widely used in the field of vehicle sales and are designed to give the public information about the vehicle sold, for example to indicate the sale price, to indicate that it is a new vehicle or a opportunity or to indicate that it is the subject of a promotional offer.

These panels, of reduced dimensions, most often include a plastic plate, of rectangular shape, on which the information is carried. This plate is secured to feet whose base is magnetized and has the shape of a portion of cylinder adapted to come to bear on the roof of the vehicle. If these panels hold securely in place due to the magnetization of the feet, it often happens that the vehicle roof is damaged during the installation of the panel or its removal, as a result of friction.

In addition, it is only possible to move a vehicle fitted with this type of panel at very low speed, to prevent the panel from coming off the roof.

Furthermore, when it is desired to equip the roof of a car with a larger advertising panel, it is often necessary to have to have recourse to installations installed on the gallery of the vehicle, and sufficiently solid to ensure the good behavior of the panel. In this case, the operations to be carried out are long and tedious when it is desired to change the panel.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks. With this in mind, it offers a panel that is easy to install on a support, without the latter being able to be damaged during installation or removal of the panel. When the support is to be moved, the panel remains in place, without the risk of coming off. Finally, it is a simple design panel at a low cost. An example of a panel of the simple design type similar to that of the invention is illustrated in the prior art: US-A-3,471,958 which forms the base of the preamble of claim 1.

According to the invention, the panel has the shape of a prism, obtained from a sheet of substantially rectangular shape, the end portions of said sheet overlapping to form one of the faces of the prism. This panel is characterized in that said end parts each comprise a series of holes which face two by two, and in that these holes are adapted to receive elastic pads which on the one hand ensure the connection between the two end parts of the sheet to form the face of the prism intended to come to bear on a support, and which also serve as pads (insulators) for supporting the panel on said support.

• le prisme a une section sensiblement triangulaire ;
• les tampons élastiques sont en mousse synthétique ;
• le prisme est obtenu par pliage d'une feuille de polypropylène ou de polystyrène ;
• le prisme est obtenu par thermoformage d'une feuille de chlorure de polyvinyle ;
• le dispositif est équipé de moyens d'accrochage audit support ;
• l'une au moins des faces de la feuille, autre que celle qui est en appui sur le support, comporte des informations ;
• il est prévu sur les deux bords de la face du prisme destinée à venir en appui sur le support des trous additionnels permettant le passage de cordons, ou d'éléments similaires, pour la fixation du panneau au support.

According to other advantageous but non-limiting characteristics:

• the prism has a substantially triangular section;
• the elastic pads are made of synthetic foam;
• the prism is obtained by folding a polypropylene or polystyrene sheet;
• the prism is obtained by thermoforming a sheet of polyvinyl chloride;
• the device is equipped with means for hooking to said support;
• at least one of the faces of the sheet, other than that which is supported on the support, includes information;
• it is provided on the two edges of the face of the prism intended to come to bear on the support of the additional holes allowing the passage of cords, or similar elements, for fixing the panel to the support.

• la figure 1 est une vue simplifiée, en perspective, d'une feuille en matière plastique servant à la réalisation d'un panneau conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation d'un panneau, en forme de prisme à base triangulaire ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe d'une partie du panneau, illustrant le principe de positionnement des tampons élastiques sur les parties d'extrémité de la feuille servant à la réalisation du prisme ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective du panneau de la figure 2, en place sur le pavillon d'un véhicule, ce dernier étant représenté partiellement ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de face simplifiée d'un autre panneau placé sur le pavillon d'un véhicule et comportant des informations sur l'une de ses faces.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment of the panel, description made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a plastic sheet used for the production of a panel according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a panel, in the form of a prism with a triangular base;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the panel, illustrating the principle of positioning the elastic pads on the end portions of the sheet used for making the prism;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the panel of Figure 2 in place on the roof of a vehicle, the latter being shown partially;
• Figure 5 is a simplified front view of another panel placed on the roof of a vehicle and having information on one of its faces.

The sheet 1 shown in Figure 1 is used for the production of a panel according to the invention.

This rectangular sheet is made of cellular polypropylene or polystyrene. It has fold lines 2 which are parallel to its short sides, represented by broken lines. These fold lines are for example produced by perforating, point by point, along a straight line, the thickness of the sheet or alternatively by cutting the sheet only over a portion of its thickness. In this way, weakening zones are made allowing the sheet to be folded without difficulty.

The fold lines are four in number and thus define five different parts on the sheet. These are the end portions 10 and 11 opposite one another and having substantially the same dimensions. A central part 14 of reduced width is also bordered by two other parts 12 and 13 of identical dimensions.

Each end part 10, 11 has a series of six holes 3 regularly distributed around its periphery (three holes along each long side), as well as another series of four holes 4, smaller, arranged at each angle.

The prism-shaped panel shown in Figure 2 is obtained from the plastic sheet of Figure 1, bending it along the lines of weakness 2. The end portions 10 and 11 have been placed in such a way that they overlap. The holes 3 and 4 having similar locations on each of these end parts, it is easily understood that when these occupy the position of Figure 2 (that is to say when they overlap), the holes 3 and the holes 4 of each of the parts 10 and 11 correspond in pairs.

The panel obtained has a substantially triangular cross section, the top of which has been truncated, the parts 10 and 11 defining its base, the parts 12 and 13 its faces and the part 14, the top.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, each pair of holes 3 is adapted to receive an elastic pad 5. This elastic pad has the shape of a small cylindrical plug obtained for example by cutting a cylindrical rod of synthetic foam. In the rest position, that is to say when the pad is not in place on the prism, the diameter of the pad is slightly greater than the diameter of the holes 3.

There is shown in Figure 3 a buffer 5 in place in two of the holes 3 of the parts 10 and 11 which face each other.

This pad is placed from the bottom up, pressing it radially so that it enters the holes 3. When the pad is in place, it has a shape reminiscent of a diabolo, the part of which tightened central has the same diameter as the holes 3 while on the side of its ends, it has the same diameter as at rest.

• ils assurent la liaison par friction entre les deux parties d'extrémités 10 et 11 de la feuille pliée 1 (à la manière de rivets expansibles), de façon à former l'une des faces du prisme destinée à venir en appui sur le support S ;
• ils servent de patins - ou plots - d'appui isolants du panneau sur le support S.

The buffers 5 thus fulfill two functions:

• they provide the friction connection between the two end portions 10 and 11 of the folded sheet 1 (in the manner of expandable rivets), so as to form one of the faces of the prism intended to come to bear on the support S ;
• they serve as pads - or pads - for insulating support of the panel on the support S.

It is easily understood that when the buffers 5 are in place in the holes 3, the prism remains assembled without the risk that the end parts 10 and 11 do not separate. In addition, the panel can be placed or removed from the support S without danger of deterioration thereof, thanks to the flexibility of the support pads.

In Figure 4 is shown a panel according to the invention, placed transversely on a support S formed by the roof of a vehicle. The buffers 5, only one of which is visible in the figure are supported on the roof. In order to keep the panel in position (so that it does not separate from its support), a cord 6 has been introduced into each of the pairs of holes 4 located on the same side of the parts 10 and 11, respectively 6 ', which has been represented in FIG. 4 by a dashed line. The cords pass through the door openings, and their ends are joined together, for example using a tensioner not shown, under the support S , in this case in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In this way, the panel is properly held in place, even when the vehicle is moved at normal speed. Of course, the cords 6 and 6 ′ must be sufficiently tight so that the panel follows the curve of the roof of the vehicle.

The panel shown in front in Figure 5 is also installed on the roof S of a vehicle. It includes on one of its faces 13 information i , for example of the advertising type (in this case "occasion guaranteed 12 months"). The face 12 opposite to the face 13 can also be coated with information, identical or different.

Of course, the panel can be arranged longitudinally relative to the roof of the vehicle, or even on the front or rear hood.

In periods of non-use, the panel can be easily unfolded after removing the buffers, and stored flat in a small footprint.

According to a variant, the plastic sheet used for the production of the prism is made of polyvinyl chloride. In this case, the prismatic shape is preferably obtained, not by folding the sheet, but by thermoforming.

The fold lines 2 are not necessarily straight; they can be slightly curved so as to adapt perfectly to the curvature of the support on which the panel is placed. Furthermore, the vertex of the triangle in which the cross section of the panel is inscribed is not necessarily truncated.

The panel of the invention is produced for example using a rectangular sheet of 120 cm in length and 80 cm in width, which makes it possible to obtain visible faces (capable of receiving information) of a height close to 30 cm.

Of course, the dimensions of the panel can be adapted to the use that one intends to make of it. If it is a large panel, it is then necessary to use a sheet of plastic material of high density and receiving a larger number of elastic pads (for example eight instead of six).

The panel of the invention can be provided to be mounted on various supports, other than the roof of a vehicle. For example, it can be used to indicate the price of a fuel on the pumps of a service station or be placed on a support such as a low wall to give indications relating to a cultural or sporting event.

It can also be suspended in an inverted position or in a vertical position (in a direction parallel to the fold lines), for example for signaling shelves in large areas.

Claims (8)

1. A display panel in the shape of a prism, obtained from a sheet (1) of substantially rectangular shape, the end parts of which (10,11) overlap to form one of the sides of the prism, characterised in that the said end parts (10,11) each incorporate a set of holes (3) which match up in pairs and in that the said holes (3) are designed to receive elastic studs (5) which join the two end parts (10,11) of the sheet together to form the side of the prism which bears against a support (S) and which serve as feet supporting the panel on the said support (S).
2. A panel according to claim 1, characterised in that the prism has a substantially triangular cross-section.
3. A panel according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the said elastic studs (5) are made of synthetic foam.
4. A panel according to claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the said prism is obtained by folding a sheet of polypropylene or polystyrene.
5. A panel according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the said prism is obtained by thermoforming a sheet of polyvinyl chloride.
6. A panel according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it is fitted with means to hook onto the said support (S).
7. A panel according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least one of the sides (12,13) of the sheet (1) carries information.
8. A panel according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that additional holes (4) for the passage of cords (6,6') for attachment of the panel to the support are provided on the two edges of the side of the prism which is designed to be supported on the support (S).

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