GB2079021A

GB2079021A - Display devices

Info

Publication number: GB2079021A
Application number: GB8117923A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: STANLEY PLASTICS DEVELOPMENTS
Current assignee: STANLEY PLASTICS DEVELOPMENTS
Priority date: 1980-06-23
Filing date: 1981-06-11
Publication date: 1982-01-13

Abstract

A display device for a bar counter comprises a front display panel 1 of transparent or translucent material including two rearwardly extending lugs 3 each having at a free end a transversely disposed shoulder 4 forming an abutment surface. The rear housing 5 has a forward facing part adapted to receive the front display panel and incorporates an illuminating means 10 with two slots 7 located within the housing 5 and through which the free ends of the lugs 3 of the front display 1 may pass, the arrangement being such that when the front display is correctly seated in the rear housing the abutment surfaces 4 of the lugs engage behind the slots 7 to secure same. Plates 8 facilitate engagement of the lugs with the slots. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Illuminated counter display This invention relates to an illuminated counter display and is primarily concerned with a display means for attachment to a bar counter possibly in association with a beverage dispensing means whereby advertising or other informatory matter may be displayed.

Known display devices of this kind incorporate a transparent or translucent front display panel with a rear housing incorporating a lamp generally of a low voltage kind for safety. With such display devices it is usually required to remove the whole device from the counter in order to replace the front display panel. In some cases there is no provision for replacement of the front panel. In addition, it is usually also necessary to remove the whole display in order to replace the bulb forming the illumination means.

It is an object of this invention to provide a display device of improved construction wherein the front panel display is removable so as to enable same to be replaced in a simple manner or the illuminating bulb to be changed.

According to this invention a display device for a counter comprises a front display panel including rearwardly extending lugs each having at a free end a transversely disposed shoulder forming an abutment surface, the rear housing having a forward facing part adapted to receive the front display panel with slots located within the housing and through each of which the free ends of a lug of the front display may pass, the arrangement being such that when the front display is correctly seated in the rear housing the abutment surface of the lugs engage the housing to the rear of the slots to secure same.

Preferably two lugs are provided on opposed sides of a median line of the display panel. The housing may include an illuminating means disposed behind the front display panel.

This arrangement provides a secure and concealed fixing enabling the front display to be readily removed by springing outwardly the lugs so that the shoulders disengage from the slot thereby allowing the display to be removed forwardly from the rear housing.

In this construction the housing is secured to the bar or counter and preferably the front display comprises a casting of plastics material forming a forwardly directed continuation of the housing with a rear surface of the panel having printed thereon display matter which is appropriately trnslucent for illumination by the bulb.

The illuminating means preferably comprises a festoon type of bulb mounted in a holder which is secured to an internal partition located within the rear housing and in which the slots are provided for receiving the ends of the lugs.

The number of lugs are variable depending on the configuration of the display device and the security of fixing. Two lugs are preferred, one disposed each side of the display, but possibly one or more than two lugs may be provided according to requirements.

One embodiment of a display device according to this invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a device with the front display removed from the rear housing, and Figure 2 shows a view of the assembled display device looking from the rear.

Referring to the drawings, the display device includes a front display panel 1 conveniently comprising a relatively massive perspex (Registered Trade Mark) casting to the rear surface 2 of which is applied, for example by screen printing, suitable display or other pictorial matter. The front panel 1 carries two rearwardly extending lugs 3 each of which has an inwardly directed shoulder 4 forming an abutment surface.

The front display panel is arranged to engage a rear housing 5 and this inciudes an internal partition and reinforcing structure 6 having two slots 7 (one at each side) through which the lugs 3 may pass whereby the shoulders 4 engage on the back inward surface of the partition. In order to facilitate entry of the ends of the lugs each slot may have associated therewith a guide plate 8 serving to deflect the lugs outwardly to allow ready entry. Fig. 2 illustrates more clearly the arrangement of the lugs with the shoulders engaging the partition.

The front display panel may include a rebated portion 9 around which the forward face of the rear housing 5 may seat so as to form a structure of continuous external shape.

The rear partition 6 has a holder 10 for a low voltage festoon bulb connected to an appropriate supply by means of the lead 11.

The arrangment described provides a unitary construction for a bar counter wherein the front panel 1 may be readily removed by outwardly flexing the ends of the lugs 3 and drawing the display forwardly so as to disengage same from the slots 7. This allows the front display to be readily changed or a new bulb to be inserted. It will also be appreciated that securement of the front panel to the rear housing is effected without the need for separate fastening devices such as screws.

1. A display device for a counter comprising a front display panel including rearwardly extending lugs each having at a free end a transversely disposed shoulder forming an abutment surface, the rear housing having a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Illuminated counter display This invention relates to an illuminated counter display and is primarily concerned with a display means for attachment to a bar counter possibly in association with a beverage dispensing means whereby advertising or other informatory matter may be displayed. Known display devices of this kind incorporate a transparent or translucent front display panel with a rear housing incorporating a lamp generally of a low voltage kind for safety. With such display devices it is usually required to remove the whole device from the counter in order to replace the front display panel. In some cases there is no provision for replacement of the front panel. In addition, it is usually also necessary to remove the whole display in order to replace the bulb forming the illumination means. It is an object of this invention to provide a display device of improved construction wherein the front panel display is removable so as to enable same to be replaced in a simple manner or the illuminating bulb to be changed. According to this invention a display device for a counter comprises a front display panel including rearwardly extending lugs each having at a free end a transversely disposed shoulder forming an abutment surface, the rear housing having a forward facing part adapted to receive the front display panel with slots located within the housing and through each of which the free ends of a lug of the front display may pass, the arrangement being such that when the front display is correctly seated in the rear housing the abutment surface of the lugs engage the housing to the rear of the slots to secure same. Preferably two lugs are provided on opposed sides of a median line of the display panel. The housing may include an illuminating means disposed behind the front display panel. This arrangement provides a secure and concealed fixing enabling the front display to be readily removed by springing outwardly the lugs so that the shoulders disengage from the slot thereby allowing the display to be removed forwardly from the rear housing. In this construction the housing is secured to the bar or counter and preferably the front display comprises a casting of plastics material forming a forwardly directed continuation of the housing with a rear surface of the panel having printed thereon display matter which is appropriately trnslucent for illumination by the bulb. The illuminating means preferably comprises a festoon type of bulb mounted in a holder which is secured to an internal partition located within the rear housing and in which the slots are provided for receiving the ends of the lugs. The number of lugs are variable depending on the configuration of the display device and the security of fixing. Two lugs are preferred, one disposed each side of the display, but possibly one or more than two lugs may be provided according to requirements. One embodiment of a display device according to this invention is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a front perspective view of a device with the front display removed from the rear housing, and Figure 2 shows a view of the assembled display device looking from the rear. Referring to the drawings, the display device includes a front display panel 1 conveniently comprising a relatively massive perspex (Registered Trade Mark) casting to the rear surface 2 of which is applied, for example by screen printing, suitable display or other pictorial matter. The front panel 1 carries two rearwardly extending lugs 3 each of which has an inwardly directed shoulder 4 forming an abutment surface. The front display panel is arranged to engage a rear housing 5 and this inciudes an internal partition and reinforcing structure 6 having two slots 7 (one at each side) through which the lugs 3 may pass whereby the shoulders 4 engage on the back inward surface of the partition. In order to facilitate entry of the ends of the lugs each slot may have associated therewith a guide plate 8 serving to deflect the lugs outwardly to allow ready entry. Fig. 2 illustrates more clearly the arrangement of the lugs with the shoulders engaging the partition. The front display panel may include a rebated portion 9 around which the forward face of the rear housing 5 may seat so as to form a structure of continuous external shape. The rear partition 6 has a holder 10 for a low voltage festoon bulb connected to an appropriate supply by means of the lead 11. The arrangment described provides a unitary construction for a bar counter wherein the front panel 1 may be readily removed by outwardly flexing the ends of the lugs 3 and drawing the display forwardly so as to disengage same from the slots 7. This allows the front display to be readily changed or a new bulb to be inserted. It will also be appreciated that securement of the front panel to the rear housing is effected without the need for separate fastening devices such as screws. CLAIMS

1. A display device for a counter comprising a front display panel including rearwardly extending lugs each having at a free end a transversely disposed shoulder forming an abutment surface, the rear housing having a forward facing part adapted to receive the front display panel with slots located within the housing and through each of which the free ends of a lug of the front display may pass, the arrangement being such that when the front display is correctly seated in the rear housing the abutment surfaces of the lugs engage the housing to the rear of the slots to secure same.

2. A display device according to Claim 1, wherein the housing incorporates an illuminating means disposed behind the front display panel, said panel being of transparent or translucent material

3. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein the slots are provided in an internal partition within the rear housing, the illuminating means being carried by the partition.

4. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein each lug comprises an arm with an end portion having a step forming the abutment surface, the arm being capable of lateral deflection during engagement with a slot and thereafter springing back to engage the housing.

5. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein the display panel comprises a plastics casting and forms a forwardly directed continuation of the housing, the rear surface of said panel having printed thereon display matter.

6. A display device according to Claim 5, wherein the display panel is a massive plastics casting of a transparent material.

7. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein two lugs are provided on the panel disposed on opposite sides of a median line.

8. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein each slot has associated therewith a guide means serving to initially deflect the end of a lug into a slot during engagement of the display panel with the housing.

9. A counter display device substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.