GB2087121A - Display frame devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A display frame device which can be telescoped to fit at least two display shelves the lower one of which supports goods for display comprises for example four frame members 2,4 arranged to surround and emphasise the displayed goods. Fastening means 6 at the corners retain the members in position and the members are mounted on edge portions of two spaced-apart shelves by gripping means in the form of clips (22). Two or all four of the frame members are extensible and may support advertising or display information 14,16. Pressure exerted in the directions of arrows A and B extend the frame members from the contracted to the fully extended positions shown. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display frame devices The invention is concerned with improvements in display frame devices, particularly but not exclusively suitable for use in point-of-sale devices for displaying commercial products.

It is usual to display goods in a retail store by arranging them on shop fittings, such as shelving, racks, or framework which supports panels or shelves, providing a horizontal surface upon which the goods are placed. Where goods of a particular brand are displayed alongside goods of similartype but of other brands, it may be thought desirable to emphasise the presence of the goods of that particular brand.

The invention provides a display frame device comprising a plurality of frame members arranged to enclose a display area, fastening means adapted to retain said frame members in an enclosing arrangement and gripping means adjacent said fastening means and adapted to grasp a support member for goods displayed in said display area, at least two of said frame members being extensible to accommodate various arrangements of support members.

Advantageously, where the support members are shelves, the frame members may be capable of extension in a heightwise direction to enable gripping of two spaced apart shelves, and in a direction lengthwise of the shelves to accommodate the amount of the lower shelf takes up by the displayed goods. Conveniently the frame members are formed of telescopic extrusions of plastics material, preferably polyvinychloride (p.v.c.).

In an example of the invention, there are four frame members enclosing a rectangular display area, although for example a triangular arrangement may be adopted if preferred. If desired, the horizontal frame members may support clip-on plates or slidable sleeves bearing advertising legends.

Advantageously the corner fastening means may be of the snap-on type and will firmly engage end portion of the frame members while permiting adjustment of the overall effective length of the member.

There will now be described an example of a frame device according to the invention. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the assembled frame in two of its possible positions; Figure 2 shows a cross section of a frame member on line ll-ll of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the frame; Figures 4, Sand 6 show views of the fastening means at the frame corners; and Figure 7shows the alignment of the frame members and the fastening means during assembly.

In Figure 1, a display frame device is first shown in a fully extended condition, and, within it, is shown again in its fully contracted condition. In each condition, the parts comprising the frame device are identical, the only difference being the overall effective dimensions.

The device comprises two horizontal frame members indicated at 2 and two vertical frame members indicated at 4. Fastening means, indicated at 6, are provided at each corner.

Each frame member 2 comprises two lengths 8 of extruded plastics material, in the present example p.v.c., of identical cross section, see Figure 2. The cross-sectional configuration includes co-operating dove-tail portions 10 which when the two lengths 8 are assembled as shown permit sliding lengthwise movement, in a telescopic manner, so to alter the overall length of the frame member 2 as required by the length of shelf supporting the goods to be displayed.

Each frame member 4 comprises two lengths 12 of extruded p.v.c., which have cross-sectional configurations similar two those shown in Figure 2, but of slightly less overall width, for reasons of appearance.

Thus, when it is desired to alterthe effective dimensions of the frame device, pressure exerted in the directions of arrows A will extend the frame members 2 and in the directions of arrows B will extend the frame members 4, the effective length of the latter being determined by the heightwise distance between shelves of a shop fitting. In use, composite sleeve members 14, 16 are mounted on the frame members 2, and in fact may totally hide the frame members 2 from view when in their fully contracted position. The members 14, 16 bear advertising material, printed directly onto the plastics material or onto adhesive labels, or in the form of moulded plaques with relief graphics. It will be understood that any suitable form of surface embellishment may be applied to any chosen parts of the frame device.

Figure 3 shows the parts of the device in an exploded view. It will be seen that each fastening means 6 comprises a front plate 18 and a rear plate 20, the plate 20 supporting a clip 22 by which the frame device is secured to the shelves. Any suitable form of clip may be used according to the particular shelving or other support members used, one such alternative being shown at 22'. Other alternative clips may include barbed projections if required for added security of fixing. The plate 20 is provided with a recess (not shown) to receive a mounting portion of the selected clip which is, in the present example, secured by a self-tapping screw.

The assembly ofthefastening means is illustrated in Figures 4to 7. These plates 18 and 20 are moulded from a suitable styrene, for example, acrylonitrilel butadiene/styrene (ABS). The front plate 18 of the present example is provided with five projections, these being one main projection 24, and two pairs of smaller diameter projections 26,28. The plate 20 is aiso provided with five projections in a mirror-image layout compared with those of the plate 18. The projections, which are hollow, comprise a main projection 30 which is adapted to receive the projection 24 in a force-fit or snap-lock, two projections 32 which receive projections 26 in a similar manner, and two projections 34 which receive projections 28.

A cross-sectional view of the plates in theirco- operating positions is shown in Figure 6, from which it will be observed that skirt portion 36 provided on the plate 18 acts to conceal the co-operating projections from view. The skirt portion 36 surrounds the plate except for gaps 38,40 through which end portions of the frame members 8 and 12 respectively are received.

Referring now to Figure 7, the end portions of the frame members 8 and 12 are each provided with a pair of circular apertures 42 and 44 respectively. In assembly, the apertures 42 are placed in alignment with the projections 28 and 34 so that the member 8 is trapped by the co-operating plates 18 and 20.

Apertures 44 are placed in alignment with the projections 26 and 32 and thus the member 12 is also trapped.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

CLAIMS (Filed on 31.10.81) 1. A display frame device comprising a plurality of frame members arranged to surround a display area, fastening means adapted to retain said frame members in a surrounding arrangement and gripping means adjacent said fastening means and adapted to mount the device upon support members for goods displayed in said display area, by gripping said support members, at least two of said frame members being extensible to accommodate various spacing arrangement between the support members.

2. A display frame device according to claim 1 for use with support members in the form of horizontally disposed shelves, wherein the frame members are extensible in a heightwise direction to enable gripping of marginal edge portions oftwo spaced-apart shelves and in a direction lengthwise of the shelves to accommodate the amount of the lower of the two shelves taken up by the displayed goods.

3. A display frame device according to claim 2 wherein the frame members are extruded lengths of plastics material and are arranged in a telescoping manner.

4. A display frame device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means securing said frame members in place at corners of the frame device are of the snap on type which firmly engage end portions of the frame members whilst permitting adjustment of the overall effective length of the extensible members.

5. A display frame device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjacent end portions of two neighbouring frame members are trapped between two cooperating fastening plates comprising the fastening means.

6. A display frame device as claimed in claim 5, wherein projections are provided upon each cooperating fastening plate which engage with associated projections on the other plate, said projections passing through apertures in the end portions of the frame members.

7. A display frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame members are provided with display information.

8. A display frame device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display information is provided on a replaceable plaque or adhesive label.

9. A display frame device constructed and arranged for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.

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

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. A cross-sectional view of the plates in theirco- operating positions is shown in Figure 6, from which it will be observed that skirt portion 36 provided on the plate 18 acts to conceal the co-operating projections from view. The skirt portion 36 surrounds the plate except for gaps 38,40 through which end portions of the frame members 8 and 12 respectively are received. Referring now to Figure 7, the end portions of the frame members 8 and 12 are each provided with a pair of circular apertures 42 and 44 respectively. In assembly, the apertures 42 are placed in alignment with the projections 28 and 34 so that the member 8 is trapped by the co-operating plates 18 and 20. Apertures 44 are placed in alignment with the projections 26 and 32 and thus the member 12 is also trapped. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. CLAIMS (Filed on 31.10.81)

1. A display frame device comprising a plurality of frame members arranged to surround a display area, fastening means adapted to retain said frame members in a surrounding arrangement and gripping means adjacent said fastening means and adapted to mount the device upon support members for goods displayed in said display area, by gripping said support members, at least two of said frame members being extensible to accommodate various spacing arrangement between the support members.

2. A display frame device according to claim 1 for use with support members in the form of horizontally disposed shelves, wherein the frame members are extensible in a heightwise direction to enable gripping of marginal edge portions oftwo spaced-apart shelves and in a direction lengthwise of the shelves to accommodate the amount of the lower of the two shelves taken up by the displayed goods.

3. A display frame device according to claim 2 wherein the frame members are extruded lengths of plastics material and are arranged in a telescoping manner.

4. A display frame device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means securing said frame members in place at corners of the frame device are of the snap on type which firmly engage end portions of the frame members whilst permitting adjustment of the overall effective length of the extensible members.

5. A display frame device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the adjacent end portions of two neighbouring frame members are trapped between two cooperating fastening plates comprising the fastening means.

6. A display frame device as claimed in claim 5, wherein projections are provided upon each cooperating fastening plate which engage with associated projections on the other plate, said projections passing through apertures in the end portions of the frame members.

7. A display frame as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the frame members are provided with display information.

8. A display frame device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display information is provided on a replaceable plaque or adhesive label.

9. A display frame device constructed and arranged for use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the drawings.