GB2164916A

GB2164916A - Identification label

Info

Publication number: GB2164916A
Application number: GB08522703A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Geoffrey William Gillings; Geoffrey Everitt; David George Garnham
Original assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Current assignee: British Telecommunications PLC
Priority date: 1984-09-26
Filing date: 1985-09-13
Publication date: 1986-04-03
Also published as: GB8522703D0; GB8424356D0

Abstract

An identification label has an interchangeable label plate (2) retained by a permanent door mountable back plate (1). Grooves (5) are positioned at opposing edges of the back plate which are arranged to slidably engage with a first pair of opposing edges of a cover plate (3). A second pair of opposing edges of the cover plate (3) each include a projection (21,22, Fig. 2) arranged to retain a label plate (2) between the back plate and the cover plate, and one of said projections (21) is arranged to flex as the cover plate is slid in the grooves (5). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Identification label This invention relates to an identification label in which a permanently fixed back plate has a removable cover.

Identification labels can either be permanently fixed, and thus destroyed if removed, or interchangeable. The latter tend to be expensive but preferred if labels are required to be changed frequently. The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved removeable label.

An identification label according to the present invention comprises a flat rectangular back plate with grooved pieces projecting from the plane of the back plate wherein the grooves are inward facing and parallel; a substantially flat rectangular cover plate so that opposite edges of the cover plate are arranged to slide in the grooves to and from a normal position in which the cover plate is spaced from and parallel to the back plate, the cover plate having on its other two edges respectively first and second lips, the first lip flexing to allow the cover plate to slide in the grooves and both lips projecting across the thickness of the back plate when the cover plate is in the normal position.

Preferably the first lip lies at an angle of between 110 and 160 to the cover plate.

In a preferred arrangement, for retaining a means for displaying information, each side piece has first and second inward facing grooves, the cover plate sliding in a first outer pair of grooves, there being further provided a label plate of such a size that its opposite edges can slide in the second, inner pair of grooves to lie in the space between the cover plate and the back plate.

The label plate may be formed from a plurality of sections each of such a size that their opposite edges are arranged to slide in the second inner pair of grooves.

Preferably the cover plate is substantially transparent.

This invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of an identification label prior to assembly consisting of a back plate, a label plate and a cover plate, and; Figure 2 is a cross section of the cover plate on line ll-ll.

An identification label is shown in Fig. 1 and consists of three components; a back plate 1, a label plate 2 and a cover plate 3.

The back plate is formed as a continuous extrusion of plastic material which is cut to the required length. The back plate 1 has two holes 4 for fixing it to an office door or other suitable surface. Once fixed the back plate is intended to remain permanently in position and will secure any suitable label.

At each vertical edge of the back plate a side piece extends outwards from the plane of said plate each forming a first groove 5 and a second groove 6. From the top end 7 of the back plate 1 (looking down) the grooves, in combination with the back section, form an E shape and a mirror image of said shape.

The label plate 2 is arranged to slidably engage within the grooves 6 in the direction of arrows 8. The label plate 2 may, as shown in the Figure, consist of several sections which, in combination, cover the whole of the previously visible front area of the back plate 1.

The second grooves 6 are not an essential feature of the embodiment as a partitioning member 9 between the grooves may extend back to the back plate 1 instead of forming a groove 6. The label plate would then slide against the member 9 while being held in position by the cover plate 3.

The cover plate 3 is formed from a continuous sheet of transparent plastic material which is pressed into shape; when installed the label plate 2 is viewed through a front section 20, Fig. 2. The width of the cover plate is such that the edges slide within the first grooves 5 of the back plate 1. A first projection 21 extends from a lower end of the cover plate 3 and a second projection extends from the opposing upper end of said plate 3. The second projection is substantially perpendicular to the front section 20 and once in position extends backwards over the top of the label plate 2 and over the top surface 7 of the back plate 1.

The lower projection 21 similarly extends back from the front section 20 and, when in position, extends over the label plate 2 thus retaining said plate 2. However, the cover plate must be forced through the first grooves 5 in the direction of arrows 10, therefore, the lower projection 21 normally lies at an angle between 110' and 160 to the cover plate and is flexed to a greater angle as the cover plate is slid into position. Once in position considerable pressure must be applied to the cover plate to perform the reverse operation thus preventing accidential removal but allowing label plates to be exchanged when required.

It is not essential for the cover plate to be transparent if holes are provided allowing the label plate to be viewed. However it is desirable to protect the label plates as these are individually engraved and therefore relatively expensive.

The label does not have to be mounted with the grooves vertical and some labels may suit a different orientation. However the preferred arrangement allows labels to be provided in different sizes which contain a plurality of label plates. One label plate may be exchanged while retaining the rest and the shape of each label (having long horizontal sides) facilitates the printing of words on said plate.

Claims

1. An identification label comprising a flat rectangular back plate with grooved pieces projecting from the plane of the back plate wherein the grooves are inward facing and parallel; a substantially flat rectangular cover plate so that opposite edges of the cover plate are arranged to slide in the grooves to and from a normal position in which the cover plate is spaced from and parallel to the back plate, the cover plate having on its other two edges respectively first and second lips, the first lip flexing to allow the cover plate to slide in the grooves and both lips projecting across the thickness of the back plate when the cover plate is in the normal position.

2. An identification label according to claim 1 in which the first lip lies at an angle of between 110 and 1600 to the cover plate.

3. An indentification label according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which each side piece has first and second inward facing grooves, The cover plate sliding in a first outer pair of grooves there being further provided a label plate of such a size that its opposite edges can slide in the second, inner pair of grooves to lie in the space between the cover plate and the back plate.

4. An identification label according to claim 3 in which the label plate is formed from a plurality of sections each of such a size that their opposite edges are arranged to slide in the second inner pair of grooves.

5. An identification label according to any preceding claim in which the cover plate is substantially transparent.