GB2176039A

GB2176039A - Display devices

Info

Publication number: GB2176039A
Application number: GB08512839A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred James Dobson
Original assignee: ARKEN DISPLAY Ltd
Current assignee: ARKEN DISPLAY Ltd
Priority date: 1985-05-21
Filing date: 1985-05-21
Publication date: 1986-12-10
Also published as: GB8512839D0

Abstract

In a display device comprising a base member 1 having support legs 2 and a display support shaft 3 attached thereto, the base member comprises a pair of complementary shaped members each having three radially disposed webs, namely a pair of leg support webs 7 and a spacing web 8, with the planes of adjacent webs being at an oblique angle to each other. The pair of shaped members are fastened together so that a face of one spacing web is in contact with the face of the other spacing web and the outer edge of each spacing web engages in a groove (11) at the root of the other spacing web. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display devices This invention is concerned with improvements in and relating to display devices. More particularly, the invention is concerned with display devices, such as storable or temporary road-signs, comprising a base having attached thereto a set of support legs and a display- or sign-support shaft.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device of the type described in the base is so constructed that it may be readily and easily manufactured.

According to the invention there is provided a display device comprising a base member having support legs and a display support shaft attached thereto in which the base member comprises a pair of complementary shaped members each having three radially disposed webs, namely a pair of leg-support webs and a spacing web, with the planes of adjacent webs being at an oblique angle to each other; the pair of shaped members being fastened together so that a face of one spacing web is in contact with a face of the other spacing web and the outer edge of each spacing web engages in a groove at the root of the other spacing web.

As noted above, the two shaped members are fastened together and this may be achieved, for example, by bolting the two spacing webs together. However, in order to provide of means for readily attaching the support shaft to the base, it is preferred that the two shaped members be fastened together by means of a pair of bolts passing through a pair of fastening plates, one in contact with the lower edges of the spacing webs and the other in contact with the upper edges of the spacing webs (that is, sandwiching the spacing webs therebetween with the planes of the spacing webs generally normal to the planes of the holding plates), the bolts passing through longitudinal grooves located at or adjacent the rootes of two of the webs (generally between the roots of the legsupport webs) of each shaped member.

The legs of the display device may be rigidly attached to the leg-support webs of the base (for example by bolting or rivetting) but are preferably pivotally attached thereto, to allow for storage of the display device with the plate folded generally parallel to the support shaft and subsequent pivoting of the legs into an operational position. In this case the leg-support webs are suitably provided with a first hole or aperture for engaging with a bolt or the like about which the support leg may pivot and a series of holes spaced apart from the first hole, in which spring loaded means on the leg may engage. In order to provide for further support of the leg at the pivot point the shaped member may be provided with additional leg-support webs connected to the spacing web and extending parallel to the principal leg-support webs.This is conveniently achieved by providing each spacing web with a T-sectioned web extending generally normal to the plane of the spacing web and in a plane parallel to that of the spacing web (the Tsectioned web, of course, extending from that face of the spacing web not in contact with the face of the other spacing web) and further providing Vshaped members having at the root of their arms a shaped groove for engaging with the head of the T-sectioned web.

The sign-support shaft may be attached to the base member as desired. However it is preferred that the support shaft be next to the base by resilient means (for example by coil springs as described in Patent Specification No. 1311582).

In order that the invention may be well understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the base member of the device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a section through the assembled base member of the device shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1, a display device in accordance with the invention comprises a base member 1 from which radiate four splayed legs 2 pivotally connected, at their inner ends, to webs radiating from base 1 and held in position by spring-loaded latch means (not shown) engaging in holes in the radiating webs A display shaft 3 is connected to the upper surface of base member 1 via two coil springs 4 and bears adjustable cross-arms 5, for supporting display signs 6.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base member of the display device comprises a pair of complementary shaped members each having three radially disposed webs, namely a pair of leg-support webs 7 and spacing webs 8. Each shaped member further has a shaped groove member 9, located between the roots of leg-support web 7 and opposite spacing webs 8. Each of the spacing webs further has a laterally extending T-sectioned web, 10, extending from one face thereof.

The shaped members are conveniently formed of extruded material, typically aluminium or an alloy thereof.

The two complementary shaped members are assembled together with a face of one spacing web 9 in contact with a face of the other spacing web 9 and with the outer edges of the webs 9 engaging in cooperating grooves 11 at the roots of the webs 9.

The complementary shaped members are held together by means of bolts 12 passing through lower holding plate 14, grooves 8, and upper holding plate 15. The threaded upper ends of bolts 12 are secured by means of nuts (not shown) held with the ends of coil springs 4 (see Figure 1).

A pair of V-sectioned members 16 are mounted on T-sectioned webs 10 by means of a grooved holding portion 17. Pivots (not shown) for supporting the legs 2 pass through holes in the webs of members 16 and through corresponding holes in web 7.

Claims

1. A display device comprising a base member having support legs and a display support shaft attached thereto, in which the base member comprises a pair of complementary shaped. members each having three radially disposed webs, namely a pair of leg-support webs and a spacing web, with the planes of adjacent webs being at an oblique angle to each other; the pair of shaped members being fastened together so that a face of one spacing web is in contact with a face of the other spacing web and the outer edge of each spacing web engages in a groove at the root of the other spacing web.

2. A display device as claimed in claim 1 in which the two shaped members are fastened together by means of a pair of bolts passing through a pair of fastening plates sandwiching the spacing webs therebetween with the planes of the spacing webs generally normal to the planes of the holding plates, the bolts passing through longitudinal grooves located at or adjacent the roots of two of the webs of each shaped member.

3. A display device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which each shaped member is provided with additional leg-support webs connected to the spacing webs.

4. A display device as claimed in claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompany drawings.