GB2212389A

GB2212389A - Display device

Info

Publication number: GB2212389A
Application number: GB8727063A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark Terence Gilbey
Original assignee: CONRAN DESIGN GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: CONRAN DESIGN GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 1987-11-19
Filing date: 1987-11-19
Publication date: 1989-07-26
Also published as: GB8727063D0

Abstract

A device for displaying photographic, printed or written information comprises a planar member (4) and a holder (H). The holder comprises two end members (1, 2) which bear resiliently against opposite lateral side edges of the planar member, in order to support it. The arrangement is such that a variety of relative orientations of the planar member to the holder are selectable. The device is suitable for use in a shelf edge location, (Fig 3) or free standing (Fig 2). At least one restraining member (5) which is slidably mounted on end members (1, 2) of the holder may be provided to hold the end members (1, 2) parallel to each other, and to hold the planar member in a selected position. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY DEVICES This invention relates to display devices.

In the past, a typical display device has tended to have been purpose built for a particular function, and the possibility of a different mode of use of such a device has therefore been limited. For example, devices which were designed as photograph frames, or as menu holders, were generally unsuited to function as shelf edge information or price display devices, and such shelf edge devices have generally displayed information or prices in a fixed orientation with respect to the shelving.

In contrast, the present invention provides a display device comprising a generally rigid planar member and a holder therefor; the holder comprising first and second members, the first and second members being spaced one from the other by a distance generally corresponding to the lateral width of the planar member, whereby resiliently to bear against the marginal side edges of the said planar member to support the planar member in a variety of relative orientations of the planar member to the holder.

The planar member may comprise, for example, one or more sheets of Perspex (Trade Mark) or other acrylic plastics material, and preferably a single such sheet bent back on itself in a U-shape to provide a slot-like packet for a card or like material bearing photographic, printed or written matter, or glass sheets serving a similar purpose. Alternatively, the planar member may itself comprise a sheet of material bearing photographic, printed or written matter, and having sufficient rigidity not to collapse under the resilient bias of the holder.

A display device according to the present invention may be embodied as a pricing or information display system for shelving, for example bearing product information and pricing in retail stores; or alternatively may be embodied as a free-standing display for photographs or menus, for example. zZe shall describe a specific example of display device herebelow with reference to the accompanying drawings which is capable of serving both these purposes.

In preferred embodiments, the device comprises, in addition to the said planar member and said holder, a restraining member. Such member may be fixed between the said two end members, or nay be slidably attached to the said two end members. In either case, the two end members are generally planar, and the distance between the points of attachment of the restraining member to the end members is generally the same as the length of the said joining member. The restraing member therefore holds the end members generally parallel to each other, and this serves both to counteract any loss of resilience in the said holder, which may arise through prolonged use, and to prevent the planar member being squeezed out of the holder. Another function of the restraining member is to restrain the planar member in a selected position.To this end, in some embodiments, there may be two or more restraining members, arranged so that there is at least one restraining member on each side of the planar member, whereby the planar member may be secured in one particular position. inhere the locations of the restraining member(s) on the end members is selectable, as in the specific embodiment described in detail below, the said particular position is correspondingly selectable.

The invention is hereinafter described more particularly by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment of display device according to the present invention, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device in a configuration suitable for shelf-edge support; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device in one of a number of possible free-standing positions; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device being supported on a shelf; Fig. 4 is a top-plan view, corresponding to Fig.

3; and Fig. 5 is a front elevation, corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4.

The illustrated display device comprises a planar member 4 and a holder H therefor. The holder H comprises end members 1 and 2, each in the shape of an arc of a circle, joined via a straight elongate joining member 3.

As can be seen, the holder H forms a single integral structure which is suitably formed of wire stock bent to shape. End members 1 and 2 are constrained to be generally parallel to one another by restraining member 5, restraining member 5 being slidably mounted on end members 1 and 2 which extend through apertures 5a in restraining member 5 so that it may be moved to any selected position along end members 1 and 2, provided that it remains generally parallel with joining member 3. Planar member 4 has parallel marginal side edges 6 against which end members 1 and 2 are resiliently biased. For example the planar member may be just oversized to fit in the space between end members 1 and 2.We have found that spring steel is a suitable material to use for the holder, as this possesses the necessary elastic properties to enable planar member 4 to be held effectively. Restrainer member 5 is manufactured from a generally rigid plastics material such as polypropylene. In the preferred embodiment planar member 4 comprises a sheet of perspex (Trade Mark) acrylic plastics material bent back on itself to be of double thickness leaving an intervening space for a card or the like bearing photographic, printed or written material. The planar member must have sufficient rigidity not to buckle under the strain placed upon it by the resilient bias provided by end members 1 and 2.

The particular embodiment illustrated is suitable to serve both as a shelf edge supported pricing or information device and as a free-standing display device for photographs, menus or the like. When used as a shelf-edge supported pricing or information device, the shape of the end members 1 and 2 (here arcuate) should correspond to the profile of the shelf edge with the perpendicular distance between the joining member 3 and ends 7 and 8 of end members 1 and 2 respectively being slightly less than the thickness of the shelf which is to support the device. The device is placed over the shelf edge so that the shelf is gripped resiliently between joining member 3 and ends 7 and 8. Non-slip rubber or rubber substitute members may be provided at ends 7 and 8 of end members 1 and 2, and a ring or rings made of similar material may also be provided around joining member 3 to prevent the device from slipping off the shelf.

The planar member is held between the end member so as to be movable to different positions and orientations relative to the holder while remaining so held. Thus when used in a shelf edge context, the angle between the planar member and the vertical may be selected according to the height of the shelf in question, in order to give maximum visibility for the face of the planar member to a customer of average height in a retail store, for example. As a free-standing display device, there are several ways in which the device as a whole can be made tc stand in a stable configuration. Thus lower edge of planar member 4 and the feet effectively provided at the extremities 7 and 8 of end members 1 and 2 may stand on a horizontal surface. The feet 7 and 8 may be provided with non-slip rubber or rubber substitute members.

Other embodiments of the invention are envisaged in which modifications are made to the structure of one or more components of the illustrated embodiment. For example the structure of a particular shelf may demand that the end members are some shape other than arcs, or that they comprise a hook. It may be more convenient to modify the shape of the end members to increase the stability of the free standing display device, for example, by flatening the free ends.

Although shown as a single integral member formed of spring steel wire stock, the holder H can take other forms. The end members may be of sheet stock joined by a joining member which could be of wire or sheet stock.

Such an embodiment is plainly less adapted for a shelf-edge location, and consequently the illustrated embodiment described in detail hereinabove with its substantially greater versatility is much to be preferred.

Claims

1. A display device comprising a generally rigid planar member; and a holder therefor, wherein the holder comprises first and second members spaced apart by a distance generally corresponding to the lateral width of the planar member, whereby when the planar member is placed in the holder, the first and second members bear resiliently against the marginal side edges the planar member to support the planar member in one of a plurality of possible relative orientations of the planar member to the holder.

2. A display device according to Claim 1, further provided with at least two restraining members between said first and second members.

3. A display device according to Claim 2, wherein said first and second members are substantially planar and generally parallel, and wherein at least one said restraining member is slidably attached to said first and second members.

4. A display device according to any preceding Claim, wherein said planar member comprises a single sheet of glass, plastics materials, or other substantially resilient material manufactured in a 'u' shape configuration to define two generally sheet like portions defining a slot therebetween for the insertion of matter to be displayed.

5. A display device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the shape of said first and second members generally corresponds to the profile of a shelf edge or other support to which the device is adapted to be applied in operation.

6. A display device according to Claim 5, further provided with rubber or rubber substitute portions at points of contact of said holder with said shelf edge or said other support.

7. A display device according to Claim 2, or to any Clai appendant thereto, wherein said holder is formed by an integral member comprising said first and second members and one said restraining member.

8. A device according to any preceding Claim, wherein the holder is formed of wire stock.

9. A display device substntia1ly as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.