GB2233808A

GB2233808A - "Displaying large photographic prints"

Info

Publication number: GB2233808A
Application number: GB8916010A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Stephen Wates
Original assignee: COLOUR PROCESSING LAB
Current assignee: COLOUR PROCESSING LAB
Priority date: 1989-07-13
Filing date: 1989-07-13
Publication date: 1991-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-13
Also published as: GB2233808B; GB8916010D0

Abstract

A display apparatus comprises top and bottom mounting rails (1 and 2) for attachment to a support structure in parallel spaced apart relationship. Mounting runners (4) are clipped to opposite mounting edges (20 and 30) of a flexible display sheet (3) and are introduced into longitudinal channels (5) in the rails through open ends of the channels to support the display sheet between the two mounting rails with the sheet extending through narrow slots (9) dimensioned to prevent the mounting runners escaping from the channels. Suitably each runner includes cooperating pins (24) and apertures (25). Each runner is arranged to fold over the top of the display sheet (3) with the pins (24) passing through holes (26) in the sheet. <IMAGE>

Description

Description of Invention Displaying large photographic prints" THIS INVENTION relates to a method and apparatus for displaying large photographic prints, such as those used for advertising and display purposes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a convenient and economic system for constructing a display employing a photographic print or the like, which display may be readily assembled on site and in which the display material may be readily exchanged.

Accordingly, the invention provides, in one aspect thereof, a display apparatus comprising a flexible display sheet having a pair of opposite mounting edges, a pair of mounting rails for attachment to a support structure in parallel relationship and at a spacing corresponding to the dimension of the display sheet between the mounting edges, each rail defining a channel extending longitudinally of the rail and opening transversely of the rail through a longitudinal slot, and runner means for securing to each mounting edge of the display sheet for coupling the edge of the sheet to a respective one of the mounting rails by slidably introducing the runner means into the channel of the mounting rail through an open end of the channel with the display sheet extending through the longitudinal slot which is dimensioned to prevent the runner means escaping from the channel through such slot.

In another aspect the invention provides a method of constructing a display employing a flexible display sheet having a pair of opposite mounting edges, comprising providing a pair of mounting rails each defining a channel extending longitudinally of the rail and opening transversely of the rail through a longitudinal slot, attaching the rails to a support structure in parallel relationship and at a spacing corresponding to the dimension of the display sheet between the mounting edges, securing runner means to each mounting edge of the display sheet, and coupling each mounting edge of the sheet to a respective one of the mounting rails by slidably introducing the runner means into the channel through an open end of the channel with the display sheet extending through the longitudinal slot which is dimensioned to prevent the runner means escaping from the channel through such slot.

Conveniently, the runner means comprises, for each mounting edge of the display sheet, a plurality of runner members for securing to the mounting edge at spaced apart locations therealong.

Desirably, each runner member clips onto the display sheet.

Preferably, each runner member comprises a male element formed with a projection and a female element formed with a complementary recess, and the display sheet is formed at each of the spaced apart locations along the mounting edge with a hole through which the projection on the male element of the runner member extends when the male and female elements are clipped together on opposite sides of the display sheet.

In a preferred embodiment, the male and female elements are provided with complementary groups of projections and recesses and the display sheet is formed with a corresponding groups of holes.

In one form of the invention, the recesses in the female element of the runner member are apertures.

According to a preferred feature of the invention the male and female elements of the runner member are hingedly connected together.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure is a perspective view of a display apparatus embodying the present invention.

Referring now to the drawing, a display apparatus embodying the present invention comprises a top rail 1, a bottom rail 2, a flexible display sheet 3 in the form of a large photographic print bearing advertising material or the like, and mounting runners 4 secured to the display sheet 3.

The top rail 1 takes the form of a sectional metal member which defines a channel 5 of uniform cross-section extending along the length of the rail 1. The free ends of side walls 6 and 7 of the rail 1 extending from a base 8 of the rail converge to define a narrow slot 9 which extends along the rail 1 and which provides access to the channel 5 transversely of the length of the rail 1. The channel 5 is open at each end of the rail 1 to afford access to the channel longitudinally of the rail 1.

A substantially L-shaped bracket 10 has one arm Ii fixed to the base 8 of the rail 1 and its other arm 12 formed with a keyhole aperture 14 for mounting the rail 1 on a wall or other mounting structure. Although only one bracket 10 is shown in the drawing, at least two brackets will be provided at spaced apart locations along the rail 1, the number of brackets being suited to the length of the rail 1 as required.

An end plate 15 is formed with a projecting split cylindrical boss 16 adapted to be resiliently and detachably pushed-fitted onto each end of the rail 1 to close the open ends of the channel 5.

Each mounting runner 4 is formed from flexible plastics material and comprises first and second male and female jaw elements 21 and 22 interconnected by a thin web 23 forming an integral hinge interconnecting the elements 21 and 22. The male element 21 is formed with projecting cylindrical pins 24 each intended to form a push-fit engagement with a corresponding circular aperture 25 in the female element 22, when the elements are hinged together about the integral hinge 23 and clipped together.

Adjacent to first edge 20 of the sheet 3 groups of holes 26 are punched in the sheet 3 for use in attaching the runners 4 to the sheet 3 at spaced apart locations along the edge 20. Each group of holes 26 corresponds in number and arrangement to the apertures 25 of a female element 22 of a runner 4.

The bottom mounting rail 2 is of similar construction to the top rail 1 and the edge 30 of the sheet 3, which is parallel to the edge 20, is similarly provided with groups of holes 26 for the attachement of runners 4.

In use of the described apparatus, the top and bottom rails 1 and 2 are mounted on a wall or other supporting structure using the brackets 10 so that the rails extend parallel to one another at a desired vertical spacing corresponding to the size of the display sheet 3 to be displayed.

The mounting runners 4 are attached to the sheet 3 along the parallel edges 20 and 30 thereof by inserting the pins 24 of a male element 21 through a corresponding group of holes 26 of the display sheet,so that the male element lies on one side of the sheet with its pins 24 projecting through the holes 26, the female element 22 is then hinged over into contact with the other side of the display sheet and the two elements 21, 22 are pressed together to snap-fit the pins 24 into the apertures 25, so as to securely attach the runner to the sheet 3. In this assembled condition a runner 4 may be inserted into the channel 5 of rail 1 or 2 longitudinally of the rail but cannot escape from the channel 5 through the narrow slot 9.

The edges 20 and 30 of the display sheet 3 are then offered up to the respective rails 1 and 2, and the runners 4 connected to the edges 20 and 30 are inserted one by one into the open ends of the channels 5. The runners are slid along the rails with the sheet 3 itself passing through the slots 9 of the rails 1 and 2. The display sheet 3 is thus slid into position between the two rails 1 and 2, ensuring that each runner 4 passes through the open end of the rail 1 or 2 into the channel 5 where it is retained. With the display sheet located between the rails 1 and 2, the end plates 15 can then be applied to the end of the rails 1 and 2 to trap the runners 4 within the channel 5.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display apparatus comprising a flexible display sheet having a pair of opposite mounting edges, a pair of mounting rails for attachment to a support structure in parallel relationship and at a spacing corresponding to the dimension of the display sheet between the mounting edges, each rail defining a channel extending longitudinally of the rail and opening transversely of the rail through a longitudinal slot, and runner means for securing to each mounting edge of the display sheet for coupling the edge of the sheet to a respective one of the mounting rails by slidably introducing the runner means into the channel of the mounting rail through an open end of the channel with the display sheet extending through the longitudinal slot which is dimensioned to prevent the runner means escaping from the channel through such slot.

2. A display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the runner means comprises, for each mounting edge of the display sheet, a plurality of runner members for securing to the mounting edge at spaced apart locations therealong.

3. A display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each runner member clips onto the display sheet.

4. A display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein each runner member comprises a male element formed with a projection and a female element formed with a complementary recess, and the display sheet is formed at each of the spaced apart locations along the mounting edge with a hole through which the projection on the male element of the runner member extends when the male and female elements are clipped together on opposite sides of the display sheet.

5. A display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the male and female elements are provided with complementary groups of projections and recesses and the display sheet is formed with a corresponding group of holes.

6. A display apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the recesses in the female element of the runner member are apertures.

7. A display apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the male and female elements of the runner are hingedly connected together.

8. A display apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein detachable end plates are provided for attachment to the ends of the mounting rail to close the open ends of the channels.

9. A method of constructing a display employing a flexible display sheet having a pair of opposite mounting edges, comprising the steps of providing a pair of mounting rails each defining a channel extending longitudinally of the rail and opening transversely of the rail through a longitudinal slot, attaching the rails to a support structure in parallel relationship and at a spacing corresponding to the dimension of the display sheet between the mounting edges, securing runner means to each mounting edge of the display sheet, and coupling each mounting edge of the sheet to a respective one of the mounting rails by slidably introducing the runner means into the channel through an open end of the channel with the display sheet extending through the longitudinal slot which is dimensioned to prevent the runner means escaping from the channel through such slot.

10. A display apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

11. A method of constructing a display substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.