GB2253732A - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A display apparatus comprises a casing 2 with a window 16 and a panel (21) having an image, the panel (21) being releasable supported on a mounting frame (35) within the casing (2). The apparatus further comprises an aroma dispenser (82 Figures 5A and 5B) which dispenses an aroma concentrate relating to the image on the panel. The apparatus may further comprise an infra-red sensor for sensing local traffic conditions so as to control, via a micro-processor, the operation of the aroma dispenser. The microprocessor may also control an audio system. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS This invention relates to a display apparatus, e.g.

for display advertising posters.

Indoor or outdoor, wall hung or free standing, advertising signs or display boxes, either internally or externally illuminated, have hitherto relied solely on a visual stimulus to attract the attention of the onlooker.

The impact of such an advertisement could be increased by additionally appealing to other senses.

According to the invention a display apparatus comprising a casing with a window and a mounting for releasably supporting a panel in alignment with the window is characterised in that the apparatus further comprises an aroma dispenser. Preferably the aroma dispenser will dispense an aroma concentrate which is related to an image on the panel.

There may be an audio playback means, including a speaker, to broadcast for example, a pre-recorded message, song or music, which may be related to the image on the panel.

The panel may be attached to the mounting frame using triple ball hinges. These hinges, apart from offsetting any misalignment which may occur between the panels and the frame, will also allow adjustment to be made to reduce the possibility of any slack occurring when the panel is mounted.

The display apparatus may further comprise a passive infra-red sensor for sensing local traffic conditions.

This information maybe used by a microprocessor to control the aroma dispenser and/or the audio play back means in response to the local conditions.

Preferably the panel is lit by a back lighting system consisting of two elongate, transversely convex, edge reflectors which extend substantially fully along respective ones of two opposite sides of the window and flank a transversely convex central reflector; and two fluorescent tubes located each adjacent to a respective one of the reflectors. The edge reflectors may be adjustable by swivelling about a longitudinal axis. This illumination system is not only efficient and economical in the utilisation of energy but will also expose the panels to a lower concentration of colour fading ultra violet rays compared with panels which are back-lit by multiple fluorescent tubes.

The combined features of sight, sound and smell of the advertised product are intended to act as stimuli to create a lasting impact on the passing onlooker.

One example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of the casing which contains a synchronised audio playback system and aroma dispenser; Figure 2A is an isometric view showing the position of the static panel in relation to the mounting frame; Figure 2B is a diagrammatic view of how the static panel is linked to the mounting frame by triple ball hinges; Figure 2C is a side elevation view of a link between the static panel and the mounting frame; Figure 2D is an axial section of a U-shaped channel; Figure 3 is an isometric view of an internal illumination system employing convex reflectors; Figure 4 is an isometric view showing the position of a microprocessor in relation to the position of the speakers, aroma dispenser and passive infra-red movement sensor;; and, Figures 5A and 5B are a plan and a sectional view, respectively, of the aroma dispenser.

As shown in Figure 1, a display box which, in the illustrated example, is of the free standing type, and is formed basically in two parts, namely an internal structure frame (1) housing a panel and its integrated and outer casing (2) with four downwardly extending post members (3) bolted to right angle base corners of the internal structural frame (1) with the post members (3) embedded into concrete piers (4). It will be understood that the display box, may be mounted on a high pedestal or plural post structure to make it visible from significant distances along a road or similar location, or may be mounted on a mobile support structure such as a leg substituted for one of the post members which merely bears gravitationally against the ground or flat supporting surface and having a heel or trolley assembly adjacent to the other site.It is further understood that the display box may also be mounted with supporting brackets (5) on pillars or walls off the ground to make it visible at eye level, in a shopping mall or similar location.

In the illustrated embodiment Figure 1, the outer casing (2) is designed to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the display box. The outer casing (2) is formed by a top cover member (11), a bottom cover member (12), a rear cover member (13) and two semi-circular shaped side cover members (14 and 15), having a flat base cover terminating at opposite front and rear flanged edges and over similar flanged edges of the top and bottom cover members (11) and (12). Connected to this outer casing is a plastic perspex face (16) tamper proof, rubber lined and metal framed front cover (17) with detachable right hand, spring loaded, clipon hinge (18) running the entire height of the outer casing (2) secured by a three step key-lock (19) on the centre left hand edge of the front cover.The three step key-lock apart from its locking mechanism, also serves as master and test switch for a microprocessor. The transparent plastic perspex face (16) which forms the entire poster display window is supported on its perimeter against the metal frame front cover (17) by extruded metal tracks lined continuously with a moulded all-weather thermoplastic rubber strip (20).

As will also be apparent from Figures 2A-2C, the panel edges are strengthened by affixing a strip of single sided, adhesive-backed, polyethylene-coated cloth tape to provide a firm base to rivet mount (30) onto the panel, a series of triple ball hinges (31). Each hinge is made up of three interlocked balls (32) establishing a swivel bridge between two hinge leaves. Each leaf is precisely die-cut to overwrap the two free end balls with a leaf (33) double riveted to the panel (21) and the another leaf (34) secured to mounting frame (35) by means of a spring loaded bolt (36) housed in a U-shaped channel (37) and secured in position by a wing nut (38).The triple ball hinge, apart from allowing the interlocked balls to offset any misalignment which may occur between the panei and the drive chain, will also permit adjustment of the male spring loaded bolt (36) to correct any lateral slack on the panel.

As will be apparent in Figure 3, the internal illumination of the display box is served by two vertically installed swivel base, manually adjustable, electroplated mirror-finish, convex reflectors (76a and 76b) running substantially the length of the panel on display on the opposite flanks of a wide mirror-finish convex reflector (77) mounted on brackets (78a, 78b, 78c, 78d, 78e, 78f, 78g and 78h) to deflect light evenly from a pair of fluorescent tubes (75a and 75b). The lighting assembly as described above is recessed behind the panel on display, within an area bounded by the main roller (38) and auxiliary rollers (39, 43 and 47).

As shown in Figure 4, bracketed to the top end of the two side plates (6a and 6b), are horizontally extending angle irons (79 and 80) forming the supporting frame for an L-shaped metal support (81) to house the motor (54), aroma dispenser (82), microprocessor (83) and waterproof speaker (84a and 84b). The top end of the front cover (17) is diecut with two sets of horizontal track slots (85a and 85b) and one vertical vent slot (86) to match the position of the aroma dispenser (82) which is secured by an L-shaped metal support (81). At the bottom end of the front cover is a peep-hole (87) to match the position of a passive infrared sensor (88) which is secured by an L-shaped metal lug (89) to the horizontally extending right angle member (7d).

Shown in Figure 5(A) and 5(B) is an aroma dispenser (82) with its base (90) bolted on to the support (81).

Connected to the socket head drive shaft (91) of a fractional motor (92) is a detachable drive rod (93) carrying an off-centre notch edge, circular disc (94) with its circumference acting as a continuous shoulder for a roller pin end (95) of split arms (96) pivoted on a supporting hinge (97a) which is anchored to side walls (98a and 98b). Each spray cycle originates with a signal from the microprocessor (83) to the fractional motor (92) causing its drive shaft (91) to rotate the off-centre circular disc (94) anti-clockwise, gradually lifting the free end of spring loaded lever (99), pivoted on a supporting hinge (97b) anchored to the side walls (98a and 98b) causing an atomising head (100) to rise to its prime position for release of aroma concentrate (102) when the roller pin end (95) of split arms (96) reaches the notched perpendicular edge of circular disc (94).When the roller pin end (95) rides over the perpendicular edge of the circular disc (94) the instantaneous downward propulsion of the split arms (96) caused by the recoil of a tension spring (101) depresses the free end of the spring loaded lever (99) against an atomising head (100) to release the aroma concentrate (102) in fine spray form in the atmosphere. To ensure a consistent spray release pressure, the lift and drop height of the atomising head (100) is maintained by guide pins (103a and 103b) protruding from the inside face of the split arms (96), sliding between hooked-end bus-ways (104a and 104b) located on the opposite flanks of the spring loaded lever (99).

Figure 5(B) shows the relative position of the offcentre notched edge circular disc (93), roller pin (95) of split arms (96), spring loaded lever (99) and tension spring (101) when the atomising head (100) is in its position just before the instantaneous release of the aroma concentrate (102). The aroma concentrate (102) is replenished by removing a concentrate bottle (105) housed between the sidewalls (98a and 98b) and unscrewing the atomising head (100) from the concentrate bottle (105) together with a suction tube (106) before pouring the refill down the neck of the concentrate bottle (105). To introduce a new aroma to match a new product displayed on the panel would, however, require the complete replacement of the atomising head (100), concentrate bottle (105) and suction tube (106). Once replaced, the atomising head (100), concentrate bottle (105) and suction tube (106) are not recycled for future use as a precaution against tainting of the aroma concentrate (102).

Several such aroma dispensers may be used in conjunction with a display apparatus having a number of interchangeable panels, such as that disclosed in our copending application number no. . The microprocessor can control the operation of the aroma dispensers in dependence on which panel being displayed at any time so that a different aroma can be dispensed for each image displayed.

Claims (9)

1. A display apparatus comprising a casing with a window and a mounting for releasably supporting a panel in alignment with the window; characterised in that the apparatus further comprises an aroma dispenser.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, in conjunction with a panel supported by the mounting, wherein the panel has a image, and the aroma dispenser dispenses an aroma concentrate relating to the image.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mounting has triple ball hinges for use in fixing the panel to the mounting.

4. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a back lighting system for the window, the system including two elongate, transversely convex edge reflectors which extend substantially fully along the respective ones of two opposite sides of the window and flank a transversely convex central reflector; and two fluorescent tubes located each adjacent to a respective one of the respective reflectors.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the edge reflectors are each adjustable by swivelling about a longitudinal axis.

6. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a passive infra-red sensor for sensing local traffic conditions; and a microprocessor for receiving information from the infra-red sensor and controlling the aroma dispenser.

7. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising an audio playback system.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 when dependent on claim 6, wherein the microprocessor also controls the audio playback system.

9. An apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.