GB2295260A

GB2295260A - Display panel devices

Info

Publication number: GB2295260A
Application number: GB9423082A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald Mckechnie Hogg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-16
Filing date: 1994-11-16
Publication date: 1996-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-16
Also published as: GB2295260B; GB9423082D0

Abstract

The invention describes a lightweight construction of a display panel device, conveniently of the kind suitable for use by estate agents and others wishing to dispose of the property to which the device is to be attached. In an example, the device comprises two panel members 4, 6, each having first edge portions 8 secured together by first hinge means 10 which may comprise weather-proof tape or be of so-called "plastics hinge" construction. Each panel 4, 6 has a second edge portion 12 to which is secured by a similar, second hinge means 14 an elongate secondary panel 16. The secondary panels 16 may be received between mounting strips if desired, and then secured e.g. to a window frame (20 Figure 3) of a building. In an alternative example, a triangular or trapezium-shaped fillet (26a Figure 4) of hinge panel may be used to render a display in a vertical position against an oblique building facia area. Advantageously, the device may be constructed of so-called fluted plastics material such as polypropylene, having a box-construction. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY PANEL DEVICES The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to display panel devices for displaying information, particularly, but not exclusively, for the display of information on the outside of a building.

It is occasionally necessary to display on the exterior of a building information which it is intended shall be read by passers-by, but which is not to be permanently on view. Such an occasion arises for example when a building is for sale or for lease and the availability is to be advertised by a so-called agent's board.

In particular where only a portion of a building is offered it is often preferably that an agent's board may be a temporary panel or board of timber or plywood removably fastened in place on a frame or directly against brickwork or stonework around a window. Often, with a heavy duty fastening, slight damage occurs to the building and, if the fastening is not secure, the board may become dislodged and cause further damage when it falls.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to minimise the above disadvantages.

The invention provides a display panel device adapted to display information, said device comprising two main panel members, each main panel member having a first and a second edge portion at opposite sides thereof, first hinge means joining said panel members together along adjacent first edge portion, where each second edge portion is provided with second hinge means, each of said second hinge means acting to join one of two secondary panel members to the second edge portions of the respective main panel member.

Advantageously, said main panel members may be formed of lightweight plastics material having a rigid construction. Conveniently, the secondary panel members may also be of a similar material. If desired, at least one of said first and second hinge means may be of so-called "plastics hinge" construction.

Alternatively, the hinge means may be comprised of weatherproof adhesive tape.

In use, outwardly facing surfaces of the main panel members may bear information relating to the proposed disposal of all or part of the building upon which it is erected, so as to be visible to passers-by and to persons in adjacent buildings.

Advantageously, said secondary panel members may comprise elongated strips of suitable material adapted to be fastened to an appropriate portion of a window of the building.

There will now be described an example of a panel device according to the invention. It will be understood that the description, which is intended to be read with reference to the drawings, is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display panel device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of a hinge thereof; Figure 3 is a side view of the device of Figure 2 secured to a vertical surface; Figure 4 is a side view of a device with a modified hinge portion; and Figure 5 shows panel members of the device of Figure 4 in an outspread condition.

The device, indicated at 2 in Figure 1, comprises two main panel members 4, 6 each having first edge portions 8 secured together in an adjacent position by means of a first hinge means 10, the nature of which will be described below.

Each panel member 8 and 8 has a second edge portion 12, parallel to the edge portion 10, to which is secured by a second hinge means 14 an elongate secondary panel in the form of a strip panel 16.

Figure 1 illustrates the hinge means 10 and 14 as being comprised by heavy duty weatherproof self-adhesive tape and in many locations this may be satisfactory.

However, an alternative arrangement is shown in Figure 2 in which a plastics hinge member 14' is provided which comprises two portions one of which, 14a, is secured to the edge portion 12 of the panel 4 and the other portion, 14b, is interposed between two mounting strips 18. The multi-layer secondary panel 16' so formed is ready to be secured directly to a window frame 20 (Fig.

3) by screws, or other suitable fastening means including suction devices, magnetic tape or the like, not shown, with or without the use of a sub-frame assembly. Figure 3 shows the device in position against a vertical frame 20 with fastening means at 22, but the substrate to which the device is to be fastened may be inclined from the vertical as shown in Figure 4 at 24.

In this situation, a second hinge means may be used which differs from the hinge 14' shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the second hinge means 26 comprises a trapezium-shaped portion 26a and a strip portion 26b (similar to hinge portion 14b). The panels 4 and 6 are each secured to the portion 26a so as to be capable of maintaining an upright position although the frame 24 is at an oblique angle. The portion 26a then gives the appearance of a triangular fillet of board or panel support planar with each main panel member 4, 6.

Conveniently, the devices illustrated in the above examples may be constructed of lightweight rigid plastics material such as a corrugated cardboard substitute material having box-section construction, for example fluted polypropylene. Such material may also provide said plastics hinges where appropriate.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display panel device adapted to display information, said device comprising two main panel members, each main panel member having a first and a second edge portion at opposite sides thereof, first hinge means joining said panel members together along adjacent first edge portion, where each second edge portion is provided with second hinge means, each of said second hinge means acting to join one of two secondary panel members to the second edge portions of the respective main panel member.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said secondary panel members comprise elongated strip portions of material, said portions being adapted to be fastened to an appropriate portion of a window or other facade area of a building.

3. A device as claimed in either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein said main panel members are formed of lightweight plastics material having a rigid construction.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said secondary panel members are also formed of lightweight plastics material having a rigid construction.

5. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said first and second hinges is a so-called plastics hinge device.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plastics hinge device comprises a plastics hinge member having two portions one of which is secured to an appropriate edge portion of one of said main panels and the other of which is interposed between two mounting strips.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of said first and second hinges comprises weather-proof adhesive tape.

8. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second hinge means comprises a trapezium-shaped portion adapted to render the panels in a vertical orientation wherein the trapezium-shaped portion of the second hinge means is arranged to be secured to an oblique window or building facade area.

9. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said lightweight plastics material has a double-walled boxsection construction.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the material is fluted polypropylene.

11. A display panel device constructed and arranged substantially as herein before described with reference to and as shown in (a) Figures 1-3, (b) Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.