GB2358511A

GB2358511A - Display device

Info

Publication number: GB2358511A
Application number: GB9928495A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven John Diggle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-12-03
Filing date: 1999-12-03
Publication date: 2001-07-25
Anticipated expiration: 2019-12-03
Also published as: GB2358511B; GB9928495D0

Abstract

A display device comprises a housing 1 which has a longitudinal axis extending between its ends. A roller 3 is mounted for rotation about the axis and carries a flexible display sheet 4 which may be unrolled from a retracted position in which it is rolled around the roller 3 into an extended position in which it extends from the housing 1. Means 16, 24, 25, 26, 27 are provided for displacing the display sheet (4) in the direction of the axis when the display sheet (4) is in its display position such that it extends beyond one end of the housing (1). The axial displacement may be brought about by a suitable tool or screw (33, figure 7). The roller may be axially biassed by a spring which additionally provides a bias to return the roller 3 to wind the sheet 4. The end of the sheet attached to the roller may have a portion of its edge/s recessed to allow the axial movement. A number of screens may be placed side-by-side and the sheets axially displaced to provide a large screen without discontinuities.

Description

2358511 A DISPLAY DEVICE The present invention relates to a display device

and to a display system incorporating two or more of such devices. Preferably, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a portable display device and display system.

Portable display systems are widely used for displaying graphic images at presentations and exhibitions. Portability in this sense means that the display system can be transported between different locations and erected on site. Many different types of portable display system are currently available.

For instance, display systems are known which comprise a number of rigid flat panels, typically a meter or so square, which can be interconnected to form a self standing screen on which graphic images can be displayed. Such systems are particularly suitable for large displays, or stands, but have the disadvantage that the size and rigidity of the panels limits portability.

Another known display system designed to be relatively light weight and portable comprises a collapsible frame of crossed and pivotally interlinked struts which can be erected to provide a support to which relatively large graphic images can be mounted. Although relatively light weight and portable in comparison to a system of rigid panels, this system is too bulky to be conveniently carried by a single person and for instance fitted into the luggage space of a small car. In addition, the graphic image to be presented must be carried separately and mounted subsequent to erection of the frame so that the system is not particularly well adapted for smaller presentations which might require an image to be quickly erected and then taken down by a single person.

A smaller display device is available which addresses the above problems. This is based on a spring roller system such as is conventionally used in portable projection systems comprising a retractable flexible projection screen which is mounted on a spring roller housed within a portable casing. However, in this instance a graphic image printed on a flexible screen replaces the projection screen and the casing is designed to provide a floor standing base. The graphic can be pulled up from the base and held in an erect position by a support rod fitted between the base and a top rail supporting the graphic. Tension in the graphic is maintained by the 2 spring roller which tends to pull the graphic downwards into the base. The support rod can be a lightweight two-part tube to improve portability. This device has the advantage of being very portable and being extremely easy to erect. It is also a relatively straightforward matter to replace graphics by simply replacing the roller so that a single device can be used again for a different display. The graphic may be of the order of 2. 5 meters high, which is sufficient for many uses, but for practical reasons, including the need for portability and to prevent the graphic buckling when erect, the width is generally about half of this. Thus for larger images several such devices must be used, each carrying a graphic showing a different portion of the overall image so that the complete image can be displayed by positioning two or more devices side by side. A disadvantage with this is that the presentation is somewhat marred by the discontinuity in the image across neighbouring devices.

It is an object' of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the above disadvantages.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display device comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends thereof, an elongate roller mounted for rotation about said axis between said first and second ends of the housing, a flexible display sheet mounted on said roller and which may be unrolled from a retracted position in which it is rolled around said roller into an extended position in which it extends from said housing, wherein means are provided for displacing said flexible display sheet in the direction of said longitudinal axis when said display sheet is in said display position such that it extends beyond said first end of the housing.

The facility to displace the display sheet provides a means for closing the gap that would otherwise be present between the adjacent display sheets of two devices placed side by side to display an image across them. In otherwords, the present invention provides an effective solution to the problem outlined above.

The flexible display sheet may be a blank screen onto which an image may be projected, or may bear a pre-printed image. Where two or more devices are used to display a single image each screen will carry a portion of that image and it will be a straight forward matter to allow for the overlap to ensure that the image is continuous across adjacent devices.

3 In preferred embodiments the flexible display sheet has a bottom edge fixed to the roller and two opposing side edges defining the width of the sheet, and a portion of one of said side edges is recessed to allow the display sheet to be displaced relative to the housing such that said edge overhangs said housing. For instance flexible display sheet may be substantially rectangular, or square, having a first end edge fixed to said roller, a second end edge which is remote from said housing when in said display position, and two opposing side edges defining the width of the sheet, wherein said recessed portion is provided in a comer of the sheet adjacent said first edge.

Preferably the displacing means displaces said roller relative to said housing. Alternatively, embodiments may be designed in which the flexible sheet is displacable relative to both the roller and the housing.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the roller has a length extending along said longitudinal axis less than the distance between the first and second ends of the housing, and the flexible display sheet has a width between said side edges which is greater than the length of the roller, wherein a lower portion of one side edge is cut away to define a recess such that the lower edge of the flexible display sheet is no longer than the roller, the recess providing clearance whereby the roller and display sheet carried thereby may be displaced.

The rotation of the roller is preferably sprung such that the roller tends to retract the flexible display sheet, in which case support means are provided for maintaining said display sheet in said display position against the action of said spring force. For instance, the support means comprises a support rod which may be located between the housing and a top edge of the display sheet to maintain the display sheet in said display position. The support rod may for instance be a multi-part rod which can be assembled on site and which can be stowed away in a suitable compartment provided in said housing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a display system comprising two or more devices according to any preceding claim, each of said devices positioned side by side with their longitudinal axis's aligned end to end, wherein at least one of.the flexible display sheets is displaced so as to overlap the display sheet of a neighbouring device.

4 Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures I and 2 schematically illustrate a prior art display device;

Figure 3 illustrates the use of several prior art display devices according to Figures I and 2 to display a relatively large image;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates details of a modification of the device of Figures I and 2 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 5a and 5b are further illustrations of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates the use of three devices according to the first embodiment of the present invention to display a relatively large image; Figure 7 schematically illustrates details of a second embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating how devices in accordance with the present invention may be modified to provide a comer display.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the illustrated prior art display device comprises a floor standing base 1, provided with feet 2, which houses a longitudinally springmounted roller 3 which carries a flexible display sheet 4 bearing an image to be displayed (referred to hereinafter as a "graphic"). The top of the graphic 4 extends from the base I and is supported by a rail 5 running along its top edge. The graphic 4 extends from the base I through a slot 6 which runs along the length of an upper face 7 of the base 1. The slot 6 is too narrow to pass the rail 5 which prevents the graphic 4 being withdrawn entirely into the base 1.

Figure I illustrates the display device with the graphic 4 retracted into the base 1, all but the upper end portion of the graphic 4 being wound around the roller 3 - the spring force acting to retain the graphic within the base 1. In this configuration the device is therefore very compact and can be easily transported.

To erect the display, the base I is simply placed on the floor and the graphic 4 is extended from the base I by grasping the rail 5 and pulling the graphic 4 upwards against the spring action of the roller 3. With the graphic 4 fully extended from the base 1, as shown in Figure 2, a support rod 8 is fitted between the base 1 and the rail 5 to prevent the graphic 4 being withdrawn into the base I by the spring action of the roller 3. The base 1 is provided with a notch 9, and the rail 5 is provided with a tab 10, for location of the support rod 8. The spring action of the roller 3 maintains tension in the graphic 4 so that a flat image is presented. Removal of the display is a straightforward procedure simply requiring disengaging the support rod 8 so that the graphic 4 is wound back into the base 1 by the spring roller 3.

Single display devices of the above type have been used to display graphics of the order of 2 metres high by 1 metre wide. The width of the graphic is limited by the need for portability and also by the need to maintain an even tension in the graphic to provide a flat display. Two or more of the devices can, however, be used to display larger images as is illustrated in Figure 3. This shows three display devices 12, 13 and 14 positioned side by side. The respective graphic 4 of each device 12, 13 and 14 carries a different portion of the overall image to be displayed. A shortcoming of such a display system is that the vertical gaps 15 and 16 which exist between neighbouring graphics 4 present an undesirable discontinuity in the displayed image. The present invention provides a modification to such prior art display devices which overcomes this disadvantage.

Figures 4, 5a and 5b schematically illustrate details of a first embodiment of the present invention. The display device in accordance with the present invention has the basic configuration of the prior art device described above, and thus like reference numerals will be used for corresponding components where appropriate.

Referring first to Figure 4, the roller 3 is mounted for rotation about a longitudinal fixed spindle 16 which extends between mounts 17 and 18 fitted to end walls 19 and 20 respectively of the base 1. The roller 3 is mounted on annular end blocks 23 and 24 which are slidably fitted on the spindle 16. The spring action of the roller 3 is provided by a coil spring 21, one end of which is secured to a block 22 fixed to the spindle 16, and the other end of which is secured to the end block 23 fixed in one end of the roller 3. In use, extension of the graphic 4 from the base 1 rotates the roller 3, thereby winding up the spring 21 (thereby providing the return force for the roller).

It will be seen from Figure 4 that the width of the graphic 4 is substantially equal to the full width of the spacing between end walls 19 and 20 of the base 1, but that the roller 3 is shorter so that in the configuration illustrated in Figure 4 the end of 6 the roller 3 is spaced from end wall 19 of the base I by a distance "X". This spacing is maintained (bearing in mind that the roller 3 is slidably mounted on the spindle 16) by the tension in the spring 21 which tends to pull the roller 3 towards the opposite end 20 of the base 1. Means are however provided to push the roller 3 along the length of the spindle, towards the end 19 of the base 1, against the action of the spring 21. These means comprise a tube 25 which projects coaxially around the end of the spindle 16 and bears against the end block 24 fixed within the roller 3. The tube 25 carries a pin 26 which travels in an L-shaped slot 27 defined in end mount 18 of the base 1. By use of a suitable tool (not shown) the tube 25 can be pushed into the base (access being obtained via an aperture provided in the end wall 20 of the base (not shown)) to push the roller 3 along the spindle 16 (extending spring 21 in the process), and can then be rotated so that the pin 26 locates in an indentation 28 in the L-shaped groove effectively locking the roller in this displaced position against the action of the spring 21. It will be appreciated that this displacement of the roller 3 is not in fact possible in the configuration illustrated in Figure 4, since the graphic 4 wound around the roller 3 will simply abut the end wall 19 of the base I if any attempt is made to displace the roller 3. Rather, displacement of the roller 3 forms part of erection of the graphic display device as described below in relation to figures 5 a and 5b.

To erect the device, the graphic 4 is first pulled from the base 1 in the same manner as described above in relation to the prior art device of Figures I and 2 (and supported using a support rod (not shown) in the same manner). This configuration is illustrated in Figure 5a, from which it can be seen that a bottom portion 29 of the edge of the graphic 4 adjacent end 19 of the base I is cut away so that the width of the very bottom edge of the graphic 4 corresponds to the length of the roller 3 to which it is fixed. The cutaway portion 29 is not particularly visible externally, as it is hidden within the base 1, but provides a clearance between the graphic 4 and the end wall 19 of the base 1. The aforementioned clearance allows the roller 3 to be pushed along the spindle 16, in the manner described above, into the position illustrated in Figure 5b (in which it can be seen that the pin 26 is located in the indentation 28). In this configuration, the graphic 4 overhangs the end 19 of the base 1 by a distance indicated as "Y'. The purpose of displacing the graphic 4 in this way will become apparent from the following description of Figure 6.

7 Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a display system comprising three display devices 30, 31 and 32 according to the present invention used to display a relatively large image, each of the graphics 4 carrying a portion of the full image. Figure 6 illustrates how the two end display devices 30 and 31 can have their graphics 4 displaced sideways by distance "X", in the manner described above, so as to overlap with the central graphic in the regions indicated by references "Y". Since the degree of overlap is known from the design of the device, it is a straightforward matter to print images on each graphic 4 which take account of the overlap so that the result will be the display of a relatively large image which is continuous across the borders of the adjacent graphics 4. If necessary, strips of tape (not shown) can be applied to the back of the graphics 4 to tape overlapping portions together. It is envisaged that for relatively rigid sheets such taping would not be necessary.

It will therefore be seen that the present invention provides a display device which can be used as a stand-alone display (in which there is no need to displace the graphic sideways) or in combination with one or more additional display devices to effectively provide a display system for presenting larger images which does not suffer the disadvantages of the prior art.

It will be appreciated that retraction of the graphic 4 into the base 1 is simply a reversal of the erection procedure and is thus extremely straightforward.

It will be understood that the essence of the invention lies in the ability to displace the graphic 4 sideways relative to the base 1. With the above described embodiments of the invention this is achieved by the displacement of the roller 3. As an alternative, it would be possible to mount the graphic 4 to a fixed roller 3 but in such a way that the graphic could be displaced relative to the roller and the case. For instance, the bottom edge of the graphic 4 could be provided with a ridge, or rail, which is received within a longitudinal slot provided in the roller 3 so that the graphic can be slid along the roller 3.

It will also be appreciated that rather than providing the graphic 4 with a cutaway portion to accommodate the base side walls 19 and 20, slots could alternatively be provided in the or each end wall to allow the graphic 4 to be displaced beyond the end wall.

8 It will be appreciated that alternative mechanisms may be provided for displacing the roller 3. One such alternative is briefly described in relation to Figure 7 which is a cross-section through the base I of a modification of the above embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a simple "thumbscrew" type mechanism 33 is provided for pushing the roller 3 along the length of the spindle 16 in place of the "push and twist" mechanism described above. Rotation of the screw 33 in one direction displaces the roller 33 and rotation in the opposite direction allows the spring 21 to return the roller 3 to its undisplaced position. Figure 7 also illustrates how a compartment 34 may be provided within the base I to house elements of a support rod (not shown). That is, a cylindrical compartment 34 is provided along the length of the base 1 into which parts of a support rod may be stowed for transport.

Figure 8 is a schematic plan view showing how the base 1 of embodiments of the present invention may be modified so that three display devices can be used to present a comer display. Specifically, ends of adjacent bases are angled so that when the bases abut one another a 90() angle is provided between the two end devices so that the display effectively bends around the comer. This will not effect the displacement operation of the respective graphics.

With the embodiments of the invention described above the spring 21 is relied upon to provide a return force for the roller 3 to retract the graphic 4 into the base 1, and to reposition the roller 3 on its axis. It will be appreciated, however, that this is not an essential feature. Indeed, it is not essential that the roller is spring-loaded at all, for instance a simple winder could be provided for winding the graphic 4 around the roller 3 to retract it into the base I (although a springloaded roller is preferred for convenience).

As with the prior art, embodiments of the present invention may be designed so that the roller 3 can be quickly and easily replaced so that one graphic can be substituted for another.

It will be appreciated that the size of devices according to the present invention may vary. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are approximately 50 inches wide, since there are widely available high quality computer controlled colour printers which can print graphics on suitable flexible materials at this order of width.

9 It will be appreciated that whereas the advantage of the present invention is illustrated above in relation to an image displayed across three devices, the same advantages will be obtained if only two devices are used. In addition, more than three devices may be used. For instance, five devices could be arranged side by side, the graphics of the outermost devices being displaced inwards to a greater extent than the graphics of the intermediate devices so that there will be an overlap between all adjacent graphics. In this regard, embodiments such as that described in Figure 7 are advantageous since the degree of displacement of the roller 3 can be controlled by appropriate adjustment of the screw 33.

Whereas the present invention has particular advantages in relation to portable display devices in that it allows large images to be displayed using relatively small and portable devices, the invention could nevertheless be applied to devices which are intended to be fixed in position, thereby providing the facility to display relatively large images using relatively small individual graphics which might be easier and cheaper to produce. Similarly, whereas embodiments of the invention described above are floor standing devices, the invention can be applied to devices which are intended to be mounted at an elevated height above the ground, with the graphic 4 dropping below the roller rather than extending above it.

It should also be appreciated that whereas the invention is primarily aimed at the display of pre-printed images, this need not necessarily be the case. For instance, the graphics 4 could be replaced by blank sheets onto which an image is projected. In this regard, the invention provides for the convenient construction of a relatively large projection screen from smaller units without any discontinuity across the screen.

Other possible modifications will be readily apparent to the appropriately skilled person.

Claims

1. A display device comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis extending between first and second ends thereof, an elongate roller mounted for rotation about said axis between said first and second ends of the housing, a flexible display sheet mounted on said roller and which may be unrolled from a retracted position in which it is rolled around said roller into an extended position in which it extends from said housing, wherein means are provided for displacing said flexible display sheet in the direction of said longitudinal axis when said display sheet is in said display position such that it extends beyond said first end of the housing.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible display sheet has a bottom edge fixed to the roller and two opposing side edges defining the width of the sheet, wherein a portion of one of said side edges is recessed to allow the display sheet to be displaced relative to the housing such that said edge overhangs said housing.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said flexible display sheet is substantially rectangular, or square, having a first end edge fixed to said roller, a second end edge which is remote from said housing when in said display position, and said two opposing side edges defining the width of the sheet, wherein said recessed portion is provided in a corner of the sheet adjacent said first edge.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said displacing means displaces said roller relative to said housing.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the roller has a length extending along said longitudinal axis less than the distance between the first and second ends of the housing, and the flexible display sheet has a width between said side edges which is greater than the length of the roller, wherein a lower portion of one side edge is cut away to define a recess such that the lower edge of the flexible display sheet is no longer than the roller, the recess providing clearance whereby the roller and display sheet carried thereby may be displaced.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the rotation of said roller is sprung such that the roller tends to retract the flexible display sheet and wherein support means are provided for maintaining said display sheet in said display position against the action of said spring force.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said support means comprises a support rod which may be located between the housing and a top edge of the display sheet to maintain the display sheet in said display position.

8. A display device according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said roller is mounted on a spindle which extends along said longitudinal axis, and a coil spring is mounted about said spindle one end of which is fixed to the spindle and the other end of which is secured to the roller, whereby extension of the flexible display sheet into said display position tends to tighten the winding of the spring about said spindle, the natural tendency of the spring to unwind providing a return force to retract the flexible display sheet from said display position.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein said displacement means acts to push said roller along the length of said spindle against the action of the coil spring, tension in the spring tending to bias the roller towards said undisplaced position.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said housing includes means to facilitate two of said devices to be secured together side by side.

11. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein said flexible display sheet bears a graphic image or a portion of a graphic image.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said roller is releasably mounted in said housing to permit the replacement thereof to replace the flexible display sheet.

12

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said housing is adapted to be floor standing providing a base from which the flexible display sheet extends upwards when in said display position.

14. A display system comprising two or more devices according to any preceding claim, each of said devices positioned side by side with their longitudinal axis's aligned end to end, wherein at least one of the flexible display sheets is displaced so as to overlap the display sheet of a neighbouring device.

15. A display system according to claim 14, wherein each of said flexible display sheets bears a portion of a completed image to be displayed by the system, an edge portion of the image carried by at least one flexible display sheet being repeated in an edge portion of a neighbouring flexible display sheet, or the image carried by at least one flexible display sheet being offset from one of its edges, so that the image is continuous when the sheets are overlapped.

16. A display device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 4, 5 a, 5b, 6 and 7.

17. A display system substantially as herein before described, with reference to Figures 4, 5a, 5b, 6 and 7.