GB2397933A

GB2397933A - Display apparatus for step risers

Info

Publication number: GB2397933A
Application number: GB0302389A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Smeaton Ellis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-01
Filing date: 2003-02-01
Publication date: 2004-08-04
Also published as: GB0302389D0

Abstract

Display apparatus for step risers comprises an elongate, generally flat, transparent display tube 1, into which a strip of material carrying the image to be displayed is inserted. There is also a pair of clamps 2 and 3 at opposite ends of the tube which enables the whole to be secured to a stair riser so as to clamp the display against it. There is also disclosed display apparatus consisting of a plurality of strips, each display panel to be attached to an individual step riser.

Description

Improvements in or relating to display apparatus.

This invention relates to display apparatus and more particularly it relates to step riser display apparatus.

Known step riser displays comprise self-adhesive image strips applied to the step risers of a flight of steps so that when an observer is suitably positioned in relation to the steps, an image or images imprinted on the strips, comprising advertising material for example, is viewable.

It is an object of this invention to provide step riser display apparatus wherein a displayed image may be changed simply and easily.

According to one aspect of the invention, display apparatus for a step riser comprises an elongate, generally flat, transparent display tube, into which in use, a strip of material carrying an image to be displayed is inserted, and a pair of clamps, which clamps are arranged to embrace opposite ends of the display tube and to be secured to a step riser so as to clamp the display tube contiguously against it.

The clamps may be saddle clamps which embrace opposite ends of the display tube, so that the display tube is held flat against a step riser to which it is secured by the clamps, which clamps serve also to close the display tube at each end thereof.

At least one clamp of the pair may be a locking clamp adapted lockingly to engage the display tube so as to prevent its accidental or unauthorised removal.

The locking clamp may comprise an integrally formed locking nib which is positioned and arranged to engage a complementary aperture in one end of the display tube.

The locking nib may be formed as an integral part of a spring tab which is arranged to be deflectable so as to facilitate engagement or disengagement of the nib in the display tube, and the display tube may be made of flexible extruded plastics material to facilitate flexure for removal from the clamps after the nib has been disengaged.

The locking clamp may be formed with an access hole positioned and arranged to provide access for a tool to facilitate deflection of the nib.

Each clamp of the pair may be provided with holes for fixing screws by means of which it is secured to a step riser.

The holes may be recessed so that the fixing screws do not project above the upper surface of the clamp in which they are formed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, step riser display apparatus for displaying a plurality of strips, which in combination form an image to be displayed, comprises a plurality of similar, elongate, generally flat, transparent display tubes, for strips of material carrying the image to be displayed, into which display tubes the strips to be displayed are inserted, each display tube being formed to be contiguously secured against a step riser by means of a pair of clamps, which embrace opposite ends of the display tube and which are adapted to be secured to a step riser.

The overall image displayed may comprise a repeated advertising graphic which is applied to successive step risers, or successive groups of step risers so that a display can be viewed as the steps are approached or mounted. This kind of display may find application in the subway/underground or in a stadium for example.

Alternatively the overall image may be a much larger display comprising several strips which in combination define the display which may be the image of a product such as a mobile phone or a bottled drink for example, and in this case the overall image may be designed to be viewed from a distance.

Display apparatus according to this invention may find application in sports stadiums for example wherein advertising material might be applied to the step risers of steps in a stand on one side of a stadium, so as to be viewable by spectators on the other side of the stadium.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1, is a perspective view of display apparatus for a step riser, Figure 2, is a sectional perspective view of one end of the display apparatus shown in Figure 1, on a line A--A, Figure 3, is a perspective view of the other end of the display apparatus shown in Figure 1, as seen from beneath and, Figure 4, is a perspective view of a step riser display applied to steps in a stadium stand.

Referring now to the drawings wherein corresponding parts of the Figures 1 to 4 bear the same numerical designations, display apparatus for a step riser comprises, an elongate, generally flat, transparent extruded plastics display tube 1, within which a display strip of material carrying an image to be displayed (shown only in Figure 4) is enclosed. In use, the display tube 1, which is of 'D' cross- section, is clamped to a vertical face step riser face by means of a pair of saddle clamps 2, and 3, provided one at each end of the display tube 1, so that its flat side is against the step riser. The saddle clamps 2, and 3, are made from hard plastics material moulded so that their internal cross-section corresponds to the cross-section of the display tube whereby they closely embrace end portions 4, and 5, of display tube 1, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 respectively. Thus the end portions 4, and S. of the display tube 1, are closed against the ingress of dust, which may be detrimental to a display strip, which in use is inserted into the display tube 1. Although not shown in the drawings, it is contemplated that when the display apparatus is installed at a location that is particularly exposed to the weather, openings in the ends of the display tube 1 such as opening 6, in the end S. as shown in Figure 3, may additionally be plugged against the ingress of moisture.

In order to provide for fixing of the clamps 2, and 3, to a step riser, recessed screw fixing holes 7, are formed in the clamps 2, and 3.

The display tube 1, is preferably fabricated from plastics material which allows some degree of flexure, whereby having once been secured by the saddle clamps 2 and 3, to a step riser, it may be flexed for removal, so that a display strip contained therein may be changed without the necessity of removing the saddle clamps 2, 3, from the step riser. In order to prevent accidental or unauthorized removal of the display tube, the saddle clamp 2, is provided with an integrally formed spring tab 8, on the underside of which a projecting locking nib 9, is formed as shown in Figure 2, which is arranged to engage a complementary circular aperture 10, in the end 5, of the display tube 1. The locking nib 9 comprises a small generally cylindrical projection, moulded integrally with the spring tab 8, which is arranged to be a push fit in the complementary circular aperture 10, of the display tube 1, so that the tube 1 is effectively locked into position between the s clamps. To facilitate engagement of the nib 9, in the aperture 10, leading edge 11, of the nib 9, is bevelled.

The hard plastics material from which the clamps 2, and 3, are moulded is chosen so as to afford strength and springiness as required for the spring tab 8, which is integrally formed with the clamp 2.

In order to facilitate deflection of the spring tab 8, and thus the locking nib 9, so as to permit removal of the display tube 1, an access aperture 12, is provided in an end wall 10, of the saddle clamp 2, through which aperture 12, a tool such as a screw driver may be inserted to deflect the locking nib 9, until it is clear of the circular aperture 10, in the display tube 1, at which point the display tube can be withdrawn from the saddle clamp 2.

Conversely, when the display tube 1 is replaced in position after a display strip has been changed, the locking nib 9, must be deflected as necessary to permit the display tube 1, to be slid fully home into the saddle clamp 2, until the locking nib 9, on the spring tab 8, engages the circular aperture 10, in the end 5, of the display tube 1.

Turning now to Figure 4, a flight of stadium stand steps 13, is shown, to which display apparatus as herein described is fitted so that step risers 14, of the steps 13, display in combination a complete image, in this case of a bottled drink, to serve as an advertising display.

The advertising display comprises a plurality of individual image strips, displayed on the step risers 14, using display apparatus as herein described whereby the display may be quite easily changed from time to time as and when required.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. Display apparatus for a step riser comprising an elongate, generally flat, transparent display tube, into which in use, a strip of material carrying an image to be displayed is inserted, and a pair of clamps, which clamps are arranged to embrace opposite ends of the display tube and to be secured to a step riser so as to clamp the display tube contiguously against it.

2. Display apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the clamps are saddle clamps which in use embrace opposite ends of the display tube, so that the display tube is held flat against a step riser to which it is secured by the clamps, which clamps serve also to close the display tube at each end thereof.

3. Display apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, wherein at least one clamp of the pair is a locking clamp adapted lockingly to engage the display tube so as to prevent its accidental or unauthorized removal.

4. Display apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the locking clamp comprises an integrally formed locking nib, which is positioned and arranged to engage a complementary aperture in one end of the display tube.

5. Display apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the locking nib is formed as an integral part of a spring tab which is arranged to be deflectable so as to facilitate engagement or disengagement of the nib in the display tube, and wherein the display tube is made of flexible extruded plastics material to facilitate flexure for its removal from the clamps after the nib has been disengaged.

6. Display apparatus as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the locking clamp is formed with an access hole positioned and arranged to provide access for a tool to facilitate deflection of the spring tab and the nib.

7. Display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each clamp of the pair is provided with holes for fixing screws by means of which it is secured to a step riser.

8. Display apparatus as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the holes are recessed so that the fixing screws do not project above the upper surface of the clamp in which they are formed.

9. Step riser display apparatus for displaying a plurality of strips, which in combination form an image to be displayed, comprising a plurality of similar, elongate, generally flat, transparent display tubes, for strips of material carrying the image to be displayed, into which display tubes the strips to be displayed are inserted, each display tube being formed to be contiguously secured against a step riser by means of a pair of clamps, which embrace opposite ends of the display tube and which are adapted to be secured to a step riser.

10. Step riser display apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the clamps are saddle clamps which embrace opposite ends of a display tube with which they are associated, so that the display tube is held flat against a step riser to which it is secured by the clamps, which saddle clamps serve also to close the display tube at each end thereof.

11. Step riser display apparatus as claimed in Claim 10, wherein at least one clamp of each pair is a locking clamp adapted lockingly to engage the display tube so as to prevent its accidental or unauthorized removal.

1 2. Step riser display apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the locking clamp comprises an integrally formed locking nib, which is positioned and arranged to engage a complementary aperture in one end of the display tube.

13. Step riser display apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the locking nib is formed as an integral part of a spring tab which is arranged to be deflectable so as to facilitate engagement or disengagement of the nib in the display tube, and wherein the display tube is made of extruded flexible plastics material to facilitate its flexure for removal from the clamps after the nib has been disengaged.

14. Step riser display apparatus as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the locking clamp is formed with an access hole positioned and arranged to provide access for a tool to facilitate deflection of the spring tab and thus the nib.

1 5. Step riser display apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 9, to 14, wherein the clamps of each pair are provided with holes for fixing screws by means of which they are secured to a step riser.

16. Step riser display apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the holes are recessed so that the fixing screws do not project above the upper surface of the clamp in which they are formed.

17. Display apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, or step riser display apparatus as claimed in Claim 9, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.