GB2405739A

GB2405739A - Modular display apparatus.

Info

Publication number: GB2405739A
Application number: GB0316770A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terry Hunt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-07-17
Filing date: 2003-07-17
Publication date: 2005-03-09
Also published as: GB0316770D0

Abstract

A display apparatus comprises a frame adapted to support a plurality of display members 16, the display members defining a substantially vertical display face. The frame comprises a plurality of struts 12 connected by crosspieces 14, the crosspieces being releasably connected to the struts by resilient connecting means (Fig. 7, Fig. 11).

Description

r709s84Gn Display Apparatus I'he present invention relates to display

apparatus and in particular to display apparatus utilised to provide a backdrop for an exhibition or conference stall or space. More particularly the present application relates to improvements to the display apparatus disclosed in co-pending UK patent Application Number GB0219627.7 It is known to provide free-standing display assemblies which may be positioned to the rear of an exhibition stall or space. The display assembly is typically takes the form of wall decorated with the graphics, such as corporate logos, product photographs and the like, which relate to the business area of a company or individual. More sophisticated backdrops may include lighting arrays and screens adapted to present moving images loom a projector. One problem with existing display assemblies is their lack of adaptability as they are designed, when assembled, to fit into a predefined space envelope. The space typically allocated to exhibitors can however vary between exhibition spaces, with the result that the a given display assembly may be either too large or too small. To this end a company or individual may be required to have two or more display assemblies to cover every eventuality. As one might expect this greatly adds to the expense of acquiring and maintaining such equipment.

A further drawback of existing systems is the space envelope they occupy when fully erected. The display side of typical systems is inclined to the vertical and hence such systems tend to encroach upon the allotted exhibition space, reducing the available space for, for example, product display and sales/meeting l'acilities.

According to a first aspect ol'the present invention there is provided a display apparatus comprising a frame adapted to support a plurality of display members, wherein, in use, the display members define a substantially vertical display face, the l'rame comprising a plurality of struts connected by crosspieces, the crosspieces being rcleasably connected to the struts by resilient connecting means. l

The connecting means may comprise a projection of one of a strut and crosspiece receivable in a recess of the other of a strut and crosspiece, the connecting means further comprising a resilient member adapted to, in use, latch the projection to the recess. In a preferred embodiment the strut is provided with a projection which is receivable in a recess of a crosspiece. The projection may be configured so as to retain the resilient member. The resilient member may be configured so as to include a latching member operable, in use, to latch the projection to the recess in the manner described above. The latching member may be formed integrally with the resilient member. More than one latching member may be provided. The cross-piece may be provided with a formation adapted to receive the latching member, in use.

in a preferred embodiment the projection may have a substantially forklike configuration having the resilient member retained therebetween. Latching members of the resilient member may extend through respective holes of the fork.

The struts comprise a base member having an extension member arranged telescopically therewith. In a preferred embodiment the extension member is housed within the base member. The base member includes latch means adapted to, in use, secure the extension member at a predetermined extended position. The base and extension members may be manufactured from any suitable material including, for example, aluminium alloy, mild steel or plastics material.

The connecting means may be fixed to the struts. Alternatively the connecting means may be repositionable on the struts. It will be appreciated that a strut may be provided with a combination of fixed and repositionable connecting means. In an embodiment where the connecting means are movable, the connecting means may be provided upon a movable sleeve. The sleeve may be fixable at a desired position of on a strut by the provision of interengageable formations of both the strut and sleeve. In one embodiment the strut may be provided with a plurality of spaced formations which are interengageable by a formation of the sleeve. The strut formations may comprise recesses or apertures adapted to receive a complementary projection of the sleeve. The sleeve projection may be spring biased.

The display members may be substantially planar and may preferably be square or rectangular. In a preferred embodiment the display members are manufactured from a foamed plastics material. It will be appreciated that the display members may be manufactured from other suitable materials such as, for example, paper, card, or cardboard. The display members may alternatively each comprise a frame having a thin sheet or panel of material attached thereto. -The display members, in use, overlie the lrame rather than being fitted inside individual cells defined by the frame, with respective edges of adjacent display members meeting over members of the frame. It will thus be appreciated that the display members form a display face which is uninterrupted by the members of the frame. The display members, when attached, may serve to rigidity the frame and render the apparatus as a whole dimensionally stable.

The base member includes a support leg. In a preferred embodiment the support leg is pivotably connected to an upper portion of the base member, and as such may be folded against the base member when not in use. In such an embodiment a brace member is provided between the base member and the support leg, which brace member serves, in use, to maintain the support leg at a predetermined inclination to the base member. The support member includes a ground engaging foot. Preferably said foot is elongate and adapted to receive a weighted object.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit comprising sufficecnt elements to enable the construction of a display apparatus according to the first aspect.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a display apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the apparatus of figure 1; Figure 3 shows a schematic side view of an extendible strut and cross pieces according lo the present invention; Figure 4 shows a side view of an upper portion of the base of the strut of figure 3; Figure 5 shows a side view of a lower portion of the base of the strut of figure 3; Figure 6 shows rear view of an alternative embodiment of a display apparatus l according to the present invention; Figure 7 shows a side view of movable coupling member according to the present invention; Figure 8 shows side view of a fixed coupling member according to the present invention; Figures 9 and 10 show side views of an alternative movable coupling member according to the present invention; Figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of spring catch for a movable coupling member; and Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a spring catch.

Referring firstly to f gures 1 to 5 there is shown a display apparatus generally designated 10. The apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of struts 12, crosspieces 14 and display boards 16. In the embodiment shown in figures I and 2 the apparatus 10 2() comprises four struts 12, twelve crosspieces 14 and nine display boards 16 in a three by three array.

The struts 12 each comprise a base member 18 and an extension member 20 arranged telescopically therewith. In the embodiment shown the members 18, 20 are manufactured from box section material with the extension member 20 having outside cross-sectional dimensions less than the inner crosssectional dimensions of the base member 18. A captive nut 22 aligned with a hole is provided on the base member 18.

A lock bolt (not shown) may be introduced into the captive nut 22 so as to retain the extension member 20 at a chosen position within the base member 18.

Each base member 18 is further provided with a support leg 24 which is pivotably connected to the base member 18. The support leg 24 is connected via a pin 26 to a bracket 28 of the base member l 8. As with the base and extension members 18, 20 the support leg 24 is manufactured from a hollow box section of material. The support leg 24 is provided with a ground engaging foot 26 in the form of a rearwardly extending flange. In use, weighted objects such as, for example 12.5 kg stage weights are placed on the flange to maintain the strut 12 in an upright position. Advantageously such weights include a recess on the surface thereof, which recess can received the foot 26, in use. A brace member 30 is provided between the base member 18 and support leg 24 so as to, in use, locate the support leg 24 at a predetermined angle relative to the base member l 8.

The base and extension members 18, 20 are provided at set intervals along their length with pairs of opposed lateral extensions 32. The extensions 32 provide location points for box section crosspieces 14 which serve to join the struts 12 to one another to form a frame. The dimensions of the extensions 32 and the box section of cross pieces 14 is l 5 such that they can be slid together easily. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the crosspieces may be of an "L" shaped cross-section and provided with flanges adapted to interface with the extensions. A captive nut is provided at the upper end of the extension member 20 so as to enable a further extension member, if required, to be secured to the initial extension member 20.

l'he display panels 16 are formed from a lightweight material, for example a foamed plastics material marketed under the trade name FOAMEX. The panels 16 are mountable to the frame comprising the struts 12 and crosspieces 14 by the provision of releasable hook and loop fastening means provided on the cross pieces 14 rear surfaces of the panels 16. The panels l 6 may be decorated in any appropriate manner, or may be undecorated so as to act, in use, as a projection screen.

The struts 14 and crosspieces may be manufactured from any suitable material such as, for example, steel, extruded aluminium alloy, pultruded glass fibre composite material or a plastics material.

Assembly of the apparatus 10 is as follows. Firstly the extension members 20 of the struts 12 are extended to a desired position in their respective base members 18 and then locked in place by the captive nut 22 and lock bolt. The crosspieces 14 are then fitted between the struts 12 to define a frame. Typically the fitting of the of the crosspieces 14 to the struts 12 takes place with the struts 12 lying on the ground. With the frame assembled the display panels 16 can then be attached thereto. It will be appreciated that the attachment of the display panels 16 rigidify the frame and render the apparatus as a whole dimensionally stable although the frame may be manufactured such that additional rigidity is not required. Once the display panels 16 are attached the frame can be moved to an upright position and the strut support legs 24 pivoted to their required positions and secured in place by the brace members 30. Finally, weighted objects are placed on the feet 26 of the support legs 24 to steady the apparatus 10.

It will be appreciated that the present invention provides a modular system which enables displays of various configurations to be constructed. Depending upon the number of crosspieces 14, struts 12 and display panels 16 available, it is possible to construct a display having multiples of three vertically disposed display panels. The display panels, in the embodiment shown, are square, typically having sides with a length of approximately 1.22 metres (48 inches).

Referring now to figures 6 to 12 there is shown an alternative embodiment of a display apparatus, generally designated 36. Components and features common to the previous embodiment are identified with like reference numerals. The apparatus 36 again comprises a plurality of struts 12, crosspieces 14 and display boards 16. In addition to the substantially square boards 16 there are also provided rectangular boards 38. In order to accommodate these rectangular boards the apparatus 36 includes extended cross pieces 40. The extended crosspieces 40 and rectangular boards 38 may be arranged in the apparatus 10 so as to define an aperture for a projection screen 42.

The screen 42, in the embodiment shown, is positioned centrally within the apparatus 10, however it will be understood that the screen 42 may be positioned elsewhere in the apparatus 10 due to the interchangeable modular nature of the struts 12, crosspieces 14, and boards 16, 38. The screen 42 comprises an opaque flexible sheet rather than a rigid board. Such sheets are known in the art of back projection. The screen is attachable to the struts 12 and crosspieces 40 defining the screen aperture by any suitable means such as, for example, hook and look fastening means.

Referring now to figure 7 there is shown a repositionable coupling member, generally designated 34, operable in use to link the crosspieces 14 to the struts 12. The coupling member 34 comprises a sleeve 44 configured so as to be a sliding fit with an extension member 20 of a strut 12. In the embodiment shown both the extension member 20 and sleeve 44 have a substantially square cross-section, however it will be appreciated that other complementary shapes may be utilised. Extending from opposed sides of the sleeve 44 are a pair of forks 46 each having a spring clip 48 retained therein. The spring clip 48 is substantially "V" shaped having two joined arms 50. At the distal end of each arm 50 the spring clip is formed with a projection 52 which, in use is received in, and projects through, a corresponding aperture 54 of the fork 46. The resilient nature of the spring clip 48 ensures that the projections 52 are urged into their respective apertures 54, thereby retaining the clips 48 to the forks 46.

Tile forks 46, minus the spring clips 48 are dimensioned so as to be a sliding fit with the interior of the crosspieces 14. The crosspieces are additionally provided with through apertures 56 adapted, in use, to receive the portions of the spring clip projections 52 which extend through the pork apertures 54. The action of fitting a crosspiece to a fork 46 depresses the projections 52 until alignment with the apertures 56 is achieved. '[he projections 52 are then urged into the apertures 56 to secure the crosspiece 14 to the coupling member 34. The presence of the projections 52 in the crosspiece apertures 56 provides a visual indication that the crosspiece 14 has been correctly fitted to the coupling member 34, while the click of the projections 52 entering the apertures 56 provides an aural indication. To disengage a crosspiece 14 *om a coupling member 34 the projections 52 are first depressed, for example by the thumb and fore finger of a user, before the crosspiccc 14 is withdrawn from the fork 46.

As disclosed above, the coupling member 34 is repositonable on the extension member 20. This is achieved by the provision of a number of location apertures 58 on the extension member 20 and an appropriately configured complementary engagement member of the coupling member 34. The configuration of the engagement member will be discussed in greater detail below.

Figure 9 shows a movable coupling member, generally designated 60, similar to that described with reference to figure 7. Components and features common to that of the member 34 of figure 7 are identified with corresponding reference numerals. The coupling member 60 differs from that shown in figure 7 in that it is provided with a single fork and spring clip arrangement 46, 48.

Figure 8 shows a fixed coupler arrangement, generally designated 62, comprising a fork 46 and captivated spring clip 48. The fixed coupler 62 is, in the embodiment shown, provided on the base member 18 of the struts 12. The fork and spring clip 46,48 of the fixed coupler 62 co-operate with the crosspieces 14 in the manner described above.

As described above, the movable coupling members 34, 60 may be retained at a desired position on a strut 12 by the interaction of an engagement member and complementary location holes 58. l'igure 10 shows a first embodiment of such a system where the engagement member comprises a wingbolt 64. The wingbolt 64 is retained in a threaded aperture 66 of the sleeve 44 and is rotatable therein so as to be selectively movable into or out of a location hole 58. As an alternative to a threaded aperture, the sleeve 44 may be provided with a captive nut positioned over an unthreaded aperture of the sleeve 44.

Figures 11 and 12 show alternative embodiments having a spring biased peg 68 mounted on the sleeve 44. In the embodiment of figure 11 the peg 68 projects through a spring housing 70 which is attached to the sleeve by threaded fasteners 72. A compression spring 74 is provided between the housing 70 and a flange 76 of the peg 68 to provide the necessary spring force to urge the peg 68 through the respective apertures 58,78 of the extension member and sleeve 20,44. In the embodiment of figure 12 the peg 68 is mounted in an annular barrel 80, which in turn is fitted to a housing 82 connected to the sleeve 44. A compression spring (not shown) is provided between the peg 68 and barrel 80.

In the above described embodiments the crosspieces 14 arc substantially straight. It will be understood that curved cross pieces may be provided so as to enable the construction of a curved display apparatus.

A further advantage of the present invention is the reduced space envelope it occupies, l O when assembled, compared to various prior art systems.

Claims

Claims 1. A display apparatus comprising a frame adapted to support a

plurality of display members, wherein, in use, the display members define a substantially vertical display face, the frame comprising a plurality of struts connected by crosspieces, the crosspieces being releasably connected to the struts by resilient connecting means.
2. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting means each comprise a projection of one of a strut and crosspiece receivable in a recess of the other of a strut and crosspiece, the connecting means further comprising a resilient member adapted to, in use, latch the projection to the recess.
3. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strut is provided with a projection which is receivable in a recess of a crosspiece.
4. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the projection is configured so as to retain the resilient member.
5. A display apparatus as claimed in claims 2 to 4, wherein the resilient member is configured so as to include a latching member operable, in use, to latch the projection to the recess.
6. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the latching member is formed integrally with the resilient member.
7. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the resilient member is provided with more than one latching member.
8. A display apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the projection has a substantially fork-like configuration having the resilient member retained therebetween.

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9. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the latching members of the resilient member extend through respective holes of the fork.
10. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each strut comprises a base member having an extension member arranged telescopically therewith.
11. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the extension member is housed within the base member.
12. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the base member includes latch means adapted to, in use, secure the extension member at a predetermined extended position.
13. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the connecting means may be repositionable on the struts.
14. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the connecting means are provided upon a movable sleeve.
15. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the sleeve is fixable at a desired position on a strut by the provision of interengageable formations of both the strut and sleeve.
16. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the strut is provided with a plurality of spaced formations which are interengageable by a formation of the sleeve.
17. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the strut formations comprise recesses adapted to receive a complementary projection of the sleeve.
18. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the sleeve projection is spring biased.

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19. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each display member is substantially planar.
20. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the display members are manufactured from a foamed plastics material.
21. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein each display member comprises a frame having a thin sheet or panel of material attached thereto.
22. A display apparatus as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21, wherein the display members, in use, overlie the frame.
23. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base member includes a support leg.
24. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the support leg is pivotably connected to an upper portion of the base member, and is foldable against the base member when not in use.
25. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein a brace member is provided between the base member and the support leg, which brace member serves, in use, to maintain the support leg at a predetermined inclination to the base member.
26. A display apparatus as claimed in any of claims 23 to 25, wherein the support member includes a ground engaging foot. .;