GB2430534A

GB2430534A - Self-erecting display

Info

Publication number: GB2430534A
Application number: GB0519210A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Marc Cox
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-09-21
Filing date: 2005-09-21
Publication date: 2007-03-28
Also published as: GB0519210D0

Abstract

A self-erecting display device (1) is disclosed, the device (1) comprises an elongate display panel (4) forming or displaying an image to be displayed and side panels (5, 6) integrally hinged to respective longitudinal edges (7, 8) of the back of the display panel. The side panels (5, 6) are provided with means (25) for receiving part of a resilient means () whereby at least one resilient means is applied between respective parts of the side panels (5, 6), so as to draw parts of the side panels towards each other when the display structure (1) is erected. At least one spacer bar (26) is mounted by means of the resilient means and adapted to lie against the elongate display panel (4) when the structure is un-erected and to be spaced away from the back of the display, supported by the resilient means and abutting the side panels (5, 6), when the device is erected. The device (1) is therefore automatically erecting. Preferably the resilient means is an elastic band.

Description

Display Apparatus This invention relates to display apparatus. In

particular, it relates to a self-erectable display apparatus in the form of a planar structure which can display a desired image and which is selferectable but which is also foldable so as to be conveniently transported and stored when not in use, in particular in an envelope.

Such structures are typically used for advertising signs and may be of any size such as small desktop mounted apparatus or life size or greater scale images of personalities or products. While such signs may simply be formed as a large unfoldable large sized sheet having means for enabling it to stand upright unsupported, most preferably such devices are foldable so that they can more easily transported and stored when not in use.

Alternatively, attempts have been made in the past to provide assemblies which include a display sheet and separate support structure as a single foldable assembly which can be transported and stored in the folded state and then erected when necessary. These can include a display panel supported by a collapsible frame secured to the reverse side of the display panel, the frame and panel being foldable. Examples of such assemblies are shown in US 3,727,874, US 3,508,734 and US 6,508,023.

Such systems typically include a front display panel and rear support assembly comprising a frame having an elongate back panel secured to the back of the display panel and a pair of side panels integrally hinged to the respective longitudinal edges of the back panel, which side panels can be folded away from the display panel so that their bottom edges support the device. Transverse fold lines formed in the support frame and a display panel can divide the structure into a plurality of foldable sections. Resilient means such as elastic bands may be used to hold the side panels together in the supporting position and spacer bars may be applied between the side panels to prevent over-revolution of the side panels and to therefore ensure maximum support.

US 6,508,023 shows such a system in which resilient bands extend between the side panel and pass through spacer bars such that when the apparatus is allowed to unfold, the resilient bands automatically pull the side panel so as to extend away from the display panel and the spacer bars are clamped between the side panels. The spacer bars, however, are mounted by means of the resilient bands and mounting holes in the bars such that the bars lie in a generally horizontal disposition, with their main faces horizontal when erected.

When such an apparatus is desired to be folded up, it may be necessary to manually rotate each spacer bar by about 90 so that it lies flat against the longitudinal panel of the support and also, since the spacer bar has to rotate, there may be times when this can catch or snag thus reducing the speed and efficiency by which the display means can be erected.

The present invention arose in an attempt to provide an improved selferecting display device.

According to the present invention there is provided a self-erecting display device, comprising an elongate display panel forming or displaying an image to be displayed and side panels integrally hinged to the respective longitudinal edges of the back panel, the side panels provided with means for receiving part of a resilient means whereby at least one resilient means is applied between respective parts of the side panels so as to draw parts of the side panels towards each other when the display structure is erected, and at least one spacer bar mounted by means of the resilient means and adapted to lie against the elongate display panel when the structure is un-erected and to be spaced away from the back display, supported by the resilient means and abutting the side panels, when the device is erected.

Preferably, a plurality of resilient means and spacer elements are provided.

Preferably, each spacer element is a rigid bar.

Preferably, each spacer bar lies generally parallel to the elongate display panel in the erected mode as well as the non-erect mode.

Preferably, each side panel includes two or more parts longitudinally hinged together about fold lines. The part distal from the display panel may bear the means for receiving the resilient means.

The side panels, or at least the lowermost side panels, may be provided with a further extension capable of providing a stand or rest when the device is erected and sat upon a surface.

The extensions may extend from the side panels on each side of the display and have an interlock.

The display panel preferably includes one or more transverse fold lines enabling the device to be folded and transported in a flattened position.

In a further aspect, the present invention comprises a display structure comprising any one or more of the novel features disclosed herein.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a rear view of a display device when erected; Figure 2 shows a plan (end) view of the device when erected; Figure 3 shows an end view of the device when folded; and Figures 4(a) and 4(b) show side views of a spacer element.

Referring to the drawings, a display device 1 comprises an elongate display panel 4 and two side panels 5 and 6. These form part of an integral sheet with the back panel but are in effect hingedly attached at fold line 7 and 8. Each side panel 5, 6 comprises a first longitudinal panel 9, 10 directly attached to hinges 7 and 8 and then a second panel 11, 12 extending transversely from the side of respective panels 9 and 10, again forming part of an integral whole but hingedly attached at fold lines 13, 14, respectively. Panels 5 and 6 are, in the embodiment described, rectangular and extend down the whole length of the device.

Panels 11 and 12 are formed as a series of generally trapezoidal shaped parts 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 spaced down the long edges of panels 5 and 6 as well trapezoidal transverse side edges of the panels. Lowermost panels 17, 20 also have, connected to their sides, further extensions 21, 22 which may have an angled or curved top surface 23, 24 as shown and may other shaped top surfaces. These extensions can extend, when erect, generally away from the display panel 4 so as to act as a stand or rest to better support the structure when it is erect.

Stand parts 21 and 22 are preferably provided with any convenient interlock structure so that when the structure is erect they can interlock, for further strength and integrity. This interlock structure may comprise a generally longitudinal arranged slot 23 in tab 21 and a lug 24 formed integrally with tab 22 which lug 24 extends through slot 23.

Although six set of panels 15 to 20 are shown, in practice there may be only two of these, one on each side, or any other number of them. There could be a different number of panels on each side.

Each of the transverse panels 15 to 20 include a slot 25 which is preferably generally longitudinal. In the preferred arrangement shown in Figure 1, each of these slots are generally crescent shaped although they may be of any other shape. Preferably, they are generally arcuate, Ushaped or V-shaped but they may not necessary be so. They are shaped in any suitable manner so that a resilient means, for example an elastic band, can be mounted between respective pairs of slots such as pair 25a and 25b. Elastic bands E are shown in the figures. Other types of resilient means may be used. Figure 1 shows how respect parts of the band are held in place at their respective ends of slots 25. Thus, it will be appreciated that the slots 25 may be generally U-shaped, V-shaped or otherwise shaped so that they basically define a projection which retains an endless band such as an elastic band. In other embodiments, however, the slots may simply be holes and a single resilient band may be mounted between the holes and perhaps include knots or other means to hold it in place. Any other means of resiliently drawing the ends of panels 15 and 18, 16 and 19 and 17 and 20 together may be used.

In yet further embodiments, resilient strips or members may simply be attached at their ends to the side panels, eg by adhesive or pins.

The support also includes a plurality of spacer elements 26 in the form of generally rectangular planar sheets, each bearing means for receiving an elastic band so that it passes through from one side of the sheet to another, as shown by H-shaped slot 27. Other slot means and shapes may be used, as will be appreciated. As with the display panel, the spacer arrangements may be of any suitable rigid material, such as cardboard and it may be the same type of material as display panel 4 or a different one.

The spacers may be formed by folded card, to make the spacer more rigid and so that the spacer bears against the side panels, each in two positions or lines of contact forcing a perfectly perpendicular angle between the front panel and the side panel.

This is shown more clearly in Figures 4(a) and (4b). Each spacer may have a transverse fold 26a and a top part 41 which is folded downwardly about this fold line, relative to a lower part 40. When the structure is erect, this upper part 41 rests against the inside edges of side panels 5, 6. This forms line contacts with these side panels, ensuring pushed so that its free end approaches lower panel 40, as shown in Figure 4(b). The natural resilience of the card or other material tends to cause part 41 to bend upwards when allowed.

In use, the resilient means, eg elastic bands, are connected between each respective pair of apertures such as 25a and 25b and also fed through a respective set of apertures H in a respective spacer element 13. Thus, in Figure 1, the elastic band B extends from slots 25a through aperture H across the back of the spacer element 26a out to the front of the spacer element against and is held at slot 25b. The arrangement is preferably, as shown Figure 1 or otherwise, so that the bands and therefore the spacer elements lie parallel to the display panel 4.

The display panel 4 is provided with transverse fold lines Fl and F2 (or any other number of transverse fold lines) which enable the structure to be folded. When the structure is erect, the elastic bands E tend to pull the side panels 5 and 6 toward one another until the proximal panel parts 9 and 10 abut the edges 30, 31 of the spacer bars. If the spacer bars are of the same width as the display parts D (Figure 2) of the panel then panels 9 and 10 will lie, in this disposition, generally perpendicular to display part D. In this position, the transverse panels 15 to 20 lie generally parallel to display part D and lie adjacent the spacer bar, but spaced from display panel D, as is shown most clearly in Figure 2.

Although the lowermost edges of the side panel and stand extension may be perpendicular to the plane of the display panel, it is preferred that they make an acute angle therewith so that when the device is erected and stood upon a surface, the displaying panel leans back slightly. This aids stability and aids presentation of an image borne by the display panel. Alternatively, the bottom edges may make a 900 angle with the hinge lines 7 and8.

If the side panels are folded so that they lie adjacent to a display panel 2, then the elastic bands will push upon the spacer bars until they also lie flat, adjacent to the display panel D, as shown in Figure 3. Once in this position, the entire apparatus can be folded about transverse fold lines Fl, F2 to fold the structure into a relatively compact unit. It can then be placed into an envelope or other suitable apparatus for storage and transportation, if desired. Upon release of the structure from this folded arrangement, it automatically erects into the erected position of Figure 1 by virtue of the resilient band tending to pull the side panels together until they abut the spacer element.

Thus, the spacer elements with this arrangement are maintained at a disposition parallel to the back panel 3 when both folded and erect and do not need to rotate or be manually moved between positions. Further, since longitudinal contact is made between whole edge 30, 31 of the spacer with each of the side panels, a rigid support is obtained which resists torsional or tilting movement of the entire displaced structure. With prior art systems in which spacer bars are mounted in a generally horizontal manner with their main faces lying horizontal, in effect box sections are provided which can tilt since the contact in the longitudinal sense between the spacer bars and the side panels is only a point contact whereas in the present invention it is a line contact.

A separate display panel may in some embodiments be affixed to the device, eg to the face of panel 4. The device then becomes a support structure for the display panel, or two or more faces might then bear images to be displayed. The separate display panel would then preferably be foldable in line with the transverse fold lines of the device.

Claims

Claims 1. A self-erecting display device, comprising an elongate display

panel forming or displaying an image to be displayed and side panels integrally hinged to the respective longitudinal edges of the back panel, the side panels provided with means for receiving part of a resilient means whereby at least one resilient means is applied between respective parts of the side panels so as to draw parts of the side panels towards each other when the display structure is erected, and at least one spacer bar mounted by means of the resilient means and adapted to lie against the elongate display panel when the structure is un-erected and to be spaced away from the back display, supported by the resilient means and abutting the side panels, when the device is erected.
2. A display device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein a plurality of resilient means and spacer elements are provided.
3. A display device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein each spacer element is a rigid sheet.
4. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each spacer bar lies generally parallel to the elongate display panel in the erected mode as well as the non-erect mode.
5. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each spacer element - 11 - includes a part for forming a line contact with the inside edges of the side panels to maintain these generally perpendicular to the display panel when the structure is erected.
6. A display device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein each spacer element includes two parts separated by a transverse fold line.
7. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each side panel includes two or more parts longitudinally hinged together about fold lines.
8. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the side panels includes a part which, in the erect position, lie generally parallel to but spaced from the display panel.
9. A display device as claimed in any preceding claim, including a portion forming a stand.
10. A display panel as claimed in any preceding claim, including one or more transverse fold lines enabling the device to be folded and transported in a flattened position.
11. A display panel substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.