GB2452949A

GB2452949A - A display arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2452949A
Application number: GB0718353A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Gillot
Original assignee: IMAGING BUSINESS BEACONSFIELD
Current assignee: IMAGING BUSINESS BEACONSFIELD
Priority date: 2007-09-20
Filing date: 2007-09-20
Publication date: 2009-03-25
Also published as: GB0718353D0

Abstract

A display arrangement, comprising a support element having a support face, a plurality of attachment sites having respective first attachment arrangements being provided on the support face; and a plurality of display panels, each having opposing major surfaces, one of which is a substantially planar display surface and the other of which is an attachment surface having a second attachment arrangement adapted to cooperate with any one of the first attachment arrangements, so that the display panel may be removably attached to the support element at any one of the attachment sites such that neither the first nor the second attachment arrangements are visible when the display panel is viewed straight on.

Description

Title: A Display Arrangement

Description of Invention

This invention relates to a display arrangement, and in particular concerns a display arrangement for use in a commercial premises.

Many commercial premises have displays which can be used to show customers images and/or details of the goods or services that are offered.

Particularly in premises where products cannot be physically shown to visitors, such as those of estate agents, displays of this type are crucial in generating business.

Variation in displays is crucial, however. A typical commercial premises will have limited space for displays, and will need to after the information that is shown on the displays regularly. This helps to keep attracting customers' interest, and also allows the displays to be updated to reflect changes in buying trends, the seasons, and so on.

Updating displays can, however, be relatively time-consuming, and the ways in which information can be displayed are limited. It is an object of the present invention to seek to provide a display arrangement which ameliorates some of the above problems.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a display arrangement, comprising: a support element having support face, a plurality of attachment sites having respective first attachment arrangements being provided on the support face; and a plurality of display panels, each having opposing major surfaces, one of which is a substantially planar display surface and the other of which is an attachment surface having a second attachment arrangement adapted to cooperate with any one of the first attachment arrangements, so that the display panel may be removably attached to the support element at any one of the attachment sites such that neither the first nor the second attachment arrangements are visible when the display panel is viewed straight on.

Advantageously, the support face comprises a substantially planar support surf ace.

Preferably, when two panels are attached to adjacent attachment sites, the panels are spaced apart from one another.

Conveniently, when a plurality of panels are attached to respective attachment sites, the display surfaces are substantially parallel with one another.

Advantageously, one of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more projections, and the other of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more apertures which are adapted to receive and retain the one or more projections.

Preferably, the first and second attachment arrangements comprIse respective first and second cooperating surfaces, so that the second surface may rest on the first surface to retain the display panel in place.

Conveniently, one of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more hooks and the other of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more loops which are adapted to receive and retain the one or more projections.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a display arrangement embodying the present invention; Figures 2a and 2b show attachment arrangements for use with the display arrangement of Figure 1; and Figures 3a and 3b show attachment arrangements for use with the display arrangement of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, a display arrangement 1 embodying the present invention is shown. The display arrangement 1 comprises a support element in the form of a backing board 2, in the form of a rigid, planar sheet. The front surface 5 of the backing board 2 presents a forward-facing support face. In embodiments of the invention, the backing board 2 may be made from MDF, plastics, metal or any other suitable material. Indeed, the support element may comprise a frame and need not present a Continuous front surface.

A plurality of display panels 3 are attached to a front surface 5 of the backing board 2. The display panels 3 are each of square or rectangular shape, and are attached to the front surface 4 of the backing board 2 in a grid pattern, so that the display panels 3 are side-by-side and end-to-end. Preferably, front surfaces of the display panels are substantially parallel with one another.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the display panels 3 are attached to the front surface 4of the backing board 2 so that relatively thin gaps are left between the edges of the display paneis 3, through which the backing board 2 can be seen. This improves the aesthetic quality of the display as a whole.

The display panels 3 are each individually removably attachable to the backing board 2 at any one of a plurality of attachment sites. Whilst any suitable mechanism may be used to achieve this, some examples are described below.

With reference to figure 2a, a region of the backing sheet 2 is shown.

Projecting from the backing sheet 2 are four register pins 5, each of which comprises a relatively narrow shaft 5 with an enlarged head 7. The register pins 5 are attached to the backing board 2 by any suitable means, for instance being screwed in place. The register pins 5 are presented in a square or rectangular pattern.

With reference to figure 2b, a rear surface 8 of a display panel 3 is shown, Four bores 9 are provided in the rear surface 8, each of which is sized to accommodate the enlarged head 7 of one of the register pins 5 in a tight fit, but which does not pass all the way through the thickness of the display panel 3.

it will be appreciated that the display panel 3 may be attached to the backing board 2 by aligning the bores 9 in the rear surface 8 of the display panel 3 with the register pins 5, and then pressing the display panel 3 against the backing board 2. The enlarged head 7 of the register pins 5 will be received in the bores 9, thus holding the display panel 3 in place.

The arrangement of four register pins 5 on the front surface of the backing board 2 comprises one attachment site, to which any of the display panels 3 may be removably attached.

Turning to figure 3a, a region of the front surface 4 of the backing board 2 is shown, in an alternative embodiment of the invention. An elongate support 10 protrudes from the front surface 4 of the backing board 2. The support 10 is generally horizontal, and presents an upper support surface 11 which is angled upwardly as it extends away from the front surface 4 of the backing board 2.

With reference to figure 3b, the rear surface 8 of an alternative display panel 3 is shown. An elongate attachment protrusion 12 projects from the rear surface 8, being of approximately the same length as the support 10, and presenting a downward-facing attachment surface 13 that is angled downwardly as it projects away from the rear surface 8.

A spacing member 14 protrudes from the rear surface 8 of the display panel 3 near the bottom edge thereof. The spacing member 14 has a thickness which is approximately the same as the distance by which the attachment member 12 protrudes from the rear surface 8.

It will be appreciated that the display panels 3 may be attached to the backing board 2 by placing the attachment surface 13 on the support surface 11. The spacing member 14 will press against the front surface 4 of the backing board 2, thus preventing the display panel 3 from pivoting, and maintaining the display panel 3 substantially parallel with the backing board 2.

In embodiments of the invention a "key and groove" arrangement may be used to register the display panel 3 in place horizontally, and prevent side-to side movement of the display panel 3 when it is mounted on the backing board 2.

it will be appreciated that other mechanisms may be used to allow each display panel 3 to be removably attached to attachment sides on the front surface 4 of the backing board 2. However, it is important that, when each display panel 3 is viewed head on, no attachment members (either on the backing board 2 or on the rear surface 3 of the display panel 3) are visible.

This ensures that only the planar front surface of each display panel 3 can be seen.

It is envisaged that display arrangements embodying the present invention will be of great utility in many commercial premises. It will be understood that this will allow displays presented in premises to be changed at short notice, and also allows great flexibility in the presentation of displays. For instance, the display panels 3 may be attached to a backing board 2 to present an image representing a particular scene, for instance a tree in part, with each display panel 3 making up a part of the image. Moreover, the display panels 3 can be swiftly and easily be replaced with alternative display panels, for instance showing a product of service that is offered by the business, or another message to potential customers.

Alternatively, the entire image can be changed swiftly and easily. Display panels that are used can be stored for later use.

In the above, square or rectangular panels are described. it should, however, be appreciated that panels of any suitable shape may be used.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

Claims 1 A display arrangement, comprising: a support element having support face, a plurality of attachment sites having respective first attachment arrangements being provided on the support face; and a plurality of display panels, each having opposing major surfaces, one of which is a substantially planar display surface and the other of which is an attachment surface having a second attachment arrangement adapted to cooperate with any one of the first attachment arrangements, so that the display panel may be removably attached to the support element at any one of the attachment sites such that nefther the first nor the second attachment arrangements are visible when the display panel is viewed straight on.
2. A display arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the support face comprises a substantially planar support surface.
3. A display arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein, when two panels are attached to adjacent attachment sites, the panels are spaced apart from one another.
4. A display arrangement according to any preceding claims wherein, when a plurality of panels are attached to respective attachment sites, the display surfaces are substantially parallel with one another.
5. A display arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more projections, and the other of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more apertures which are adapted to receive and retain the one or more projections.
6. A display arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second attachment arrangements comprise respective first and second cooperating surfaces, so that the second surface may rest on the first surface to retain the display panel in place.
7. A display arrangement according to any preceding claim, wherein one of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more hooks and the other of the first and second attachment arrangements comprises one or more loops which are adapted to receive and retain the one or more projections.
8. A display arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.