GB2463907A

GB2463907A - Tensioned display panel with cam tensioning device

Info

Publication number: GB2463907A
Application number: GB0817816A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Mears
Original assignee: CLIP Ltd
Current assignee: CLIP Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-29
Filing date: 2008-09-29
Publication date: 2010-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-29
Also published as: GB0817816D0; GB2463907B

Abstract

A display device comprises a flexible display panel 4 connected to two ends of a pole assembly 6, 8. The pole assembly is formed of two parts which cooperate with each other via a cam mechanism (16, 18, Fig. 1). Relative rotation of the two parts of the pole assembly about its longitudinal axis varies the length of the pole assembly such that the ends of the display panel can be moved apart in order to tension the display panel. The two parts of the pole assembly may be constructed from cardboard and may be held in alignment by a sleeve 20. The base of the display may be formed by a container 22 which may be used to accommodate the panel when collapsed.

Description

A DISPLAY DEVICE

The invention relates to a display device, in particular a display device having a flexible panel supported and tensioned by an elongate structure.

Display devices comprising a flexible panel supported by an elongate structure are widely used by companies, organizations and individuals for display of printed or projected imagery. For example, they are often used by organizations participating in trade fairs or exhibitions. In these circumstances a display device is in situ temporarily and must be transported to and from such events. Consequently, display devices used for these purposes must be lightweight and compact for transportation, yet be easy to assemble and provide an adequate and stable display area during use. Furthermore, the display area must be sufficiently smooth to display an image. Therefore, where a flexible panel is used it must be under tension when deployed.

US 6643966 discloses a banner stand of the type mentioned above in which the banner is supported between a top end of a pole assembly and a base into which the pole assembly is inserted. Tensioning means is provided by a spring which is located between two poles of the pole assembly. During assembly, the two poles are pushed together to compress the spring. When released, the spring forces the poles apart thereby tensioning the banner. A disadvantage associated with this type of design is the increase in complexity and/or cost of the banner stand which use of a spring entails.

According to the present invention there is provided a display device comprising a flexible panel connected at one end to a first part of an elongate support structure and connected at the other end to a second part of the elongate support structure, the first and second parts of the elongate support structure cooperating with each other at a cam mechanism whereby relative rotation of the first and second parts about the axis of the support structure varies the length of the support structure between the connections with the ends of the flexible panel, thereby to tension the panel.

In use of such a display device, relative rotation of the first and second parts of the support structure adjusts the tension in the flexible panel.

At least one of the parts may be elongate and may have an oblique end surface serving as a cam surface of the cam mechanism. In this specification, the expression "oblique end surface" is used to mean an end surface which is oblique to a plane perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the elongate part to which it relates.

Furthermore, each of the first and second parts may be elongate and may have a respective oblique end surface, the parts being disposed end to end with their oblique end surfaces in contact with each other. The adjacent end regions of the first and second parts may be maintained in alignment by a sleeve.

The, or each, elongate part may be tubular.

Both the first and second parts may be made from cardboard. Cardboard is inexpensive to manufacture and is both lightweight and recyclable.

The first part may be releasably mounted on a container for accommodating the panel when collapsed. The container thus serves as a base for supporting the display device on the ground with the support structure extending upwardly from the base. One end of the flexible panel may be retained in the container, and for example may be secured to a roller mounted within the container. The roller and the container may be made from cardboard.

The connection between the said other end of the panel and the second part of the support structure may be a releasable connection which may comprise a spigot on the panel which engages an open end of the second part. The panel may be provided with a transverse stiffening element at the said other end, which stiffening element extends across the open end of the second part, the spigot comprising a projection extending from the stiffening element. The spigot and the stiffening element may be made from cardboard. Other mechanisms, such as a hook or the like, may be used to attach the panel to the second part.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembling into a display device as defined above.

If the kit of parts includes a container, the container may be of a size and shape to accommodate all of the other components of the display stand.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled display device during deployment; Figure 2 corresponds to Figure 1 but shows the display device in a fully deployed condition; Figure 3 is a top view of the display device shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a rear view of the display device shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the partially deployed display device shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the fully deployed display device shown in Figure 2; Figure 7 is a sectional view of a detail shown in circle B in Figure 5; Figure 8 is a sectional view of a detail shown in circle C in Figure 6; and Figure 9 is a sectional view of part of the display device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

The display device 2 shown in Figure 1 comprises a container 22 having a socket 24 from which a first tube 6 extends in an upright direction. A second tube 8 is disposed end to end with the first tube 6. The first tube 6 and the second tube are axially aligned to form a support structure 6,8. A sleeve 20, secured to the first tube 6, surrounds the contacting portions of the tubes 6,8 to maintain their alignment. A roller 26 is housed within the container 22. A flexible panel 4 is secured at one end to the roller 26, about which it may be wound. A stiffening element 32 is provided along the edge of the flexible panel 4 at the end away from the roller 26. A spigot 30 is connected to the stiffening element 32 for connection to the second tube 8 of the support 6,8.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first tube 6 and the second tube 8 are cylindrical. The diameter of the first tube 6 is substantially equal to the diameter of the second tube 8.

Each tube 6,8 has a substantially flat oblique end surface 16, 18. In the embodiment shown, the angle of inclination of the end surface 16 of the first tube 6 is the same as the angle of inclination of the end surface 18 of the second tube 8 and is 45°.

Consequently, when the first and second tubes 6,8 are disposed end to end in axial alignment, the end surface 16 of the first tube 6 contacts the end surface 18 of the second tube 8. The first and second end surfaces 6,8 thus form a cam, and axial rotation of one of the tubes 6,8 with respect to the other causes axial displacement of the tubes 6, 8 relative to each other. In the condition shown in Figure 1, the oblique end surfaces 16, 18 lie in a common plane, and so contact each other over their full surfaces. In the condition shown in Figure 2, the tubes 6, 8 have been rotated relatively to each other through an angle of 1800, and contact each other only at the tips of the oblique end surfaces 16, 18. The support structure 6,8 thus has a position of maximum extension when the two end surfaces 16,18 are out of plane, and a position of minimum extension when the two end surfaces 16,18 are coplanar.

The cylindrical sleeve 20 is fixed to the first tube 6, for example by an adhesive, and is a close fit over the tubes 6, 8, and so applies frictional resistance to relative rotation of the tubes 6, 8. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve 20 could be replaced by an internal component which is a close fit within the tubes 6, 8.

The container 22 is in the form of an oblong box. The length of the container 22 is greater than the width of the flexible panel 4 in order to accommodate the flexible panel 4 when the panel 4 is rolled-up. The width and height of the container 22 are dictated by the diameter of the flexible panel 4 when rolled-up and the need to provide adequate stability for the support structure 6,8. The container 22 has a substantially flat base. The longitudinal axis of the socket 24 extends in a direction perpendicular to the base of the container 22 such that, when an end 12 of the first tube 6 is inserted into the socket 24, the first tube 6 projects upwardly from the base.

The roller 26 is disposed within the container 22, the rotational axis of the roller 26 being substantially parallel with the lengthwise direction of the container 22. The roller 26 passes through circular apertures 25 provided in each end of the container 22, which serve as bearings which support the roller 26 for rotation. The container 22 has a slot 28 provided in the upper surface of the container 22 and extends along the length of the container 22. The width of the slot 28 is sufficient to allow the flexible panel 4 to pass through it, but too small to accommodate the roller 26.

The flexible panel 4 is substantially rectangular, having a nominal length which is equal to or slightly less than the length of the support structure 6,8 in its extended state.

The stiffening element 32 comprises a rigid elongate element of L-shaped cross section which extends across substantially the full width of the flexible panel 4. As shown in Figure 9, the stiffening element 32 is secured (for example by adhesive) to the rear surface of the flexible panel 4 and so can be folded to a position at right angles to the main display area of the flexible panel 4. A spigot 30 is provided on the underside of the stiffening element 32 and projects in a downwards direction towards the container 22. The spigot 30 is cylindrical and has an outer diameter which corresponds to the inner diameter of the second tube 8 such that, when assembled, the spigot 32 engages the open end 14 of the second tube 8 to form a push-fit.

The tubes 6,8, sleeve 20, container 22, roller 26, stiffening element 32 and spigot 30 are manufactured from cardboard and are therefore lightweight, inexpensive to manufacture and suitable for recycling. Furthermore, cardboard can be manufactured to have the desired frictional properties which are required to limit slip between the two end surfaces 16, 18, or between the tubes 6, 8 and the sleeve, when the support 6,8 is in an extended state.

Assembly of the display device is carried out by inserting the first tube 6 into the socket 24 provided in the container 22. The first tube 6 thus projects from the container 22 in an upright manner such that the oblique end surface 16 of the first tube 6, provided with the sleeve 20, is at the top. The second tube 8 is then inserted into the top portion of the sleeve 20. The first and second tubes 6, 8 are thus disposed end to end within the sleeve 20. The second tube 8 is rotated until the oblique end surfaces 16, 18 of each of the tubes 6, 8 are coplanar. The support 6, 8 is therefore assembled in its non-extended state.

Prior to assembly, the flexible panel 4 is wound around the roller 26 and housed within the container 22. The flexible panel 4 is unwound from the roller 26 by drawing the end of the flexible panel 4, to which the stiffening element 32 is attached, through the slot 28 and away from the container 22. Once the flexible panel 4 has been completely unwound, the spigot 30 is inserted into the top end of the second tube 8 of the support 6,8. The flexible panel is thus secured to the top of the support 6,8 and hangs downwards from the stiffening element 32 towards the container 22. However, as indicated in Figures 1 and 5, the flexible panel 4 is initially untensioned, and so tends to sag from the stiffening element 32.

One of the first and second tubes 6, 8 is then rotated about its longitudinal axis with respect to the other. This rotation causes the end surface 18 of the second tube 8 to slide over the end surface 16 of the first tube 6 thereby forcing the first and second tubes 6,8 away from each other. Since both tubes 6,8 are constrained in a radial direction by the sleeve 20, the resultant displacement of the second tube 8 with respect to the first tube 6 is along the axis of rotation of the second tube 8. This camming action effectively increases the overall length of the support structure 6,8, thereby displacing the end of the flexible panel 4 connected at the top end of the support structure 6,8 away from the end of the flexible panel 4 secured to the roller 26, so tensioning the flexible panel 4 along its length. Maximum displacement is achieved when only the tips of the tubes 6,8 are in contact as shown in Figures 2, 6 and 8.

However, in some circumstances the flexible panel 4 will be adequately tensioned before the tubes 6, 8 reach their maximum extended relationship. The friction between the tubes 6, 8 and the sleeve 20 is sufficient to retain the components at the required position.

When tensioned, the flexible panel 4 presents a smooth surface on which a high-quality image can be displayed. The degree of tensioning can be varied infinitely by changing the angle of rotation of the first tube 6 with respect to the second tube 8.

As mentioned above, the two tubes 6,8 are prevented from slipping by the friction generated between the end surfaces 16,18 and the friction between the tubes 6, 8 and the sleeve 20. However, it will be appreciated that alternative means may be used to secure the cam 10 including, but not limited to, notches in the tubes 6,8, a securing pin or use of a ratchet.

The dimensions of the components may be such that, when dismantled, the flexible panel 4 on the roller 26, the first tube 6 with the sleeve 20, and the second tube 8 can all be accommodated in the container 22.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A display device comprising a flexible panel connected at one end to a first part of an elongate support structure and connected at the other end to a second part of the elongate support structure, the first and second parts of the elongate support structure cooperating with each other at a cam mechanism whereby relative rotation of the first and second parts about the axis of the support structure varies the length of the support structure between the connections with the ends of the flexible panel, thereby to tension the panel.
2. A display device as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one of the parts is elongate and has an oblique end surface serving as a cam surface of the cam mechanism.
3. A display device as claimed in claim 2, in which each of the first and second parts is elongate and has a respective oblique end surface, the parts being disposed end to end with their oblique end surfaces in contact with each other.
4. A display device as claimed in claim 3, in which the adjacent end regions of the first and second parts are maintained in alignment by a sleeve.
5. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the or each elongate part is tubular.
6. A display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first and second parts are made from cardboard.
7. A display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the first part is releasably mounted on a container for accommodating the panel when collapsed.
8. A display device as claimed in claim 7, in which the container comprises a base for supporting the display device on the ground with the support structure extending upwardly from the base.
9. A display device as claimed in claim 7 or 8, in which one end of the flexible panel is retained in the container.
10. A display device as claimed in claim 9, in which the said one end of the flexible panel is secured to a roller mounted within the container.
11. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, in which the roller and the container are made from cardboard.
12. A display device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the connection between the said other end of the panel and the second part of the support structure is a releasable connection.
13. A display device as claimed in claim 12, in which the releasable connection comprises a spigot on the panel which engages an open end of the second part.
14. A display device as claimed in claim 13, in which the panel is provided with a transverse stiffening element at the said other end, which stiffening element extends across the open end of the second part, the spigot comprising a projection extending from the stiffening element.
15. A display device as claimed in claim 14, in which the spigot and the stiffening element are made from cardboard.
16. A display device substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
17. A kit of parts for assembling into a display device in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
18.A kit of parts as claimed in claim 17 when appendant to claim 7, in which all components of the display stand apart from the container are accommodated in the container.