GB2491925A

GB2491925A - Vehicle display panel with multiple sections having hinged panes.

Info

Publication number: GB2491925A
Application number: GB1203527.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon Charles Hubbard; Sarah Jayne Hubbard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-06-14
Filing date: 2012-02-29
Publication date: 2012-12-19
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-29
Also published as: GB201203527D0; GB201109988D0; GB2491925B

Abstract

A vehicle display panel comprises a support, for attaching the display panel to a vehicle, and a plurality of at least partially transparent panes (102a, 102b, 102c), each pane pivotally connected to the support. Each pane is rotatable between an open position for positioning of an image to be displayed and a closed position in which the plurality of transparent panes form a substantially continuous display area. Each pane is mounted to the support by means of a pair of cantilever support arms 110, 112 attached to opposite edges of the pane. The support arms are rotatably connected to the support by a hinge 114, 116. Each support arm may be provided with a slot (234, 236; Fig 2B) for receiving an image to be displayed. The display panel is adapted to be fixed to the side of a vehicle, e.g. a truck.

Description

VEHICLE DISPLAY PANEL

The present invention relates to a display panel for attachment to a vehicle and a vehicle comprising a display panel.

It is commonplace for vehicles, particularly commercial vehicles, to display advertising images particularly advertising relating to the goods or services of the vehicle operator. In its simplest form such advertising may simply display the logo of the related company. Increasingly, however, it is common for operators to wish to convey more detailed information or advertising.

Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a vehicle mounted display panel which may be easily and conveniently updated.

According to one aspect the invention there is provided a vehicle display panel comprising: a support for attaching to a vehicle; and a plurality of transparent panes, each rotatably connected to the support; wherein each transparent pane is rotatable between an open position for positioning of an image to be displayed and a closed position in which the plurality of transparent panes form a substantially continuous display area, the vehicle display panel further comprising a cantilever support arm attached to a first edge of each transparent pane, the support arm being connected to the support by a hinge.

By splitting a substantially continuous display area into a plurality of panels embodiments of the invention provide a display which may be quickly and conveniently updated. A single image or advertisement may be split across the display area and displayed as a continuous image.

The transparent panes can be rotatably connected to the support by a support member. It is advantageous to provide the support arm and hinge adjacent to an edge of the pane so that the pane edges within the display area may be free of hinge or support means.

The transparent pane may be substantially rigid. A substantially rigid pane may be self supporting away from the support member and may therefore reduce or remove the need for any support within the display area.

The vehicle display panel may comprise a pair of parallel cantilever support arms at opposing edges of each of the transparent panes, each pair of support arms being connected to the support by a pair of hinges having a common axis of rotation. The pair of support arms may for example be at the top and bottom edges of the pane.

Each transparent pane may have a hinge edge located proximal to the axis of rotation of the pane and an open edge located at the opposing side of the pane. The open edge of a first of the plurality of transparent panes may overlap the axis of rotation of the adjacent pane such that the respective open and hinge edges of the transparent panes abut in the closed position. The overlap may be substantially equal to the width of the hinge.

The hinge edge of a first transparent pane may be offset from its axis of rotation and the adjacent open edge of a second transparent pane extends, in the closed position, beyond the axis of rotation of said first pane by a distance substantially equal to said offset such that the edges abut in the closed position.

The open side of the transparent pane can extend beyond the or each cantilever support arm.

The transparent pane may be provided with a retaining device to hold an image to be displayed. The retaining device can be provided to retain the image on the inside surface of the pane while the pane is rotated between the open and closed positions. The retaining device could be a tab, slot or moveable catch. In one embodiment the (or each) support arm comprises a slot for retaining an image to be displayed. For example, the support arm may comprises a plate member attached to the support arm and extending beyond the support arm towards the centre of the transparent pane, the plate member being spaced apart from the transparent pane such that the slot is formed between the plate member and the transparent pane.

An additional retaining or alignment member may be provided for lateral alignment of the image to be displayed. For example the support arm may comprise a further plate member at the end of the slot.

The vehicle display panel can further comprising a peripheral frame around the substantially continuous display area. The frame may substantially surround the display area. The frame may be arranged to lock the transparent panes in their closed position. For example the peripheral frame can at least partially overlay the edge of the plurality of transparent panes and be movable between an open and closed position. The frame may be hinged along its outer edge. The peripheral frame may comprise an upper horizontal locking member pivotable, in use, to overlap upper portions of the plurality of panes in the closed configuration. The peripheral frame may comprise a lower horizontal locking member pivotable, in use, to overlap lower portions of the plurality of panes in the closed configuration. The peripheral frame may further comprise at least one vertical locking member pivotable, in use, to overlap at least a side edge of the upper and/or the lower horizontal locking member in the closed configuration. A catch, lock, magnetic device or any suitable means for holding the vertical locking member(s) and/or the upper and/or the lower horizontal locking member in the closed configuration may be provided.

The display panel may be symmetrical about a notional central vertical line and/or a notional central horizontal line so that, in use, the frame can be used on either side of a vehicle. In some embodiments the support may comprise a metal (e.g. aluminium) or carbon fibre framework. For example the framework may comprise a plurality of substantially vertical support members. The plurality of transparent panes may each be connected to a vertical support member by a hinge. The metal framework may be attached to a vehicle by any convenient means.

The support can further comprise a back board providing a substantially planar surface for supporting an image to be displayed. The vertical hinge supports may be arranged to be substantially flush with the back board. In the closed position the transparent panes and the back board may provide a sandwich structure securely retaining an image to be displayed therebetween.

According to a further aspect the invention there is provided a vehicle comprising a vehicle display panel in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The vehicle display panel may be attached to (or is formed as part of) a side panel of the vehicle.

According to a general aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle display panel comprising: a support for attaching to a vehicle; and a plurality of transparent panes, each rotatably connected to the support; wherein each transparent pane is rotatable between an open position for positioning of an image to be displayed and a closed position in which the plurality of transparent panes form a substantially continuous display area, Whilst the invention has been described above, it extends to any inventive combination of features set out above or in the following description. Although illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the invention extends to such specific combinations not already described.

The invention may be performed in various ways, and, by way of example only, embodiments thereof will now be described, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A is a schematic representation of a vehicle comprising a display panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 B is a schematic representation of the vehicle of Figure 1A with the frame removed; Figure 1 C is a schematic representation of the vehicle of Figure 1 B with the transparent panes also removed; Figure 1 D is a schematic representation of the vehicle of Figure 1 C with the back boards also removed; Figure 2A is a schematic representation of a transparent pane assembly suitable for use in embodiments of the invention; Figure 2B is a schematic side view of the transparent pane assembly of Figure 2A; Figure 2C is a detailed schematic view of the transparent pane assembly of Figure 2B; Figure 3 is a schematic cross sectional view through section A-A of Figure 1 B; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a frame locking mechanism suitable for use in embodiments of the invention, and Figure 5 is a schematic representation of an alternative frame locking mechanism.

An example of a vehicle 10 (in this example a 3.6m 350L Box Van) provided with a display panel 100 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures lA-ID. The display panel 100 is attached to the side of the vehicle 10 and covers the whole side panel of the load area of the vehicle 10.

The display panel 100 comprises a single display area 102 formed by three rectangular transparent panes 102a, 102b and 102c (although it will be appreciated that the number of panes will depend upon the size and shape of the desired display area). The panels may be made of any suitable (at least partially transparent) material but may typically be formed from acrylic glass (Poly(methyl methacrylate)).

As shown in Figure 1A, a frame 104 surrounds the periphery of the display area 102 and is formed of four straight sections 104a, 104b, 104c and 104d which meet at mitred joints. The frame and other components of the display panel may be made of any suitable material, e.g. aluminium or carbon fibre. A similar display panel may be fitted to the other side of the vehicle 10. Advantageously, the panel is symmetrical about a notional central vertical line and/or a notional central horizontal line, which means that the same design o f panel/components can be used on either/both sides of a vehicle.

As seen in Figure lB (in which the frame 104 is removed for clarity), each transparent pane 102a, 102b and 102c is supported by an upper cantilever support arm llOa, hUb and hOc and a lower cantilever support arm 112a, 112b and 112c.

As will be described in more detail below (with reference to Figure 2) the transparent panes 102 and associated support arms 110, 112 form a rotatable pane assembly.

The upper 110 and lower 112 cantilever support arms are attached to the respective upper and lower edges of the transparent panels 102. Each upper support arm llOa, ilOb and hOc is attached to the display panel support by an upper hinge 114a, 114b, 114c and each lower support arm 112a, 112b and 112c is attached to the display panel support by a lower hinge 116a, 116b, 116c. The pairs of hinges 114a and 116a, 114b and 116b, 114c and 116c supporting each transparent pane 102a 102b and 102c are aligned so that each pair has a common axis of rotation (which is substantially aligned with the vertical axis of the display panel 100 and vehicle 10). Thus, it will be appreciated that the transparent panes 102a, 102b and 102c are each rotatable between an open position for positioning of an image to be displayed and a closed position in which the plurality of transparent panes form a substantially continuous display area 102.

As seen in Figure 1C (in which the panels 102 and support arms 112 have been removed for clarity), back boards 122a, 122b and 122c are provided beneath the transparent panes 102a, 102b and 102c providing a substantially planar surface for supporting an image to be displayed. The back boards 122 are connected to the support 120, which is, in turn, attached to the vehicle by any suitable means (for example, it may be bolted or clamped to the side of the vehicle). In some cases, a suitable support may be provided on the vehicle during manufacture so that at least part of the display panel forms an integral part of the construction of the vehicle; As shown in Figure 1D (in which the back boards 122 have been removed for clarity), the support 120 comprises a framework formed of a rigid material, such as metal. The framework consists of a plurality of vertical 130 and horizontal support members 134. The illustrated embodiment is provided with two horizontal support members 134a, 134b and four vertical support member 130a, 130b, 130c and 130d.

It will be appreciated that the number of vertical and horizontal support members will be chosen depending upon the particular dimensions of the vehicle 10 and/or display panel 100.

The pairs of hinges 114a and 116a, 114b and 116b, 114c and 116c may be directly connected to the vertical support members 130 or horizontal support members 134. However, in the illustrated embodiment additional vertical hinge supports 132a, 132b and 132c are provided in order to enable easy replacement of the transparent pane assembly.

A transparent pane assembly 200 for use in embodiments of the invention is shown in further detail in Figure 2. The transparent pane assembly 200 comprises a transparent pane 202 which is attached to an upper support arm 210 at its upper edge 202a and a lower support arm 212 at its lower edge 202c. Each support arm is provided with a hinge 214, 216 at a first end. The transparent pane has a hinge edge 202d located proximal to the hinges 214 and 216 and an open edge 202b at the opposing side of the pane. The hinge edge 202d is offset from the axis of rotation of the hinges 214, 216 by a distance a which is approximately equal to the width of the hinges 214,216. The open edge 202b extends beyond the support arms 210, 212 by a distance b which is approximately equal to the offset distance a. As best seen in Figure 18, in the closed position the open edge 202b is arranged to overlap the hinge axis of an adjacent pane such that it abuts the hinge edge 202d of the adjacent pane. Thus the panes form a substantially continuous transparent sheet covering the entire display area.

As seen in Figures 2B and in the detailed section of Figure 20, the upper 210 and lower 212 support arms are each provided with a recess 213 for receiving the respective edge of the transparent pane 202. On the inside (i.e. vehicle facing) surface of both the upper and lower ends of the pane assembly 200 a pair of opposing slots 234 and 236 are provided for retaining an image (or any other message, etc) to be displayed on the inside surface of the pane 202. Each slot 234, 236 is formed by providing a plate member 230, 232 on the inside surface of the upper 210 and lower 212 support arms. The plate members 230, 232 extend beyond the edge of the support arm 210, 212 towards the centre of the transparent pane and are spaced apart from the pane 202, the plate member 230,232 being spaced apart from the transparent pane by the thickness of the support arm from the recess 213 which receives the transparent pane 202. As best seen in Figure 20 showing the lower slot 236 in detail the slot is defined between the facing surfaces of the transparent pane 202 and the plate member 232 and the slot depth is defined by the surface of the support arm 212. Additional end plates 224 may be provided to close one or both ends of the upper 234 or lower slot 236 and to provide a lateral alignment aid. In the illustrated embodiment an end plate 224 is provided only at the hinge side of the slots 234, 236 such an arrangement enables the image 240 to be displayed to be slid into position from the open side of the pane assembly 200 until it contacts the end plate and is correctly aligned.

When the pane assembly 200 is in the closed position (as shown in the detailed section of Figure 20) the plate members 230, 232 are preferably substantially flush with the back board 222. Accordingly, the back board 222 may either be provided with a recess to accommodate the plate members 230, 232 or may be shorter in length than the transparent pane 202 such that the plate members 230, 232 can be positioned adjacent to the board 222.

Figure 3 shows a cross section through section A-A of figure 1 B. It may be noted that the back boards 122a, 122b, 122c, the vertical supports 130b, 130c and the vertical hinge supports 132b, 132c are positioned in alignment to provide a substantially continuous flat surface for supporting an image to be displayed. The transparent panes are spaced apart from the supporting surface to provide a gap in which the image to be displayed can be retained (forming a close fitting sandwich structure). As discussed above, it can be seen in this figure that the edges of each transparent pane 102a, 102b overlap the hinge of the adjacent pane to provide a substantially continuous transparent sheet in the closed position.

Figure 4 shows a frame locking mechanism 400 suitable for use in embodiments of the invention. The frame 404 is attached to the support (not shown) by a hinge 450 at its outer edge and may be moved between an open position A and a closed position B. In the closed position B the frame 404 overlays the support arm 412 and the edge of the transparent pane 402, as such the support arm 412 and pane 402 cannot be rotated from their closed position B. In the open position A the frame 404 is rotated clear of the door support arm 412 and transparent pane 402 such that they may be rotated over and past the frame locking mechanism 400. The frame locking mechanism 400 may be provided on all sides of the display area (as shown by the frame in Figure IA). The frame locking mechanism 400 may be provided with a biasing means to urge it towards the closed position when not in use.

The frame locking mechanism 400 may further be provided with a lock or catch to hold it in the closed position for security and/or safety purposes.

With reference to Figure 1, in use the frame members I 04a, 1 04b, 1 04c, I 04d are first rotated out from the centre of the display area (in the manner shown in Figure 4) to unlock the transparent panes 102a, 102b, 102c. The panes may then be rotated from their closed to open position. Due to the overlap of the panes I 02a, 102b, 102c over the adjacent panes hinge, the panes should be opened in sequence. In the illustrated embodiment the left most transparent pane 102a is rotated out from the vehicle, followed by the adjacent pane 102b and so forth. With the panes in the open position an image to be displayed may be inserted into the retaining slots (as shown in figure 2) on the inside surface of each of the panes 102a, 102b, 102c. The image may be moved into place until its hinge side edge is aligned with the end plate 224 the width of the image will typically be substantially equal to the width of the transparent pane such that the open edge of the image is aligned with the edge of the pane. The image to be displayed may be presented on any suitable format as will be known to those in the art. For ease of handling the image may be on a semi rigid board or card and may optionally be a laminated board. The image boards may have images on either side, e.g. relating to two different promotions, which allows them to be reversible, further adding convenience.

Once the images have been inserted the transparent panes 102a, 102b, 102c may be rotated back into the closed position (in the reverse sequence from opening). In this closed position the individual images of the panes may form a continuous image across the entire display area 102 and is entirely covered by the transparent panes 102a, 102b, 102c. The image is securely sandwiched between the panes 102a, 102b, 102c and the backing boards 122a, 122b, 122c. Finally the frame members 1 04a, 1 04b, I 04c, I 04d are rotated back towards the centre of the display area 102 to lock the panes 102a, 102b, 102c in place.

Figure 5 shows an alternative frame locking mechanism 500. An upper edge of an upper horizontal locking member 502a is pivotably attached to an upper end/portion of the support 120 (not shown in the figure) by at least one hinge (also not shown). A lower edge of a lower horizontal locking member 502b is pivotably attached to a lower end/portion of the support by at least one hinge. Each of the horizontal locking members is a flat rectangular plate having a width generally corresponding to the overall width of the display area 102, although it will be understood that their number, design and dimensions can be varied whilst still performing a locking function as described herein. An outer side edge of a first (left-hand in the Figure) vertical locking member 504a is connected at/adjacent to a first side of the support 120 by means of at least one hinge (not visible). An outer side edge of a second vertical locking member 504b is connected at/adjacent to an opposed side edge of the support by means of at least one hinge. Each of the vertical locking members is a flat rectangular plate having a height generally corresponding to the overall height of the display area, although it will be understood that their number, design and dimensions can be varied whilst still performing a locking function as described herein.

The horizontal 502a, 502b and vertical 504a, 504b locking members are shown in their open configurations in Figure 5. The panes 102a -102c and cantilever members llOa -hOc, 112a -112c are also shown in a partially open configuration. In use, the images will be inserted behind the panes (in a manner similar to that described above) and the panes 102 are closed over them. The upper horizontal locking member can then drop over the upper portions of the panes/cantilever members 110. The lower horizontal locking member 502b can then be pivoted upwards so as to cover the lower portions of the panes/cantilever members 112. The vertical locking members 504a, 504b can then be pivoted closed over the side edges of the panes and horizontal locking members. A catch, lock, magnetic device or any suitable means for holding each vertical locking member in this closed configuration may be provided. Locking devices could also be provided to keep at least one of the horizontal locking members in the closed position.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention provide a display area that can cover a large area of a vehicle but that may be quickly and easily updated with new advertising material. Such an arrangement may allow a vehicle to be updated regularly, for example to display current promotions or offers. This may for example be particularly useful for supermarket delivery services where promotions and offers are regularly changed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A vehicle display panel (100) comprising: a support (120) for, in use, attaching the display panel to a vehicle; and a plurality of at least partially transparent panes (102a, 102b, 102c), each said pane rotatably connected to the support; wherein each said pane is rotatable between an open position for positioning of an image to be displayed and a closed position in which the plurality of transparent panes form a substantially continuous display area (102), the vehicle display panel further comprising a cantilever support arm (110, 112) attached to a first edge of each said pane, the support arm being connected to the support by a hinge (114, 116).
2. A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 1, comprising a pair of parallel cantilever support arms (110, 112) at opposing edges of each of the panes (102a), each pair of said support arms being connected to the support by a pair of hinges (114, 116) having a common axis of rotation.
3. A vehicle display panel as claimed in either of claims I or 2, wherein each said pane (102a) has a hinge edge located proximal to the axis of rotation of the pane and an open edge located at the opposing side of the pane and wherein the open edge of a first (102a) of the plurality of transparent panes overlaps the axis of rotation of the adjacent pane (1 02b) such that the respective open and hinge edges of the transparent panes abut in the closed position
4. A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the overlap is substantially equal to the width of the hinge (114, 116).
5. A vehicle display panel as claimed in either of claims 3 or 4, wherein the open edge of said transparent pane (1 02a) extends beyond the or each cantilever support arm (110, 112).
6. A vehicle display panel as claimed in any one of claims I to 5, wherein the, or each, said support arm (110, 112) further comprises a slot (234, 236) for retaining an image (240) to be displayed.
7. A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 6, wherein the or each said support arm (110, 112) further comprises a plate member (230, 232) attached to the support arm and extending beyond the support arm towards the centre of the pane (102c), the plate member being spaced apart from the pane such that the slot is (234, 236) formed between the plate member and the transparent pane.
8. A vehicle display panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panes (102a) are substantially rigid.
9. A vehicle display panel as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a peripheral frame (404) around the substantially continuous display area (102).
10.A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the peripheral frame (404) at least partially overlays the edge of the plurality of panes (1 02a) and is movable between an open and closed position wherein the peripheral frame locks the transparent panes in their closed position.
11.A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 11, wherein the peripheral frame (404) is hinged along its outer edge.
12. A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 10, wherein the peripheral frame (500) comprises an upper horizontal locking member (502a) pivotable, in use, to overlap upper portions of the plurality of panes (102) in the closed configuration.
13. A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the peripheral frame (500) comprises a lower horizontal locking member (502b) pivotable, in use, to overlap lower portions of the plurality of panes (102) in the closed configuration.
14. A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the peripheral frame (500) further comprises at least one vertical locking member (504) pivotable, in use, to overlap at least a side edge of the upper (502a) and/or the lower (502b) horizontal locking member in the closed configuration.
15. A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 14, further including a S catch, lock or magnetic device for holding the vertical locking member(s) (504) and/or the upper (502a) and/or the lower (502b) horizontal locking member in the closed configuration.
I 6.A vehicle display panel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display panel is symmetrical about a notional central vertical line and/or a notional central horizontal line so that, in use, the panel can be used on either side of a vehicle.
1 7.A vehicle display panel as claimed in any preceding, wherein the support (120) comprises a metal or carbon fibre framework.
I 8.A vehicle display panel as claimed in claim 18, wherein the framework (120) comprises a plurality of substantially vertical (130) support members and the plurality of panes (102c) are each connected to a said vertical support member bya hinge (114, 116).
19.Avehicle display panel as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the support (120) further comprises a back board (122) providing a substantially planar surface for supporting an image (240) to be displayed.2S
20.A vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle display panel (100) as claimed in any preceding claim.
21.A vehicle as claimed in claim 21, wherein the vehicle display panel (100) is attached to, or formed as part of, a side panel of the vehicle (102).
22.A vehicle display panel substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.
23.A vehicle fitted, or formed, with a display panel substantially as described herein and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.