GB2565042A

GB2565042A - Display apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2565042A
Application number: GB1709792.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Byrne Christopher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-06-20
Filing date: 2017-06-20
Publication date: 2019-02-06
Also published as: GB201709792D0

Abstract

A modular display apparatus which is locatable about the periphery of a structural column comprises a series of stackable members 10. Each stackable member is formed from two or more sections 12 attached together by complementary latch mechanisms 14 located on the adjoining sides of neighbouring sections to define a single tubular stackable member locatable about a structural column. Each stackable member further comprises fastening means located on or towards its upper and/or lower surface for cooperation with complementary fastening means of a stackable member positioned above or below. Each stackable member may include one or more gripping members 36 movable towards and away from the surface of a structural column about which the display apparatus is located. The sections may be arcuate to form a cylindrical display or they may be straight sided. The stackable members may form a framework structure around which a sheet is wrapped to form a display surface.

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to display apparatus and more especially to modular cylindrical light-weight display stand apparatus able to be assembled manually about a structural column in a relatively short period of time without the need for ladders, scaffolding or tooling and to be disassembled for re-use .

Background to the invention

Stands for displaying various goods, posters and the like are well known. Such stands often comprise a plurality of sections able to be assembled and disassembled on site and are designed to display various items including posters and the like. Such stands are often employed to display items of merchandise or, particularly in museums and like establishments, information concerning a particular event or occasion.

Structural columns are sometimes used to display information simply by adhering or otherwise attaching posters to the column sides. As and when such a display is to be discontinued, such posters need to be removed from the respective column surface, this possibly taking considerable time and effort to achieve.

The present invention sets out to provide a lightweight display apparatus capable of encompassing a structural column and to be readily removable therefrom.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect the present invention concerns display apparatus locatable about the periphery of a structural column, said apparatus comprising a series of stackable members each comprising two or more arcuate or straight sided sections capable of being attached together by complementary latch mechanisms located on the adjoining sides of neighbouring sections to define a single stackable member locatable about a structural column, each such member further comprising fastening means located on or towards its upper and/or lower surface for cooperation with complementary fastening means of a stackable member positioned above or below said member.

In another aspect, the invention provides a display apparatus locatable about the periphery of a structural column, the apparatus comprising a plurality of stackable members each comprising at least two generally arcuate or straight sided sections connectable by latches to form a single stackable member, each said section comprising a plurality of vertically spaced arcuate or straight members separated by generally vertical spacing members, and fastening means located on or towards the upper and/or lower surface of each said arcuate or straight sided member and operable to co-operate with complementary fastening means of a stackable member positioned above or below said member.

Each section is preferably formed as a light weight skeletal structure .

One or more of the stackable members may include one or more gripping members each of which can be moved towards and away from the surface of a structural column about which the display apparatus is located.

Each stackable member is preferably produced from a lightweight material such as plastics and/or polystyrene and/or wood and comprises an open-frame structure.

A sheet of flexible material may be located about the display apparatus when assembled. The material may comprise one or more sheets of a vinyl, cloth or plastics material.

Latches which protrude from the sides and horizontal surfaces of each member may be provided to facilitate connections between adjoining stackable members. Each latch preferably comprises projecting pieces which co-operate with complementary openings formed in neighbouring stackable members .

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: -

Figure 1	is an isometric view of	display	apparatus in
accordance	with	the invention;
Figure 2	is an	isometric view of a	detail <	of the display
apparatus	shown	in Figure 1;
Figure 3	shows	a side view of a	fastener	for attaching

vertically stacked display members together;

Figure 4 shows latches for attaching together arcuate sections of the illustrated display apparatus together; and

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a clamp which forms part of the illustrated apparatus.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The illustrated display apparatus comprises a plurality of lightweight stackable members 10 of which two are shown in the drawings. Each stackable member comprises a skeletal structure and is assembled from a plurality of lightweight members produced from, for example, plastics, polystyrene or wood.

Each member 10 comprises two arcuate sections 12 which, in use, are joined together by latches 14 to define a single circular section. The latches 14 are either supported on or form parts of side pieces 16 which project outwardly from generally vertical side members 18 of each section 12.

The sections 12 may alternatively be straight sided. In this case the sections are joined to define a square, rectangle or other straight sided body.

As shown, each member comprises two sections 12. Alternatively, each member could comprise three or more sections .

As will be seen from the drawings, each latch comprises a central member 20 from which project sideways extending locking members 22. As shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 4, the locking members 22 protrude into and through complementary openings 24 formed in each side member 18 to lock the adjoining side members together.

Each arcuate section 12 is formed as a lightweight skeletal structure which comprises a plurality of stacked semi-circular horizontal members 26 (five being shown in Figure 1) supported between the upstanding side members 18.

Vertically aligned braces 28 are positioned between the individual horizontal members 26 and co-operate with the side members 18 to retain the arcuate sections 12 in place.

Each latch 14 includes a series of openings 30 to enable the diameter of each section 12 to be varied to create, if required, a display apparatus which is tapered rather than straight sided.

The lightweight nature of the display apparatus enables the several members to be stacked from below to form a column which, in use, can readily be located about the circumference of a structural column. Thus, no ladders, scaffolding or the like is reguired to assemble the display apparatus.

As will be appreciated from the above, no special tooling is required to assemble the display apparatus. Thus, the connections between the respective pieces are self-contained.

As will be seen from Figure 5, each section 12 includes a horizontally displaceable bridging section 34 which can be moved inwardly into contact with a column about which the display apparatus has been positioned.

As will also be seen from Figure 5, each bridging member 34 comprises a pair of inwardly projecting clamps 36 supported between vertical spacers 38 connected to opposed semi-circular members 26. Each clamp 36 includes sideways projecting arms which locate in openings 42 formed in vertical supports which extend between opposed semi- circular sections 26.

The openings 42 are shaped to enable the position of the clamps 36 to be moved selectively towards and away from a structural column about which the display apparatus is located.

As will be seen from Figure 3, vertically stacked members are connected together by vertically aligned clamping members each formed with elongate arms which project through suitably dimensioned slots formed in the semi-circular members 26. The elongate arms can flex towards one another so that they can readily be introduced into a selected slot and then, when released, move firmly into engagement with the sides of the slot.

The clamping mechanisms reduce the tolerance between the individual sections 12 and the column about which the display apparatus is located

As will be seen from Figure 1, once the skeletal frame has been assembled, a sheet of vinyl or similar material is wrapped around the/or each frame for display purposes. Preferably, the side edges of the sheet include Velcro-type stripes for ease of assembly and disassembly.

Typically, the overall column height will be between 3.5 and 5 metres and the height of each member 10 of the order of between 0.5 and 1 metre.

For assembly at, say, an exhibition, the various pieces of the display apparatus can rapidly be assembled by hand preferably about the surface of a structural column. Because of the lightweight of the stackable members 10, the display can readily be assembled from below thereby removing the need for ladders, scaffolding or the like. The clamp members can then be moved by hand to engage the column surface to support for the apparatus. Dis-assembly is similarly achieve and the dis-assembled pieces can easily be provide easy to removed from site and stored.

Furthermore, because all connections between the sections 12 are provided in the structures of the sections, no tooling is required to either assemble or dis-assemble the display apparatus .

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of display apparatus in accordance with the invention and that modifications thereto can readily be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims .

Claims

1. Display apparatus locatable about the periphery of a structural column, said apparatus comprising a series of stackable members each comprising two or more arcuate or straight sided sections capable of being attached together by complementary latch mechanisms located on the adjoining sides of neighbouring sections to define a single stackable member locatable about a structural column, each such member further comprising fastening means located on or towards its upper and/or lower surface for cooperation with complementary fastening means of a stackable member positioned above or below said member.

2. A display apparatus locatable about the periphery of a structural column, the apparatus comprising a plurality of stackable members each comprising at least two generally arcuate or straight sided sections connectable by latches to form a single stackable member, each said section comprising a plurality of vertically spaced arcuate or straight members separated by generally vertical spacing members, and fastening means located on or towards the upper and/or lower surface of each said arcuate or straight sided member and operable to cooperate with complementary fastening means of a stackable member positioned above or below said member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein one or more of the stackable members includes one or more gripping members movable towards and away from the surface of a structural column about which the display apparatus is located.

4 . Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each section is formed as a lightweight skeletal structure .

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each stackable member comprises an open-frame

structure produced from a plastics and/or polystyrene and or wood material.

6.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising one or more sheets of flexible material located about the display apparatus when assembled.

Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein latches protrude from side and horizontal surfaces of each member to facilitate connections between adjoining stackable members.

8 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein each latch comprises projecting complementary openings pieces which co-operate with formed in neighbouring structural members .