GB2568954A

GB2568954A - Assembly for displaying images

Info

Publication number: GB2568954A
Application number: GB1720116.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tate John
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-12-04
Filing date: 2017-12-04
Publication date: 2019-06-05
Also published as: GB201720116D0

Abstract

An assembly suitable for displaying one or more images comprises a frame having at least one cavity 3, wherein each cavity has at least one lip 4a, 4b, and at least one image holding means corresponding to each cavity/cavities. Each image holding means comprises a support 5 that, on one side, receives an image 8 and a transparent or translucent cover 6 that is fitted over the support and sandwiches an image therebetween. A biasing means 9, such as a spring, is attached to a side of the support opposite the image-receiving side. The biasing means biases the support in a first operative position against the back of the corresponding cavity and in a second operative position against the lip(s) of the cavity. A handle 10 is temporality attached to the cover to enable each image holding means to be located in each cavity. The frame may comprise a back light and the cover may comprise at least one resilient lug that enable the cover to be snap-fitted over the support. The handle may be attached by suction or magnetism.

Description

ASSEMBLY FOR DISPLAYING A PLURALITY OF IMAGES

This invention relates to an assembly which is suitable for displaying one or a plurality of images such as photographs, slides, drawings and the like. It has the advantage that the images can be easily changed or rearranged by the user as required.

The framing of pictures and photographs is well-known and can be done on either a bespoke basis or using frames of various shapes and sizes which are readily available in retail outlets such supermarkets, garden centres, craft shops and the like. Typically, these frames are designed to display the associated image on a semi-permanent basis and in some cases comprise a frame into which multiple small images can be displayed simultaneously.

One drawback with these assemblies is that changing the images on a routine basis is rather time-consuming making them less attractive where, for example, the image is transitory; for example a weekly shopping list or one of a series of child's school drawing. Another is that they are not routinely designed to display standard sizes of paper (A4, A3 and the like).

We have now devised an assembly which overcomes these disadvantages and thus according to the present invention there is provided an assembly for displaying one or a plurality of images characterised by comprising;

• a frame provided with at least one cavity having at least one lip;

• at least one image-holding means corresponding to the cavity or cavities each of which further comprises:

• a support adapted on one side to receive an image;

• a transparent or translucent cover which can be fitted over the support and which sandwiches the image therebetween;

• a biasing means attached to the opposite side of the support which biases the support in a first operative position against the back of a corresponding cavity and in a second operative position against the lip(s) and • a handle which is temporarily attached to the cover(s) for the purpose of locating the image-holding means in the cavity.

The cavities employed for the purposes of this invention may take any shape or form which can, by virtue of its corresponding lip(s), hold the image holding-means firmly in place. These cavities may be arranged on the frame in a symmetrical or other aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Examples of suitable designs include but are not limited to the outlines of a human face, animal, flower, robot, Christmas tree, heart or cross. In one embodiment, the shape of the cavities may be the same as that of the frame itself; in another they are different - for example square cavities in a circular or oval frame.

In one embodiment the frame is provided with a pair of lips juxtaposed opposite each other around the edges of the cavity and preferably these lips are of a different widths. In one embodiment the lip(s) are made integral with the frame.

In another embodiment, the frame may have ancillary items built into it such as a clock, light or electronic display board. The cavities may also be arranged around a hole in the frame able to receive for example the screen of a PC, tablet computer or laptop.

In one embodiment, the frame is comprised of a backing sheet which is attached to a front sheet into which hole(s) which define the size and morphology of the cavity or cavities have been machined or cut. In one version of this embodiment, the frame, for example the backing sheet, may be provided with a back-light located behind the cavity or cavities which is able to illuminate the image-bearing element(s) when both the support(s) and cover(s) are made of transparent or translucent material. Such an arrangement is suitable when the image is a photographic slide, transparency or holographic image. The back light may be a single item or a plurality of lighting elements corresponding in location to the cavities. These can then be illuminated at the same time or intermittently; for example to give the appearance of a moving image.

The cover, in one embodiment, includes one or more resilient lugs which enable it to be snap-fitted into place over the support. In another, the cover may include one or resilient slots which enable it to be fitted over the support and clamped in place using corresponding rotating latch cams on the support. The handle is one which is suitably capable of being attached to the cover(s) on an non-permanent basis; for example by means of a suction or magnetism.

The biasing means is typically one which is compressed when the covered support is being located into the associated cavity. It is then actuated into its first operative position by applying finger pressure to the support against the back of the cavity using the detachable handle after the cover has been introduced behind the lip or one of the lips. Thereafter, when pressure is relaxed, the biasing means expands causing the covered support to relax into a second operative position where it bears on the back of the lip(s) thereby ensuring that the support, cover and image are held firmly in place. Thereafter, the support can easily be removed by the reverse process; i.e. reapplying pressure via the handle when changing of the image is desired.

The invention is now illustrated by the following.

With reference to Figure 1, an assembly suitable for displaying paper, photographs or children's drawings comprises a rectangular backing sheet 1 made of plastic which has been glued or screwed to front sheet 2 which is provided with machined holes creating four symmetrically disposed rectangular cavities 3 of A4, A3 or other paper dimensions as required. Each of 3 is provided with opposed small and large lips defined by return/flange features 4a and 4b integral with 2. In this embodiment, larger lip 4a has a greater width than small lip 4b to facilitate introduction of the image-bearing element. 1 and 2 may include further decorative features such as moulding or tracery; introduced for example by machining, modelling or scribing.

In Figures 2A and 2B which respectively illustrate planar and sectional views along the X-X' plane of an image-bearing element suitable for use with the assembly, support plate 5 (also made of plastic) and having a corresponding dimension greater that the distance between the edges of 4a and 4b but less than the relevant internal dimension of 3 is covered by transparent plastic cover 6 provided with four resilient lugs or slots 7 which are snap-fitted or fitted into place thereby sandwiching photograph 8. 5 is further provided with a plastic plunger and metal helical-spring 9 on its opposite face which can be biased against the back of 3.

To use the assembly, the user first locates 8 on 5 (latch cams (not shown) may be included for this purpose) and then snap-fits 6 over the top by means of 7. Handle 10 is then temporarily attached to the front of 6 by means of sucker 11.10 is then used to locate the long edge of 7 under wider lip 4a after which finger pressure is applied to 9 against the back of 3. This causes the rest of 5 to rotate and fully locate in 3. Release of the finger pressure then causes the front of 6 to bear on the internal surfaces of 4a and 4b thereby holding the image bearing element in place until such time as the image needs to be replaced by means of the reverse procedure.

Claims

1. An assembly for displaying one or a plurality of images characterised by comprising;

• a frame provided with at least one cavity having at least one lip;

• a support adapted on one side to receive an image;

• a biasing means attached to the opposite side of the support which biases the support in a first operative position against the back of a corresponding cavity and in a second operative position against the lip(s) and • a handle which is temporarily attached to the cover(s) for the purpose of locating each of the image-holding means in the cavity.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the frame is comprised of a backing sheet attached to a front sheet into which hole(s) which define the size and morphology of the cavity or cavities have been made.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 characterised in that the frame further comprises a back light located at the back of the cavity or cavities.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that the frame comprises a plurality of cavities and the back light is comprised of a plurality of lighting elements corresponding in location to the cavities.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 characterised in that the back light is adapted be switched on and off intermittently.

6. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the biasing means is biased by compression against the back of a corresponding cavity into the first operative position.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 6 characterised in the biasing means causes its associated support to bear against its corresponding lip(s) when the biasing means is relaxed into the second operative position.

8. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the cover further comprises at least one resilient lug to enable the cover to be snap-fitted over the support.

9. An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the cover includes at least one resilient slot and the support is provided with at least one corresponding rotating latch cam.

10. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the frame is

5 provided with a pair of lips oppositely juxtaposed around the cavity and wherein the lips are of differing width.

11. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the lip(s) are made integral with the frame.

12. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the handle is

10 temporarily attached to the cover by suction or magnetism.

13. An assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised by comprising a kit of parts consisting of the frame, image holding means and handle.

14. An image support means as defined in claim 1 adapted for use with and assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12.