GB2575821A

GB2575821A - A display arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2575821A
Application number: GB1812021.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gillott Gary
Original assignee: J&m Designs Ltd
Current assignee: J&m Designs Ltd
Priority date: 2018-07-24
Filing date: 2018-07-24
Publication date: 2020-01-29
Also published as: GB201812021D0

Abstract

A magnetically supported display comprises a display component formed of a flexible substrate 3 attached to a series of rigid attachment strips 4,5, and a display support. The rigid attachment strips each have a series of discreet magnets 7 arranged at spaced-apart magnetic attachment sites. The display support may be formed of support element strips which correspond in position with the attachment strips or it may be a continuous surface. The support element strips may be formed from a non-magnetic body having spaced apart magnets.

Description

Title: A DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT

Description of Invention

This application relates to a display arrangement, and in particular concerns a display for use in outdoor environments.

There are many circumstances in which a user may wish to place a relatively large display in an outdoor environment. Such displays may include advertisements, for example drawing attention to seasonal events or special offers, or presenting public information.

Typically, such displays are presented on a flexible, weather-proof substrate such as canvas, which will typically be provided with a series of attachment holes around its perimeter. These attachment holes may be used to attach the flexible substrate to a support such as a wall, fence, or elevated display. The flexible substrate may be attached to the support by means of fasteners such as cable ties, which are passed through the attachment holes and looped around a part of the support. Other fasteners such as string, rope, clips or hooks may also be used to attach the flexible substrate to the support.

Displays of this type often lack smartness and professionalism. It is difficult to attach the flexible substrate in such a way that it remains smooth and taut. Even if the flexible substrate can be attached in a satisfactory manner in the first instance, over time the fasteners may shift, causing the flexible substrate to wrinkle and droop. The flexible substrate may often blow or flap in the wind.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved display of this kind.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides a display component, comprising: a flexible substrate: and a series of rigid attachment strips, a rear side of each attachment strip being attached to the flexible substrate, and a front side of each of the attachment strips having a series of spaced-apart magnetic attachment sites provided thereon.

Advantageously, the flexible substrate has information printed on a front surface thereof, and the attachment strips are attached to an opposite rear side thereof.

Preferably, the attachment strips are attached to the flexible substrate such that they are spaced apart from each other.

Conveniently, the attachment strips are attached to the flexible substrate such that they are parallel or substantially parallel with each other.

Advantageously, the attachment strips each have a main body formed from a non-magnetic substrate.

Preferably, the magnetic attachment sites comprise a series of magnets which are attached to, or held in position by, the main body.

Conveniently, the flexible substrate has a height, and each attachment strip extends over all or substantially all of the height.

Advantageously, the flexible substrate has a length, and an edge at each side of the length, and wherein one attachment strip is provided at or near each of the edges.

A further aspect of the invention provides a display component according to any of the above in combination with a display support, wherein the display component may be removably attached to the display support by way of the magnetic attachment sites thereof.

Conveniently, the display support comprises a continuous or substantially continuous surface to which all of the attachment strips of the display component may be attached while the flexible substrate of the display component is in a taut condition.

Advantageously, the surface of the display support is formed at least partially from a ferromagnetic material.

Preferably, the display support comprises a plurality of spaced-apart support elements, wherein one of the attachment strips of the display component may be attached to each of the support elements.

Conveniently, each of the support elements comprises a continuous or substantially continuous surface which is formed at least partially from a ferromagnetic material.

Advantageously, each of the support elements comprises a main body formed from a non-magnetic substrate, having a series of spaced-apart magnetic attachment sites provided thereon.

Preferably, each of the magnetic attachment sites of one of the support elements comprises a series of magnets which are attached to, or held in position by, the main body.

Conveniently, the spacing of the magnetic attachment sites of each of the attachment strips is the same, or substantially the same, as the spacing of the magnetic attachment sites of each of the support elements.

Advantageously, the number of support elements is the same as the number of attachment strips.

Preferably, the support elements are fixed in place with respect to one or more support features so that the spacing between the support elements is the same, or substantially the same, as the spacing between the attachment strips when the flexible substrate of the display component is in a taut condition.

Conveniently, the combination further comprises at least one further display component, wherein the display component and the further display component have different information displayed thereon.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a support arrangement comprising a plurality of spaced apart support elements, fixed in place with respect to one or more support features, each support element comprising an elongate main body formed from a non-magnetic substrate, having a series of spaced-apart magnetic attachment sites provided thereon.

Advantageously, the support elements are parallel or substantially parallel with each other.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of providing a display, comprising the steps of: providing a display support having an attachment surface which is at least partly formed from a ferromagnetic material; and attaching a display component according to any of the above to the display support by attaching the magnetic attachment sites of the display component to the attachment surface.

Preferably, the display support comprises a continuous surface to which all of the attachment strips of the display component may be attached while the flexible substrate of the display component is in a taut condition.

Conveniently, the step of attaching the display component to the display support comprises attaching one of the attachment strips of the display component to each of the support elements.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 show front and rear surfaces, respectively, of a display component embodying the present invention;

Figure 3 shows an attachment strip suitable for use with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a first support arrangement embodying the present invention; and

Figure 5 shows a second support arrangement embodying the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a front view of a display component 1 suitable for use with the present invention. The display component 1 comprises a robust, flexible and preferably waterproof substrate. In the example shown, the display component 1 is rectangular, but the display component 1 may be of any suitable shape.

Preferably, the display component 1 is formed from polypropylene, although any other suitable material may be used. In preferred embodiments, at least the front surface 2 of the display component 1 is also laminated, and this will further assist in avoiding wrinkles forming in the display component 1.

The display component 1 is intended to have information displayed on the front surface 2 thereof. The information may be printed onto the front surface 2 of the display component 1 at any stage of its production. The information may be printed directly onto the finished front surface 2 of the display component 1, whether or not this comprises one or more layers of lamination. Alternatively, the information may be printed onto the front surface 2 of the display component 1 before a lamination or other layer is applied over the top of the information.

While printing is the preferred method for applying the information to the front surface 2 of the display component 1, any other suitable method may be used.

Figure 2 shows the rear surface 3 of the display component 1. A plurality of attachment strips 4 are attached to the rear surface 3 of the display component 1. Each attachment strip 4 is preferably elongate, preferably straight or generally straight, and preferably extends over the entire height, or substantially the entire height, of the display component 1.

The attachment strips 4 are positioned at spaced-apart locations along the rear surface 3 of the display component 1. Preferably, the spacing between the attachment strips 4 is regular, such that the spacing between any two adjacent attachment strips 4 is the same or substantially the same. The spacing between adjacent attachments may, for instance, be between 100 150 mm.

In preferred embodiments an attachment strip 4 is positioned at or substantially at each of the left and right edges 5 of the rear surface 3 of the display component 1.

A single attachment strip 4 is shown in more detail in figure 3. The attachment strip 4 comprises an elongate strip 5 of a base material, which is preferably non-magnetic, and in preferred examples may be formed from a plastics material. The base material should be of a suitable rigidity such that the attachment strips will support the weight of the display component 1 without significantly deflecting or distorting, as will become clear from the discussion below. The strip 5 preferably has a cross-sectional shape which is rectangular or substantially rectangular, although any other suitable cross-sectional shape may be used.

On a front surface 6 of the strip, a plurality of magnets 7 are positioned in spaced-apart relation.

Preferably, each magnet 7 has a front surface which is flush or substantially flush with the front surface 6 of the strip.

In preferred embodiments, each magnet 7 is sunk into the strip 5. This may be achieved, for instance, by drilling or punching a blind hole into the front surface 6 of the strip 5, and inserting a magnet into the hole in a press fit or interference fit, so that the magnet remains firmly in place. In one example, a blind hole having a diameter of 4.8 mm may be punched or drilled, and a circular magnet having a diameter of 5 mm may then be inserted firmly into the hole. This may allow the magnet to remain in position without the need for adhesive or any other additional measures to bond the magnet and the strip together. However, in other embodiments, all or some of the magnets may be attached or bonded to the strip by adhesive, welding, or any other suitable method.

The magnets 7 are preferably spaced apart evenly, so that the distance between any two adjacent magnets 7 is the same or substantially the same.

In the example shown in figure 3 six magnets 7 are formed on the front surface of the strip 5. However, the invention is not limited to this and any suitable number of magnets may be used.

A series of strips 4 are attached to the rear surface 3 of the display component 1, as shown in figure 2. The strips 4 may be attached to the rear surface 3 of the display component 1 by any suitable means, including the use of adhesive, adhesive tape (for instance, double-sided adhesive tape), welding or any other suitable means.

To form a display, the display component 1 is removably attached to a display support. One example of a display support comprises a planar sheet of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel. With reference to the example shown in figures 1 and 2, a rectangular display component 1 is shown. For mounting this display component, a rectangular, planar sheet of steel, of approximately the same dimensions as the display component 1, may be used as a display support.

In order to mount the display component 1 on this display support, the display component 1 simply needs to be placed against the display support. The magnets 7 of the attachment strips 4 will attach magnetically to the display support, and the display component 1 will therefore be held in place.

To install the display component 1, the display component 1 is attached to the display support so that the flexible substrate of the display components 1 is taut between each pair of adjacent attachment strips 4. This will ensure that the front surface 2 of the display component 1 is held in a smooth, planar and wrinkle free condition, to present the information that is shown thereon in a smart and clearly-visible manner.

As the skilled reader will understand, the fact that one attachment strip 4 is provided at each of the left and right edges 5 of the display component 1, and each attachment strip 4 extends over the entire height of the display component 1, means that all parts of the flexible substrate may be held taut, with no loose parts which may sag, crumple or flap.

If magnets of a suitable strength are used, the flexible substrate will be held taut under substantially any meteorological conditions, and the display component 1 is very unlikely to become detached from the display support.

In order to remove the display component, a user simply grasps each attachment strip 4 and pulls the attachment strip 4 away from the display support, thus detaching the attachment strip 4 from the display support. This may be done, for example, by detaching the attachment strips 4 one at a time, starting with the attachment strip 4 at one side of the display component 1. Once all of the attachment strips 4 have been detached from the display support, the display component 1 may be removed, for instance for storage. This may be done if it is desired to display different or updated information as part of the display.

A replacement display component, showing different information, may then be easily attached to the display support to form a new display.

The flexible substrate of the display component 1 will allow the display component 1 to be rolled up tightly for easy transportation and storage, and subsequently to be unrolled and used again. While not in use the display component may, for example, be stored in a tube, such as a cardboard tube. The invention therefore allows very easy and efficient transport and storage of display components 1 which have a relatively large display surface when in use.

The skilled reader will appreciate that this will provide a display which is significantly more smart, professional and presentable than conventional temporary outdoor displays. Moreover, the information shown on the display can be readily and easily changed.

In the example described above, the display support comprises a planar surface formed from a ferromagnetic material, such as steel. For larger displays, however, a single sheet of steel or a similar material may be excessively heavy or expensive.

Figure 4 shows a region of a wall 8 having a series of spaced apart support strips 9 mounted thereon. In this embodiment, each support strip 9 comprises a strip of a ferromagnetic material, such as steel, having a planar or a substantially planar front surface. The support strips 9 are fixed onto the wall 8 in such a way that they are parallel or substantially parallel with one another, and are spaced apart from one another by a spacing which is the same, or substantially the same, as the spacing between the adjacent attachment strips 4 provided on the rear surface 3 of the display component 1.

The skilled reader will appreciate that the display component 1 shown in figures 1 and 2 may readily be attached to the support strips 9, by placing one attachment strip 4 against each of the support strips 9. The magnets 7 of the attachment strips 4 will attach to the support strips 9, thus holding the display component 1 in place, and ensuring the flexible substrate of the display component 1 is held taut, without the need for a heavy and continuous sheet of ferromagnetic material.

Figure 5 shows a further embodiment. Once again, a region of a wall 8 is shown. A series of further support strips 10 are attached to the wall 8, once again in parallel and spaced-apart relation.

In this embodiment, each of the further support strips 10 comprises a strip of a non-magnetic material, such as a plastics material, with a series of magnets 11 presented on a front surface thereof. In some embodiments the further support strips 10 may be formed in a similar manner to the attachment strip 4 shown in figure 3.

Once again, a display component 1, of the type shown in figures 1 and 2, may readily be attached to the series of further support strips 10, by placing one of the attachment strips 4 of the display component 1 against each of the further support strips 10. The magnets 7, 11 of the attachment strips 4 and further support strips 10 will cooperate and hold the display component 1 firmly on to the series of further support strips 10.

The skilled reader will appreciate that, for the magnets 7, 11 to attach to each other, they must have opposite polarity. For instance, each of the magnets 7 which form part of the attachment strips 4 may have its north pole presented on the surface 6 of the attachment strip 4, and each of the further support strips 10 may have magnets 11 with their south poles presented on the surface of the further support strip 10.

The further support strips 10 will have the advantage that, when the attachment strips 4 of the display component 1 are placed against the further support strips 10, one of each of the magnets 7 of the attachment strips 4 will be attracted to, and aligned strongly with, one corresponding magnet 11 formed on the further support strip 10. The result of this will be that the attachment strips 4 of the display component 1 will “snap” into correct alignment, thus helping to ensure that the display component 1 is correctly positioned. If care is taken to position the further support strips 10 so that the further support strips 10 are vertically aligned with each other, the display component 1 can be placed only approximately in place over the array of further support strips 10, and the display component will automatically be aligned so that it is held in a horizontal manner.

While the support strips 9 and further support strips 10 are shown attached to a wall 8 in figures 4 and 5, support strips 9, 10 may be held in position in a suitable way, for instance through attachment to a dedicated frame, to a fence or railing, or in any other suitable position.

In the above discussion the flexible substrate of the display component 1 is shown to be rectangular, with the attachment strips 4 being affixed to the flexible substrate in such a way that the attachment strips 4 are parallel or substantially parallel with one of the pairs of edges 5 of the flexible substrate. One attachment strip 4 is positioned at or near each of this pair of edges 5, with each of the attachment strips 4 extending over substantially the entire height of the flexible substrate. The attachment strips are shown extending vertically in use. However, it should be understood that attachment strips can be attached to the flexible substrate in any suitable arrangement, for instance so that, in use, the attachment strips are vertical rather than horizontal. In other embodiments both vertical and horizontal attachment strips may be employed, for instance by having attachments strips which lie along each of the four edges of the flexible substrate, with (optionally) a series of attachment strips being formed within the perimeter formed by the attachment strips which are positioned at the edges of the flexible substrate.

Particularly where the flexible substrate is not rectangular, any other suitable arrangement of attachment strips (and hence any corresponding suitable arrangement of support strips) may be used.

The skilled reader will understand that embodiments of the present invention provide a system for presenting a professional-looking and changeable outdoor display, which will confer significant advantages with respect to conventional displays of this kind. The information presented on the front surface of the display can be shown in a smart and presentable manner, on a smooth and flat surface, which will remain in this condition over a significant period of time, and through adverse weather conditions.

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 15 combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A display component, comprising:

a flexible substrate: and a series of rigid attachment strips, a rear side of each attachment strip being attached to the flexible substrate, and a front side of each of the attachment strips having a series of spaced-apart magnetic attachment sites provided thereon.

2 A display component according to claim 1, wherein the flexible substrate has information printed on a front surface thereof, and the attachment strips are attached to an opposite rear side thereof.

3. A display component according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment strips are attached to the flexible substrate such that they are spaced apart from each other.

4. A display component according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment strips are attached to the flexible substrate such that they are parallel or substantially parallel with each other.

5. A display component according to any preceding claim, wherein the attachment strips each have a main body formed from a non-magnetic substrate.

6. A display component according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic attachment sites comprise a series of magnets which are attached to, or held in position by, the main body.

7. A display component according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible substrate has a height, and each attachment strip extends over all or substantially all of the height.

8. A display component according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible substrate has a length, and an edge at each side of the length, and wherein one attachment strip is provided at or near each of the edges.

9. A display component according to any preceding claim in combination with a display support, wherein the display component may be removably attached to the display support by way of the magnetic attachment sites thereof.

10. A combination according to claim 9, wherein the display support comprises a continuous or substantially continuous surface to which all of the attachment strips of the display component may be attached while the flexible substrate of the display component is in a taut condition.

11. A combination according to claim 10, wherein the surface of the display support is formed at least partially from a ferromagnetic material.

12. A combination according to claim 9, wherein the display support comprises a plurality of spaced-apart support elements, wherein one of the attachment strips of the display component may be attached to each of the support elements.

13. A combination according to claim 12, wherein each of the support elements comprises a continuous or substantially continuous surface which is formed at least partially from a ferromagnetic material.

14. A combination according to claim 12, wherein each of the support elements comprises a main body formed from a non-magnetic substrate, having a series of spaced-apart magnetic attachment sites provided thereon.

15. A combination according to claim 14, wherein each of the magnetic attachment sites of one of the support elements comprises a series of magnets which are attached to, or held in position by, the main body.

16. A combination according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the spacing of the magnetic attachment sites of each of the attachment strips is the same, or substantially the same, as the spacing of the magnetic attachment sites of each of the support elements.

17. A combination according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the number of support elements is the same as the number of attachment strips.

18. A combination according to any one of claims 12 to 17, wherein the support elements are fixed in place with respect to one or more support features so that the spacing between the support elements is the same, or substantially the same, as the spacing between the attachment strips when the flexible substrate of the display component is in a taut condition.

19. A combination according to any one of claims 12 to 18, further comprising at least one further display component, wherein the display component and the further display component have different information displayed thereon.

20. A support arrangement comprising a plurality of spaced apart support elements, fixed in place with respect to one or more support features, each support element comprising an elongate main body formed from a non magnetic substrate, having a series of spaced-apart magnetic attachment sites provided thereon.

21. A support arrangement according to claim 19, wherein the support elements are parallel or substantially parallel with each other.

22. A method of providing a display, comprising the steps of:

providing a display support having an attachment surface which is at least partly formed from a ferromagnetic material; and attaching a display component according to any one of claims 1 to 9 to the display support by attaching the magnetic attachment sites of the display component to the attachment surface.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the display support comprises a continuous surface to which all of the attachment strips of the display component may be attached while the flexible substrate of the display component is in a taut condition.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein the display support is a support arrangement to claim 20 or 21, and wherein the step of attaching the display component to the display support comprises attaching one of the attachment strips of the display component to each of the support elements.