GB2582814A

GB2582814A - Display sign with a flex face sheet and an electronic screen

Info

Publication number: GB2582814A
Application number: GB1904806.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vincent Richard; Harrison Dean
Original assignee: Brownings Ltd
Current assignee: Brownings Ltd
Priority date: 2019-04-05
Filing date: 2019-04-05
Publication date: 2020-10-07
Also published as: GB201904806D0

Abstract

A display sign 10 comprises a tensioned flexible sheet (“flex face”) 12 and an electronic screen 14. The sign has a frame 32, 34, and the flex face sheet 12 is attached to the frame. The screen 14 is attached to a support 48, 50, 52, 54 which is connected to the frame. A sub-frame 40, 42 may be provided to which an interior edge of the flexible sheet is attached. The sub-frame may surround the screen. The screen support may be adjustable. A method 70 of fitting an electronic screen 14 to a display sign 10 having a flex face sheet 12 is also disclosed, the method including installing the support for the electronic screen, and attaching the electronic screen to the support. The screen may be an LED, OLED or LCD display.

Description

Display Sign with a Flex Face Sheet and an Electronic Screen

Technical Field

The invention relates to a display sign with a flex face sheet and an electronic screen, and a method of fitting an electronic screen to a display sign having a flex face sheet.

Background

It is known to provide a flex face sign for advertising purposes, which comprises a perimeter frame with a sheet attached thereon. The perimeter frame is typically of aluminium extrusion, and the sheet is typically of a canvas or a plastic sheet material, which has the advertising matter printed thereon. The sheet is secured to the perimeter frame with removable clips, which also provide tension to the sheet to avoid wrinkles when it is secured to the perimeter frame. The flex face may be illuminated from the front, or alternatively illuminated from the rear using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) inside the perimeter frame. Such a flex face sign is typically suited for use outdoors, and is particularly suited for larger outdoor illuminated sign applications such as illuminated outdoor retail park signs, outdoor company signs or shop front signs.

It is also known to provide an electronic screen or display for advertising purposes, which may be any type of electronic screen such as an LED screen, an Optical LED (OLED) screen, a liquid crystal screen, or LED matrix screen etc. The electronic screen is designed for outdoor use and may be large, e.g. several meters in height and width, to attract the attention of customers. Such electronic display screens may be used instead of the known flex face sign.

A problem with the known large electronic screens for advertising purposes is that they are generally expensive, which may be outside of the budget for a business that desires electronic advertising. Whereas the cost may be reduced using an LED matrix screen, the cost may still be prohibitive if a large advertising display is required.

A problem with the known flex face signs is that they are "static" such that they may be ignored by customers to some extent, or at least viewed less frequently than electronic screens. Whereas such flex face signs are relatively inexpensive, and the flex face can be changed periodically to refresh the advertising, they lack the "dynamic" nature of an electronic screen or display, which may be updated or changed every few seconds to attract customers.

Furthermore, businesses that require an upgrade to their flex face sign are limited to either changing the flex face, which is inexpensive, or removing the flex face sign (i.e the sheet and perimeter frame) completely and replacing it with a large electronic screen, which is very expensive. Such a choice provides limited options for a business that requires advertising to attract more customers.

It is broadly an object of the present invention to address one or more of the above mentioned disadvantages of the previously known flex face signs and electronic screens, and/or to combine at least some of the advantages of the previously known flex face signs and electronic screens.

Summary

What is required is a flex face sign with an electronic screen which may reduce or minimise at least some of the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a display sign comprising a flex face sheet and an electronic screen, the display sign having a frame, the flex face sheet being attached to the frame, the electronic screen being attached to a support, wherein the support is connected to the frame.

to Such a display sign provides the advantage that the electronic display can be readily combined with the flex face sheet, whereby the electronic screen is adjacent to the flex face sheet. It will be appreciated that the flex face sheet may be attached to the frame with one or more securing devices which also provide tension to the flex face sheet. Such a display sign is generally less expensive than providing a large electronic display t5 that is the same size as the combined flex face sheet and smaller electronic display, whilst also combining the advantages of a "dynamic" advertising display. Accordingly, businesses that require advertising signage are provided with an alternative option of using a smaller sized "dynamic" electronic screen combined with a "static" flexible sheet, and at a cost that may be between a full-sized flex face and large electronic display. These advantages are at least partly provided by the support for the electronic display that is connected to the frame, which permits the flex face sheet to be used with the electronic screen. It will be understood that the front face of the electronic screen and the flexible sheet are substantially level (i.e. coplanar), although this may not necessarily be the case in some embodiments.

Preferably the support comprises an adjustable support so that a position of the electronic display relative to the flex face sheet can be set. It will be understood that the adj ustable support is releasably adjustable.

Preferably the adjustable support comprises an adjustable pivotable mounting, and/or an adjustable rotatable mounting, and/or an adjustable linear mounting. It will be understood that each of the pivotable, rotatable, or linear mountings are releasably adj ustable.

In one embodiment the adjustable support comprises at least one screen mounting and at least one attachment member. Such an arrangement provides a ready connection between the electronic screen and the frame.

The at least one screen mounting and/or the at least one the attachment member may comprise the adjustable pivotable mounting, and/or the adjustable rotatable mounting, and/or the linearly adjustable mounting. It will be understood that each of the screen mounting and the attachment member are releasably adjustable.

Preferably the frame has a sub-frame, the flex face sheet being attached to the sub-frame with one or more securing devices. Such an arrangement may assist with providing the flex face sheet so that it is adjacent to at least one edge of the electronic screen.

Preferably the one or more securing devices also operate as one or more tension devices to provide tension to the flex face sheet between the frame and the sub-frame.

Preferably the flex face sheet is releasably attached to the sub-frame.

In one embodiment the sub-frame and the support are attached to the frame. In another embodiment the sub-frame comprises the support. The support being attached to the frame. Such arrangements provide a combined mounting for the electronic screen and an edge of the flex face sheet, which may be an inner edge of the flex face sheet whilst also providing for adjustable positioning of the electronic screen.

In a preferred embodiment the sub-frame surrounds the electronic screen, and the flex face sheet is attached to the sub-frame so that the flex face sheet surrounds the electronic screen.

Preferably the flex face sheet is releasably attached to the frame, and/or the electronic screen is releasably attached to the support, and/or the support is releasably attached to the frame.

Preferably at least one trim component is provided to cover at least a part of the flex face sheet and the electronic screen. With such an arrangement the trim component covers a boundary between the flex face sheet and the electronic screen.

The electronic screen may be a Light Emitting Diode (LED) screen, an Optical LED (OLED) screen, a liquid crystal screen, or LED matrix screen.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fitting an electronic screen to a display sign having a flex face sheet, the display sign comprising a frame, the flex face sheet being attached to the frame, the method including: installing a support for the electronic screen, the support being connected to the frame; and attaching the electronic screen to the support.

Such a method provides the advantage that the electronic display can be readily combined with the flex face sheet, whereby the electronic screen is adjacent to the flex face sheet. With such a method an existing display sign with a flex face sheet may be refitted (i.e. retro-fitted) with an electronic screen. It will be appreciated that the flex face sheet may be attached to the frame with one or more securing devices which also provide tension to the flex face sheet. Such a method of providing a display sign is generally less expensive than providing a large electronic display that is the same size as the combined flex face sheet and smaller electronic display, whilst also combining the advantages of a "dynamic" advertising display. Accordingly, businesses that require advertising signage are provided with an alternative option of using a smaller sized "dynamic" electronic screen combined with a "static" flex face sign, and at a cost that may be between a full-sized flex face sign and large electronic display. These advantages are at least partly provided by the support for the electronic display that is installed to the frame, which permits the flex face sheet to be used with the electronic screen. It will be understood that the front face of the electronic screen and the flexible sheet are substantially level (i.e. coplanar), although this may not necessarily be the case in some embodiments.

The method may further include cutting the flex face sheet prior to installing the support. Such an arrangement provides for cutting a hole in the flex face sheet, or cutting a part of the flex face sheet, so that the support and the electronic screen can be fitted to the display sign when in situ.

Preferable the support is provided as an adjustable support, the method including setting a position of the electronic display relative to the flex face sheet using the adjustable support. It will be understood that the adjustable support is releasably adjustable.

In one embodiment the method further includes installing a sub-frame of the frame, and attaching the flex face sheet to the sub-frame with one or more securing devices. Such an arrangement may assist with providing the flex face sheet so that it is adjacent to at least one edge of the electronic screen.

The method may further include the flex face sheet prior to installing the sub-frame. Such an arrangement provides for cutting a hole in the flex face sheet, or cutting a part of the flex face sheet, so that the sub-frame can be fitted to the display sign when in situ.

Preferably the method further includes tensioning the flex face sheet between the frame and the sub-frame using the one or more securing devices.

In one embodiment the method further includes installing the sub-frame and the support so that they are attached to the frame. In another embodiment the method further includes installing the sub-frame as the support. The support being attached to the frame. Such arrangements provide a combined mounting for the electronic screen and an edge of the flex face sheet, which may be an inner edge of the flex face sheet whilst also providing for adjustable positioning of the electronic screen.

In a preferred embodiment the method further includes installing the sub-frame so that it surrounds the electronic screen, and attaching the flex face sheet to the sub-frame so that the flex face sheet surrounds the electronic screen.

Preferably the method further includes covering a part of the flex face sheet and the electronic screen with at least one trim component. With such an arrangement the trim component covers a boundary (i.e. joint) between the flex face sheet and the electronic screen.

According to an alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a combined flex face sign and an electronic screen, comprising a frame for attachment of the flex face sheet thereto, and a support for attachment of the electronic screen thereto, wherein the support is attached to the frame.

According to another characterisation of the invention there is provided a method of fitting an electronic screen to a flex face sign having a frame for attachment of the flex face sheet thereto, the method including: fitting a support for the electronic screen, the support being attached to the frame; and attaching the electronic screen to the support.

According to another alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a display sign comprising a flexible sheet and an electronic screen, the display sign having a primary frame and a secondary frame, the flexible sheet being attached and tensioned between the primary frame and the secondary frame, wherein at least one edge of the electronic screen is adjacent to the flexible sheet, and the electronic screen is adjustably attached to a support of the primary frame or the secondary frame.

According to another characterisation of the invention there is provided a method of fitting an electronic screen to a display sign comprising a flexible sheet and a primary frame, the method including: installing a secondary frame connected to the primary frame; attaching and tensioning the flexible sheet being between the primary frame and to the secondary frame; fitting an adjustable support to the primary frame or the secondary frame, the support being for the electronic screen; and adjusting a position of the electronic screen so that at least one edge thereof is adjacent to the flexible sheet.

According to another alternative characterisation of the invention there is provided a display sign comprising a flex face sheet and an electronic screen, the display sign having a frame, the flex face sheet being attached to the frame, the electronic screen being attached to a support, the support comprising an adjustable support so that a position of the electronic display relative to the flex face sheet can be set, the support being connected to the frame, the frame having a sub-frame, and the flex face sheet being attached to the sub-frame, wherein: the sub-frame and the support are attached to the frame; or the sub-frame comprises the support, and the support is attached to the frame.

Any preferred or optional features of one aspect or characterisation of the invention may be a preferred or optional feature of other aspects or characterisations of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments shown by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a display sign according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the display sign shown in Figure 1 along line A -A; Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of a framework of the display sign according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4a is a schematic cross section of the display sign according to an embodiment of the invention with cover strips; Figure 4b is a schematic cross section of the display sign according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figures 5 to 8 show stages of re-fitting a display sign according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 9 shows steps of a method for refitting a display sign according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a display sign according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 10. The display sign 10 comprises a flex face 12 with an electronic screen 14 embedded therein such that the flex face 12 surrounds the electronic screen 14. Four outer cover strips 16, 18, 20, 22 are shown around a perimeter of the flex face 12. Four inner cover strips 24, 26, 28, 30 are shown around a perimeter of the electronic screen 14 such that they are between the electronic screen 14 and the flex face 12. The cover strips 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 may be termed trim components. The electronic screen 14 may be any suitable electronic screen such as a Light Emitting Diode (LED) screen, an Optical LED (OLED) screen, a liquid crystal screen, or LED matrix screen etc. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the display sign 10 shown in Figure 1 along line A-A. In Figure 2 like features to the arrangements of Figure 1 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 2, the four outer cover strips 16, 18, 20, 22 and the four inner cover strips 24, 26, 28, 30 of Figure 1 have been omitted from Figure 2 for clarity. In Figure 2 there are shown two outer perimeter frame sections 32, 34, which are of aluminium extrusion, although plastic extrusion may be used. Each of the frame sections 32, 34 have a recess in which clips 36, 38 can be inserted together with an edge of the flex face 12 to hold and tension the flex face 12 at an outer edge thereof The two outer perimeter frame sections 32, 34 with the recesses and clips 36, 38 are according to known arrangements.

Also shown in Figure 2 are two inner frame sections 40, 42, which are of aluminium extrusion, although plastic extrusion may be used. The two inner frame sections 40, 42 are attached to the outer frame sections 32, 34 by respective connector parts 29, 31. Each of the frame sections 40, 42 have a recess therein in which clips 44, 46 can be inserted together with the flex face 12 to hold and tension the flex face 12 at an inner edge thereof The two inner frame sections 40, 42 are a mounting frame for the inner edge of the flex face 12. The electronic screen 14 is fixedly mounted to a first bracket 48 on a rear thereof A second bracket 50 is fixedly mounted to a cross bar 52, which is fixedly mounted to the two outer perimeter frame sections 32, 34. An attachment bar 54 is provided between the first and second brackets 48, 50, which is adjustably securable to each of the first and second brackets 48, 50 by fasteners at two fastener positions 56, 58. The attachment bar 54 may be termed an attachment member. The first and second brackets 48, 50 and the attachment bar 54 provide an adjustable mounting support so that the position of the electronic screen 14 can be adjusted as required so that a front face thereof is level with the flex face 12. The mounting support 48, 50, 54 provides full three dimensional adjustment of the electronic screen 14 in all X, Y and Z directions (as shown by arrows 51) so that the orientation of the electronic screen 14 can be set relative to the flex face 12, and so that a front face of the electronic screen 14 is level (i.e co-planar) with the flex face 12. Such three dimensional adjustment 51 may be provided by an elongate hole at each end of the attachment bar 54 to receive fasteners at the two fastener positions 56, 58 combined with a rotational mounting at one or both of the first and second brackets 48, 50. It will be appreciated that each connection at the two fastener positions 56, 58 is also pivotable. Furthermore the first and second mounting brackets 48, 50 may also be rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the cross bar 52. The first and second brackets 48, 50 may be termed screen mountings.

Whereas the embodiments above and below describe full three dimensional adjustment 51, in another embodiment the electronic screen 14 may be mounted directly to the cross bar 52 or the two inner frame sections 40, 42 without any adjustability of the electronic screen 14 relative to the flex face 12. Such an arrangement may provide a simplified embodiment. With such an arrangement the electronic screen 14 may be secured to the inner frame sections 40, 42 with fasteners, which may comprise one or more screws or releasable fasteners that engage a body of the electronic screen 14. The body of the electronic screen 14 may be termed a support. Each releasable fastener may be a bolt that may be spring loaded so that it is biased in a deployed position. Such an arrangement would require an installer to operate the releasable fastener to a retracted position followed by fitting the electronic screen 14 between the frame sections 40, 42 and then moving the releasable fastener to the deployed position. The fasteners or bolts may also be used in addition to the support 48, 50, 54 described in the embodiments herein.

In another embodiment the cross bar 52 is fixedly mounted between the two inner frame sections 40, 42 instead of the outer perimeter frame sections 32, 34, and the two respective connector parts 29, 31 are used to attach the inner frame sections 40, 42 to the outer frame sections 32, 34. In another embodiment the cross bar 52 is fixedly mounted to the two inner frame sections 40, 42 and the outer perimeter frame sections 32, 34 (see Figures 4a and 4b). Such an arrangement provides a combined mounting for the electronic screen 14 and the inner edge of the flex face 12 whilst also providing adjustable positioning of the electronic screen 14. In another embodiment the two inner frame sections 40, 42 are fixedly secured to vertical perimeter frame sections (not shown) instead of using the connector parts 29, 31.

Whereas the outer clips 36, 38 are shown to be inserted into the outer perimeter frame sections 32, 34 from a front thereof it will be understood that alternatively the outer clips 36, 38 may be inserted into the outer perimeter frame sections 32, 34 from a rear or side edge thereof so that the four outer cover strips 16, 18, 20, 22 may not be required. Furthermore, whereas the inner clips 44, 46 are shown to be inserted into the inner frame sections 40, 42 from a front thereof it will be understood that alternatively the inner clips 44, 46 may be inserted into the inner frame sections 40, 42 from a rear or side edge thereof so that the four inner cover strips 24, 26, 28, 30 may not be required.

Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of a framework 60 of the display sign 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 3 like features to the arrangements of Figures 1 and 2 are shown with like reference numerals. In Figure 3 the two outer frame sections 32, 34 are shown to be horizontal and connected to two outer frame sections 33, 35 that are vertical. The two inner frame sections 40, 42 are shown to be horizontal and connected to two inner frame sections 41, 43 that are vertical. The inner frame 41, 41, 42, 43 is shown to be connected to the cross bar 52. The outer frame 32, 33, 34, 35 may be termed a primary frame. The inner frame 41, 41, 42, 43 and/or the cross bar 52 may be termed a sub-frame or a secondary frame. The second bracket 50 is also shown to be connected to the cross bar 52 to receive the attachment bar 54. Also shown are dashed lines 45, 47 on the respective inner frame 40, 41, 42, 43 and outer frame 32, 33, 34, 35, which show a location of the recesses for the clips 36, 38, 44, 46 to hold the flex face 12 in position and to tension the flex face 12.

It will be appreciated that whereas the framework 60 is shown in Figure 3 to comprise the outer perimeter frame sections 32, 33, 34, 35 it is also envisaged that the outer frame 32, 33, 34, 35 may not necessarily be a perimeter frame and may be referred to more generally as a frame. Furthermore, whereas the framework 60 is shown to comprise the inner frame sections 40, 41, 42, 43 it is also envisaged that the frame sections 40, 41, 42, 43, may not necessarily be an inner frame and may be referred to more generally as a support.

Figure 4a is a schematic cross section of the display sign 10 according to an embodiment of the invention and with the cover strips 16, 18, 24, 26 in place. In Figure 4a like features to the arrangements of Figures 1 to 4a are shown with like reference numerals. It will be seen from Figure 4a that the cover strips 16, 18, 24, 26 are attached to the respective clips 36, 38, 44, 46 that hold the flex face 12 in place onto the framework 60. Furthermore, in the embodiment of Figure 4a the crossbar 52 is also shown to be attached to the inner frame sections 40, 42 and the second bracket 50, which is similar to the embodiment of Figure 3, and is an alternative arrangement to the embodiment of Figure 2.

Figure 4b is a schematic cross section of the display sign 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figure 4b like features to the arrangements of Figures 1 to 4a are shown with like reference numerals. It will be seen from Figure 4b that the crossbar 52 is shown to be attached to the outer frame sections 32, 34, and a frame section 41 is shown to be attached between the inner frame sections 40, 42. The first bracket 48 is attached to the frame section 41, and the second bracket 50 is attached to the cross bar 52. The electronic screen 14 is secured to the inner frame sections 40, 42 with fasteners as previously described. The arrangements of Figure 4b are an alternative arrangement to the embodiments of Figures 2 and 4a.

In one arrangement each of the frame sections 32, 34, 40, 42 described above have two recesses that are adjacent (i.e. parallel) to each other. One recess in each frame section 32, 34, 40, 42 is for receiving a respective clip 36, 38, 44, 46 together with an edge of the flex face 12 to hold and tension the flex face 12, and the other recess is for receiving the cover strips 16, 18, 24, 26.

Figures 5 to 8 show stages of re-fitting a display sign according to an embodiment of the invention. In Figures 5 to 8 like features to the arrangements of Figures 2 and 4 are shown with like reference numerals. It is envisaged that an embodiment of the invention may be performed by re-fitting (i.e. retro-fitting or fitting) an existing sign 62 (comprising a frame 32, 33, 34, 35 and a flex face 12) with the arrangements described below with reference to Figures 5 to 8. It will be appreciated that the steps may be performed in a different order, and may not necessarily be performed in the order shown in Figures 5 to 8. With such an embodiment a hole 64 is cut into the flex face 12, and the cross bar 52 is installed between the outer frame sections 32, 34 as shown in Figure 6. The connector parts 29, 31 for the outer frame sections 32, 34 are then installed together with the bracket 50 and attachment bar 54 as shown in Figure 7. The bracket 48 is then installed and the electronic screen 14 is secured thereto as shown in Figure 8. The position of the electronic screen 14 can be set by adjusting fasteners at the two fastener positions 56, 58. Lastly the inner clips 44, 46 are then inserted into the inner frame sections 40, 42 as shown in Figure 2 to tension the flex face 12. Cover strips 24, 26, 28, 30 are then attached to the inner clips 44, 46 as shown in Figure 4a.

In the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments reference is made to a flex face sheet 12, which is a known item. It will be understood that the flex face sheet 12 is of a canvas or a plastic sheet material, which may be a fabric such as a woven or non-woven fabric. In a preferred embodiment the flex face sheet 12 is a flexible Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) sheet. According to known arrangements the flex face sheet 12 is stored on a roll and is fed into a printer to receive printed matter thereon such as advertising image or text before it is attached to the framework 60 using the embodiments of the invention. The flex face sheet 12 may alternatively be termed a flexible sheet or a sheet.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the flex face sheet 12 is stretched onto the framework 60 using the clips 36, 38, 44, 46 inserted into the channels 45, 47 so that the flex face sheet 12 is sufficiently tightly attached to the framework 60.

In the above embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the electronic screen 14 may be any suitable electronic display screen, such as an LED screen, an Optical LED (OLED) screen, a liquid crystal screen, or LED matrix screen etc. In a preferred embodiment the electronic screen 14 is an LED matrix screen.

Figure 9 shows steps of a method for refitting a display sign according to an embodiment of the invention, generally designated 70. It will be appreciated that the steps may be performed in a different order, and may not necessarily be performed in the order shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9 the method is a way of fitting an electronic screen 14 to a display sign 10 having a flex face sheet 12, the display sign 10 comprising a frame 32, 33, 34, 35, the flex face sheet 12 being attached to the frame 32, 33, 34, 35. The method including installing a support 48, 50, 54 for the electronic screen, the support 48, 50, 54 being connected to the frame 32, 33, 34, 35. The method including attaching the electronic screen 14 to the support 48, 50, 54, as shown at 72.

The method further including cutting the flex face sheet 12 prior to installing the support 48, 50, 54, as shown at 74. The method further including providing the support 48, 50, 54 as an adjustable support, the method including setting a position of the electronic display 14 relative to the flex face sheet 12 using the adjustable support 48, 50, 54, as shown at 76.

The method further including installing a sub-frame 40, 41, 42, 43, 52 of the frame 32, 33, 34, 35, and attaching the flex face sheet 12 to the sub-frame 40, 41, 442, 43, 52 with one or more securing devices 44, 46, as shown at 78. The method further including cutting the flex face sheet 12 prior to installing the sub-frame 40, 41, 42, 43, 52, as shown at 74.

The method further including tensioning the flex face sheet 12 between the frame 32, 33, 34, 35 and the sub-frame 40, 41, 42, 43, 52 using the one or more securing devices 44, 46, as shown at 80.

The method further including installing the sub-frame 40, 41, 42, 43, 52 and the support 48, 50, 54 so that they are attached to the frame 32, 33, 34, 35, as shown at 78. The method further including installing the sub-frame 40, 41, 42, 43, 52 as the support. The method further including installing the sub-frame 40, 41, 42, 43, 52 so that it surrounds the electronic screen 14, and attaching the flex face sheet 12 to the sub-frame 40, 41, 42, 43, 52 so that the flex face sheet 12 surrounds the electronic screen 14, as shown at 78. The method further including covering a part of the flex face sheet 12 and the electronic screen 14 with at least one trim component 24, 26, as shown at 82.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the inventors have devised a way of providing a combined electronic screen 14 embedded in a flex face 12 of a display sign 10. Such an arrangement is provided at least in part by the adjustable mounting brackets 48, 50 and attachment bar 54 for the electronic screen 14, which can also be used to adjust a position of the electronic screen 14 relative to the flex face 12 so that the front face of each of the electronic screen 14 and the flex face 12 can be set at a desired position. Typically the front face of each of the electronic screen 14 and the flex face 12 would be co-planer, although other orientations of the electronic screen 14 relative to the flex face 12 are also envisaged. The mounting frame 40, 41, 42, 43 also provides the advantage of securing an inner edge of the flex face 12 thereto using a securing device (i.e. the clips 44, 46 inserted into the channels 45) at an inside edge of the hole 64 in the flex face 12. The securing device (i.e. the clips 44, 46 inserted into the channels 45) also provides a tension device for the flex face 12 to adjust a tension of the surface of the flex face 12 between the outer frame sections 32, 33, 34, 35 and the inner frame sections 40, 41, 42, 43.

Whereas the above embodiment show that the electronic screen 14 is located at a centre of the display sign 10 it will be understood that it may be located at any position relative to the display sign 10 such as at an edge or corner thereof. The skilled person will know the arrangements for the cross bar 52 and the frame 40, 41, 42, 43 to provide such a positioning of the electronic screen 14 so that it is adjacent to the flex face 12.

The above embodiment show that the electronic screen 14 may be directly mounted to the adjustable support 48, 50, 54 (see Figures 2 and 4a) Alternativey the electronic screen 14 may be mounted to the inner frame sections 40, 42 (e.g. with fasteners or bolts as described above), and the inner frame sections 40, 42 are then directly mounted to the adjustable support 48, 50, 54 which is in turn mounted to the cross bar 52 (see Figure 4b). Such arrangements provide for a position of the electronic screen 14 relative to the flex face 12 to be adjusted, and may also provide alternative configurations for the attachment of the electronic screen 14 to the outer frame sections 32, 34.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that with the embodiments having the adjustable support 48, 50, 54, at least one adjustable support 48, 50, 54 is required. However, more than one adjustable support 48, 50, 54 may also be used as required. For example, one or more adjustable supports 48, 50, 54 may be provided at an upper region of the electronic screen 14, and one or more adjustable supports 48, 50, 54 may be provided at a lower region of the electronic screen 14.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A display sign comprising a flex face sheet and an electronic screen, the display sign having a frame, the flex face sheet being attached to the frame, the electronic screen being attached to a support, wherein the support is connected to the frame.
2. A display sign according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises an adjustable support so that a position of the electronic display relative to the flex face sheet can be set.
3. A display sign according to claim 2, wherein the adjustable support comprises an adjustable pivotable mounting, and/or an adjustable rotatable mounting, and/or an adjustable linear mounting.
4. A display sign according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the adjustable support comprises at least one screen mounting and at least one attachment member.
5. A display sign according to claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the at least one screen mounting and/or the at least one the attachment member comprises the adjustable pivotable mounting, and/or the adjustable rotatable mounting, and/or the linearly adjustable mounting.
6. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the frame has a sub-frame, the flex face sheet being attached to the sub-frame with one or more securing devices.
7. A display sign according to claim 6, wherein the one or more securing devices also operate as one or more tension devices to provide tension to the flex face sheet between the frame and the sub-frame.
A display sign according to claim 7, wherein the flex face sheet is releasably attached to the sub-frame.
A display sign according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sub-frame and the support are attached to the frame.
10. A display sign according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the sub-frame comprises the support.
11. A display sign according to any of claims 6 to 10, wherein the sub-frame surrounds the electronic screen, and the flex face sheet is attached to the sub-frame so that the flex face sheet surrounds the electronic screen.
12. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the flex face sheet is releasably attached to the frame, and/or the electronic screen is releasably attached to the support, and/or the support is releasably attached to the frame.
13. A display sign according to any preceding claim, and further including at least one trim component to cover at least a part of the flex face sheet and the electronic screen.
14. A method of fitting an electronic screen to a display sign having a flex face sheet, the display sign comprising a frame, the flex face sheet being attached to the frame, the method including: installing a support for the electronic screen, the support being connected to the frame; and attaching the electronic screen to the support.
15. A method according to claim 14, and further including cutting the flex face sheet prior to installing the support.
16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, and further including providing the support as an adjustable support, the method including setting a position of the electronic display relative to the flex face sheet using the adjustable support.
17. A method according to claim 14, 15 or 16, and further including: installing a sub-frame of the frame, and attaching the flex face sheet to the sub-frame with one or more securing devices.
18. A method according to claim 17, and further including cutting the flex face sheet prior to installing the sub-frame.
19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, and further including tensioning the flex face sheet between the frame and the sub-frame using the one or more securing devices.
20. A method according to claim 18 or 19, and further including installing the sub-frame and the support so that they are attached to the frame.
21. A method according to claim 18 or 19, and further including installing the sub-frame as the support.
22. A method according to any of claims 17 to 21, and further including installing the sub-frame so that it surrounds the electronic screen, and attaching the flex face sheet to the sub-frame so that the flex face sheet surrounds the electronic screen.
23. A method according to any of claims 14 to 22, and further including covering a part of the flex face sheet and the electronic screen with at least one trim component.