IES78448B2 - A display device - Google Patents

Abstract

The display device comprises a cylindrical drum (10) which is manufactured from two identical mouldings (11). The drum (10) is rotatably mounted on two nylon bearings (14) each of which is secured to the pole A by bolts. The circumference of the drum (10) is divided into four recess panels (12), measuring 375mm x 250mm, by four integrally formed longitudinal strips (18), two of which are provided on each moulding (11). Four mountings (21) are provided on each moulding (11) and in which four bolts (22) and interengaging nuts (23) may be placed. The bolts (22) are provided with allen-key heads. The holes (26) on the drum are closed by means of plugs each having an outer surface contoured to the shape of the drum (10).

Description

A DISPLAY DEVICE The present invention relates to a display device, particularly a display device for mounting on a pole such as at a bus stop.

It has been noted by many bus companies that where a bus stop is provided with a timetable which indicates the time it is estimated that a bus will pass that particular stop, then bus usage and therefore fares generated increase. However, the actual displaying of a timetable at a bus stop does present problems. The signs or display located at bus stops are such as would be likely to cause injury to pedestrians and are susceptible to being vandalized.

EP-A-0 422 772 discloses a display device having means for attachment to a support such as a pole, the display device being cylindrical in shape and having a surface adapted to support and display an information bearing sheet such as a timetable, the display device being co-axial with the pole when attached thereto. The device is rotatable about its longitudinal axis and is provided with a domed top and a domed end, whereby no sharp corners or edges are provided on the device. About the circumference of the cylinder are three vertical panels for advertising sheets and information sheets, timetables, etc.

The device comprises two identical mouldings, one moulding orientatable in a first direction and the second moulding orientatable in a second opposite direction so as to enable the mouldings to engage. Each moulding has a female rim section and a male rim section with the male and female rim sections of one moulding being engagable with the corresponding female and male rim sections respectively of the second moulding when orientated in - 2 S78448 mutually opposite directions. Thus each moulding has one and a half panels for advertising and information sheets and one sheet is secured to two half panels of the engaged mouldings. If the edges of the mouldings do not meet exactly then a line can be seen on the sheet which can result in tearing of the sheet by passers by, even when the sheet is a strong vinyl material.

At each end of the three vertical panels is a narrow 10 horizontal panel extending about the circumference of each moulding. A strip of advertising or information material is affixed to each of these horizontal panels. The two mouldings are secured together by fasteners through mountings provided on the inner surface of each moulding.

The fasteners are inserted through orifices which are located in the aforementioned horizontal panels. A separate plug having an outer surface contoured to blend in with the horizontal panel is provided to seal each of the orifices after the insertion of the fasteners into the mountings.

Some difficulties arise in practise with the above arrangement. There is likely to be a small discrepancy between the contoured surfaces of the plugs and the horizontal panels due to the plugs being slightly protruding or slightly depressed. The protrusion can give rise to tearing of the information sheet and the depression can cause the formation of a blister due to the sun heating and expanding air behind the sheet.

The object of the invention is to alleviate the disadvantage associated with the prior art display device and to provide an improved display device.

The present invention provides a display device of the type described characterised in that each moulding is provided with a pair of equisized vertical panels with an elongate strip separating one panel from the other.

Typically each panel is of size to accommodate a standard poster of a size for example 375mm x 250 mm (15 inches x 10 inches) or standard multiples thereof. Thus when two mouldings are assembled, the display can accommodate four sheets of information or advertising and no sheet bridges the joins between the two mouldings.

Advantageously, the two mouldings may be secured together by fasteners engagable through mountings provided on the inner surface of each moulding and insertable through orifices on the outer surface of the moulding, the orifices being outside the area and panels used for displaying sheets of information.

Conveniently, the lower part of the display has a domed end whereby no sharp corners are provided on the lower end of the device and the upper part of the device has an additional panel or surface for displaying information.

One of the additional panels on the upper part of the device may include a housing for containing a clock, a visual display unit or other means for providing current information to members of the public.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, one embodiment of a display device according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the display device mounted on a pole showing an example of an arrangement of a display of advertising and information material; Figure 2 is a perspective side view similar to Figure 1 5 with the advertising and information material removed; Figure 3 is a longitudinal side view of the display device; Figure 4 is a plan view of the device from above; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional transverse view of the device along AA of Figure 3; Figure 6 is a cross sectional longitudinal view along line BB of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the inside of a moulding of the display device to a pole.

Referring to the drawings, the display device comprises a cylindrical drum 10 which is manufactured from two identical mouldings 11. The drum 10 is rotatably mounted on two nylon bearings 14 each of which is secured to the pole A by bolts (not shown). The circumference of the drum 10 is divided into four recess panels 12, measuring 375mm x 250mm, by four integrally formed longitudinal strips 18, two of which are provided on each moulding 11. Four mountings 21 are provided on each moulding 11 and in which four bolts 22 and interengaging nuts 23 may be placed. The bolts 22 are provided with alien-key heads.

The holes 26 on the drum are closed by means of plugs (not shown) each having an outer surface contoured to the shape of the drum 10. The holes 26 and associated plugs are outside the sheet bearing panels 12 and circumferential panel 25 which is also used to carry information.

The mouldings 11, which are identical, are injection moulded in a polycarbonate derivative and the ends of the drum 10, may be painted as required. The polycarbonate derivative is not susceptible to attack by fluorocarbons as used in aerosols and thus improves the vandal resistance of the display device.

The rims 50 at one side of each moulding 11 are complementary with the rim 60 at the other side of the moulding. When a pair of mouldings 11 are aligned and engaged with one another the rim 50 of one moulding 11 engages with the rim 60 of the second moulding. Each rim 60 has a number supporting lugs 70 which support the rim of the other moulding when engaged.

Each of the bearings 14 comprises a pair of identical mouldings 30 which are engaged about the pole. The bearing 14 is manufactured from a nylon material which is self-lubricating and the flat cylindrical shape of the bearing 14 corresponds to the web 37 provided on the inner surface of each moulding 11.

Information sheets or advertising materials B may be secured in the recess panels 12. The information sheets which can have timetables for that particular stop are printed on a matt finish vinyl. The printing is effected by a laser printer. Vinyl strips of information or advertising material are placed in the circumferential panel 25 provided at the lower part of the drum 10.

The upper part of the device 10 has a number of small circular panels 55 which can be used to display information or advertising C or to provide a housing for a clock 65 to assist members of the public in determining how long they need to wait for a bus.

The device may be provided with internal illumination, and also include a fuse board, trip switch, control unit, time switch or a solar operated switch, etc. These elements would be provided at a base of the pole A or internally between the mouldings 11.

The bus stop can include an illuminated sign on top of the pole which can be illuminated so that the bus stop will be clearly visible.

A specific number is allocated to each bus stop, so that a unique timetable may be generated for that bus stop. The identification number may be affixed in a bar coding, so that the number can be read by a bar code reader, for maintenance, etc.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS :

1. A display device having means for attachment to a support such as a pole, the display device being generally cylindrical in shape and having a surface adapted to support and display an information bearing sheet such as a timetable, the display device being co-axial with the pole when attached thereto, the display device being rotatable about its longitudinal axis, the device comprising two identical mouldings, one moulding being orientatable in a first direction and the second moulding being orientatable in a second opposite direction so as to enable the mouldings to engage; characterised in that each moulding is provided with a pair of equisized vertical panels with an elongate strip separating one panel from the other, whereby two information bearing sheets may be applied to each moulding, so as to provide a four panel display device.

2. A display device as claimed in Claim 1, in which the two mouldings are securable together by fasteners engagable through mountings provided on the inner surface of each moulding and insertable through orifices on the outer surface of the moulding, the orifices being outside the area and panels used for displaying sheets of information.

3. A display device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the lower part of the display has a domed end whereby no sharp corners are provided on the lower end of the device and the upper part of the device has an additional panel or surface for displaying information.

4. A display device as claimed in Claim 3, in which one of the additional panels on the upper part of the device includes a housing for containing a clock, a visual display unit or other means for providing current information to members of the public.

5. A display device substantially as herein described 5 with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.