NZ617917B - Manual display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

617917 A display particularly suitable for a scoreboard or hoarding includes a “non-self- supporting” flexible backing sheet 3 and a plurality of display elements 5 attached to the backing sheet by elastic cords. The elements are arranged as the segments of a character display, for example, the segments of a “seven segment display” and can be individually manually flipped so that the displayed element surface contrasts to the backing sheet or the opposite surface is camouflaged against (looks much the same as) the backing sheet. ments of a “seven segment display” and can be individually manually flipped so that the displayed element surface contrasts to the backing sheet or the opposite surface is camouflaged against (looks much the same as) the backing sheet.

Description

MANUAL DISPLAY APPARATUS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a manual display apparatus. In an embodiment, the manual display apparatus is useful for scoring a sporting event.

BACKGROUND Manual scoreboards for sports are traditionally made from solid materials such as wood or metal. Such scoreboards are often heavy and cumbersome to move and are often permanently fixed in place, for example in a sports ground. Wood and metal are susceptible to warping and wear and metal is prone to rusting, particularly when stored outdoors exposed to the weather. Some scoreboards contain removable numbers which are stored separately to the scoreboard and may be easily misplaced.

Because such scoreboards are expensive and cannot be easily transported, they are not often purchased by individual players or teams. Instead, scoreboards are typically purchased by sports clubs or organisations for a specific sports ground or facility.

Automated scoreboards are typically larger still, and require heavy motorised systems to change numbers or are expensive electronic devices. These scoreboards are generally permanent fixtures at sporting fields, and are not at all portable.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a portable manual display apparatus that addresses at least some of the abovementioned issues, and/or at least provides the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An aspect of the present invention provides a portable manual display apparatus comprising a non self-supporting flexible sheet having a front surface, at least one elastic member, and a plurality of display members attached to the flexible sheet by the at least one elastic member. Each display member comprises a first surface and a second surface that is visually distinct from the first surface and each display member can be turned between a first configuration having the first surface facing forward and a second configuration having the second surface facing forward, to alter the display provided by the display apparatus when viewed from the front of the sheet.

In an embodiment, one of the first or second surfaces of each display member is visually similar to the front surface of the sheet, and the other of the first or second surfaces of each display member is visually distinct from the front surface of the sheet. For example, the front surface of the sheet and one of the first or second surface of each display member may be black, and the other of the first or second surface of each display member may be white, yellow or orange.

The display apparatus may be a scoreboard having the display members arranged in one or more figure-8 arrangements for displaying the digits 0 to 9. Additionally or alternatively the display members may be arranged in different configurations to display different items or non-numerical characters. The or each figure-8 arrangement may comprise at least one elastic member and seven display members. The seven display members may be all connected by a single elastic member having its two ends tied together or otherwise connected. Alternatively each flap may be connected to the flexible sheet by a separate elastic member.

In an embodiment, the flexible sheet comprises a plurality of apertures and the elastic member comprises an elastic cord threaded through the apertures.

The flexible sheet is preferably foldable. The flexible sheet may comprise a polyester fabric, which may be 1000D ballistic polyester.

In an embodiment, a portion of the or each elastic member is arranged between the first and second surfaces of each display member, along an axis of each of display member.

The display members may each comprise a first member and a second member connected to the first member. The display members may be plastic, particularly expanded polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

In use, the display members are preferably positioned against the front surface of the flexible sheet. Alternatively the display member(s) may be positioned against a rear surface of the flexible sheet but be visible from the front surface of the flexible sheet through the sheet, at least when a visually distinct surface of the display member(s) faces the front surface of the sheet.

The display member(s) preferably comprise flap(s), but alternatively may comprise different types of members such as rotatable roller members, for example.

The display apparatus may comprise attachment means at a periphery of the flexible sheet for attaching the sheet to a frame, wall, rail or other support structure. Such attachment means may comprise apertures in the periphery of the flexible sheet.

Further embodiments of the display apparatus may comprise a frame, with the periphery of the flexible sheet being attachable to the frame. The frame is preferably self- supporting and may be foldable or collapsible from a first expanded configuration for displaying the sheet, and a second more compact configuration. In one embodiment, the frame comprises a collapsible A-frame. The frame may comprise spring steel.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at least in part of’. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term ‘comprising’, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. As used herein the term ‘(s)’ following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term ‘and/or’ means ‘and’ or ‘or’, or where the context allows both.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a portable manual display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, lying on the ground; Figure 2 is an enlargement of a top left portion of the portable manual display apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figures 3A – 3C show the process of turning one flap of a number on the portable manual display apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4A is a top perspective view of the flap shown in Figure 3; Figures 4B and 4C show the inner mating surfaces of two flap parts of the flap of Figure Figure 5 is a schematic rear view of the top left corner of the portable manual display apparatus of Figure 1 without the flaps attached; Figure 6 is the schematic rear view of Figure 5, showing an elastic member partially threaded through apertures in the backing sheet for attaching the flaps; Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the top left corner of the portable manual display apparatus of Figure 1 showing the elastic member partially threaded through the backing sheet apertures when two flaps are attached; Figure 8 is the schematic front view of Figure 7 with all seven flaps of the top left digit module attached to the backing sheet; Figure 9 is a schematic view showing one possible number arrangement for a portable manual display apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention configured as a scoreboard for cricket; Figure 10 is a front elevation showing the portable manual display apparatus of Figures 1 to 8 hanging on a vertical wall; Figure 11 shows the portable manual display apparatus of Figure 10 partially folded; Figure 12 shows the portable manual display apparatus of Figure 11 in a more folded configuration; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a portable manual display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible sheet is attached to a foldable A-frame; Figure 14 is a front elevation of a portable manual display apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible sheet is attached to an upright frame; Figure 15 is a front perspective view of a portable manual display apparatus according to a further embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible sheet is attached to an upright frame around its entire periphery; Figure 16 shows a rear, enlarged view of portion AA of Figure 15 showing assembly of the flexible sheet onto the frame; Figure 17 shows an embodiment of the portable manual display system having a foldable frame, folded up and in a bag for storage; and Figure 18 is a schematic view of the flexible sheet attached to a collapsible frame, without display members attached, the frame being twisted to its collapsed form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of a portable manual display apparatus according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 8. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the display apparatus is a sports scoreboard 1, specifically a scoreboard for cricket. The scoreboard 1 comprises a flexible backing sheet 3 and display members 5 mounted to the backing sheet 3 to alter the display on the scoreboard. The display members comprise a plurality of flaps 5. At least one elastic member 7 (shown in Figure 4) attaches the flaps 5 to the flexible backing sheet 3.

Used herein ‘flexible sheet’ means that the sheet is not self-supporting in the absence of a support frame or support structure. The flexible sheet is preferably sufficiently flexible to be foldable so that portion(s) of the sheet can overlap and contact other portion(s) of the sheet, at least prior to the flaps being attached to the sheet.

Each flap 5 has a first surface 5a and a second surface 5b that is visually distinct from the first surface. By way of example, the first surface may be a different colour to the second surface. The first and second surfaces may be on opposed sides of the flap, or alternatively could be on adjacent sides. One of surfaces 5a, 5b of each flap is substantially the same colour as the front surface of the backing sheet 3 and the other surface 5a, 5b of each flap is a contrasting colour. In the embodiment shown, the front surface of flexible backing sheet 3 and the second surface 5b of each flap are black and the first surface 5a of each flap is white or orange. However, it will be appreciated that different colours could be chosen.

The flaps can each be individually flipped or turned between a first position with the first surface 5a facing the front surface of the backing sheet 3, and a second position with the second surface 5b facing the front surface of the backing sheet 3 to alter the display. In one position, the surface 5a of the flap 5 that is the same colour as the front of the backing sheet 3 faces forward so the flap is not readily distinguished from the backing sheet 3 when the scoreboard is viewed from the front. In the other position, the contrasting surface 5b of the flap 5 faces forward and contrasts with the backing sheet 3 to define a portion of a digit or letter, or to define some other character, on the display.

At least some of the flaps are preferably arranged in one or more figure-eight arrangements. Each figure 8 arrangement comprising four ‘vertical’ flaps and three ‘horizontal’ flaps to form a module 6 for displaying digits 0 to 9, i.e. a 10 digit module.

Figures 3A to 3C illustrate the process of flipping one flap 5 of a module 6. The elastic members 7 enable each flap 5 to be moved slightly away from the backing sheet 3 and flipped or turned about a central axis of the flap. Each flap is connected by the elongate elastic member 7 to the backing sheet at two points, preferably at opposite ends of the flap. The two connection points define the central axis. Preferably, the elastic members 7 are cord-covered elongate elastic members and extend along the central axis of the flap. The elastic members could be any suitable stretchable or elastic material, such as rubber or a different elastomeric material for example. Preferably the central axis is a longitudinal axis of the flap to minimise the distance the flap must be moved away from the backing sheet when it is flipped or turned. Alternatively, the central axis could be a transverse axis of the flap. Figure 3A shows one flap 5 partly lifted and turned from the second position, Figure 3B shows the flap midway between the first and second positions, and Figure 3C shows the flap 5 being moved into the first position.

The elastic member(s) bias the flaps towards the backing sheet so that after being pulled away from the sheet and/or turned, the flaps are automatically pulled back into contact with the sheet when they are released. In preferred embodiments, at least a part of the flap is captured between the backing sheet and the elastic member 7.

This flap arrangement is easy to use and is simple enough for children to use. Because the flaps are permanently connected to the backing sheet, there are no numbers or parts that could be misplaced.

Figures 4A to 4C show a preferred embodiment of the flaps 5 for the display apparatus.

The flaps 5 are preferably two-piece members comprising separate first and second parts corresponding to the first and second surfaces 5a, 5b of the flap 5. The two parts each contain a central groove 9 to receive the elastic cord 7 and that defines the central axis of the flap 5. In the embodiment shown, the inner surfaces of the two flap portions 5a, 5b comprise complementary protrusions 11, 15 and recesses 13, 17. The protrusions 11, 15 are outwardly tapered such that the circumference or perimeter at the end of the protrusion is larger than the circumference or perimeter at the base of the protrusion and closest to the surface of the respective flap part. The recesses 13, 17 are inwardly tapered at an angle of about 10º such that the circumference or perimeter of the recess is larger at an inner part of the recess than the circumference or perimeter of the protrusion at the outer part of the recess farthest from the surface of the respective flap part. The tapers cause the two flap parts to interlock when they are pressed together so the two parts are not easily separated. Alternatively, the two flap parts may include alternative suitable engagement means such as a catch and detent, a press fit configuration, or may be connected using fasteners or adhesive.

The flaps 5 are preferably made of a plastic such as expanded polypropylene (EPP) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Alternatively the flaps could be made from another plastic that sufficiently strong, lightweight and UV stabilised. Preferably the two parts of the flaps 5a, 5b are made by injection moulding the portions in suitable moulds.

The flaps 5 are lightweight, preferably less than about 13 grams, preferably between about 8 grams and about 13 grams each, so to avoid placing undue strain on the flexible backing sheet or causing the backing sheet to significantly bend when in an erected display configuration. Lightweight flaps also make the display apparatus easier to store and transport.

In an alternative embodiment, the flaps 5 themselves may be flexible. In such an embodiment, the flaps would typically have sufficient rigidity to hold their shape during use, to provide a display that is visible from the front of the flexible sheet 3, but may flex or fold when the backing sheet 3 is folded. For example, the flaps could comprise a material such as a vinyl.

The diameter of the groove 9 in the flaps is slightly larger than the elastic cord diameter, preferably about 0.2 mm larger than the diameter of the elastic cord, to provide a small clearance to enable the flap to rotate about the elastic cord without restriction. The elastic cord has a diameter of less than about 2 mm, preferably about 1.6 mm. For an embodiment having 2 mm elastic cord, the groove in the flap would be about 2.2 mm diameter. Similarly, for an embodiment having 1.6 mm elastic cord, the groove in the flap would be about 1.8 mm diameter.

The flaps 5 are generally rectangular. The flaps of Figures 4A – 4C have a major dimension of about 116 mm, a minor dimension of about 38 mm and a thickness of about 8mm (each flap portion having a nominal thickness of 4mm). The central groove for receiving the elastic cord 7 has a diameter of about 1.8 mm for receiving elastic cord with a diameter of about 1.6 mm, and is counter sunk at each end. The flaps have two angled edges 5c at either end. The angled edges are substantially at 45º and prevent the ends of two or three orthogonal flaps in a figure-eight arrangement from overlapping. The flaps could alternatively be any other suitable shape.

The flexible backing sheet 3 comprises a heavy duty fabric, preferably a rip-stop or non- rip fabric, for example 1000D polyester 500gsm material. Preferably the fabric for the backing sheet will take and adhere print and preferably has a matt finish. The backing sheet 3 is cut to a shape and size depending on the application and desired final size of the display apparatus 1. The embodiment shown in Figures 1, 9 and 10 is approximately 109 cm wide and 78 high, but it will be appreciated that a wide range of shapes and sizes are possible. The front surface of the backing sheet 3 may have words pre-printed on the backing sheet 3 depending on the application. For example, a sports scoreboard could include the labels ‘home’ and ‘visitors’ printed on the backing sheet 3. A scoreboard suitable for cricket may include the labels ‘over’ and ‘need’ as shown in Figure 9, for example. Custom made displays may include a company or sponsor’s logo printed onto the sheet.

Figure 5 shows a corner portion of the flexible backing sheet 3 without any flaps attached. The periphery of the backing sheet 3a may be reinforced by sewing a hem around the edge of the sheet. The corners of the backing sheet may comprise additional reinforcing material, especially if the display is intended to be hung and supported by its four corners from a support structure such as a wall. The reinforced periphery includes apertures 19 in the four corners and preferably additional apertures at other positions around the periphery. Cord is threaded through the apertures 19 to hang the scoreboard on a wall or fence, for example as shown in Figure 10. Alternatively, hooks may be inserted through the apertures. The apparatus is preferably held in a relatively taut configuration when hung. More apertures 19 are necessary for larger scoreboards.

The apertures 19 are preferably reinforced with stainless steel eyelets.

To attach the flaps to the backing sheet, the desired positions of the flaps to form the figure-eight modules 6 are marked out on the backing sheet 3. Six apertures 21-26 are punched in the backing sheet for each figure-eight module, as shown in Figure 5.

Alternatively apertures could be formed in the sheet using a different method, such as by melting, for example. A template may be used to mark the desired positions of the flaps 5 or the required aperture locations. The punched apertures could optionally be reinforced with eyelets, but an embodiment comprising cord covered elastic and no eyelets is preferred over an embodiment with eyelets on the flap attachment apertures.

In a preferred embodiment, all seven flaps 5 in a given module 6 are attached to the backing sheet by a single elastic cord 7. The cord is threaded through the six apertures, as shown in Figure 6, so there are seven portions of the cord positioned on the front surface of the backing sheet 3 between adjacent apertures to define a figure of eight. As an example, the elastic cord 7 may be threaded through the apertures in the order 21- 22262322232623. The two ends of the elastic cord 7 for a given module 6 are attached to each other, preferably by tying in a knot.

The flaps 5 are assembled and attached to the backing sheet 3 by arranging flap parts 5a, 5b so the elastic cord is in the groove 9, and then pressing the two flap parts 5a, 5b together. The flaps 5 effectively each house a portion of the elastic cord 7 and the cord 7 is free to rotate within the groove. The protrusions 11, 15 on each flap part 5a, 5b mate with the corresponding recesses 13, 17 on the other flap part to engage the two flap parts. This step may be carried out as the elastic is threaded into the backing sheet, as shown in Figure 7 (with two flaps 5 assembled). Alternatively, the flaps may be attached after the elastic is completely threaded into the backing sheet.

The process of punching apertures in the backing sheet 3, threading elastic cord 7, and assembling the flaps 5 is repeated for each figure-eight module 6 on the scoreboard. For example, the embodiment shown in Figure 1 contains nine modules and sixty three flaps.

The display apparatus 1 is typically hung on a wall, fence, railing, posts or other support structure during use, for example as shown in Figure 10. Display apparatuses according to preferred embodiments of the present invention are considerably lighter than an equivalent-sized traditional scoreboard. In addition, because the backing sheet 3 is flexible, the display apparatus 1 can be folded up for transport and storage when not in use. Figures 11 and 12 show the display apparatus being folded. The display apparatus could also be folded transversely to the direction shown in Figures 11 and 12, around a fold line that extends across between the top and bottom numeral modules shown in those figures. Having a foldable backing sheet and display apparatus offers numerous advantages over existing scoreboards and display systems. In particular, a relatively large display apparatus according to preferred embodiments of the present invention can generally be transported in a relatively small carry bag 41, for example as shown in Figure 17. A folded display apparatus occupies less space in storage, and can be more easily stocked and stored by retailers. Because the display apparatus does not need to be permanently mounted, the display apparatus will not typically be kept outdoors exposed to weather conditions. Therefore, the present display apparatuses are likely to be less susceptible to environmental degradation than traditional scoreboards that are stored permanently outdoors.

Rather than hanging the display apparatus on a wall or fence, the flexible sheet 3 may be mounted on a self-standing frame. Figure 13 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible backing sheet 3 for a scoreboard is mounted to an A- shaped frame 31. Figure 14 shows a flexible backing sheet 3 attached to an alternative upstanding rectangular frame 33.

Preferably the frame 31, 33, 39 is collapsible and/or foldable so that it can be folded into a smaller unit for transport and storage. There are a number of ways the frames may be collapsed or folded. In a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 18, the frame 39 is twistable. To collapse a twistable frame, a twist is made in the middle of the longest lateral length of the erected frame. This twist and fold allows the unit to simply fold in half. In an alternative embodiment, the frame may comprise a number of parts or poles and the frame is collapsible by taking the frame parts apart. In preferred embodiments, the collapsed or folded frames are approximately 40% to 50% of the size of the assembled frame, although this may be smaller, particularly for a frame comprising a number of parts of poles that can be disassembled.

A display apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention with a collapsible frame would still be lighter that traditional scoreboards, more portable, and require less storage space, but has the added advantage of being self supporting and therefore does not rely on a wall, fence or other existing structure for mounting the display apparatus.

Frame 31, 33 preferably comprises spring steel formed into a shape and size corresponding to the size of the display apparatus it is intended to support.

Alternatively, the frame could be another suitable material such as aluminium. In an A- shaped frame, the frame may comprise one of more bracing members to limit the front and back of the frame from moving too far apart. The bracing member(s) may comprise spring steel or fabric, for example polyester. The frame shown in Figure 14 comprises anchor portions 37 for inserting into the ground, for example on a grass field, to support the frame. Stops 36 at the top of the anchor portion limit the amount the anchor portions are inserted. Alternatively, the frame may comprise support feet that rest on the ground surface.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, the flexible backing sheet 3 is removably attached to the frame 31, 33, via straps or ties 35. The straps or ties may include snap fasteners, hook and loop (Velcro) fasteners, may tie to the frame, or may comprise a loop or opening for receiving the frame.

A back side of the A-frame 31 or upstanding frame 33 may be fabric covered, preferably using ‘peach skin’ woven polyester fabric. As well as for aesthetic reasons, covering the back side of the A frame provides advantages in windy conditions.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

It will be appreciated that other possible flap 5 and module 6 arrangements to those shown are possible and anticipated for different sports and applications. For example, a basic sports scoreboard for a low scoring sport may include only two digit modules 6 – one module to display the score for each team. A scoreboard specifically for AFL may include numerous modules 6 for displaying goals, points and the total score for each team. A scoreboard for baseball could include modules 6 arranged to display the score for each team, the number of innings and ‘outs’. It will also be appreciated that the display apparatus is not exclusively intended for sports and may have alternative applications, for example in a corporate or educational setting. The flaps could be used to represent letters or other characters, such as a decimal point, a hyphen, or a slash for example.

In an alternative embodiment, the flaps 5 may only comprise a single part. The elastic cord may be threaded through an elongate through hole in the flap or alternatively each flap may be attached to the backing sheet by two elastic members at opposite ends of the flap.

In an alternative embodiment, instead of a backing sheet, the apparatus may comprise a flexible, at least partly transparent front sheet arranged in front of the flaps. The flaps will be positioned against the rear surface of the sheet instead of the front surface as per the embodiments described above. However, the flaps will be viewed from the front of the sheet. A flap will be visible from the front of the sheet when a surface of the flap that is visually distinct from the front surface of the sheet faces forward, and may be substantially invisible from the front surface of the sheet when a surface of the flap that is visually similar to the front surface of the sheet faces forward. The other features of this embodiment would be as described herein.

The flaps in such an embodiment would be turned from behind the sheet.

It will also be apparent to a skilled person that other combinations of colours for the flexible sheet 3 and flaps 5 are possible. For example the front surface of the flexible sheet 3 and the one surface 5a, 5b of each flap 5 could be white and the other surface 5a, 5b of each flap may be any other colour, such as black, grey, blue, green, red or orange. Alternatively, the two ‘colours’ of each flap may be contrasting shades, for example dark green and pale green, or one surface of each flap may contain some other feature visually distinguishing it from the flexible sheet, for example reflectors. Not all flaps in one scoreboard are necessarily the same colour, shade or size.

In alternative embodiments having a foldable or collapsible frame, rather than removably attaching the flexible sheet 3 to a frame, the flexible sheet 3 may be permanently attached to the frame 31, 33. That may be achieved, for example, by sewing the frame into the hem of the flexible sheet.

Claims (19)

What I claim is:

1. A portable manual display apparatus comprising: a non self-supporting flexible sheet having a front surface; at least one elastic member; and 5 a plurality of display members attached to the flexible sheet by the at least one elastic member, each display member comprising a first surface and a second surface that is visually distinct from the first surface; wherein each display member can be turned between a first configuration having the first surface facing forward and a second configuration having the 10 second surface facing forward, to alter the display provided by the display apparatus when viewed from the front of the sheet.

2. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the first or second surfaces of each display member is visually similar to the front surface of the 15 sheet, and the other of the first or second surfaces of each display member is visually distinct from the front surface of the sheet.

3. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the display apparatus is a scoreboard and the display members are arranged in one or more figure-8 20 arrangements for displaying the digits 0 to 9.

4. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each figure-8 arrangement comprises at least one elastic member and seven display members. 25

5. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible sheet comprises a plurality of apertures and the elastic member comprises an elastic cord threaded through the apertures.

6. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a portion of the 30 or each elastic member is arranged between the first and second surfaces of each display member, along an axis of each of display member.

7. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein each display member comprises a first member and a second member connected to the first member.

8. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display members comprise expanded polypropylene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

9. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the display members are flexible.

10. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the front 5 surface of the sheet and one of the first or second surface of each display member is black, and the other of the first or second surface of each display member is white, yellow or orange.

11. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the display 10 members are positioned against the front surface of the flexible sheet.

12. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the display members are positioned against a rear surface of the flexible sheet but are visible from the front surface of the flexible sheet through the sheet, at least when a 15 visually distinct surface of the display members faces the front surface of the sheet.

13. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display members comprise flaps.

14. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flexible sheet is foldable.

15. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the flexible sheet comprises a 25 polyester fabric.

16. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the flexible sheet comprises 1000D ballistic polyester. 30

17. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising attachment means at a periphery of the flexible sheet for attaching the sheet to a frame, wall, rail or other support structure.

18. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the attachment means 35 comprise apertures in the periphery of the flexible sheet.

19. A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a frame, wherein the periphery of the flexible sheet is attachable to the frame.