WO2003092449A1

WO2003092449A1 - A display unit, a retaining member and a frame member

Info

Publication number: WO2003092449A1
Application number: PCT/IB2003/001745
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erhard HÖNIG
Original assignee: Plastrim Investments Cc
Priority date: 2002-05-03
Filing date: 2003-05-05
Publication date: 2003-11-13
Also published as: AU2003223032A1

Abstract

This invention provides a display unit (10) for a picture (not shown), the display unit (10) including a retaining element (20) which is accessible from the front and is movable about a hinge (21) between open and closed positions, such that when the retaining element is in its open position, the picture can be inserted or removed, and when it is in its closed position, the picture is held firmly in place. The invention extends to a retaining member (13) for use in a display unit (10) for displaying a picture and a frame member (16) for a display unit (10) for displaying a picture.

Description

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a display unit as well as to a retaining member and a frame member.

In this specification, the word "picture" refers to a picture, photograph, poster, advertising material and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a display unit for a picture, the display unit including a retaining element which is accessible from the front and is movable between open and closed positions, such that when the retaining element is in its open position, the picture can be inserted or

removed, and when it is in its closed position, the picture is held firmly in place.

An urging means may be provided for urging the retaining element,

in use, into engagement with the picture.

The display unit may comprise a frame member; and a retaining member, the retaining member having a retaining portion and an

attachment portion, the attachment portion being engageable with the frame member and the retaining portion being attached by way of a hinge to a part of the

attachment portion. It will be appreciated that the retaining portion is the retaining

element mentioned above.

The display unit preferably includes a plurality of frame members,

which are attached end-to-end to one another to form a frame.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a

retaining member for use in a display unit for displaying a picture, the retaining

member having a retaining portion, for retaining the picture in the display unit, and

an attachment portion, the attachment portion being engageable with an operative

front region of a frame of the display unit, with the retaining portion being movable

between a closed position in which it retains the picture in the display unit and an

open position in which the picture may be removed from and inserted in the display

unit.

The retaining portion may be hinged to a part of the attachment

portion.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a frame

member for a display unit for displaying a picture, in which an operatively front

region of the frame member has locating formations for a retaining member having

a retaining portion, for retaining the picture in the display unit, and an attachment

portion, the attachment portion being engageable with an operative front region of a frame of the display unit, with the retaining portion being movable between a closed position in which it retains the picture in the display unit and an open position in which the picture may be removed from and inserted in the display unit.

The hinge may be an integral hinge on the retaining member. The

frame members may be elongated and the hinge may be defined by a hinge strip. The retaining member may be of a resiliently flexible material. Typically, each side

of the frame of the display unit may have one frame member. The display unit may have a plurality of retaining members. Typically, each frame member has an

associated retaining member engaged therewith.

The frame members may be glued together or joined together by an angle piece which fits into grooves running along the lengths of the respective

frame members being joined and is fastened into position by, for example, screws. Typically, the frame has straight sides and the frame members are mitred.

Each frame member may have locating formations for holding its associated retaining member in place when it is both in its closed and open configurations. Each frame member may define a longitudinal channel extending along the frame member, the locating formations being two grooves which are dimensioned and shaped to receive the attachment portion of the retaining member, one of the grooves being an outer groove being defined by a side of the channel proximate to an outer edge of the frame member and the other groove

being an inner groove being defined by a side of the channel proximate to the inner edge of the frame member.

Each attachment portion may comprise a first and a second

attachment element, the first attachment element engaging with the outer locating formation and the second attachment element engaging with the inner locating

formation. Conveniently, the retaining element and the second attachment element may be rigidly connected to each other and may be connected to the first

attachment element by means of the hinge strip.

The first attachment element may be curved. The hinge strip may lie above a line between the inner and the outer grooves when the retaining portion is in its closed position and below the line when the retaining portion is in its open position. It will be appreciated that the outer attachment element bends to have a greater curvature when the retaining portion is moved from its closed position towards its open position, with the hinge strip moving towards the joining the inner

and the outer grooves, until the hinge crosses the line, when the outer attachment element then decreases its curvature and the hinge moves away from the line, on the other side thereof, in an "over centre" manner, the retaining portion then moving to its open position. The reverse occurs when the retaining portion is moved from its open position towards its closed position.

The retaining portion may thus be bistable.

The first attachment element may be curved outwardly or inwardly. In a first embodiment of the invention, the inner groove is generally semi-circular in shape and a complementary formation is provided on the second attachment element, which has a curved shape, to fit snugly in the inner groove.

An end of the first attachment element is pivotally located in the outer groove of its associated frame member. In use, when the retaining element is displaced from

its closed to its open position, the complementary formation of the second attachment element slides circumferentially along the inner groove of its associated frame member and the end of the first attachment element pivots in the outer groove. The reverse occurs when the retaining element is displaced from its open

position to its closed position.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the second attachment element has an edge which is pivotally located in the inner groove of its associated

frame member and the first attachment element has an edge which is pivotally located in the outer groove of its associated frame member. The edges of the first and the second attachment elements may be rounded to facilitate pivoting. In use, when the retaining member is displaced from its closed position to its open position, the edges of the attachment portion pivot in their associated grooves.

The retaining member may have a decorative surface appearance.

The exposed parts of the frame may also have a decorative surface finish. The display unit may include a backing sheet which is fastened,

typically by way of stapling, to the frame members. The backing sheet may be of wood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING ILLUSTRATIONS

The invention is now described, by way of an example, with reference

to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the display unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the first embodiment of the display unit in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectioned view of the first embodiment of the display unit in accordance with the invention along line Ill-Ill in Figure 1 .

Figure 4 is a transverse sectioned view of a part of a second embodiment of a display unit in accordance with the invention, with the retaining

element thereof in its closed position;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectioned view of the part of the second embodiment of the invention of Figure 4, with the retaining element in its open position; and

Figure 6 is a transverse sectioned view of a part of a third embodiment of the invention, with the retaining element in its closed position. ln Figures 1 , 2 and 3, the display unit is designated generally by reference numeral 10.

Referring to Figure 1 , a display unit 10 has a frame 1 1 and retaining members 12, 13, 14 and 15. The retaining members 12, 13 and 14 are in a closed position and the retaining member 15 is in an open position. The retaining members 12, 13, 14 and 1 5 are accessible from the front. The frame 1 1 comprises a plurality of elongated frame members 16. The retaining members each has a retaining element, specifically a retaining portion 20, and an attachment

portion 17, each attachment portion 17 being engageable with one of the frame members 16.

The attachment portions 17 are engaged with the frame 1 1 . The retaining elements 20 are displaceable around thin, integral hinge strips 21 which extend longitudinally along the retaining members 1 2, 13, 14 and 15 respectively.

Retaining members 12, 13, 14 and 15 are of a resiliently flexible plastics material. The retaining members 1 2, 13, 14 and 1 5 are made from

extruded polymeric material comprising polyurethane and ABS, the polyurethane and ABS being intimately admixed, the amount of the polyurethane and ABS together amounting to 100 percentage by mass of the composition, and the mass ratio of the polyurethane to ABS being 1 : 2.

The frame members 1 6 are of foamed polystyrene. Referring to Figure 2, like reference numerals refer to like features.

The frame members 16 are attached end-to-end to one another to form the frame

1 1 by means of angle pieces 22 which fit into grooves 23 which run along the

lengths of the frame members 1 6. The angle pieces 22 are fastened to the frame members 16 by means of screws 24.

Referring to Figure 3, like reference numerals refer to like features.

Each frame member 16 defines a longitudinal channel 25 extending along the frame member 1 6. Each frame member 1 6 is provided with locating formations being an outer groove 28, which is defined by a side of the channel 25 proximate to an outer edge 42 of the frame member 16, and an inner groove 32, which is

defined by a side of the channel 25 proximate to an inner edge 44 of the frame member 16. Each attachment portion 17 comprises a first attachment element 18 and a second attachment element 19. Each retaining portion 20 is attached by way of a integral hinge strip 21 to a part of the attachment portion 17 being the

first attachment element 18. The first attachment element 18 engages with the outer groove 28 and the second attachment element 1 9 engages with the inner groove 32. The second attachment element 19 and the retaining portion 20 are rigidly connected to each other by means of a connecting web 40. The first

attachment element 18 is joined to the web 40, along one edge, by the hinge strip 21 . The retaining portions 20 are bistable, such that the retaining portions 20

remain in both their open and closed positions unless manually displaced. The first attachment 18 element is outwardly curved. The inner groove 32 of each frame member 1 6 is generally semicircular in shape and a curved complementary formation 30 is provided on the second attachment element 19 of each of the retaining members 12, 13, 14 and

15 which fits snugly in the inner groove 32 of the associated frame member 16. An end 27 of the first attachment element 18 of each retaining member 12, 13,

14 and 1 5 is pivotally located in the outer groove 28 of the associated frame member 1 6.

A wooden backing sheet 34 is fastened to the frame members 16 by

means of staples (not shown).

In use, a picture (not shown) is inserted in the display unit 10 by manually displacing each of the retaining elements 20 about their hinge strips 21 from their closed positions, being parallel to the backing sheet 34, to their open positions, being substantially at right angles to the backing sheet 34. As a

retaining element 20 is displaced to its open position, its attachment element 18 buckles such that the hinge strip 21 moves towards its associated frame member

1 6 while the complementary formation 30 of the second attachment element 19 slides circumferentially along the inner groove 32 on its associated frame member

1 6. A reverse process occurs when the retaining elements 20 are manually displaced from their open positions to their closed positions to hold the picture firmly in place. During the displacement of the retaining elements 20, the end 27 pivots in the groove 28 of its associated frame member 1 6. Referring to Figure 4, a part of a display unit in accordance a second

embodiment of the invention with the invention is referred to generally by reference numeral 100. The unit 100 has a frame member 102 and a retaining member 104.

The retaining member 104 is of a resiliently flexible plastics material. The retaining member 104 comprises a first attachment element 106, a second attachment

element 108 and a retaining portion 1 10. The second attachment element 108 and the retaining portion 1 10 are rigidly connected by means of a connecting web

1 12. The second attachment element 108 and the retaining element 1 10 extend from the web 1 12 in the same direction. The second attachment element 108 has

a rounded edge 1 14. The first attachment element 106 is joined to the web 1 12, along one edge, by a thin hinge strip 1 16. Its other edge 1 18 is also rounded.

The frame member 102 has a channel 120 with a lip 122 on one side, and a lip 124 on the other side, of the channel 120. The lips 122 and 124 define an outer groove 126 and a inner groove 128 for the edges 1 18 and 1 14 respectively.

A backing sheet 130 is secured to the frame member 102, and a free edge 132 of the retaining element 1 10 presses against the backing sheet when the retaining element 1 10 is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 4.

As seen in Figure 4, the first attachment element 106 is outwardly curved,

and the hinge strip 1 16 is above a line joining the outer groove 126 and the inner groove 128. When the retaining portion 1 10 is lifted away from the backing sheet 130, the retaining portion 1 10 and the second attachment element 108 hinge about the hinge strip 1 1 6, and the curvature of the first attachment element 106 increases. The hinge strip 1 16 moves toward the line joining the outer groove 1 26 and the inner groove 128. When the hinge strip 1 16 crosses the line, the

curvature of the first attachment element 106 automatically decreases, due to the resilience of the material, and the retaining element 1 10 moves on its own to the

open position shown in Figure 5. The reverse happens when the retaining element

1 10 is moved from its open position towards its closed position. It will be

appreciated that the edges 1 18 and 1 14 pivot in their associated grooves 126 and

128 when the retaining element 1 10 is moved between its open and closed

positions.

Referring to Figure 6, a part of a display unit in accordance a third embodiment of the invention with the invention is referred to generally by reference

numeral 200. The unit 200 has a frame member 202 and a retaining member 204. The retaining member 204 is of a resiliently flexible plastics material. The retaining

member 204 comprises a first attachment element 206, a second attachment element 208 and a retaining portion 210. The second attachment element 208 and the retaining portion 210 are rigidly connected by means of a connecting web 21 2. The second attachment element 208 and the retaining element 210 extend

from the web 21 2 in the same direction. The second attachment element 208 has a rounded edge 214. The first attachment element 206 is joined to the web 212, along one edge, by a thin integral hinge strip 216. Its other edge 218 is also rounded. The retaining portion 210 is bistable, such that the retaining portion 210

remains in both its closed position and its open position unless manually displaced. The frame member 202 has a channel 220 with an outer groove 226 and

an inner groove 228 for receiving the edges 218 and 214 respectively.

A backing sheet (not shown) is secured to the frame member 202, and a free edge 232 of the retaining portion 210 presses against the backing sheet when

the portion element 210 is in its closed position.

As seen in Figure 6, the first attachment element 206 is inwardly curved. When the retaining portion 210 is lifted away from the backing sheet, the retaining portion 210 and the second attachment element 208 hinge about the hinge strip 21 6, the first attachment element 206 buckles and the edges 218 and 214 pivot in their associated grooves 226 and 228. A reverse process occurs when the retaining portion 210 is manually displaced from its open position to its closed position.

It will be appreciated that by means of this invention, as exemplified, a picture can be quickly and easily inserted and removed from the display unit, which can be manufactured in a simple and economical manner.

Claims

1 A retaining member for use in a display unit for displaying a picture,

characterised in that the retaining member has a retaining portion, for retaining the picture in the display unit, and an attachment portion, the attachment portion being engageable with an operative front region of a frame of the display unit, with the retaining portion being movable between a closed position in which it retains the

picture in the display unit and an open position in which the picture may be removed from and inserted in the display unit.

2 A retaining member as claimed in claim 1 , characterised that the retaining

portion is hinged to a part of the attachment portion.

3 A retaining member as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that it is provided with an urging means for urging the retaining portion, in use, into engagement with the picture.

4 A retaining member as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the hinge is an integral hinge.

5 A retaining member as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the retaining

member is elongate and the hinge is defined by a hinge strip.

6 A retaining member as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that the retaining member is of a resiliently flexible material.

7 A retaining member as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the

attachment portion comprises a first and a second attachment element, the retaining portion and the second attachment element being rigidly connected to

each other and being connected to the first attachment element by means of the hinge.

8 A retaining member as claimed in claim 7 characterised in that the first

attachment element is curved.

9 A retaining member as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the edges of the first and the second attachment elements are rounded to facilitate pivoting in

grooves defined by the frame.

10 A retaining member as claimed in any of the preceding claims characterised in that the retaining member is of an extruded polymeric material.

1 1 A retaining member as claimed in claim 10 characterised in that it has a

composition which includes polyurethane; and acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene terpolymer (ABS), the polyurethane and ABS being intimately admixed, the amount of the

polyurethane and ABS together amounting to at least 90 percent by mass of the composition and the mass ratio of polyurethane to ABS being between 1 : 4 and

2 : 3.

12 A retaining member as claimed in claim 1 1 characterised in that the amount of the polyurethane and ABS together amount to at least 100 percent by mass of the composition.

13 A retaining member as claimed in claim 1 1 or 1 2 characterised in that the

mass ratio of polyurethane to ABS is between 3 : 10 and 2 : 3.

14 A frame member for a display unit for displaying a picture, characterised in

that an operatively front region of the frame member has locating formations for a retaining member as claimed in Claim 1.

1 5 A frame member as claimed in claim 14 characterised in that it is elongated and defines a longitudinal channel extending along the frame member, the locating formations being two grooves which are dimensioned and shaped to receive the

attachment portion of the retaining member, one of the grooves being an outer groove which is defined by a side of the channel proximate to an outer edge of the frame member and the other groove being an inner groove which is defined by a side of the channel proximate to an inner edge of the frame member.

16 A frame member as claimed in claim 14 or 15 characterised in that it is of foamed polystyrene. 17 A display unit for a picture, characterised in that it includes a retaining

element which is accessible from the front and is movable between open and closed positions, such that when the retaining element is in its open position, the picture can be inserted or removed, and when it is in its closed position, the picture is held firmly in place.

18 A display unit as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that it includes: a frame member; and a retaining member, the retaining member having a retaining portion and an

attachment portion.

1 9 A display unit for a picture as claimed in claim 17, characterised in that is urging means may be provided for urging the retaining element, in use, into

engagement with the picture.

20 A display unit as claimed in claim 18 characterised in that the hinge is an integral hinge of the retaining member.

21 A display unit as claimed in claim 20 characterised in that the retaining member is of a resiliently flexible material.

22 A display unit as claimed in claim 21 characterised in that there are a plurality of elongated frame members, which are attached end to end to one another so as to form a frame, each frame member having an associated elongated retaining member engaged therewith, and the hinge is a hinge strip extending

longitudinally along the retaining member, each frame member being provided with locating formations for holding its associated retaining member in place when it is in both its closed and open configurations.

23 A display unit as claimed in claim 22 characterised in that each frame member defines a longitudinal channel extending along the frame member and the locating formations on each frame member are two grooves which are dimensioned and shaped to receive the attachment portion, one of the grooves being an outer groove which is defined by a side of the channel proximate to an outer edge of the frame member and the other groove being an inner groove which is defined by a

side of the channel proximate to the inner edge of the frame member.

24 A display unit as claimed in claim 23 characterised in that each attachment portion comprises a first and a second attachment element, the first attachment element engaging with the outer locating formation and the second attachment element engaging with the inner locating formation, the retaining portion and the

second attachment element being rigidly connected to each other and being connected to the first attachment element by means of the hinge strip.

25 A display unit as claimed in claim 24 characterised in that the first

attachment element is curved. 26 A display unit as claimed in claim 25 characterised in that the hinge strip lies

above a line between the inner and the outer grooves when the retaining portion is in its closed position and below a line between the inner and the outer grooves when the retaining portion is in its open position.

27 A display unit as claimed in claim 24 characterised in the inner groove is generally semi-circular in shape and a complementary formation is provided on the second attachment element having a curved shape to fit snugly in the inner groove, an end of the first attachment element being pivotally located in the outer groove

of the frame member.

28 A display unit as claimed in claim 25 characterised in that the second attachment element has an edge which is pivotally located in the inner groove of the frame member and the first attachment element has an edge which is pivotally located in the outer groove of the frame member.

29 A display unit as claimed in claim 28 characterised in that the edges of the first and second attachment elements are rounded to facilitate pivoting.

30 A display unit as claimed in any one of claims 27, 28 or 29 characterised in

that the first attachment element is outwardly curved.

31 A display unit as claimed in any one of claims 27, 28 or 29 characterised in

that the first attachment element is inwardly curved. 32 A retaining member for use in a display unit for displaying a picture, substantially as described and illustrated in the specification.

33 A frame member for engaging with a retaining member of a display unit for displaying a picture, substantially as described and illustrated in the specification.

34 A display unit for a picture, substantially as described and illustrated in the

specification.