WO2010139335A1

WO2010139335A1 - Roller poster

Info

Publication number: WO2010139335A1
Application number: PCT/DK2010/050123
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tonny Hubert Jensen
Original assignee: Hubert Skilte Design Aps
Priority date: 2009-06-02
Filing date: 2010-06-02
Publication date: 2010-12-09
Also published as: DK200900685A

Abstract

A roller poster (1) adapted for displaying a poster band (2), including: - a frame (3); - a first roller (4) fitted in the frame (3); - a second roller (9) which is fitted in the frame (3) and mounted spaced apart from the first roller (4); and - a support arrangement (1 1) fixed or loosely mounted in the frame (3), the support arrangement provided with third connecting means (12) for releasable engagement with an insertion roller (13), wherein it further includes a first insertion member (5) which at its first end (6) is connected to the first roller (4), and which at its second end (7) is provided with first connecting means (8) that interact releasably with corresponding connecting means (8) or an edge area at one end of the poster band (2), and wherein the second roller (9) is provided with second connecting means (10) that interact releasably with corresponding second connecting means (10) or an edge area at the second end of the poster roller (2), and a method for replacing the poster band (2) in the roller poster (1).

Description

Roller Poster

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a roller poster adapted for displaying a band of poster when in use.

The invention also concerns a method for replacing posters in a roller poster of this type-

Background of the Invention

Roller poster stands of the kind mentioned in the introduction are known. These are often put up in connection with bus shelters, railway stations and other placed in urban environments where the posters displayed in the roller poster are provided sufficient exposure.

Replacement of posters in this type of stands is effected by opening the front, which is hinged along one side or the top of the sign, the band of posters is transferred to one of the rollers, and the band of posters is released from the other roller. The roller including the band of posters is then removed from the roller poster, and a replacement roller with a new band of posters are inserted and connected with the other roller, after which the front is closed and the roller poster is put into operation.

There are several drawbacks by using stands of this type.

As replacement of the rollers occurs by direct replacement of one of the rollers of the stand, this requires acquisition of a third roller of the type forming part of the roller poster. Alternatively, replacement of the poster band is to occur by directly rolling it on. This is encumbered by the size and length of the posters, and that rolling on will occur while the poster band is exposed to the weather.

A print shop will usually supply the poster band rolled up on a common cardboard roll from which the poster is to be transferred to the roller forming part of the roller poster. In order to perform this transfer in a rational way it is necessary to forward the third roller to the print shop such that they during production of the poster band may perform a direct rolling up on the third roller.

This puts demands on the production machinery in the print shop as it has to be adapted to the size and design of the rollers of the roller poster.

Therefore, at the present the roller posters are typically set up by the same supplier who also do replacing and printing of posters. This only gives a limited liberty of action for the owner of the individual roller poster as he is tied to not only a certain roller poster, but also to a certain supplier of posters.

Since replacement of the poster band implies opening to the interior and mechanical structure of the stand, it entails that specially trained staff has to be used for replacing the posters. The replacement of the posters itself in the roller poster will therefore also often be performed by the provider of roller poster stands and of posters.

From EP 1484735 A2 is known a roller poster where a band of posters is connected at the ends such that an endless band of posters is provided. The endless band of posters is inserted in a housing which includes a number of rollers at each side of a display area. The rollers are driven by a motor when the poster in the display area is to be replaced. The poster band is passed over the rollers such that it is tightened up. The number of rollers corresponds to the number of posters plus two rollers. When the poster band is to be replaced, the connection at the ends of the poster band is released. A support arrangement for substitute rollers is unfolded from the roller poster. A first insertion roller with substitute posters are placed in the support arrangement and connected to one end of the poster band. A second insertion roller is placed in the support arrangement and connected to the other end of the poster band. By rotating the second insertion roller, at first the current poster band is drawn out of the roller poster while at the same time drawing the substitute posters into the roller poster by one end of the current poster band. The substitute band is thereby passed correctly over the rollers. When one end of the current poster band is out of the roller poster, the connection is released, and a connection between the ends of the substitute posters is established, after which the roller poster is closed. It is a drawback of the roller poster in EP 1484735 A2 that the number of posters are limited by the number of rollers. Therefore, it is not possible immediately to change the number of posters. It is another drawback that the motors of the rollers cannot be used during replacement of the posters, but the insertion rollers are to be rotated manually or by an external motor. It is a third drawback that two insertion rollers are to be used during replacement of posters such that there will always be an empty insertion roller, something which is not efficient utilisation of the insertion rollers.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the invention to indicate a roller poster where replacement of posters may easily be performed, where replacement can be effected in a simple way, where weather has limited influence and where only a limited instruction of the staff handling the replacement of the band of posters is required.

Description of the Invention This is achieved according to the present invention with a roller poster of the kind mentioned in the introduction, including

- a frame;

- a first roller fitted in the frame;

- a second roller which is fitted in the frame and mounted spaced apart from the first roller; and

- a support arrangement fixed or loosely mounted in the frame, the support arrangement provided with third connecting means for releasable engagement with an insertion roller, and which is peculiar in that it further includes a first insertion member which at its first end is connected to the first roller, and which at its second end is provided with first connecting means that interact releasably with corresponding connecting means or an edge area at one end of the poster band, and wherein the second roller is provided with second connecting means that interact releasably with corresponding second connecting means or an edge area at the second end of the poster roller. This is furthermore achieved by a method for replacing a poster band in a roller poster according to the present invention, the method being peculiar in that it includes the steps:

- transferring the poster band to the second roller; - releasing the connection between the poster band and the first insertion member;

- placing the insertion roller with a new poster band in the support arrangement;

- establishing connection between the new poster band and the first insertion member;

- transferring the new poster band from the insertion roller to the first roller to an extent that enables connection of the new poster band with the second roller; - transferring the poster band from the second roller to the insertion roller;

- releasing the connection between the poster band and the second roller;

- establishing connection between the new poster band and the second roller;

- removing the insertion roller with the poster band from the support arrangement.

Hereby may be achieved that posters may be replaced without changing rollers in the stand. A commonly available tube may be used as insertion roller, such as a cardboard tube or other disposable material. The same tube may be used by the print shop to roll the poster band up upon after printing, for storing the poster band and during shipping of the poster band. Hereby, one becomes independent of a certain supplier of posters and roller posters. Thus it becomes possible for individual persons or small businesses to have their own roller posters whereby the owner may freely chose a supplier of poster bands.

Even in connection with medium and large business chains, the system has an advantage over the prior art systems, as one may in beforehand send cardboard tubes with uniform posters to the individual places where the stands are erected. Staff at the individual store in the chain perform replacement of posters in the roller posters at the same time. This may e.g. be on a fixed weekday where the offers of the store change.

It is entirely up to the chain to have the posters printed at a central print shop or at a local print shop since there are no special requirements to the insertion roller. If a local print shop is chosen, this implies a substantial reduction in the use of resources for transport. This provides great flexibility in the use of roller posters according to the invention.

The poster band is supported in a safe way during replacement of posters such that the poster band is not in danger of being torn apart if the replacement takes place in strong wind.

The poster band is made of a fabric material, comprising a plurality of single posters for display.

The frame includes the mechanical structure of the roller poster. This may be a support or cabinet for suspending the rollers, drive motors, light sources and the power supply and control of the roller poster.

The first and second rollers may be disposed with substantially horizontal or vertical orientation. The first roller may be disposed above, under, to the left or to the right of the second roller.

The first and second rollers are mounted spaced apart from each other. This spacing is adapted such that it is greater than the height of the individual poster on the poster band. The individual posters are displayed in the interspace defined by the spacing between the rollers.

Switching between individual posters in the poster band is performed by rotating the roller in one or the other direction until reaching one or the other end of the poster band, after which the direction of movement is changed.

The rotary axes of the rollers are parallel in order to avoid that the poster band is displaced laterally on the rollers during rotation of the latter.

The rollers are only dismounted in connection with repair of the stand. They are thus fixed during replacement of the poster band. The first insertion member may e.g. be connected to the first roller by means of snap fasteners, screws, a clamping rail or alternatively by bonding. The insertion member is provided with first connecting means that interact releasably with corresponding first connecting means or an edge area on the poster band such that it becomes possible to release the poster band from the first insertion member during replacement of the posters.

The first insertion member has a length such that it is possible to establish connection between the first connecting means on the first insertion member and the new poster band, respectively, when the insertion roller is located in the support arrangement. The first insertion member is typically provided with a minimum length corresponding to the distance between the two fixed rollers.

The poster band and the second roller are connected by interacting second connecting means. The second connecting means may e.g. be snap fasteners, screws or a clamping rail such that it becomes possible to release the poster band from the roller during replacement of the poster band.

A support arrangement is mounted in the frame. The support arrangement can be fixed on the frame or loosely mounted on the frame.

If the support arrangement is fixed, it is typically mounted within the frame, possibly behind a door, such that it is hidden during normal use of the roller poster. Alternatively, it is fixed at the inner side of a door mounted in the frame, the door swinging around a hinge axis such that the support arrangement is carried with the swinging movement while at the same time access is provided for replacement of the poster band. The hinge line of the door is preferably parallel with the rotary axis of the rollers.

If the support arrangement is loosely mounted, it is typically mounted outside the frame, and on a side accessible to the staff that are to replace the band of posters. The loose support arrangement can be stored together with the roller poster or at a different locality as safeguard against unauthorised persons replacing or removing the poster band.

The support arrangement has third connecting means for releasable engagement with the insertion roller.

In its simplest form, the third connecting means are simple cutouts in the support arrangement opposite each end of the insertion roller and with a spacing which is wider than a poster band. The shape of each cutout is preferably circular in the area supporting the insertion roller. The insertion roller is placed in the cutouts and the cutout acts as a slide bearing. The cutout may alternatively be lined with ball or roller bearings on which the insertion roller is placed, facilitating rotation of a heavy insertion roller.

The third connecting means may alternatively be enclosing or engaging each end of the insertion roller and provided with slide, ball or roller bearings in order to facilitate rotation of the insertion roller during replacement of the poster band.

When performing the method, rotation of individual rollers may occur manually or by a drive motor. The fixed rollers will typically be provided with each their drive motor which is preferably an electric or a pneumatic motor. Rotation of the insertion roller occurs typically manually when the old poster band is passed out of the roller poster.

According to a further embodiment, the roller poster according to the invention is peculiar in that the third connecting means include two rotatable round supports that are adapted for insertion at each their end of the insertion roller, and that each round support is optionally cylindric, conical, stepped or a combination of these shapes.

Hereby is achieved a particularly simple way of establishing the releasable engagement of the support arrangement with the insertion roller.

The round supports are typically provided with ball line or roller bearings. If cylindric supports are chosen, these are suited as insertion rollers formed of tubes with an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the supports. Since cardboard tubes, which are particularly suited as insertion rollers, are made with many different inner diameters it will be easy to find a suitable cardboard tube for use as insertion roller.

If conical supports are chosen, these will be suited for insertion rollers formed by tubes of different sizes. Consequently, this provides for greater flexibility than cylindric supports. Use of conical supports require that the supports can be displaced translationally in a direction in parallel with the rotary axis of the insertion roller in order to compensate for insertion rollers with different diameters bearing on the support at different length in over the support.

If stepped supports are chosen, these may be adapted with diameters corresponding to available diameter steps in the insertion rollers.

According to a further embodiment, the roller poster according to the invention is peculiar in that each round support is fixed in a mounting fitting by which the support arrangement is loosely mounted in the frame.

Hereby is achieved a particularly simple way of establishing the support arrangement and establishing a loose mounting in the frame.

The support arrangement here includes two mounting fittings, one at each end of the insertion roller. Since the mounting fittings are not interconnected, these may be inserted engaging the insertion roller and be suspended on the frame together with the insertion roller.

Mechanical arrangements for establishing pivoting or translation for inserting the round supports in the insertion roller are thus avoided. According to a further embodiment, the roller poster according to the invention is peculiar in that the round supports are displaceably mounted in a mounting fitting by which the support arrangement is fixed in the frame.

In a simple way is hereby achieved establishing the releasable engagement between the round supports and the insertion roller when the support arrangement is fixed in the frame.

As the support arrangement is fixed in the frame of the roller poster, it is ensured that it is always accessible for replacement of posters and that it does not disappear.

The displacement of the round supports into the insertion roller may be by pivoting or translational movement.

According to yet an embodiment, the roller poster according to the invention is peculiar in that the frame is provided in the form of a cabinet having a transparent display area between the first and the second roller, and an insertion opening established outside the display area for inserting the poster band during replacement.

Hereby is achieved that the roller poster can be used in the outdoors as a weatherproof barrier may be established around the inner mechanics and electronics of the roller poster.

The display area of the cabinet between the first and second roller is typically covered by a glass pane.

An insertion opening is established outside the display area for inserting the poster band during replacement. This insertion opening may be permanent or established by opening a door. The door may be opened by pivoting or translational movement. By pivoting, the door has a hinge line which is preferably parallel with the rollers as this basically provides a door taking up the least space when opened. If the door is opened by translation, it is provided with a linear guideway. The insertion opening will typically be disposed immediately opposite the second roller.

According to yet an embodiment, the roller poster according to the invention is peculiar in that a second insertion piece is connected to the second roller at one end thereof, and provided at its second end with the second connecting means.

This makes it particularly simple to connect the poster band with the second roller. The second insertion member can be designed entirely in the same way as the first insertion member. However, typically the second insertion member will have shorter length.

This embodiment combined with claim 5 provide a particularly suitable embodiment of the roller poster stand. In this embodiment, it is only necessary to establish the insertion opening as a slot. The height and length of the slot is only to be of a size such that it allows the poster band and the first and second connecting means to pass into and out of the slot during replacement of the poster band.

The first and second insertion members have an extent such that they may reach from their respective rollers and with the first and second connecting means, respectively, out through the slot.

According to a further embodiment, the roller poster according to the invention is peculiar in that first and second connecting means are established by a zip fastener.

This is a simple and rapid way of establishing connection between the poster band and the insertion members and the rollers, respectively.

By zip fastener in the present application is meant a zip fastener of the type known from reclosable bags or of the type with mutually engaging teeth. A zip fastener from the company Figra may advantageously be used. According to a further embodiment, the method according to the invention is peculiar by providing a cabinet with an insertion opening, including a step for opening and a step for closing the insertion opening for inserting the poster band during replacement.

The insertion opening may be established by opening a door. The door is opened either by pivoting about a hinge line or by translational displacement along a linear guide means.

According to yet an embodiment, the method according to the invention is peculiar by including a step for placing and a step for removing a loosely mounted support arrangement.

Hereby is achieved that the support arrangement does not need to be permanently mounted on the roller poster. Attempts of theft or unwanted replacement of the poster band are thus obviated.

Description of the Drawing

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, where:

Fig. 1 shows an illustration of the roller poster during normal use; Figs. 2-7 show illustrations of the roller poster at different steps during replacement of poster band;

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment with a second insertion member;

Fig. 9 shows a side view of a mounting fitting;

Fig. 10 shows a view of a mounting fitting; and Figs. 11-13 show illustrations of an embodiment of a support arrangement.

In the explanation of the Figures, identical or corresponding elements will be provided with the same designations in different Figures. Therefore, no explanation of all details will be given in connection with each single Figure/embodiment.

Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

The terms upper and lower, over or under in the present application only serves to clarify the relative positions of the individual elements in the roller poster, where the roller poster is provided with rollers above each other. The terms upper and lower may be substituted by the terms left and right if the roller poster has rollers beside each other.

Fig. 1 shows a sideview and a plan view of a roller poster 1. The roller poster has a frame 3 in which a first roller 4 and a second roller 9 are fixed. Between the two rollers 4, 9 a display area 16 for posters is arranged.

The posters are printed on a poster band 2 that may include a plurality of posters. The poster band 2 is wound around the first 4 and the second 9 rollers, respectively. The band of posters may be passed in one direction 22 by rotating the first roller 4 and winding up the poster band 2 on the first roller 4. The poster band 2 may be moved the other way 23 by rotating the second roller 9, and the band 2 is hereby rolled up on the second roller 9. In this way switching between individual posters on the poster band 2 can be performed.

The roller poster stand 1 is provided on a foot 21.

Figs. 2 to 7 show various steps of the method for replacing posters. Fig. 2 shows the first step of replacing a poster band 2.

In the shown embodiment of the roller poster 1, this is designed such that the frame is a cabinet with a door 24 which may be displaced translationally in a linear guide such that an insertion opening 17 is established in the area opposite the second roller 9. The door 24 is movable between two extreme positions. In the first extreme position, the insertion opening 17 is closed and in the second extreme position the insertion opening 17 is open.

Alternatively, the insertion opening 17 may be established by a door 24 that rotates about a hinge line.

The first step in the method for replacing poster bands 2 for the shown embodiments is opening the insertion opening 17. This is done by displacing the door 24 downwards. Then follows the step where the poster band 2 is transferred to the second roller 9. This is shown on Fig. 3. The second roller 9 is driven by a drive motor connected with a control. This control is operated by an operation arrangement 25.

On Fig. 4, the poster band 2 is entirely wound up on the second roller 9. The first insertion member 5 which at one end 6 is connected with the first roller 4 and at its second end 7 by means of first connecting means 8, are in interacting releasable connection with the new poster band 2'. The insertion member 5 is shown at a position where it is about being rolled up on the first roller 4. The insertion member has been passed so far down that it has been visible in insertion opening 17 such that the connection between the interacting first connecting means 8 on the insertion member 5 and the new poster band 2' has been possible to establish.

The insertion member 5 draws the new poster band 2' off the insertion roller 13 which is suspended by the support arrangement 11 which is mounted in the frame 3 before performing this step.

On Fig. 5, the rotation of the first roller 4 continues, and the first insertion member 5 is largely fully rolled up on the first roller 4. Then rolling up of the new poster band T on the first roller 4 begins.

On Fig. 6, the new poster band 2' is entirely rolled off the insertion roller 13. The end of the poseter band 2' with other connecting means 10 hangs loosely in the roller poster and is visible in the insertion opening 17 such that it is possible to connect the poster band 2' to the second roller 9.

The roller poster 1 is in an embodiment including a second insertion member 18 which at one end 19 is fastened to the second roller 9 and at its other end 20 is provided with other connecting means 10 that interact with second connecting means on the poster band 2. On Fig. 6, especially in the detail, is seen how the old poster band 2 is transferred to from the second roller 9 to the insertion roller 13. It clearly appears how the second connecting means 10' on the new poster band 2' are accessible through the insertion opening 17 for connecting to the second insertion member 18 by means of its second connecting means 10 when the poster band 2 has been released.

On Fig. 7, the new poster band 2' is connected to the first roller 4 and the second roller 9, the door 24 is closed, and the second roller 9 is brought to rotate for transferring the new poster band 2' to the second roller 9. The poster band T will stop display of any poster in the display area 16 until the new poster band 2' is completely rolled up on the second roller 9 and the direction of movement is changed.

Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of the invention where the poster band 2 is fastened directly to the second roller 9 by means of other connecting means 10. The other connecting means may be snap fasteners, a clamping rail or screws.

Figs. 9 and 10 show the support arragnement 11 in the form of a loosely mounted mounting fitting 15 which is suspended over the edge of the door 24. The mounting fitting 15 has a first 26, a second 27 and a third 29 contact point with the door 24 which ensure retention of the support arrangement 11 on the door. The mounting fitting 15 furthermore has third connecting means 12 in the form of a round support

14. Two mounting fittings 15 are used per support arrangement 11. The mounting fitting 15 is mounted a each end of the insertion roller 13 (see Figs. 4-6). The round support 14 is provided with a ball bearing 29 facilitating rotation of the round support

14.

The round support 14 is cylindric in the shown embodiment. It may furthermore be conical or stepwise or a combination of the said shapes.

Figs. 11-13 show illustrations of an alternative embodiment of the support arrangement where it has round supports 14 that are displaceably mounted in a mounting fitting 15 by which the support arrangement 11 is secured in the frame 3. The support arrangement 11 is pivotable about a hinge line. On Figs. 11-13 only one side of the support arrangement 11 is shown. A corresponding support arrangement 11 is provided at the other side of the stand. The round supports 14 in the two support arrangements 11, of which only one is shown, are coaxial. The distance between the support arrangement 11 at each side of the stand are adapted such that an insertion roller 13 (see Figs. 4-6) can be pushed entirely in over a round support 14 at one side, after which the insertion roller 13 (see Figs. 4-6) can be oriented according to the rotary axis of the round supports, and then be pushed in the other direction such that it is inserted over the round support 14 at the other side of the stand. The support roller 13 (see Figs. 4-6) is then completely supported and may be freely rotated during insertion of the band of posters 2.

On Fig. 11, the support arrangement 11 is shown in a rest position where it is not in use. The support arrangement 11 and any part of it is contained within the frame 3, or within the cabinet in embodiments where the roller poster includes a cabinet such that a possible door covering the support arrangement 11 may be closed.

On Fig. 12, the support arrangement 11 is shown in an intermediate position between the rest position and a use position, where the support arrangement 11 is swung open and ready for supporting an insertion roller (see Figs. 4-6). The use position is shown on Fig. 13.

On Fig. 13, the support arrangement 11 is fully swung open in the position of use.

Claims

1. A roller poster (1) adapted for displaying a poster band (2), including:

- a frame (3);

- a first roller (4) fixed in the frame (3); - a second roller (9) which is fixed in the frame (3) and mounted spaced apart from the first roller (4); and

- a support arrangement (11) fixed or loosely mounted in the frame (3), the support arrangement provided with third connecting means (12) for releasable engagement with an insertion roller (13), characterised in that it further includes a first insertion member (5) which at its first end (6) is connected to the first roller (4), and which at its second end (7) is provided with first connecting means (8) that interact releasably with corresponding connecting means (8) or an edge area at one end of the poster band (2), and that the second roller (9) is provided with second connecting means (10) that interact releasably with corresponding second connecting means (10) or an edge area at the second end of the poster roller (2).

2. Roller poster according to claim 1, characterised in that the third connecting means (12) include two rotatable round supports (14) that are adapted for insertion at each their end of the insertion roller (13), and that each round support (14) is optionally cylindric, conical, stepped or a combination of these shapes.

3. Roller poster according to claim 2, characterised in that each round support (14) is fixed in a mounting fitting (15) by which the support arrangement (11) is loosely mounted in the frame (3).

4. Roller poster according to claim 2, characterised in that the round supports (14) are displaceably mounted in a mounting fitting (15) by which the support arrangement (11) is fixed in the frame (3).

5. Roller poster according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the frame (3) is provided in the form of a cabinet having a transparent display area (16) between the first (4) and the second roller (9), and an insertion opening (17) established outside the display area (16) for inserting the poster band (2) during replacement.

6. Roller poster according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a second insertion member (18) is connected to the other roller (9) at one end (19) thereof, and provided at its second end (20) with the second connecting means (10).

7. Roller poster according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the first (8) and second (10) connecting means are established by a zip fastener.

8. A method for replacing a poster band (2) in a roller poster (1) according to any or a combination of claims 1 to 7, the method including the steps:

- transferring the poster band (2) to the second roller (9);

- releasing the connection between the poster band (2) and the first insertion member (5);

- placing the insertion roller (13) with a new poster band (2') in the support arrangement (11);

- establishing connection between the new poster band (2') and the first insertion member (5);

- transferring the new poster band (2') from the insertion roller (13) to the first roller (4) to an extent that enables connection of the new poster band (2') with the second roller (9);

- transferring the poster band (2) from the second roller (9) to the insertion roller (13);

- releasing the connection between the poster band (2) and the second roller (9);

- establishing connection between the new poster band (2') and the second roller (9);

- removing the insertion roller (13) with the poster band (2) from the support arrangement (11).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterised by providing a cabinet with an insertion opening (17), including a step for opening and a step for closing the insertion opening (17) for inserting the poster band (2) during replacement.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterised by including a step for placing and a step for removing a loosely mounted support arrangement (11).

SUBSTITUTE SHEET