WO2014068324A1

WO2014068324A1 - Display screen signage

Info

Publication number: WO2014068324A1
Application number: PCT/GB2013/052855
Authority: WO
Inventors: Garry Lunn
Original assignee: Gables Asset Management Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-02
Filing date: 2013-11-01
Publication date: 2014-05-08
Also published as: GB201219738D0; GB2507537A; GB2509556B; GB2509556A; GB2507537B; GB201300914D0

Abstract

Signage (10) affixable so as to provide, in use, a display area (12) extending at least partially around a periphery of a display screen (16) and which display area (12) is maintained in a substantially constant position relative to the display screen (16), and further comprising a mounting assembly (22) affixable, in use, to a mounting bracket for the display screen (16) for affixing the display area (12) in the said substantially constant position relative to the display screen (16), the mounting assembly (22) comprising a mounting plate (14) retainable in place, in use, by screws or bolts for connecting the display screen (16) to the mounting bracket whereby the mounting plate (14) is adapted to be interposed, in use, between the display screen (16) and its mounting bracket and wherein the mounting plate (14) comprises a plurality of through holes (20) whose sizes and spacings correspond to those of the VESA standard (as tabulated in Figure 2).

Description

Title: Display screen signage

Description: This invention relates to signage, and in particular, to signage that can be located adjacent display screens.

Signage is widely used for advertising, informational and promotional purposes and competition for signage space can be fierce. In recent years, it has become customary for advertisers to make use of video, and other forms of, on-screen advertising owing to its high-impact and attention-grabbing nature. In addition, the use of televisions and display screens in retail and leisure establishments is becoming more widespread due to the attractive force that providing live entertainment has on potential customers.

In retail and leisure establishments, such as in bar, public houses and shopping centres, a television screen is often provided so that patrons can watch live sporting events, news footage and other broadcasts in a social setting. During the broadcast of live sporting events in particular, it is probable that the display screen will be watched continuously by relatively large numbers of patrons. The patrons' attention is therefore focussed for extended periods of time on the display screen, which provides an opportunity to use the display screen itself for advertising and promotional media. In many cases, sponsors pay to have video advertisements displayed during intermissions, for example, at half time in a football match. The main drawback of this type of advertising, however, is that many patrons use intermissions to queue for drinks, make telephone calls, visit the bathroom etc. and so the exposure of such advertising can be greatly diminished, compared to the main broadcast event itself.

In order to combat this, sponsors and advertisers can opt to pay to install advertising and signage at the venue that is being filmed, or to buy ticker tape, or pop-up advertising space that is composited, by the broadcaster, over the broadcast footage itself. These forms of advertising can, however, be distracting and unpopular.

Furthermore, the owners of retail and leisure establishments providing the display screens often have no say in the types of advertising that are shown during broadcast footage, but at the same time, are obliged to pay relatively high license fees to the broadcaster to be permitted to provide the facility for their patrons. As such, advertising revenues usually pass to the broadcaster, rather than to the owners of the establishments, which represents a lost opportunity for passive revenue streams for owners of retail and leisure establishments. A need therefore arises for a new type of signage that can be associated locally with display screens, that is unobtrusive, and which is visible to patrons during broadcasts and other video transmissions. A need also exists for a new type of signage that does not interfere with, or otherwise detract from the broadcast itself, and which can be readily and inexpensively installed and removed. This invention aims to provide a solution to one or more of the above problems, and/or to provide an improved/alternative signage system.

According to the invention, there is provided signage affixable so as to provide, in use, a display area extending at least partially around a periphery of a display screen and which is maintained in a substantially constant position relative to the display screen.

For the avoidance of doubt the partial extent of the display area may consist of a display area adjacent one peripheral edge region of the display screen.

Advantageously, the invention provides a new type of signage that is visible to viewers of the display screen, without the signage interfering with, or otherwise affecting, what is displayed on the display screen. Because the signage of the invention is located adjacent the display screen, the attention of viewers of the footage visible on the display screen is likely to be focussed towards the signage, thus increasing its impact and attention time, and providing new opportunities for novel advertising and displays.

In one embodiment of the invention, the display area preferably extends all the way around the screen, but may be customisable, to fit within constraints imposed by the display screen's location, such as walls, floors and ceilings located near to the display screen. The display area of the signage suitably comprises a planar display area portion having a aperture whose dimensions correspond to the visible display area of the display screen. The aperture may be located at, or towards the centre of the planar display area portion, or it may intersect an edge of it. The visible display area of the display screen is suitably visible through the aperture.

Such a configuration may be used to conceal the display screen's housing and/or to make use of potential signage space that may otherwise be unavailable. For example, in situations where the display screen's housing is recessed into a wall, and where it is undesirable to modify the decor surrounding the display screen, the invention enables the usually visible fascia of the display screen to be used for signage purposes.

The signage is affixable so as to provide, in use, a display area extending at least partially around a periphery of a display screen. The means of affixing the display area in such a manner may comprise a mounting assembly, which can be affixed directly to the display screen itself, or to a mounting bracket for the display screen. In the former case, the mounting assembly is suitably detachable from the display screen to enable the display screen to be readily reinstated as and when the signage is no longer required. To achieve this, the mounting assembly may comprise one or more semi-permanent suction cups interposed between the display area and the display screen, or a hook-type arrangement that grips the periphery of the display screen's housing thus allowing the display area to be semi-permanently affixed to the display screen.

In the latter case, the mounting assembly may comprise means for affixing the signage to a mounting bracket for the display screen. Suitably, the mounting assembly may comprise a mounting plate that can be retained in place by the screws or bolts used for connecting the display screen to its mounting bracket. Suitably, the mounting plate may be interposed, in use, between the display screen and its mounting bracket, in which case, the spacing's of the through holes preferably correspond to those of the VESA standard. Additionally, or alternatively, the mounting assembly may comprise a adaptor bracket this is affixable, in use, to a limb, or other portion, of a display screen's mounting bracket.

A further aspect of the invention provides signage affixable so as to provide, in use, a display area extending at least partially around a periphery of a display screen and which display area is maintained in a substantially constant position relative to the display screen, and further comprising a mounting assembly affixable, in use, to a mounting bracket for the display screen for affixing the display area in the said substantially constant position relative to the display screen, the mounting assembly comprising a mounting plate retainable in place, in use, by screws or bolts for connecting the display screen to the mounting bracket whereby the mounting plate is adapted to be interposed, in use, between the display screen and its mounting bracket and wherein the mounting plate comprises a plurality of through holes whose sizes and spacings correspond to those of the VESA standard.

The mounting assembly suitably comprises a support frame comprising one or more mounting areas located outwardly, in use, of the periphery of the display screen to which mounting areas the display area is affixable. The support frame is preferably adjustable so that it can accommodate different types of display area and/or so that it can be fitted to different types of display screen and/or mounting brackets. Various parameters of the support frame are suitably adjustable. For example, the horizontal and/or vertical spacing of the mounting areas is suitably adjustable so that different shapes and sizes of signage can be affixed display screens of various types and dimensions. Additionally or alternatively, the distance that the mounting area or areas project forward or backward from the support frame is suitably adjustable so as to enable, if desired, the display area to be mounted flush with, or at a desired distance from, the front surface of the display screen.

The display area may additionally comprise, or incorporate, a secondary display screen which can be used for displaying video or web-based information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the secondary display screen is a display screen of any one or more of: a tablet-type computer; a thin-client computer; a small form factor (SFF) computer; and a PC. Suitably, the secondary display screen is configured to provide live update information that may be relevant to viewers of the main display screen, such as live betting odds, league tables, results of concurrent sporting events, event-related advertising and so on. The secondary display may also be configured to display live streaming media content, which is suitably relevant to the broadcast or other media displayed on the main display screen.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the display screen is a screen of a computer configured to display video and/or live streaming media, and comprises signage affixable so as to provide, in use, a display area disposed adjacent to or extending at least partially around a periphery of a said display screen and which is maintained in a substantially constant position relative to the said display screen. In such a situation, the display screen may be mountable to another display screen or a mounting assembly/bracket of the other display screen.

A yet further aspect of the invention provides a connector suitable, in use, for interconnecting a pair of VESA-compatible devices, the connector comprising a limb extending between a pair of connecter plates, wherein the connector plates comprise a plurality of pairs of through apertures, the spacings of each pair of through apertures corresponding to the VESA standard hole spacings.

The VESA-compatible devices suitably comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a television, a computer monitor, a tablet computer, a games console and a set-top box.

The length of the limb may be adjustable. The horizontal spacing of the connector plates may be adjustable. Such adjustment is suitably provided by way of a slotted through aperture, through which a nut and bolt assembly passes to allow relative positions of two or more components, e.g. limb portions, of the connector to be adjusted.

The limb or limbs may comprise a crank or bend.

The spacings of each pair of through apertures correspond to the VESA standard hole spacings and suitably comprise any one or more of the group comprising: 50mm, 75mm, 100mm,

200mm, 400mm, 600mm, 800mm, 180mm and 150mm. The connector is suitable, in use, for interconnecting a primary display screen to a secondary display screen, in which at least one of the display screens comprises a display area as described herein.

In a second embodiment the display screen is one which forms part of a projection screen apparatus, say of the type adapted to be moved between a deployed position and a retracted position by winding into and out of a housing for the projection screen. With such a flexible display screen the mounting assembly for the signage is adapted to co-operate with the housing. One convenient arrangement comprises a pair of location elements adapted to co-operate with opposite end caps of the housing. These may be a push fit, but preferably incorporate releasable securing means, conveniently in the form of a clamping mechanism, to hold the mounting assembly in position. As with the previous embodiment the mounting assembly incorporates bracket means for attaching the display area portion or the location elements may be an integral part of the means forming the display area. Alternatively, the mounting assembly may comprise bracket means hooking over the housing, for example in the form of inverted U-shaped brackets or M-shaped brackets, with or without releasable clamping means for securing the brackets in place. The display area may be a simple planar rectangular panel disposed in front of the projection screen housing adjacent one edge of the display screen, for example the upper edge of the display screen, or it may extend, at least partially or entirely, along two or more edges of the display screen and optionally around two corners of the display screen.

Means is preferably provided for inhibiting or preventing the unauthorised or accidental removal of the signage, such as one or more locks, a safety/security restraint and so on.

Preferred embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, from behind, in use, of a first embodiment of signage in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a table of current VESA specifications for mounting bracket hole locations;

Figure 3 is a perspective view, from the front, of a mounting assembly support frame for signage according to the invention;

Figure 4, 5 and 6 are schematic rear views of the mounting assembly of Figure 3 in different configurations;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an adaptor bracket for use in conjunction with the signage of any of Figures 1 or 4 to 6;

Figure 8 is rear view of a multi-part display area for signage in accordance with the invention; Figure 9 is a schematic cross-section of Figure 8 on IX-IX;

Figure 10 is a perspective view, from the front, in use, of an alternate display area of signage according to the invention,

Figure 11 is an exploded perspective view showing mounting brackets and a display screen according to a second embodiment of the invention for use with a projection screen,

Figure 12 is a perspective view of one of the mounting brackets of figure 11 to an enlarged scale,

Figure 13 is a perspective view from the front and one side of signage according to said second embodiment of the invention for use with a projection screen,

Figure 14 is a side view of said second embodiment of the invention,

Figure 15 is a side view similar to figure 14 but showing a modified arrangement,

Figure 16 is a front view of signage in use according to a further modification of the second embodiment,

Figure 17 is a front view of signage in use corresponding to the side view of figure 15;

Figure 18 shows a first embodiment of a connector bar; and

Figure 19 shows an alternative embodiment of a connector plate.

In Figure 1, signage 10 according to the invention comprises a display area 12 affixable to the VESA mounting bracket 14 for a display screen 16 using a mounting assembly support frame 18.

The display screen 16 is affixed to a wall (not shown) using a known Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) mounting bracket which comprises a mounting plate 14 having through holes 20 arranged according to any one or more of the specifications listed in Figure 2.

The mounting assembly support frame 18 additionally comprises a mounting plate 22 with through holes 20 similarly disposed. The mounting assembly's mounting plate 22 can thus be interposed between the VESA mounting plate 14 of the display screen's mounting bracket and the display screen 16 so that suitable screws can be used to simultaneously attach the display screen 16 and the mounting assembly support frame 18 to the VESA mounting bracket.

Integrally formed with, and extending upwardly and downwardly, as shown in Figure 1, from the mounting plate 22, are a pair of rigid, elongate limbs 24 to each which limbs 24 is connected a generally L-shaped bracket 26. The limbs 24 and L-shaped brackets 26 each have slotted through apertures 28 through which a nut and bolt assembly 30 passes to allow position of the L-shaped brackets 26 to be adjusted relative to the limbs 24, thus allowing the size of the mounting frame to be adjusted. The L-shaped brackets 26 also have a tang 27 projecting into the slotted aperture 28 to maintain a correct alignment between the limbs 24 and the brackets 26.

Each nut and bolt assembly 30 comprises a bolt and a wing nut to facilitate manual tightening and loosening of the connection, and a pair of non-slip, e.g. rubber, washers to inhibit or prevent slippage of the L-shaped brackets 26 relative to the limbs 24, once tightened.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET RULE 26 Each of the L-shaped brackets is further connected to a mounting plate 32 that provides an abutment surface 33 to which the display area 12 of the signage 10 can be semi-permanently affixed using screws, suction cups or double-sided adhesive tape 35. The mounting plates 32 are also adjustable by way of slotted apertures 28, tangs 27 and nut and bolt assemblies 30 as previously described, to enable the projection of the display area 12 to be matched to the depth of the display screen 16 so that the display area 12 can be located flush with, or at a desired distance from, the front surface of the display screen 16.

It will be appreciated that the signage 10 shown in Figure 1 could be rotated through 90 degrees so that the limbs 24 extend horizontally from the mounting plate 22, rather than vertically.

The display area 12 is formed from a generally planar sheet of stiff card or plastics and has a through aperture 34 whose shape and dimensions are selected to correspond to the visible area of the display screen 16. Because the visible display areas of most display screens have standardised dimensions, it is possible to use a relatively small inventory of display areas 12 whose apertures 32 have dimensions corresponding to these standardised visible screen dimensions. Alternatively, the shape and dimensions of the central aperture 32 could be customised on-site, for example, during installation, and/or the dimensions of the aperture 32 could be made to correspond with the outer dimensions of the display screen's housing, depending on user preferences.

In Figure 3, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown (not to scale). Identical reference signs have been used to identify identical features to those described previously, for ease of intelligibility. In the variant of Figure 3, the mounting plate 22 shown in Figure 1 has been omitted and replaced by a cross bar 25 having a single slotted aperture 36 extending for most of the length of the cross bar 25. The single slotted aperture 36 is used both for affixing the L-shaped brackets 26 to the cross bar 25, as previously described, and for securing the mounting support frame 18 to the VESA bracket or display screen (not shown). The use of a single slotted aperture 36 provides a number of advantages, namely that the overall size of the mounting support frame 18 is reduced, and in that the mounting support frame 18 can be fitted to non-VESA display mounts, as well as to VESA display mounting brackets. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 additionally enables more than one mounting support frame 18 to be used, as shown schematically in Figures 4, 5, and 6.

In Figure 4, for example, a pair of vertically oriented mounting support frames 18 are placed side-by-side, and are connected to the display screen using the display screen's mounting bolts 40. Likewise, in Figure 5, a pair of horizontally oriented mounting support frames 18 are provided, whereas in Figure 6, two pairs of orthogonal mounting support frames 18 are used to provide mounting brackets (not shown) on all four sides of the display screen. In addition, it will be appreciated that the invention could be used independently of a wall- or VESA mounting bracket. For example, the mounting support frames of any of Figures 1 or 3 to 6 could be affixed to the VESA mounting locations of the display screen, whilst the display screen itself is supported on a table stand, for example.

The invention also provides the option of securing the signage display area in place using other mounting points. Figure 7, for example, shows one embodiment of an adaptor bracket 50 that can be interposed between the mounting support frames of any of Figure 1 and 3 to 6 and an existing mounting bracket (not shown) for the display screen (also not shown). The adaptor bracket 50 generally comprises an inverted U-shaped bracket portion 52 comprising a pair of spaced-apart limb portions 56 extending from a cross-member 58 to form a clevis that can be located around a limb of a wall-mounting bracket for the display screen (not shown for clarity). The clevis 52 is resiliently deformable to as to enable it to be clamped tightly onto the said limb (not shown), using a nut and bolt assembly 54, which is arranged to urge the limbs 56 towards one another to grip onto the said limb. The cross-member 58 of the adaptor bracket 50 also comprises a slotted aperture 59 enabling it to be affixed to existing bolts extending from an existing mounting bracket for the display screen. The adaptor bracket 50 additionally comprises a mounting plate 60 having a number of pre- drilled through holes 62 for connecting the mounting bracket 50 to a mounting support frame 18 as previously described. To further rationalise the signage of the invention, the adaptor bracket could be integrally formed with the mounting support frame 18.

The display area can take a variety of forms, and an alternative embodiment is shown in

Figures 8 and 9, in which the display area 12 comprises four, discrete plates 70 that can be arranged around the periphery of the display screen (not shown). The plates 70 are each provided with self- adhesive strips 72 that can be press-fitted to the abutment surfaces 33 of the mounting plates 32 previously described. Of course, any number of plates 70 may be provided, and it will be necessary to select an appropriate mounting frame 18, for example, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 to accommodate the particular desired arrangement.

In Figures 8 and 9, each plate 70 comprises backing support plate 74 and a transparent cover plate 76 that are held in a face-to-face relationship by clip-fitting edge strips 78 that can be snap- fitted to the edges of the respective plates 74, 76. Such a configuration allows a display sheet 80 to be placed between the backing 74 and cover plates 76, which can be readily changed by unclipping the edge strips 78 and subsequent reassembly.

In Figure 10, a yet further embodiment of the invention 10 is shown in which the display area 12 comprises a planar portion 82 bounded by a set of curved edge portions 84 that wrap around to conceal the display screen's housing from the sides, and which provide additional display areas that are visible to patrons located to the side, above or below the display screen 16. Corner capping pieces 86 are also provided to provide a neat appearance and to inhibit access to the display screen and its wiring, which may be particularly advantageous in certain settings, such as where children are likely to be present.

In Figure 10, the display area 12 comprises a secondary aperture 88 in the planar portion 82, located below the main aperture 32 through which the main display screen 16 is visible. The secondary aperture 88 provides a viewing window for a tablet-type computer, or mobile phone/smart phone 90 which is connected to the signage's support frame 18 by additional connector bars that are concealed from view behind the display area 12. The tablet-type computer 90 is connected to the internet, or is tuned into a secondary broadcast television channel, so that additional information can be displayed, as a live feed, or as a pre-recorded video, to viewers of the main display screen 12 simultaneously.

Various embodiments of connector bars (not visible in Figure 10) for connecting a secondary display screen, such as a tablet computer, to the primary screen, are shown schematically in Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings.

In Figure 18, a first embodiment of a connector bar 200 comprises a generally cruciform main body portion 202 having four limbs 204 extending outwardly from a general centre of the connector bar 200. At the free end of each limb 204, there is provided an integrally-formed connector plate 206. Each connector plate 206 has a plurality of through apertures 208 therein, arranged in pairs, the horizontal spacing of the respective pairs corresponding to the horizontal distances between VESA standard apertures of a display screen, say 50mm, 75mm and 100mm.

The connector bar 200 can thus be connected to the primary display screen 16 by affixing screws through the upper set of through holes 208 to two of the VESA mounting holes 20 in the mounting plate 14, and into the VESA holes of the display screen 16.

Similarly, the connector bar 200 can be connected to the secondary display screen 90 by affixing screws through the lower set of through holes 208 to two of the VESA mounting holes 20' in the back of the secondary display screen 90.

In Figure 18, it will be appreciated that the display area 12 surrounds both display screens 16, 90, but this may not necessarily be the case. It will also be appreciated that the connector plate 200 can be retrofitted to a primary display 16 without un-mounting the primary display from its VESA mount by unscrewing just one of the primary display screen's VESA mounting screws and by attaching one limb 104 of the connector plate thereto. A second VESA mounting screw of the primary display screen 16 can then be unscrewed to allow a second limb 104 of the connector plate to be attached. It will be noted that such a technique maintains at least three of the primary display screen's VESA mounting screws in-situ, meaning that the connector bar 200 can be retrofitted without having to un-mount either display screen 16, 90.

The spacing of the connector plate's through holes 208 allows a range of display screens, or VESA compatible devices, to be interconnected. The length of the limbs 204 may be adjustable, but this is not shown in the drawings for simplicity.

Figure 19 shows an alternative embodiment of the connector plate 200. In this example there is just one interconnecting limb 204 extending between a pair of connector plates 206. Each connector plate 206 has a plurality of pairs of spaced-apart through holes 208 whose spacings correspond to various VESA standards. The connector 200 of Figure 19 can be used in the same way as that described in relation to Figure 18.

Notably, the limb 204 of the Figure 19 embodiment of the connector 200 comprises a cranked portion to enable it to extend around fittings, wiring etc. on the back of either display screen. The horizontal spacing 220 of the connector plates 206 is also adjustable by way of a slotted aperture 280 and locking nut 300 assembly similar to that described above in relation to Figure 1.

Figures 11 to 17 describe the application of the signage of the present invention to a display screen in the form of a projection screen. Like references are used to denote corresponding parts in these figures. One example of projection screen is shown in figure 11 at 101 and comprises a housing 103 and a display screen 105. The display screen is in the form of a sheet of flexible material which is adapted to be rolled up so as to be accommodated in the housing 103, or at least the majority thereof, and to be unrolled into a deployed position when required for use. Various embodiments are known and the reader will be familiar with their operation so that it is not described further herein. Typically the housing 103 has opposite end caps 107, 109 and this embodiment of the invention proposes a mounting assembly comprising left and right handed end panel caps 111,113 each comprising a hollow rectangular box shaped housing 121 open to one side and dimensioned to fit onto the left and right hand ends of the housing 103. Any suitable material may be used, such as plastic or metal. They may be purpose designed for a particular application, although in practice one size can be used for a range of differently sized housings. To hold the panel end caps securely in position a clamping plate 115 is disposed in the panel end cap and, in use, is moved into and out of engagement with the housing 103 by an actuating rod 117 which is threadingly engaged with the panel end cap and operated by turning knob 119 attached to one end of the rod 117. The left hand panel end cap 113 is illustrated to a larger scale in figure 12. The housing 121 carries a mounting member 123 supporting a mounting flange 125 for a planar display element 127 described further hereinafter. The mounting member serves to stand the display element 127 off from the housing 103 by a desired amount, say of between 25mm and 50mm. The display area 127 is formed from a generally planar sheet of stiff card or plastics. The right hand panel end cap may have the same configuration and the left hand cap but be mounted upside down in use. More preferably however the two panel end caps are handed as shown in figure 11.

Figure 13 shows one embodiment of signage in which the display area 127 comprises a planar rectangular panel element attached to the respective flanges 125 of the left and right hand panel end caps 111, 113. The display panel may be affixed by any suitable means including releasable fixing means, such as threaded fixing means, adhesive means or a hook and loop type releasable fastener, although a positive fixing means is preferred for safety reasons. It will be seen that the display area extends above the top of the housing 103 and likewise the flange 125 extends above the top of the housing 103. In situations where the housing 103 is mounted in close proximity to the ceiling or there is some other obstruction above the projection screen housing an alternative configuration as illustrated in figures 15 and 17 may be used. Here the flange 125 terminates at or below the top of the housing 103 and the display area panel is mounted correspondingly lower down. The lower edge of the signage display panel usually extends below the bottom of the housing 103 and over an upper portion of the projection screen 105 but the position of the image displayed on the projection screen will be adjusted to ensure that it is not obstructed by the signage display area. The width of the display area is at least substantially equal to the width of the housing 103 but will typically be somewhat larger. Exceptionally it may be less than the width of the projection screen but not usually where en end cap fixing system is used.

Figure 16 shows an embodiment which employs the same mounting arrangement as described with reference to figures 11 to 14 but having a modified display area 127 with oppositely disposed downwardly extending side wings 129. The downward extent of these will be a matter of design choice. Exceptionally the display area may extend around the entire periphery of the projection screen. In such a case additional support elements (not illustrated) are preferably provided for the display area, say towards the lower extremity thereof and rearwardly extending to engage the wall surface or other support for the projection screen. The legs may be adjustable for length to allow the display area panel to be positioned substantially vertical or orientated at an angle if so desired.

Although not shown in Figure 16, the signage an embodiment of the invention comprises means for mounting a secondary display screen, such as an aperture surrounding a tablet PC, a smart phone or other similar device. As described above, this can be provided at any suitable position surrounding the main display screen, such as above, below or to one side thereof. In Figure 16 it will be noted that the signage overlaps the main display screen, but this may not be the case: the edge of the signage would be flush with, or located to the side of the main display screen. It will be understood that the projection screen could be for a forward or rearward image projection system and that the housing 103 thereof may be carried by a free standing support system rather than mounted to a wall as shown in the illustrations. Furthermore, whilst this second embodiment has been described with reference to a retractable projection screen it will be understood that mounting arrangements could be readily adapted to suit a fixed projection screen allowing the signage of the present invention to be quickly introduced when the projection screen was in use. In addition, although the illustrated embodiments show signage affixed to the projection screen's housing using end caps, the connectors could be affixed to any part of the housing, for example, comprising U-shaped brackets engageable with a central part of the housing.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. Signage affixable so as to provide, in use, a display area extending at least partially around a periphery of a display screen and which display area is maintained in a substantially constant position relative to the display screen.

2. Signage as claimed in claim 1 in which the display area is disposed adjacent one edge of the display screen.

3. Signage as claimed in claim 1 in which the display area is disposed adjacent two or more edges of the display screen.

4. Signage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display area extends all the way around the display screen.

5. Signage as claimed in any of the preceding claims in which the display area comprises a planar display area portion.

6. Signage as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the display area comprises a planar display area portion having an aperture whose dimensions correspond to the visible display area of the display screen.

7. Signage as claimed in claim 6, wherein the aperture is located at, or towards the centre of the planar display area portion.

8. Signage as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the visible display area of the display screen is visible through the aperture.

9. Signage as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a mounting assembly for affixing the display area in the said substantially constant position relative to the display screen.

10. Signage as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mounting assembly is affixable to the display screen.

11. Signage as claimed in claim 10, wherein the mounting assembly comprises one or more semipermanent suction cups interposed between the display area and the display screen, or a hook- type arrangement adapted to grip a periphery of the display screen's housing.

12. Signage as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mounting assembly is affixable to a mounting bracket for the display screen.

13. Signage as claimed in claim 12, wherein the mounting assembly comprises a mounting plate retainable in place, in use, by screws or bolts for connecting the display screen to the mounting bracket.

14. Signage as claimed in claim 13, wherein the mounting plate is adapted to be interposed, in use, between the display screen and its mounting bracket.

15. Signage as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mounting plate comprises a plurality of through holes whose sizes and spacing correspond to those of the VESA standard.

16. Signage as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the mounting assembly additionally comprises an adaptor bracket affixable, in use, to a limb, or other portion, of the display screen's mounting bracket.

17. Signage as claimed in claim 16, wherein the adaptor bracket comprises a U-shaped bracket portion comprising a pair of spaced-apart limb portions extending from a cross-member to form a clevis that can be located around a limb of a wall-mounting bracket for the display screen.

18. Signage as claimed in claim 17, wherein the clevis is resiliently deformable.

19. Signage as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the clevis is tightenable, in use, by a nut and bolt assembly arranged to urge the limbs towards one another to grip onto the said limb.

20. Signage as claimed in any of claims 17, 18 or 19, wherein the cross-member comprises a slotted aperture.

21. Signage as claimed in any of claims 16 to 20, wherein the adaptor bracket additionally comprises a mounting plate having a number of through holes.

22. Signage as claimed in any of claims 9 to 21, wherein the mounting assembly comprises a support frame.

23. Signage as claimed in claim 22, wherein the support frame comprises one or more mounting areas located outwardly, in use, of the periphery of the display screen to which mounting areas the display area is affixable.

24. Signage as claimed in claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the support frame's dimensions are adjustable.

25. Signage as claimed in any of claims 22, 23 or 24, wherein the support frame comprises a mounting plate having through holes arranged according to the VESA standard.

26. Signage as claimed in any of claims 22 to 25, wherein the support frame comprises at least one limb, to which limb, a generally L-shaped bracket is connected, having at its free end, a mounting plate to which mounting plate, the display area is detachably affixable.

27. Signage according to claim 26, wherein the relationship between the limb and the L-shaped bracket is adjustable.

28. Signage according to claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the relationship between the L-shaped bracket and the mounting plate is adjustable.

29. Signage as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the limbs and L-shaped bracket and/or the L-shaped bracket and mounting plate, comprises a slotted through aperture, through which a nut and bolt assembly passes to allow relative positions of the limb, L-shaped bracket and mounting plate to be adjusted.

30. Signage as claimed in any of claims 21 to 29, comprising a cross bar having a slotted aperture therein, wherein the slotted aperture is adapted to receive a the nut and bolt assembly of claim 26 and/or for securing the support frame to a VESA bracket or display screen.

31. Signage comprising a plurality of support frames according to claim 30.

32. Signage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display area comprises a plurality of discrete plates that can be arranged, in use, around the periphery of the display screen.

33. Signage as claimed in claim 29, wherein each plate comprises a backing support plate and a transparent cover plate that are held in a face-to-face relationship by removable edge strips.

34. Signage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display area comprises a planar portion bounded by one or more curved or angled edge portions.

35. A connector suitable, in use, for interconnecting a pair of VESA-compatible devices, the connector comprising a limb extending between a pair of connecter plates, wherein the connector plates comprise a plurality of pairs of through apertures, the spacings of each pair of through apertures corresponding to the VESA standard hole spacings.

36. The connector of claim 35, suitable, in use, for interconnecting any one or more of the group comprising: a television, a computer monitor, a tablet computer, a games console and a set-top box.

37. The connector of claim 35 or claim 36, wherein the length of the limb and/or the horizontal spacing of the connector plates is adjustable.

38. The connector of claim 37, wherein adjustment is provided by way of a slotted through aperture, through which a nut and bolt assembly passes to allow relative positions of two or more components, e.g. limb portions, of the connector to be adjusted.

39. The connector of any of claims 35 to 38, wherein the limb or limbs comprise a crank or bend.

40. The connector of any of claims 35 to 38, wherein the spacings of each pair of through apertures correspond to the VESA standard hole spacings, those spacings being any one or more of the group comprising: 50mm, 75mm, 100mm, 200mm, 400mm, 600mm, 800mm, 180mm and 150mm.

41. Signage as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display area comprises a secondary aperture forming a viewing window for a secondary display screen.

42. Signage as claimed in claim 41, wherein the secondary display screen is connected to the primary display screen by a connector according to any of claims 35 to 40.

43. Signage as claimed in claim 41 or clam 42, wherein the secondary display screen is adapted for displaying video and/or web-based information and comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a television tuner; a video port; a network port; and a wireless internet connection.

44. Signage as claimed in any of claims 41 to 43, wherein the secondary display screen is a display screen of any one or more of the group comprising: a tablet-type computer; a thin-client computer; a small form factor (SFF) computer; and a PC.

45. Signage as claimed in claim 44, when dependent on any of claims 19 to 31, wherein the secondary display screen is affixed to the support frame by additional connectors.

46. Signage as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 in which the display screen is the deployable display screen of a projection screen assembly.

47. Signage as claimed in claim 46 in which the projection screen assembly comprises a housing and further comprising a mounting assembly for affixing the display area in the said substantially constant position relative to the display screen.

48. Signage as claimed in claim 47 in which the mounting assembly comprises panel end caps engagable with opposite ends of the projection screen housing and having mounting means for the display area.

49. Signage as claimed in claim 48 in which the panel end caps comprise releasable clamping means for securing them to the projection housing.

50. Signage as claimed in any one of claims 47 to 49 in which the mounting assembly positions the display area in front of the projection screen housing above the top edge of the display screen.

51. Signage as claimed in any of claims 46 to 50 in which the display area extends beyond the sides of projection screen housing.

52. Signage as claimed in claim 50 or 51 in which the display area has spaced apart downwardly extending side extension wings positioned, in use, adjacent the peripheral side edges of the display screen.

53. Signage as claimed in any of claims 46 to 52 in which the display area terminates substantially level with the top of the projection screen housing.

54. Signage as claimed in any one of claims 46 to 52 in which the display area extends beyond the top of the projection screen housing.

55. Signage as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a lock for inhibiting or preventing the unauthorised or accidental removal of the signage.

56. Signage affixable so as to provide, in use, a display area extending at least partially around a periphery of a display screen and which display area is maintained in a substantially constant position relative to the display screen, and further comprising a mounting assembly affixable, in use, to a mounting bracket for the display screen for affixing the display area in the said substantially constant position relative to the display screen, the mounting assembly comprising a mounting plate retainable in place, in use, by screws or bolts for connecting the display screen to the mounting bracket whereby the mounting plate is adapted to be interposed, in use, between the display screen and its mounting bracket and wherein the mounting plate comprises a plurality of through holes whose sizes and spacings correspond to those of the VESA standard.

57. Signage substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 1 and 3 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.

58. Signage constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in figures 11 to 14 of the accompanying drawings or as modified according to figures 15 and 17 or 16 of the accompanying drawings.

59. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 17 and 18 of the accompanying drawings.