WO2015114385A1

WO2015114385A1 - Improvements in or relating to display apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2015114385A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/050280
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicholas Cole; Andrew Howard
Original assignee: Benchmark Fabrications Ltd
Current assignee: Benchmark Fabrications Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-03
Filing date: 2015-02-03
Publication date: 2015-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-03
Also published as: GB2522688A; GB201401783D0

Abstract

A display apparatus (1 ) comprising: a display device (2) for securely receiving an article to be displayed; a support (3) to which the display device (2) is securely mounted but movable relative to the support (3) and thereby relative to a reference position of the display device (2); and a return device (4) effective between the display device (2) and the support (3) to return the display device (2) to its reference position.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Display Apparatus

The present invention relates to a display apparatus for securely receiving an article to be displayed. In particular, the present invention relates to a display apparatus for securely receiving an electronic device to be displayed. The present invention also relates to an apparatus comprising a plurality of display devices; a method of displaying an article; and a method of displaying a plurality of articles. The present invention also relates to a security assembly for preventing

unauthorised removal of an article.

Various display apparatus are known in the art and are used with a variety of articles, for example, jewellery, watches and hand-held electronic devices, such as, cameras, mobile phones and tablet computers, in particular. Owing to the relative high value of electronic products, they are often a target for theft. A display apparatus must allow a potential purchaser to view an article they may wish to purchase and, possibly, test that article before purchase, whilst, at the same time, the article needs to be securely mounted to the display apparatus, so as to prevent unauthorised removal of the article by a would-be thief. An example of this type of display apparatus is described in GB2362423 which relates to an apparatus to secure an object on shop display such as a mobile phone. The apparatus comprises a first part and a second part which are slidably adjustable relative to each other and are lockable in a number of positions by means of a locking device. Each part has tabs which define a reception area for the object to be secured. A bar extends across the reception area so as to encircle the object. The pedestal is designed to be screwed down to a surface via holes. With the onset of smart-phones (advanced mobile phones), a potential purchaser of a smart-phone wishes to test the range of functions included, for example, the camera, the handset in general, and the differences in the way the smart-phone may be operated depending upon whether it is being used for phone calls, messaging, internet browsing or various forms of media. It is now of great importance that a smart-phone may be used in a vertical orientation for some functions - perhaps messaging and e-mails - and a horizontal orientation for some other functions - perhaps internet browsing. The apparatus described in GB2362423 provides security for the mobile phone but the orientation of the pedestal with respect to a table top onto which it will be fastened indicates that the mobile phone may only be rotated in a vertical sense (around a longitudinal axis of the phone), and one cannot alter the orientation of the screen between portrait and landscape orientations.

In view of this disadvantage, it is now known to provide a display apparatus which allow a potential purchaser to review the smart-phone whilst also be able to change its orientation whilst secured to the display apparatus, so as to change the orientation of the screen. However, this provides a further disadvantage in the effect of potential purchasers not replacing the smart-phone after review back into the position or condition with which they found the smart-phone.

A further disadvantage suffered by many, if not all, known display apparatus is that, whilst pertaining to provide security, the reality is often much different and, after a number of minor attempts to steal the smart-phone, the would-be thief is often successful.

The present invention is aimed at providing a display apparatus which securely holds an article, for example a mobile phone, allowing a potential purchaser to test and review the multitude of functions provided by the article, including altering its orientation whilst secured to the display apparatus, and removing the

disadvantage of the display apparatus being left in a less than optimal configuration for the next potential purchaser.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus comprising:

a display device for securely receiving an article to be displayed;

a support to which the display device is securely mounted but movable relative to the support and thereby relative to a reference position of the display device; and

a return device effective between the display device and the support to return the display device to its reference position.

Preferably, the display device is rotationally-mounted to the support.

Further preferably, the display device is configured to move through no more than approximately a right-angle between its rest position and a second position. Advantageously, an approximate movement of the display device with respect to the support through a right-angle provides sufficient rotation to alter a screen of a mobile phone (or other electronic display) being displayed between portrait and landscape orientations. Of course, the display device may move through an angle of less than 90 degrees or even more than 90 degrees depending upon requirements of an article being displayed.

Preferably, the display device comprises one or more limbs or straps for securely receiving said article.

Further preferably, the display device comprises a first pair of opposing limbs for preventing movement of said article in a first plane, and a second pair of opposing limbs for preventing movement of said article in a second plane.

Most preferably, the first and second pair of opposing limbs are oriented at approximately right-angles to each other.

The display device may comprise: a back plate comprising the first pair of opposing limbs; and a pair of clasping members each comprising one of the second pair of opposing limbs. Naturally, other manners of securing an article to the display device may be utilised.

Preferably, the support is a hollow member.

The support comprises, preferably, a trapezial cross-section (when viewed from a side of the support) defining a forward-facing sloped surface to which the display device is mounted.

Preferably, an interior of the hollow member is dimensioned to allow finger tightening of a fastening member or access for a tool, such as a hex key.

Preferably, the support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the display device so as to guide movement thereof from its reference position to a second position and vice-versa. Alternatively, the support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the return device so as to guide movement of the portion and thereby the display device from its reference position to a second position and vice-versa.

Preferably, the return device comprises a helical resilient member arranged to interact with both the support and the display device so as to resist rotational movement thereof. Alternatively, the return device comprises a recoiler mounted to the support which interacts with a cylindrical body operatively connected to the display device so as to resist rotational movement of the cylindrical body and thereby the display device.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a plurality of display devices for securely receiving respective articles to be displayed, a support to which the display devices are securely mounted but movable relative to the support and thereby relative to respective reference positions of the display devices, the reference positions corresponding to each other, and return devices effective between the respective display devices and the support to return the display devices to their reference positions.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a plurality of display devices having corresponding reference positions in a first orientation and a plurality of display devices having corresponding reference positions in a second orientation different to the first orientation.

Most preferably, the first and second orientations are at approximately right- angles to each other. Naturally, depending upon the article being displayed, other angles may be chosen, but right-angles are preferred for mobile phones and the like.

Preferably, the display device is rotationally-mounted to the support. Further preferably, the display device is configured to move through no more than

approximately a right-angle between its rest position and a second position.

Advantageously, an approximate movement of the display device with respect to the support through a right-angle provides sufficient rotation to alter a screen of a mobile phone (or other electronic display) being displayed between portrait and landscape orientations. Of course, the display device may move through an angle of less than 90 degrees or even more than 90 degrees depending upon requirements of an article being displayed. Preferably, the display device comprises one or more limbs or straps for securely receiving said article. Further preferably, the display device comprises a first pair of opposing limbs for preventing movement of said article in a first plane, and a second pair of opposing limbs for preventing movement of said article in a second plane. Most preferably, the first and second pair of opposing limbs are oriented at approximately right-angles to each other. The display device may comprise: a back plate comprising the first pair of opposing limbs; and a pair of clasping members each comprising one of the second pair of opposing limbs.

Naturally, other manners of securing an article to the display device may be utilised. Preferably, the support is a hollow member. The support comprises, preferably, a trapezial cross-section (when viewed from a side of the support) defining a forward- facing sloped surface to which the display device is mounted. Preferably, an interior of the hollow member is dimensioned to allow finger tightening of a fastening member or access for a tool, such as a hex key. Preferably, the support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the display device so as to guide movement thereof from its reference position to a second position and vice- versa. Alternatively, the support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the return device so as to guide movement of the portion and thereby the display device from its reference position to a second position and vice-versa.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided mobile phone display apparatus comprising a display apparatus as defined in relation to the first aspect or an apparatus as defined above.

According to a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of displaying an article, comprising:

mounting the article securely on a display device;

moving the display device out of a reference position and with respect to a support to which the display device is securely mounted;

releasing the display device; and

returning the display device to its reference position.

Preferably, the display device comprises a display device as defined in relation to the first aspect. Preferably, the support comprises a support as defined in relation to the first aspect. Preferably, the return device comprises a return device as defined in relation to the first aspect.

A method of displaying a plurality of articles, comprising:

mounting a plurality of articles securely on respective display devices;

moving the respective display devices out of their reference positions and with respect to a support to which the display devices are securely mounted, the reference positions corresponding to each other;

releasing the respective display devices; and returning the respective display devices to their reference positions.

A security assembly for receiving an article to be displayed, comprising a first support comprising a hollow member which is securely mounted on a second support;

a display device securely but movably mounted on the first support; and a fastening device which extends from within the hollow member to the display device;

wherein the fastening device is releasable only following access being obtained to an interior of the hollow member after dismounting the first support from the second support.

Preferably, the display device is rotationally-mounted to the first support. Further preferably, the display device is configured to move through no more than approximately a right-angle between its rest position and a second position.

Naturally, other manners of securing an article to the display device may be utilised. Preferably, the support is a hollow member. The first support comprises, preferably, a trapezial cross-section (when viewed from a side of the support) defining a forward-facing sloped surface to which the display device is mounted. Preferably, an interior of the hollow member is dimensioned to allow finger tightening of a fastening member or access for a tool, such as a hex key. Preferably, the first support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the display device so as to guide movement thereof from its reference position to a second position and vice-versa. Alternatively, the first support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the return device so as to guide movement of the portion and thereby the display device from its reference position to a second position and vice-versa. Preferably, the return device comprises a helical resilient member arranged to interact with both the first support and the display device so as to resist rotational movement thereof. Alternatively, the return device comprises a recoiler mounted to the first support which interacts with a cylindrical body operatively connected to the display device so as to resist rotational movement of the cylindrical body and thereby the display device. Preferably, the second support is fixed and therefore substantially immovable, and is a horizontally-oriented work surface or a vertically-oriented wall, panel or the like.

Advantageously, the present invention securely fastens a displayed article to a display device of a display apparatus. In particular, a mobile phone or tablet computer may be securely displayed on a display apparatus whilst a potential purchaser may alter its orientation and review its full range of features. The present invention provides a more security oriented display apparatus - through use of a hollow support/housing - which hides the main fastener for securing various aspects of the display apparatus in a location where a potential purchaser or would-be thief is unable to gain access to the fastener, whilst allowing access to the fastener when required by staff or fitters. Advantageously, an approximate movement of the display device with respect to the support through a right-angle provides sufficient rotation to alter a screen of a mobile phone or tablet computer (or other electronic display) between portrait and landscape orientations. A return device provides a convenient way of returning the display device and associated article to a reference position, which might otherwise be left in an untidy and less than optimal configuration for the next potential purchaser. In a situation where a plurality of articles are secured within a plurality of displayed devices, it is advantageous to a retailer that lines of devices and apparatuses look neat and tidy and staff time would be saved through not having to alter the orientation of the numerous display devices after potential purchasers have reviewed the articles. The saleability of displayed articles is improved as they are neatly and correspondingly oriented for potential purchasers to review, providing a good first-impression.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front-perspective view of a display apparatus;

Figure 2 is a rear-perspective view of the display apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an exploded-perspective view of the display apparatus of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a front-perspective view of a display apparatus;

Figure 5 is a rear-perspective view of the display apparatus of Figure 4; and Figure 6 is an exploded-perspective view of the display apparatus of Figure 4. Figures 1 to 3 show a display apparatus, identified generally by reference 1 , which is intended for use with a smart-phone or standard mobile phone (not shown). Figure 1 includes a display portion (display device) 2, a housing (support) 3 and a return device 4.

The display portion 2 is rotatably secured to the housing 3 through a fastening arrangement including the wing-nut 5, although the display portion 2 is movable relative to the housing 3. In the example shown, a relative movement of

approximately 90 degrees is feasible. This range of movement is enough to provide a change in orientation of the product from portrait to landscape. The display portion 2 includes a back plate 10 having respective upper and lower of limbs 1 1A; 1 1 B for securing the short edges of a mobile phone (not shown). The display portion 2 also includes a pair of clasping members 12A; 12B which are provided to contact opposing longitudinal edges of the phone (not shown). The clasping members 12A; 12B have the same effect as the limbs 1 1 A; 1 1 B. The back plate 10 includes a centrally-located rod 13 oriented at 90 degrees to the back plate, which rod 13 is provided for securing the display portion 2 to the housing 3 and the rod 13 is threaded at a distal end so that the wing-nut 5 may be secured to it. The back plate 10 also includes a pair of apertures 15 having internal threads for interaction with a pair of locking nuts 14 which are passed through the return device 4 and apertures 16 of the clasping members 12A; 12B, before being screwed into the respective apertures 15. The back plate 10 also includes a further rod 17 extending in a similar manner to rod 13 but displaced longitudinally towards a lower end of the back plate 10. The rod 17 extends from the back plate and is provided to interact and pass through a portion of the return device 4 and the housing 3.

The housing 3 is hollow, providing a hollow shell 20 which has a trapezial cross-section when viewed from a side. The housing 3 includes one or more apertures 21 for securing the housing 3 and thereby the display apparatus 1 to a horizontal or vertical surface (not shown). The housing 3 defines a forward-facing sloped surface 22 to which the display portion 2 is mounted. The effect of the hollow shell 20 is to limit access to the wing-nut 5, especially since no-one can access the wing-nut when the housing 3 is secured to a surface (not shown). For the orientation of the display apparatus 1 shown, the surface (not shown) would be vertical and the housing 3 is arranged to provide the sloped surface 22 in an upper-facing manner towards a torso and/or a face of a potential purchaser. The surface 22 is provided with a centrally-located, circular aperture 23 through which the rod 13 may pass.

Surface 22 also includes an arcuate aperture 24 through which the rod 17 may pass. The aperture 24 defines a path along which the rod 17 may travel during rotation of the display portion 2 with respect to the housing 3. A pin-hole aperture 25 is provided in close proximately to the arcuate aperture 24, and is located so as to receive part of the return device 4. The return device 4 includes a helical spring 30 having a first end 31 for interaction with one of the locking nuts 14 and a second end 32 for interaction with the pin-hole aperture 25 of the housing 3. The helical spring 30 is dimensioned so as to fit over the rod 13. A casing 33 secures the spring 30 and includes a pair of apertures 34 through which the locking nuts 14 pass. An arcuate aperture 35 is provided along which the end 32 of the spring 30 may travel during rotation of the apparatus 1 , and the arcuate aperture 35 receives, in an enlarged end portion 35A, the rod 17 of the display portion 2; however, the rod 17 is prevented from travelling along the arcuate aperture 35

In order to secure an article, for example a mobile phone, to the display apparatus 1 , the mobile phone (not shown) is located between or within the respective limbs 1 1 A; 1 1 B and then the clasping members 12A; 12B are secured to the back plate 10 through the use of the locking nuts 14, as passed through the apertures 34 of the return device 4. The display apparatus 1 may then be secured to a vertical surface in a retail outlet. The effect of this is to allow a potential purchaser to review the article secured by the apparatus 1 and review all of the functions of that article whilst it is securely held by the display apparatus 1 . In particular, with smart- phones or other mobile phones or tablet computers, if the potential purchaser wishes to alter the orientation of the screen, for example, from portrait to landscape orientation, the purchaser may simply rotate the display portion 2 relative to the housing 3, such that the display portion 2 moves through an angle of about 90 degree so as to change screen orientation. If the display apparatus 1 was not provided with a return device 4, the display portion 2 would remain in that altered orientation, which is less appealing or desirable for the next potential purchaser. However, the return device 4 acts upon the display portion 2 to provide a return force which returns the display portion 2 to its reference position which, for this example, is a vertical orientation. Thus, the return device 4 provides automatic return of the display portion 2 when a user lets go. Of course, in an alternative, the reference position could be a landscape orientation of the article being secured.

Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of display apparatus V. The display apparatus V has many features in common with display apparatus 1 described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and, therefore, only the differences will be described in detail. Further, the same references have been used to identify common features.

In this embodiment, the display portion 2 is separated from the housing 3 by a spacer 40 having a central aperture 41 for receipt of the rod 13 and a pair of apertures 42 directed towards the edges of the spacer 40 where they can interact with locking nuts 14' which, like before, secure the return device 4' and the display portion 2 together. As can be seen from its absence in the Figures, there is no rod 17 extending from the back plate 10.

The housing 3 in this embodiment includes a pair of arcuate apertures 24' correspondingly located around the central aperture 23. The apertures 24' define paths along which portions of the return device 4 may travel during rotation of the display portion 2 with respect to the housing 3. As shown, the display portion 2 may rotate approximately 90 degrees with respect to the housing 3 between a rest position - exemplified in a vertical sense - and a second position of the display portion 2. In this example, the return device 4' is of the recoiler-type. A recoiler 50 is located within the shell 20 and secured to an internal surface thereof. The recoiler 50 provides a cord 51 which is connected to a circumferential surfaces 52 of a cylindrical body 53 also located within the shell 20. The body 53 includes a notch 54 to which an end of the cord 51 is secured. The cylindrical body 53 also includes a central circular aperture 55 - through which rod 13 may pass - and a pair of protrusions 56 having internal apertures 57 through which the locking nuts 14' may pass. The body 53 is secured to the display portion by interaction of rod 13 with the wing-nut 5. Rotation of the cylindrical body 53 draws out from the recoiler 50 a further portion of the cord 51 against the biasing of an internal spring (not shown) of the recoiler 50, which has the effect of introducing a return force upon the cylindrical body 53.

The locking nuts 14' pass through the apertures 57 of the cylindrical body 53 (and thereby through the arcuate apertures 24' of the housing 3), through the apertures 42 of the spacer 40 and are screwed into the apertures 15 of the back plate 10.

An article may be secured to the display apparatus 1 ' in a similar manner to that described in relation to the first embodiment, save for the difference in location of the locking nuts 14' through the return device 4', the housing and the spacer 40. Further, the second embodiment of display apparatus V provides, in use, the same effects as the first embodiment of display apparatus 1 in that it allows a potential purchaser to review the article secured by the apparatus 1 ', review all of the functions of that article and alter its orientation whilst it is securely held by the display apparatus 1 . Further, when the potential purchaser lets go, the display portion automatically rotates back to its reference position.

Display apparatuses 1 ; 1 ' of the present invention are constructed

predominantly from sheet metal, in particular, the display portion 2 and the housing 3. Where appropriate, the sheet metal is formed into the respective limbs, etc.

through subsequent pressing. The metal is coated to provide a more pleasing finish. Some components may be made from plastics, for example the wing-nut 5.

However, as the display apparatus is desired to prevent unauthorised removal of an article from the display apparatus, components will typically be made from metal for strength. By way of an alternative, the wing-nut may be replaced by a standard nut or may be replaced by a nut - for example a hex nut - including a slot for receipt of a tool - for example a hex tool.

Those skilled in the art will understand that, whilst the invention has been described predominantly as a display apparatus for securing a mobile phone or smart-phone, the display apparatus may be used with various other articles which require securing whilst also being attractively displayed to a potential purchaser and the following list is exemplary and not exhaustive, for example jewellery, watches, tablet computers, laptop computers, or other hand-held electronic devices.

Claims

Claims:

A display apparatus comprising:

a display device for securely receiving an article to be displayed;

A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the display device is rotationally-mounted to the support.

A display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the display device is configured to move through no more than approximately a right-angle between its rest position and a second position.

A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the display device comprises one or more limbs or straps for securely receiving said article.

A display apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the display device comprises a first pair of opposing limbs for preventing movement of said article in a first plane, and a second pair of opposing limbs for preventing movement of said article in a second plane.

A display apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second pair of opposing limbs are oriented at approximately right-angles to each other.

A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the display device comprises:

a back plate comprising the first pair of opposing limbs; and

a pair of clasping members each comprising one of the second pair of opposing limbs.

8. ) A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support is a hollow member.

9. ) A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a trapezial cross-section defining a forward-facing sloped surface to which the display device is mounted.

10. ) A display apparatus as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein an interior of the hollow member is dimensioned to allow finger tightening of a fastening member.

1 1 . ) A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the

support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the display device so as to guide movement thereof from its reference position to a second position and vice-versa.

12. ) A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the

support comprises an arcuate aperture which interacts with a portion of the return device so as to guide movement of the portion and thereby the display device from its reference position to a second position and vice-versa.

13. ) A display apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the return device comprises a helical resilient member arranged to interact with both the support and the display device so as to resist rotational movement thereof.

14. ) A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the

return device comprises a recoiler mounted to the support which interacts with a cylindrical body operatively connected to the display device so as to resist rotational movement of the cylindrical body and thereby the display device.

15. ) A display apparatus substantially as herein disclosed, with reference to

Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings and/or any example described herein. 16.) An apparatus comprising a plurality of display devices for securely receiving respective articles to be displayed, a support to which the display devices are securely mounted but movable relative to the support and thereby relative to respective reference positions of the display devices, the reference positions corresponding to each other, and return devices effective between the respective display devices and the support to return the display devices to their reference positions.

17. ) An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the apparatus comprises a

plurality of display devices having corresponding reference positions in a first orientation and a plurality of display devices having corresponding reference positions in a second orientation different to the first orientation.

18. ) An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the first and second orientations are at approximately right-angles to each other. 19.) An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the apparatus comprises a display device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7; a support as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12; and/or a return mechanism as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14. 20.) An apparatus substantially as herein disclosed, with reference to Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings and/or any example described herein.

21 . ) A mobile phone display apparatus comprising a display apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15 or an apparatus according to any one of claims

16 to 20.

22. ) A method of displaying an article, comprising:

mounting the article securely on a display device;

releasing the display device; and

returning the display device to its reference position. 23.) A method of displaying a plurality of articles, comprising: mounting a plurality of articles securely on respective display devices;

releasing the respective display devices; and

returning the respective display devices to their reference positions.

24. ) A method of displaying an article or a method of displaying a plurality of

articles substantially as herein described, with reference to the accompanying description and/or any example described herein.

25. ) A security assembly for receiving an article to be displayed, comprising

a first support comprising a hollow member which is securely mounted on a second support;

26. ) A security assembly substantially as herein disclosed, with reference to

Figures 1 to 3 or Figures 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings and/or any example described herein.