A DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract

A display device is disclosed. The display device comprises a backpiece, hingeably mounted by one or more hinge elements to a frontispiece, enabling the frontispiece to be pivoted along a first edge between a closed, display position and an open position allowing insertion/removal of a display article. The frontispiece has a border section and a transparent viewing section, the viewing section and border section secured together to form the frontispiece. Additionally, a catch releasably securing the frontispiece to the backpiece is included, the catch comprising an actuator movable within the backpiece and in a direction through the body of the backpiece, to respectively engage and release the frontispiece, whereby movement of the actuator causes a retaining element to raise and lower to respectively engage and disengage from a retaining element barrier mounted on the frontispiece, said engagement preventing pivoting of the frontispiece from the closed position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a display device intended to be used to display flat articles such as letters, certificates, magazines and the like, and particularly to allow such articles to be displayed, for example, on a wall, or free-standing.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to display, for example, on a wall surface, articles which are generally of a flat nature, such as magazines, letters etc. The reasons for this can vary. For example, certificates recording an achievement or event can be displayed, magazines commemorating particular occurrences or of a particularly decorative nature, letters having a personal or celebrity connection or pleasing artwork can be hung up in a room at home or at an office.

Frames and display units are known in the art which can hold an article flat and have a clear front screen which allows the article, or part thereof to be seen. The screen also serves to protect the article within from damage. Frames and display units are also known which allow an article to be inserted or removed, either to allow the article to be viewed close up, or to be replaced. However, units known in the art cannot easily be adapted, if at all, between portrait and landscape orientation, particularly if it is desired to retain a top-opening orientation. Additionally, frames of different sizes are often required for the United States and other markets due to the different sizes of paper used.

Prior art units also include means of fastening parts of the frame together, such as by means of rivets. These require that, for aesthetic purposes, the frame can be sprayed with a covering such as a paint. This increases both the cost of production and also the risk of the covering chipping or wearing with time. Additionally, components of prior art frames need to be clipped together which elements required therefor are often prone to breakage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a display device, the display device comprising a backpiece, hingeably mounted by one or more hinge elements to a frontispiece, enabling the frontispiece to be pivoted along a first edge between a closed, display position and an open position allowing insertion/removal of a display article, the frontispiece having a border section and a transparent viewing section, the viewing section and border section secured together to form the frontispiece, a catch releasably securing the frontispiece to the backpiece, the catch comprising an actuator movable within the backpiece and in a direction through the body of the backpiece, to respectively engage and release the frontispiece, movement of the actuator causing a retaining element to raise and lower to respectively engage and disengage from a retaining element barrier mounted on the frontispiece, the engagement preventing pivoting of the frontispiece from the closed position.

Preferably, the retaining element barrier has an arch piece defining a channel through which the retaining element can pass when engaging and disengaging.

Optionally, the retaining element has a wedge shape, and is pivotably mounted along the wedge end, operation of the actuator moving the wedge about the pivot access engagement of the base of the wedge in the raised position with the arch piece preventing relative movement of the frontispiece and backpiece.

The frontispiece preferably includes one or more first support elements, further preferably the or each first support element having an I′ shaped cross-section, the or each hinge element being slidably, preferably removably slidably engageable with the or each first support element to secure the or each hinge element in position. Conveniently, a frontispiece includes further support elements having a different orientation with respect to the frontispiece to enable hinges to be attached, and whose different orientation allows the backpiece to pivot along a different edge between a closed and an open position. Further preferably, the or each hinge element has internally mutually sloping surfaces, extending along the or each hinge element, to guide the or each hinge element into the correct position and to retain the or each hinge element in push-fit engagement with a support element.

Optionally, the viewing section has walls to define a rectangular area to retain an article. Further optionally, the viewing section includes channel elements on opposing walls, opposing channel elements cooperating to retain an elongate spacer, inclusion of a spacer reducing the area in which the article is retained. Yet further optionally, a spacer includes ridges along one side to reduce the mass of a spacer required to produce a given reduction in area, the ridges holding the spacer in spaced relationship to a wall and preventing bowing of a spacer.

Preferably, a hinge element includes a pivot mount engageable with a mounting element on the backpiece, which engagement enables the hinge and the frontispiece to pivot relative to the backpiece. Further preferably, a stop element prevents pivoting beyond a pre-set angle. Yet further preferably, a pivot mount has a cylindrical outer surface.

Advantageously, the mounting element comprises a cylindrical surface, of complimentary curvature to that of the pivot mount to provide a smooth pivoting action.

Preferably, the backpiece comprises one or more resilient supports having an article-engaging surface, to engage a surface of an article being displayed. The resilience enables articles of different thicknesses to be displayed without requiring the or each support to be changed. Further preferably, the article-engaging surface is covered with a material or sponge material. Yet further preferably, a resilient support comprises an arm, fixed at one end to the backpiece and supporting on the free end of the arm, in spaced arrangement to the backpiece, a head, the head engaging an article being displayed.

Optionally, the catch engages the backpiece by a push-fit arrangement to enable the catch to be moved between different positions on the backpiece, allowing the device to be easily used in different orientations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings which who by way of example only, one embodiment of a display device. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an opened display device to display an item in portrait orientation;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view with the front frame removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the display device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4a, 4b illustrate a hinge mechanism;

FIGS. 5a, 5b illustrate fitment of a hinge; and

FIG. 6 shows examples of use of a device for different sizes of displayed article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The display unit shown herein is suitable for the wall-mounted display of a range of items which are thin in one of their dimensions: for example, magazines, letters, etc. In its broadest aspect the display unit provides a support or backpiece, to which a front cover is mounted, to be moveable between an opened position in which articles can be inserted into or removed from the display unit, and a closed position when the article is retained within the display unit and can be viewed through a viewing region of the front cover. In the following description the embodiment described is of the type suitable for attachment to a wall or the like, but this should not be construed as limiting the invention to devices of that type and which is also concerned with free-standing devices. The display unit is optionally mounted to a wall, or can be free-standing, such that the unit opens about a hinge mounting and along a line joining between the support and the front cover, along their in-use lower edges. This reduces the risk of displayed items falling from the unit and becoming damaged. In some embodiments, the display unit allows a new item to be simply slotted in, in front of an already displayed item. Additionally, the orientation of the opening can be changed, allowing the unit to be used for portrait or landscape oriented articles. The display unit can be adapted to hold items of different sizes, thus allowing frames for different markets to be made from the same tooling.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, these show a display device or unit, generally referenced 10 in accordance with the invention. Component parts are generally able to be clipped together where required, unless otherwise stated. To achieve this, small detents engaging undercuts can be utilised. This simplifies production, thereby reducing costs. Additionally, the components are self-coloured and do not require an additional surface coating, which again reduces costs. The device 10 has a backpiece 11 which can be secured in use to a wall or other vertical surface. Attached along one edge 12 thereto is a border or frame 13/viewing screen 14 assembly which assembly is referred to as a frontispiece 15. The frame 13 acts to firstly strengthen the viewing screen 14 and secondly to delineate an area to highlight the important parts of the document on display. Typical dimensions for the device are around 30 cm for the longer edge, although the dimensions can be chosen to suit the purpose.

In more detail, the backpiece 11 has (see FIG. 6) slots 16a, b to receive a fixing means to secure the device 10 to a surface. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 6, the backpieces are provided with two slots 16a, b to allow the device 10 to be utilised with either the shorter or the longer edges horizontal, or indeed to secure the device at an oblique angle if so desired. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, sticky pads secured to the rear of the backpiece can be used to secure the device to a surface. The backpiece can also have secured thereto, cushioning pads, to cushion the device against a wall. A cushioning pad and also a sticky pad can include a throughaperture enabling a screw to pass therethrough, the throughaperture preferably being centrally located in the pad. The screw can, for example, be used to secure the device 10 more firmly to a wall, to prevent theft and/or resist movement of the device 10 should the device 10 accidentally be knocked. Extending from the backpiece 11 are four flexible fingers 17 (see FIG. 4b). Each of the fingers 17 comprises a stem 18, fixed at one end to the backpiece 11 and supporting at the other end a head 19. The stem 18 is preferably formed of a resilient material which biases the head 19 of the finger 17 towards the screen 14. The head 19 is preferably formed of a soft material or a sponge material to minimise damage which might otherwise occur to a display item coming into contact therewith. The flexible fingers 17 act in combination with the inner surface of the viewing screen 14 to stably support an item in the correct orientation, in that the item is squeezed between the fingers 17 and the screen 14 as the device 10 is closed. The flexibility of the fingers 17 enables items of different thicknesses to be easily retained without having to make changes to the device 10. The device 10 can be supplied to a user with the fingers 17 located and retained within the correspondingly shaped apertures 17a, to minimise the risk of damage prior to use.

In order to secure the viewing screen 14 to the frame 13, integral lugs (not illustrated) are provided in the screen 14 which engage corresponding recesses (also not illustrated) formed in this frame 13. If desired, the lugs can be formed in the frame 13 to engage recesses formed in the screen 14. The lugs allow the frame 13 and screen 14 to operate as a frontispiece unit.

As the device 10 is intended to be usable with display items of different sizes, then a spacer 9 can be included within the device. The spacer 9 is suitable for, for example, converting the device 10 from one that is able to retain pages of US letter size to one for holding A4 size articles and vice versa. In use, the spacer 9 is held in place by channel elements 20a, b formed in the screen 14. The spacer 9 has a plurality of ridges 21 along one side which hold the spacer in spaced relationship to a wall 22 of the screen 14 but minimise the weight of the spacer for a given thickness of spacer. Again, a corresponding pair of channels is provided along one of the shorter edges, adjacent a wall 23 to allow adjustment of the effective longer length of the device to be altered, if desired. The positioning of the spacer 9 as shown allows for the spacer 9 to remain hidden whilst in use. It is intended that purchase of a device will include two spacers, one placeable along a shorter edge and one placeable along a longer edge. Inner wall members 24a, 24b are provided to otherwise retain the article in position.

The design of the hinges 30 allows the device 10 to be opened and closed such that the frontispiece 15 pivots away from the backpiece 11 along chosen common, although not conjoined, edges. The hinges 30 can be placed so that the device 10 opens along a shorter edge and if required, because a different item is to be displayed in a different orientation, can be removed and replaced to allow hinging along a different edge.

In the illustrated embodiment the hinge 30, which can be formed of a plastics material, comprises a support-engaging body 31 to engage, in-use, a support 40 located on and integral with, the screen 14. The body 31 is connected, by means of an arm 32, to a pivot mount 33, having a cylindrical outer surface and which comprises a cylindrical aperture 34 into which an optional pin (not illustrated), extending from the wall of the backpiece 11 can engage, allowing the hinge 30 to pivot thereabout. Alternatively, or additionally, the pivot mount 33 is retained in position and allowed to roll within a pivot cover 35. The pivot cover 35 is secured along two edges to the backpiece 11. As viewed along the free edge 35a, the pivot cover 35 has a curved profile, approximately matching the curvature of the pivot mount 33, which facilitates the pivoting action and prevents the hinge 30 from unwanted movement away from the backpiece 11. A stop-element, not illustrated, prevents pivoting beyond a pre-set angle, between the backpiece and the frontispiece.

Referring to FIG. 4b, the support 40 is ‘L’-shaped in cross-section, and secured to the screen along a short edge of the I′. Correspondingly, the body 31 of the hinge 30 is hollow, and the base 41 has an aperture 42 so sized to allow the support 40 to pass therethrough. Additionally, and referring also to FIG. 5a, the body 31 has ramp 36, sloping upwardly away from the pivot mount 33, and partially extending across the body 31. From FIG. 5a, it can be seen that the ramp 36 widens further away from the pivot mount 33 so that the elongate gap 37 narrows progressively. A shelf 38 extends, in narrowing vertical spaced relationship to the ramp 36, into the body 31.

In order to secure the hinge 30 to the screen 14 therefore, the body 31 of the hinge 30 is slid over the support 40, the support 40 entering at the end of the body 31 closest to the pivot mount 33 and sliding along the ramp 36. As the support 40 slides into the body 31, it increasingly engages the ramp 36 and the shelf 38 to hold the body 31 firmly in position.

Turning now to the closure mechanism, this comes in two main parts: a closure member 51 which engages a catch 61. The closure member 51 is preferably removably fittable to the backpiece 11. The backpiece 11 has a closure member receiving recess 53, having channels 54 in both side walls of the recess 53. The closure member 51 has corresponding fitment edges 55, having upper and lower surfaces which engage the walls of the channels 54 to allow the closure member 51 to be fitted in a push-fit arrangement.

The closure member 51 further has a depressible button 56 having a stem 57 and cross-piece 58 allowing a user to push the button 56 down to a depressed position, from its standard position, in which depressed position the cross-piece 58 is flush with the upper edge of the backpiece 11. The button 56 is linked to a wedge 59 such that depression of the button 56 causes the wedge 59 to lie with its otherwise sloping surface 60, parallel to the upper edge of the backpiece 11. As the button 56 is biased to be in the standard position, release of pressure on the button 56 causes the button 56 to rise, and the wedge 59 to pivot about the wedge end 59a, bringing the sloping surface 60 to its normal sloping orientation.

Actuation of the closure member 51 acts to close the device 10 by engagement of the wedge 59 with a catch 61 on the screen 14. The catch 61 has a channel 62 to receive the wedge 59 and fitment edges 55 of the closure member 51. Partway along the channel 62, an arch 63 forms an aperture 64 through which the wedge 59 and fitment edges 55 pass during opening and closing, the wedge 59 lying flat due to depression of the button 56. Once the wedge 59 has passed through the aperture, pressure is released from the button 56, which returns to the standard position, and the wedge 59 pivots to the sloping position. In this position, the base 59b of the wedge 59 holds the frontispiece 15 against the backpiece 11 as the base is too tall to pass through the channel 62, and instead engages the arch 63. The article to be displayed is thus held in position to be viewable through the screen 14.

Additionally, the screen 14 has two further hinge supports, along the short edges of the screen 14. Further, the screen 14 also has a catch along one of its longer edges. These allow the device 10 to be switched over to display items both in landscape and portrait orientation, without the requirement to obtain a further device. Further, the device 10 when turned to the required orientation still opens along the in-use bottom edge, with the top of the frontispiece moving away from the backpiece in a downward arc, thus retaining support for the article contained, even when open. A user is therefore provided with flexibility in displaying articles.

The hinges 30 can be removed from the supports along one edge and secured along the other edge.

In use therefore, a user selects the orientation of the device required. The frame and the viewing screens are secured together using the lugs and complementary recesses. Hinges are slid onto, in push-fit engagement, the hinge supports on the screen. Any spaces required are correctly positioned. A closure member is fitted to a corresponding recess in the backpiece 11. The backpiece is secured to a wall or other surface utilising the slot 16a, b. If, in the alternative, the device is to be free-standing, this step can be omitted. The screen and frame (frontispiece) assembly is then slid into position with respect to the backpiece, such that the pivot mount of the hinge is beneath and partially surrounded by the pivot cover on the backpiece. The device thus formed is ready to receive the article to be displayed.

The article is positioned within the wall members 24a, 24b. The frontispiece is then pivoted about the hinges such that the top edge of the frontispiece moves in a generally upward arc towards the top edge of the backpiece, until the catch engages the channel. A pivoting action causes the article to be held firmly between the screen and the flexible fingers 17. When closing the device, the slope of the ramp engaging the arch, acts to depress the ramp, and the button allowing the wedge to pass through the channel. Once the wedge has passed through the channel, the biasing force on the button and wedge, acts to raise the wedge to a sloping position. To open the device, the button is depressed, causing the sloping surface of the wedge to lie flush with the upper edge of the backpiece. This frees the frontispiece to pivot forward, away from the backpiece, allowing the article to be removed.

Claims

1. A display device, the display device comprising a backpiece, hingeably mounted by one or more hinge elements to a frontispiece, enabling the frontispiece to be pivoted along a first edge between a closed, display position and an open position allowing insertion/removal of a display article, the frontispiece having a border section and a transparent viewing section, the viewing section and border section secured together to form the frontispiece,

a catch (61) releasably securing the frontispiece to the backpiece, the catch comprising an actuator movable within the backpiece and in a direction through the body of the backpiece, to respectively engage and release the frontispiece, movement of the actuator causing a retaining element to raise and lower to respectively engage and disengage from a retaining element barrier mounted on the frontispiece, the engagement preventing pivoting of the frontispiece from the closed position.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element barrier has an arch piece defining a channel through which the retaining element can pass when engaging and disengaging.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element has a wedge shape, and is pivotably mounted along the wedge end, operation of the actuator moving the wedge about the pivot access engagement of the base of the wedge in the raised position with the arch piece preventing relative movement of the frontispiece and backpiece.

4. The display device according claim 1, wherein the frontispiece includes one or more first support elements.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the or each first support element has an ‘L’ shaped cross-section, a hinge element being slidably engageable with the or each first support element to secure the or each hinge element in position.

6. The display device according to claim 5, wherein a hinge element is removably slidably engageable.

7. The display device according to claim 4, wherein a frontispiece includes further support elements having a different orientation with respect to the frontispiece to enable hinges to be attached and operate in a different orientation.

8. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the or each hinge element has internally mutually sloping surfaces, extending along the or each hinge element, to guide the or each hinge element into the correct position and to retain the or each hinge element in push-fit engagement with a support element.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the viewing section has walls to define a rectangular area to retain an article.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the viewing section includes channel elements on opposing walls, opposing channel elements cooperating to retain an elongate spacer, inclusion of a spacer reducing the area in which the article is retained.

11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein a spacer includes ridges along one side to reduce the mass of a spacer required to produce a given reduction in area, the ridges holding the spacer in spaced relationship to a wall and preventing bowing of a spacer.

12. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a hinge element includes a pivot mount engageable with a mounting element on the backpiece, which engagement enables the hinge and the frontispiece to pivot relative to the backpiece.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein a stop element prevents pivoting beyond a pre-set angle.

14. The display device according to claim 12, wherein a pivot mount has a cylindrical outer surface.

15. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the mounting element comprises a cylindrical surface, of complimentary curvature to that of the pivot mount.

16. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the backpiece comprises one or more resilient supports having an article-engaging surface, to engage a surface of an article being displayed.

17. The display device according to claim 16, wherein the article-engaging surface is covered with a material or sponge material.

18. The display device according to claim 17, wherein a resilient support comprises an arm, fixed at one end to the backpiece and supporting on the free end of the arm, in spaced arrangement to the backpiece, a head, the head engaging an article being displayed.

19. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the catch engages the backpiece by a push-fit arrangement to enable the catch to be moved between different positions on the backpiece.