Abstract:
The present invention provides a display assembly for posters and the like having a protective sheet that may be replaced with no need to dismount the frame. The protective sheet comprises a strip allowing the sheet to be flexed outwardly to change the display. The display assembly further comprises at least one frame cover which is removably connected to the frame member. The display assembly may be configured to allow the posters to be viewed from both sides.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of commonly assigned International Patent Application no. PCT/CA2007/002055, entitled “Display Assembly for Posters and the Like” and filed on Nov. 16, 2007. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a display assembly to receive posters and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various assemblies have been used in the past for the display of posters and other sheet materials such as advertisements, photographs, drawings and the like. Whenever the applicant refers to “poster” or “display sheet” in this document, it should be understood to include any such sheet materials. Some of these assemblies are constructed to be particularly useful in situations where it is wished to change the display sheet at certain time intervals. They are constructed in a manner that they allow the easy replacement of the display sheet. They generally have a frontal transparent protective sheet which allows the display sheet to be seen while being protected against theft, vandalism or the elements. 
     Also, some display assembly users, such as advertising network operators, need to differentiate advertising networks, both for public and operator personnel responsible for poster replacement. In several instances also, several display assemblies are contiguous but part of different networks making it difficult for operator personnel to distinguish them apart. As examples of networks, there are pharmacies, culture, tobacco products, display assemblies allowed to be within a certain distance from schools (to comply with regulatory restrictions), etc. . . . Attempts have been made to identify display assemblies by color identification, sometimes made by installing a cover on the frame. These covers are useful because they create different appearances for display assemblies, without requiring manufacturing, purchasing and having in stock different display assemblies, otherwise necessary. 
     It is not rare however that such frontal transparent protective sheet and/or such cover be at times defaced, damaged, obliterated or removed by vandals or need to be replaced for other reasons. 
     Attempts have been made to have display assemblies which allow for the replacement of such frontal transparent protective sheet but it is still necessary to dismount the display assembly to change the transparent sheet which is cumbersome, expensive and time consuming. 
     Also, those attempts that have been made to have such color identification made by having a cover installed on one frame member require the dismantlement of the assembly to replace or change the cover. 
     There is therefore a need for a display assembly which allow for the replacement of the frontal transparent protective sheet and/or the cover, without dismantling the assembly. 
     There is also a need to provide a display assembly that allows the display of two posters at a time, one being visible from the front and the other one from the back. 
     The invention presented in this document shows improvements made by the inventor to the Canadian patent no. 2,192,830. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel display assembly. 
     The present invention provides a display assembly in which the protective sheet could be replaced, when needed, without dismantling the assembly. Also, a frame cover is provided, allowing to easily create at low cost display assemblies of different appearances from one single type of display assembly, thus substantially reducing manufacturing and inventory costs, and also allowing its replacement, when needed, without dismantling the assembly. 
     The aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are realized by generally providing an assembly for the display of sheets, posters or the like, comprising a frame formed of a plurality of members having abutting surfaces, one of the members being rectilinear; a flexible protective sheet having at least one longitudinal edge, the flexible protective sheet having a strip having a portion extending outwardly along the edge; a groove in the rectilinear frame member adapted to removably receive and retain the portion of the strip; means to magnetically hold the protective sheet to the frame members against the abutting surfaces; at least one frame cover, wherein one of the frame members is adapted to receive the frame cover, the frame cover being adapted to be removably connected to a frame member to change the appearance of the display assembly without dismantling the display assembly; and wherein the protective sheet is flexible outwardly about the strip, and wherein one of the display sheets, posters or the like may be inserted rearwardly of the protective sheet and wherein the flexible protective sheet is retained in the assembly by the magnetic holding means. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cover is adapted to be clipped on one of the frame member. In a further embodiment, the frame member comprises an internal portion and an external portion adapted to retain the cover on the frame member. In a still further embodiment, the shape of the cover is complementary to at least a portion of the frame member. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the protective sheet is removed or inserted into the groove by sliding the protective sheet in a direction perpendicular to the rectilinear frame member and the flexible protective sheet is removed from the groove without dismantling the display assembly. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the portion of the strip which extends outwardly comprises a longitudinal edge portion which is tapered, the tapered edge portion being adapted to be inserted into the groove. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the display assembly comprises a securing part and the securing part is adapted to apply a pressure on the portion of the strip. In a further embodiment, the securing part comprises at least one screw to secure the portion of the strip, and the rectilinear member comprises an opening through which the screw is screwed. In a still further embodiment, the cover hides the opening and the screw. In a preferred embodiment, the securing part is made from a resilient material. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the frame members having a surface susceptible to receive rainwater or snow slightly leans downward forcing water or snow to flow off from the frame member. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the frame members comprise ferromagnetic material part and the magnetic holding means comprise flexible strips of ferro-magnetic material attached to the protective sheet. 
     In a further preferred embodiment, the aforesaid and other objectives of the present invention are realized by generally providing an assembly for the display of sheets, posters or the like, comprising a frame formed of a plurality of members having abutting surfaces, one of the members being rectilinear; a flexible protective sheet having at least one longitudinal edge, the flexible protective sheet having a strip comprising a portion extending outwardly along the edge; a groove in the rectilinear frame member adapted to removably receive and retain the portion of the strip, wherein the protective sheet is removed or inserted into the groove by sliding the protective sheet in a direction perpendicular to the rectilinear frame member and wherein the flexible protective sheet is removed from the groove without dismantling the display assembly; means to magnetically hold the protective sheet to the frame members against the abutting surfaces; wherein the protective sheet is flexible outwardly about the strip, and wherein a display sheet may be inserted rearwardly of the protective sheet and wherein the flexible protective sheet is retained in the assembly by the magnetic holding means. 
     In a further embodiment, the display assembly comprises at least one frame cover, wherein the frame cover is adapted to be removably clipped on the frame member to change the appearance of the display assembly without dismantling the display assembly. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the outward portion of the strip comprises a longitudinal edge portion which is tapered, the tapered edge portion being adapted to be received in the groove. 
     In a still preferred embodiment, the display assembly further comprises a securing part and the securing part is adapted to apply a pressure on the portion of the strip. In a preferred embodiment, the securing part comprises at least one screw to secure the portion of the strip, and the rectilinear member comprises an opening through which the screw is screwed. In a still further embodiment, the securing part is made from a resilient material. 
     In order to facilitate the replacement of the protective sheet of the display assembly, a removable protective sheet is provided. If the protective sheet has been permanently damaged, the protective sheet is easily removed and replaced by a new one. The protective sheet comprises a strip that is attached thereto. A portion of the strip extends from the side of the protective sheet. This portion is inserted in a complementary receiving means disposed along one frame member that is rectilinear, hereinafter referred as a groove. The strip allows the flexible protective sheet to be flexed outwardly while the groove in the frame member receive and retain the portion of the strip extending outwardly. This provides easy manual disengagement of the protective sheet and the outward flexing of the protective sheet to allow its removal and the insertion of a new one. The strip is generally vertical but it is not limited to that case, indeed, the strip may be horizontal or otherwise as long as it is placed along an edge of the display. 
     At least one side of the portion of the strip engaged in the groove may be tapered. To secure the strip into the groove, a securing part may be used. The securing part may be a screw that presses against the strip and which is screwed on the frame member. The tapered portion may be press-fitted into the groove which comprises a securing part that presses against the tapered portion. In this case the securing part may be made of a resilient material. 
     The above display assembly may be directly mounted or attached on a surface, for example on a wall or a window, or the door of a store. In the case the display assembly is mounted on an opaque surface, the display assembly does not need any rear panel, since the poster to be displayed will be held between the protective sheet and the surface on which the display assembly is to be mounted or attached. However, in another embodiment both sides of the display assembly may be used to display material. This would be the case if the display assembly is mounted on a transparent surface such as a glass window or door, is hanged from above or is mounted on a freestanding support. In such instances both sides of the display assembly remain visible. In these cases, a transparent rear panel is provided on the other side of the display assembly to protect the display sheet and on which the display sheet will be disposed. 
     A supporting sheet, which is preferably opaque, may be installed in the display assembly behind the display sheet. 
     It is to be noted that both sides of the display assembly may have an interchangeable protective sheet. The frame members are then symmetrical and both sides have the same characteristics. 
     The frame of the display assembly is preferably made of extruded members. The frame members are connected through corners parts at their distal extremities and theses connections may be secured with fasteners. It is to be noted that, in the present document, the word “corner” refers to parts having different profiles depending of the shape of the display assembly. 
     At least one member of the frame is adapted to receive a frame cover in order to allow a change in its appearance and to hide screws or fastening means used to fix the display assembly on a surface. The cover is preferably made of an inexpensive material such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This cover may be changed from time to time for an esthetical effect or for identification purposes. The cover is preferably clipped on the frame, thus no special tools are needed for the replacement of the cover. Furthermore, there is no need to dismount the frame assembly to do so. Also, it is possible to have a cover that slides on the frame member. The cover may be composed by a plurality of sections. 
     The display assembly may be adapted to outdoor conditions, more particularly to rainwater. Indeed, in this case the top surface of the top member slightly leans downward, this angle forcing the water to flow off. Generally, frame members having a surface susceptible to receive rainwater or snow slightly leans downward forcing water or snow to flow off. 
     In another preferred form of the invention, the borders of the protective sheet are confined within the peripheral frame members so that it becomes difficult to grip the protective sheet with fingers in order to flex it outwardly. Also, such construction improves the weatherproof feature of the display assembly by preventing weather elements to reach the display sheet. 
     In one preferred form of the invention, a removable suction cup is used to adhere to the front face of the protective sheet in order to provide easy manual disengagement of the magnetic attraction and outward flexing of the protective sheet to allow removal of the display sheet and/or the protective sheet and the insertion of a new one. 
     The display assembly provided is inexpensive to manufacture and is it also inexpensive to change the display compared to usual display assembly. 
     Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. 
     The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display assembly made in accordance with the present invention, with the protective sheet flexed outwardly. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a display assembly made in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the display assembly comprising a protective sheet and a supporting sheet. 
         FIG. 4  is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  wherein the protective sheet is outwardly flexed. 
         FIG. 5  is a top cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the present invention further comprising a rear panel. 
         FIG. 6  is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  wherein the protective sheet is outwardly flexed. 
         FIG. 7  is a top cross-sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3  wherein the protective sheet and the supporting sheet are outwardly flexed. 
         FIG. 8  is a top cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the display assembly comprising a protective sheet and a rear panel. 
         FIG. 9  is a top cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the display assembly comprising only a protective sheet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a display assembly in an exploded view, having a frame formed by a plurality of frame members, namely top member  106 , bottom member  105  and side members  107  and  108 . These members are connected together at their distal ends, to form a rectangular display assembly, with corner parts  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . These four members ( 105 ,  106 ,  107  and  108 ) are preferably formed of extruded material. The corner parts are inserted in their corresponding frame members and fasteners (such as  112 ) are preferably used to secure the frame assembly. The top surface  142  of the top member  106  is slightly leaning downward. The slight angle  140  created causes rainwater to flow off the top surface  142 . 
     In this embodiment, there is provided a frame cover  109 , which is clipped on the side member  107  having a complementary shape. It is to be noted that the entire frame could be adapted to receive covers even if only one frame member is covered in this embodiment. The cover is preferably made of an inexpensive material such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). This cover may be changed from time to time for an esthetical effect. For example, the cover may be adapted to fit with the display sheet that is displayed in the display assembly. The cover is preferably clipped on the frame, thus no special tools are needed for the replacement of the cover. Furthermore, there is no need to dismount the frame assembly to do so. The cover gives access to the screws and/or other fastening means to the wall surface, while protecting against vandalism when cover is installed. 
     Onto the abutting surfaces  131 ,  132  and  133  of the frame members  105 ,  106  and  108  is fixedly mounted a first set of strips of a ferro-magnetic material (only two are visible;  143  and  144 ). A second set of strips is fixed ( 152 ,  153 ,  154 ) on the protective sheet  160  and are disposed to magnetically engage with the first set of strips. The first set and the second set of strips of ferro-magnetic material have a complementary shape, keeping the protective sheet in a closed configuration on the frame members. 
     The rectilinear side member  107  comprises a groove  121  in which the portion  122  of the strip  110  will be inserted. The portion  123  of the strip  110  is fixed to the protective sheet  160 , preferably with a double sided adhesive band  170 . A supporting sheet  162  is located between the protective sheet  160  and the back of the display assembly. The supporting sheet  162  is preferably fixed to the rectilinear side member  107  with a double sided adhesive band  172 . The supporting sheet  162  is preferably an opaque, supple and resilient screen made of white styrene, typically of a 0.5 mm thickness. The use of a supporting sheet  162  made of styrene prevents the display sheet from wrinkling or ondulating. 
     The rectilinear side member  107  comprises a groove  121  in which the portion  122  of the strip of the hinge  110  will be inserted. The portion  123  of the hinge  110  is fixed to the protective sheet  160 , preferably with a double sided adhesive band  170 . A supporting sheet  162  is located between the protective sheet  160  and the back of the display assembly. The supporting sheet  162  is preferably fixed to the rectilinear member  107  with a double sided adhesive band  172 . The supporting sheet is preferably an opaque, supple and resilient screen made of white styrene, typically of a 0.5 mm thickness. The use of a supporting sheet made of styrene prevents the display sheet from wrinkling or ondulating. 
     To fix the display assembly on a surface, fasteners (not shown) are preferably disposed on the frame members, preferably on abutting surfaces  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134  or on surface  135 . The cover, once installed, conveniently hides such fasteners, thereby protecting against vandalism and theft. 
     The thickness of the strip  110  is determined so that a constant separation exists between the protective sheet  160  and the frame member portion. This separation is such that it may receive one or more sheet(s) of material when the protective sheet is flexed outwardly. 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7  and  9  show embodiments of the display assembly without a rear panel, for installation on a surface. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the strip  310  is fixed along the side of the protective sheet  360  and a portion of the strip  310  extends outwardly along one of its edges. The protective sheet  360  is preferably fixed to the strip  310  with a double sided adhesive band  364  (see box  322 ). Preferably, a securing part  370 , which may comprise screws pressing against the outward portion of the strip  310 , for enhanced grip, is used to secure the strip  310  in the groove  350  of the rectilinear frame member  307 . The screw(s) is secured through an opening  372  in the frame member. As shown in the  FIG. 3 , the outward portion of the strip  310  is preferably tapered. The securing part  370  may be alternatively be made of a resilient material pressing against the outward portion of the strip  310 . The cover  309 , once installed, conveniently hides the screw(s) of the securing part  370 , thereby protecting against vandalism and theft. 
     The thickness of the hinge  110  is determined so that a constant separation exists between the protective sheet and the frame member portion. This separation is such that it may receive one or more sheet(s) of material when the protective sheet is flexed outwardly. 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7  and  9  show embodiments of the display assembly without a rear panel, for installation on a surface. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the hinge is shown in the box  322 , the hinge being composed by the strip  310  and a portion of the protective sheet  360 . The strip  310  of the hinge  322  is fixed along the side of the protective sheet  360  and a portion of the strip  310  extends outwardly along one of its edges. The protective sheet  360  is preferably fixed to the strip  310  with a double sided adhesive band  364 . Preferably, a securing part  370 , which may comprise screws pressing against the strip of the hinge, for enhanced grip, is used to secure the strip  310  in the groove  350  of the rectilinear frame member  307 . As shown in the  FIG. 3 , the strip  310  is preferably tapered. The securing part  370  may be alternatively be made of a resilient material allowing it to press against the strip  310 . The cover, once installed, conveniently hides such screws, thereby protecting against vandalism and theft. 
     The display assembly may be supported by attaching the bottom frame member or the side members to a stand or even may be held by the top frame member. Preferably, a supporting sheet  340  is located between the back of the display assembly and the protective sheet  360  so that, in that embodiment, the poster or printed material to be displayed will be held between the protective sheet  360  and the supporting sheet  340  of the display assembly, thereby snugly pressing the display material in place so as to flatten its surface and smooth out any eventual crinkles and/or folds. The supporting sheet  340  is preferably fixed to the frame member  307  with a double sided adhesive band  362 . Alternatively,  FIG. 9  shows same embodiment as  FIG. 3  without a supporting sheet. 
     Embodiment of  FIG. 3  may also be used for installment on a transparent surface (not shown), in which case it is also possible to display a poster on the back side of the display assembly: a first display sheet for front view may be disposed between the protective sheet  360  and the supporting sheet  340 , while a second display sheet for rear view through the transparent surface on which the display assembly is to be installed, may be located between the supporting sheet and the transparent surface. Alternatively, a second display sheet for front view may be disposed between the first display sheet and the supporting sheet  340 . 
     The magnetic strip  380  is fixed onto the protective sheet  360  and the magnetic strip  382  on the abutting surface  333  of the frame member  308 . 
     The frame cover  309  is connected to the frame member  307  which has a complementary shape to receive the cover  309 . The frame cover  309  is retained by the internal portions  305  and the external portion  306 . The portion  305  interlocks with a portion of the frame member  307  and the portion  309  is forced to mate the portion  318  of the frame member  307  and is thus “clipped” on the frame member  307 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a suction cup  410  is preferably used to outwardly flex the protective sheet  460 . The protective sheet  460  flexes near the strip  420  (see box  422 ) which is inserted and retained in the groove  450 . The securing part  470  presses against the strip  420  and secures it into the groove  450 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a suction cup  410  is preferably used to outwardly flex the protective sheet  460 . The protective sheet  460  flexes near the hinge  422  which is inserted and retained in the groove  450 . The securing part  470  presses against the strip  420  and secures it into the groove  450 . 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  8  show embodiments of the display assembly with a rear panel, for freestanding applications, without need for installation on a surface. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a rear panel  510  is shown, as fixed on the back side of the display assembly. The rear panel  510  provides additional rigidity and autonomy to the assembly. In that embodiment, the poster to be displayed will still be held between the protective sheet  560  and the supporting sheet  515  of the display assembly. However,  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment where the poster to be displayed is directly held between the protective sheet  860  and the rear panel  810  of the display assembly without any supporting sheet. For the embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 8 , there is no need for said assembly to be mounted or attached on a surface: the display may be standing freely, supported via at least one frame member. If there is a need to view a display sheet from both the front and the back of the display assembly, the rear panel is transparent. Otherwise, the rear panel may be opaque. 
     Alternatively, in  FIG. 5  or  8 , the rear panel  510  or  810  will be transparent, and both sides of the display assembly may then be used to expose both surfaces of the display sheet, while being protected. In these embodiments, a hiding frame may be disposed on the rear panel to hide the frame of the display assembly, only the rear display sheet being visible through the rear panel. 
     Preferably, the frame members are made of polymeric material or an extrudable metal such as aluminium for example. The corner parts are preferably molded and made of ZAMAK™, an alloy made of zinc, aluminium, magnesium and copper. The protective sheet is a transparent flexible plastic material, such as acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PETG) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The strips of ferro-magnetic material on the protective sheet are capable of being flexed to follow the curvature of the protective sheet as it is outwardly flexed to receive a display sheet. 
     In operation, when display material is to be installed and/or replaced, suction cup  410  is attached on the protective sheet, allowing user to apply an outward force against the magnetic force between the first and second set of strips of a ferro-magnetic material, allowing to pull outwardly the protective sheet. A display sheet may then be installed inside the display assembly, directly as in embodiments shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , or against the supporting sheet as shown in  FIGS. 3 to 7 . 
     In those embodiments of  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  7  and  9 , when the display assembly is mounted on a transparent surface, such as a shop window, the user may wish to flex outwardly supporting sheet  340 , as shown on  FIG. 7 , insert a second display sheet between the supporting sheet and the surface on which the display assembly is mounted for rear view through the transparent surface, and then put the supporting sheet back in place. 
     In those embodiments of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when display assembly has a rear panel, and only when said rear panel is transparent, user may wish to flex outwardly the supporting sheet, insert a second display sheet between the supporting sheet and the rear panel for viewing through the transparent rear panel, and then put the supporting sheet back in place. 
     Once installation of the display sheet is completed, the protective sheet may be released and magnetic attraction forces between the first and second set of strips of a ferro-magnetic material will bring the protective sheet back against the frame members, closing the display assembly. 
     When it is necessary to remove the protective sheet  460  to replace it by a new one, the securing part  470  is released, the protective sheet is simply pulled out of the groove  450  and a new one is inserted. This operation does not need any other tools than the suction cup. A screwdriver may be necessary only if the securing part comprises screws. 
     Should there be a need to replace frame cover  309 , because it has been damaged, to replace network identification or for other reason, a user may pull out the cover by unclipping it out from the frame member having a complementary shape and clip in place a new cover. This operation does not need any tool. 
     While illustrative and presently preferred embodiment(s) of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.