DISPLAY APPARATUS

Abstract: Display apparatus is provided comprising a display panel (5) having a series of parallel spaced elongate portions (l) and supporting means (8) extending transversely of the elongate portions (l), and at least one bracket member (l0) having engaging means (9) insertable between adjacent elongate portions (l) and engageable with the supporting means (8). It is further provided that the elongate members (l) comprise either separate slat members (l) or ribs or corrugations (l) on a panel member (5).

Description: This invention concerns display apparatus, and more particularly display apparatus for use as shop fittings and the like for displaying goods. Display apparatus currently in use in shops and the like, and particularly such apparatus when placed against a wall have been found to give an effect of diminished height to the room in which they are erected. This effect of diminished height is the opposite of that desired in modern low ceiling buildings, and there arises a need to provide such display apparatus which will, if possible, create an effect of enhanced height to a room whilst being suitable for hanging goods in any desired position thereon. BE-A-680 396 discloses a display apparatus according to the prior art portion of claim 1 comprising a display panel having a series of spaced parallel vertical rod members and a series of spaced parallel horizontal rod members secured to the vertical rod members to form a square grid or trellis and bracket members comprising spaced hook portions adapted to hook over a said horizontal rod member on either side of a said vertical member. Because the vertical rod members and the horizontal rod members are all at the same spacing to provide a square grid or trellis the display apparatus disclosed provides no illusion of height. Moreover, because the horizontal and vertical rod members are secured, e.g., welded, together at their intersections the grid or trellis is relatively complicated and expensive to manufacture. According to the present invention there is provided display apparatus comprising a display panel having in its position of use, a series of vertical parallel spaced elongate portions and supporting means extending transversely of the elongate portions, and at least one bracket member having engaging means insertable between adjacent elongate portions and engageable with the supporting means, wherein the elongate portions comprise ribs or corrugations on a panel member and said supporting means comprise one or more rod or like members extending through apertures in said ribs or corrugations. Further features of the invention are defined in claims 2 to 8. The display apparatus may be mounted in any manner desired, for example againsts a wall, suspended from a ceiling, or mounted in free-standing fashion between suitable support means. A said bracket member, it will be appreciated, may be engaged with the display panel from either side thereof, thus allowing goods to be displayed on both sides of the display apparatus when the mounting of the display apparatus so permits. In order to create an effect of enhanced height of the display apparatus, and of a room in which it is positioned, the elongate portions extend from top to bottom of the display panel and are preferably more closely spaced from one another than are the supporting means. preferably the elongate portions are more substantial in cross-section, and more preferably considerably more substantial in cross-section, than the supporting means. The display panel may comprise elongate portions arranged alternately on either side of the display panel, and preferably the alternately arranged elongate portions will take the form of corrugations of the display panel whereby flanks of the corrugations are common to corrugations on either side of the display panel and a crest of a corrugation, when the display panel is viewed from one side, will comprise a valley between two adjacent corrugations when the display panel is viewed from the other side. The form of the corrugations is not of importance, although rounded or flat crests of the corrugations are preferred to create a pleasing effect. It will thus be appreciated that the display panel presents a solid aspect when viewed from either side thereof. The colour and finish of the display panel is a matter of design and taste and the invention is not limited thereby. A display panel according to the present invention may be of any desired width or height, dictated only by requirements of space and design. The supporting means comprise rod or like members passing through the series of elongate portions by means of apertures or slots in the elongate portions. The rod or like members may be vertically spaced from one another in the display panel at convenient distances to enable the bracket members to be engaged therewith for displaying goods at any desired height. Location of the rod or like members may be by suitable stop means placed upon the rod or like members, e.g., at one or both ends thereof to prevent the rod or like member from sliding through the display panel when in use. A suitable stop means is a "Starlock" (registered trade mark) washer or the like. The bracket means or bracket member in accordance with this invention may take any convenient form and, in shopfitting practice for example, is likely to comprise an arm member which may be used for hanging goods to be displayed thereon. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art however that this invention is not limited by the size, shape or configuration of the bracket member save as to its engageability with the display panel as aforesaid. A said bracket member, while being engageable with the display panel in any convenient manner may comprise engaging means which are quickly releasable to enable the bracket member to be engaged with or removed from the display panel with ease. The engaging means preferably comprise hook means, e.g., spaced hook portions for engaging the supporting means on opposite sides of a said elongate portion. An intermediate portion of a said bracket member between the spaced hook portions may engage said elongate portion to prevent the bracket member from rotating about the supporting means and to support the bracket member at a required angle relative to the display panel. The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawings which is a fragmentary plan view of display apparatus according to this invention. Referring to the drawing, the display panel 5 comprises a sheet of corrugated material, which may be for example aluminium or plastics material, particularly acrylic material. The display panel 5 comprises a series of corrugations 1 extending alternately on either side of the display panel 5. Each corrugation 1 consists of a crest 14 and two flanks 2. However it will be appreciated that a crest 14 of a corrugation 1, when the display panel 5 is viewed from one side, will become a valley 17 between two corrugations 1 when the display panel 5 is viewed from the other side. Extending transversely through the corrugations 1 of the display panel 5 at a convenient vertical separation are a series of supporting means, each comprising a rod 8 and a pair of "Starlock" or like washers 18. Each rod 8 passes through apertures 19 formed in the flanks 2 of the corrugations 1, and is secured transversely in position by means of the "Starlock" or like washers 18 abutting flanks 2 at either end of the rod 8. The display panel 5 is supported by support posts 20 into apertures 21 of which the rods 8 extend. Suitable mounting means (not shown) may then be attached to the support posts 20 for mounting the display panel 5 to a wall, floor or ceiling as desired. A bracket member 10 is engaged with the rod 8 and corrugations 1 by means of engaging means 9 comprising a pair of spaced hooks 12 which make hook engagement with the rod 8 on either side of a corrugation 1 and an intermediate portion 13 which engages the corrugation 1 to support the bracket member 10 at a required angle. In the illustrated embodiment the bracket member 10 comprises a hanging rail 22 although it could comprise a shelf support or other display means.

Claims: Display apparatus comprising a display panel (5) having, in its position of use, a series of vertical parallel spaced elongate portions (1) and supporting means (8) extending traversely of the elongate portions (1), and at least one bracket member (10) having engaging means (9) insertable between adjacent elongate portions (1) and engageable with the supporting means (8), characterised in that the elongate portions comprise ribs or corrugations (1) on a panel member and the supporting means comprises one or more rod or like members (8) extending through apertures (19) in the ribs or corrugations (1). Display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the elongate portions (1) are more closely spaced than are the supporting means (8). Display apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elongate portions (1) are more substantial in cross-section than the supporting means (8). Display apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the elongate portions (1) are arranged alternately on either side of the display panel (5). Display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein stop means (18) are provided on the rod or like members (8) at one or both ends thereof. Display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engaging means (9) of the bracket member (10) comprises hook means (12) for engaging the supporting means (8). Display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said hook means comprises spaced hook portions (12) adapted to make hook engagement with a said supporting means (8) on either side of a said elongate portion (1) and the bracket member (10) comprises an intermediate portion (13) which engages said elongate portion (1) to prevent the bracket member (10) from rotating about the supporting means (8). Display apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said bracket member (10) comprises a portion (22) which extends outwardly of the display panel (5) when the display apparatus is in use and which serves for mounting or hanging goods to be displayed or for supporting a shelf.

Inventors: THORNBORROW, JOHN W. T. K.
Applicants: J R GROUP PLC
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A47F5
IPC codes: A47F5