DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT AND DEVICE

Abstract: A display arrangement is provided comprising a display means (1) with a plurality of sheets (2 and 3) of a corrugated or fluted material wherein opposite surfaces of the sheets are demountably securable together to hold the sheets with their respective flutes or corrugations (4) disposed orthogonally with one another to provide a substantially rigid display means. A display medium (figure 9) is also provided comprising corrugated or fluted sheet material wherein the sheet material has a smooth forward display surface (37) for the placement of prints and like and a rear de-tensioned corrugated or fluted surface (38) preferably having slits (39) therein. A display device (22) is provided to adjustably tension a planar display medium in its extended position across or around a support frame. Methods of operation of the display arrangement, display medium and display device are also provided.

Description: DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT AND DEVICE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to display means. More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a display device for sheet type display materials. To the present time various types of display devices have been commercially available but to varying degrees have suffered from the disadvantage of being expensive, complex and/or inefficient. In particular, existing display devices may be heavy, and require backing to the sheet material to maintain its rigidity. Furthermore the frames necessary to house such displays may themselves be heavy and expensive and accordingly difficult to transport and erect. In the case of display devices used in exhibitions and the like visual presentation is important and while some current display devices meet existing display expectations the aforesaid disadvantages make them unwieldy and expensive. In the case of display means such as white boards the display surface has the ability to be written on and the writing subsequently erased. White boards do of course have the inherent disadvantage of being heavy and cumbersome affecting their portability and also requiring storage space. Their advantage is in providing a rigid and smooth surface to carry the display whether tacked on by means of writing with a felt pen or the like. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a display device and component parts thereof which can provide a relatively, simple and effective display device. In the case of the preferred embodiments the object is to achieve a display surface which is able to provide in use a substantially rigid surface to carry the necessary display but which can also then be readily transported and stored and in one of these embodiments to facilitate the adjustably tensioned spanning of a sheet type display across a frame means. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a display means which overcomes or at least obviates disadvantages in display means available at the present time or at least will provide the public with a useful choice. Further objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a display arrangement comprising a display means having a plurality of sheets of a corrugated or fluted material characterised in that the respective opposite surfaces of said sheets of material are adapted to be demountably securable together to hold said sheets of material with their respective flutes or corrugations disposed substantially orthogonally with one another to provide a substantial rigidity to the display means. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of displaying information comprising providing a plurality of sheets of material each having corrugations or flutes and surface adapted to receive a display characterised in that said method further comprises providing securement means to demountably secure respective opposite surfaces of said sheets of material together with their respective corrugations or flutes disposed substantially orthogonally with one another to provide a substantial rigidity to the display means. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a display medium comprising a corrugated or fluted sheet material characterised in that said sheet material has a substantially smooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted surface. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of displaying information on a display medium comprising providing a corrugated or fluted sheet material characterised in that the said sheet material has a substantially smooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted surface and placing a plurality of cuts or slits in the said rear surface in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes so as to render the sheet material rollable. According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a display device comprising a display means comprising a rollable sheet with corrugations or flutes extending in the direction of a first axis characterised in that said display means are extendable in a transverse second axis across said display device and including tensioning means to hold said display means under tension in its extended position in which at least one surface of said display means provides a planar display surface. According to a final aspect of the above invention there is provided a method of adjustably tensioning a planar display medium on/in a display device characterised in that at least two ends of the said planar display medium are engaged with the locking means of a support frame, and the said planar display medium is adjustably tensioned substantially across the support frame to provide a display medium. Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of a possible embodiment thereof and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1; Shows diagrammatically a possible display means of one embodiment of the invention with the respective sheets of material partly displaced from one another. Figure 2; Shows the display means according to Figure 1 in perspective view wherein the display means has three sides and has removable picture panels. __________________ : Shows a plan view from above of the display means according to Figure 2. Figure 4: Is a partial cross-sectional view of the removable picture panel of Figure 2. Figure 5; Shows a perspective view of a tubular display means according to a further embodiment of the invention. Figure 6: Shows a plan view of two annular sections of fluted board adapted to be joined together and placed in the top and bottom of the display tube to maintain its tubular shape in use. Figure 7: Shows diagrammatically a display device according to a further embodiment of the invention without the display medium in place. Figure 8; Shows a sectional view of a display device according to Figure 7 illustrating in particular the locking means. Figure 9; Shows a cross-sectional plan view of the planar display medium being a fluted sheet type material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a display device which in one embodiment thereof is particularly suitable for use in displaying promotional and advertising sheet materials. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention has applications wherever the varied and efficient erection of display materials is required, whether this be for temporary or permanent purposes. It will be appreciated that the present invention is adapted for the display of various types of display mediums. For the purposes of this specification such mediums may be described as various types of sheet like material which include photographic materials, silk screened materials, offset printed materials and other imaged substrate, for example vinyl cut lettering sheets. It could also include sheet type materials which are suitably reinforced, for example by suitable corrugations or fluting. In the specification reference is made to "sheet materials". It will be appreciated that the present invention relates to the utilisation of such materials in various forms. In certain euTibodiments the sheet material may be retained in a substantially planar form or in other embodiments formed into a shaped form, for example, a tubular column. The benefit of the present invention is that it is adaptable to various shapes and forms. It is further adaptable in that by means of "cross-fluting" (which will be discussed below) the sheet materials or display means are able to provide their own rigidity whereas in other embodiments a more rigid frame may be required, preferably with tensioning means to ensure that the sheet material remains undistorted in use. Referring to Figure 1, a display means is referenced generally by arrow 1. It is seen to comprise a pair of sheets of material 2 and 3, each having a plurality of corrugations or flutes 4. Such material which is commercially available as a plastics fluted board for use for packaging may be suitable for this purpose. Any other type of corrugated or fluted board may however be suitable for use in the present invention. The board or sheet may be of any suitable thickness such as 5 mm for example. Each layer 2, 3 is, by virtue of its respective flutes or corrugations 4, able to be relatively flexible and rolled up so as to take very little space when not required for use. This ability to be rolled up however has the inherent disadvantage of making the layers 2, 3 unsuitable for display purposes unless the material is in tension in a direction transverse to the direction of the flutes or corrugations 4. As is seen in Figure 1, outer surfaces 5 of the layers 2 and 3 may be able to carry a suitable display, shown by way of example only as the numeral "4", which may be a permanent display provided by etching, painting, embossing or the like or may be removable by being applied by some removable ink for example or by some display such as a printed sheet secured on to the surface 5. Other types of displays will be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. In Figure 1 the corrugations or flutes 4 of sheet 2 are shown disposed substantially vertically while the corrugations or flutes 4 of the sheet 3 are shown disposed substantially orthogonal thereto and substantially horizontally. The substantially orthogonal relationship may be changed to one where the respective flutes or corrugations are at another angular relationship provided that the required degree of rigidity is achieved. The in use, inner, surfaces of the sheets 2 and 3 are shown provided with some suitable securing means, such as engagement pads or strips or the like 6, whereby the sheets 2 and 3 at least temporarily, can be secured together. With the sheets 2 and 3 being under tension when secured together this tension will be held both in the horizontal and vertical direction. In this way a double-sided display means 1 may be provided which, when not in use, is able to have its component parts rolled up for storage or transportation. It is also envisaged that magnetic means may be utilised in holding these sheets 2, 3 together or any other suitable holding means may be provided for that purpose and that such magnetic means or other holding means may also be utilised for releasable mounting of the display means 1 in any suitable framework. It will be appreciated that Figure 1 illustrates a planar embodiment of the invention. It may be necessary to provide a multi-sided display means, Figures 2-6 (inclusive) illustrate such an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows an erected three-sided display stand 7 comprising sides 8, 9 and 10. The series of removable picture panels 11 are shown. Figure 3 is a plan view from above. The three panels, 8, 9 and 10 are shown. The "cross-fluting" feature hereinbefore referred to as the substantially orthogonal disposal of two sheets of material one to the other, is shown by reference to 8a, 9a and 10a. In this way rigidity will be provided to the structure. At the corner where the edges of panels 8 and 9 meet the ends of the panel are inverted and provided with Velcro fastenings 12. The Figure 3 display stand may be dismantled by separating the Velcro fastenings and folded flat with the removable picture panels 11, if necessary, including the graphics, folded inwards to avoid damage during transport. When required for use the stand may be unfolded and remounted in the aforesaid three-sided format. Figure 4 shows a side view of the removable picture panel of Figure 2. The fluted board with the corrugations or flutes running vertically is referenced by 10 and the second fluted board with the corrugations or flutes running horizontally or across, ie. in a "cross-fluted manner", is shown by 10a. A cut-out section or window 11 is shown. This is achieved by cutting out of fluted board 10 a window with the ends 13 being cut at approximately a 45 degree angle to allow a flexible mounted print 12 to be inserted. Such print may be mounted and laminated on styrene or any similar material and inserted into the window 11. Figure 5 shows a tubular display medium. It is referenced generally by arrow 14 and comprises a display panel 15 to which a photograph or like promotional device may be attached. The reverse side of the display panel 15 comprises corrugated or fluted board. In order to achieve the ability to bend the board into a tubular shape and avoid ridging in the front surface of the display panel 15 it is necessary to reduce the surface tension of the board with cuts in the rear surface 16. Such cuts may be either formed in the material or cut with a scalpel or suitable tool. Preferably the surface 16 may be cut every second flute but this depends on the diameter of the tube as the smaller the tube the greater the number of cuts that are required. A Velcro joining strip 17 is provided to secure together the two ends of the display medium. In order to retain the display panel in a tubular shape cross-fluted board cut in an annular shape, or to any other final shape, for example, oblong etc. are provided. These are shown in Figure 6 and comprise board 18 and 19 each of which contains Velcro fastenings 20 and 21. It will be appreciated that when boards 18 and 19 are placed together in a cross-fluted manner they will form a rigid shaped sheet of material which can be placed in the ends of the tubular display means 14. Furthermore, for displays having a larger diameter a shaped inner support, for example, made from lightweight foam type material, can be provided. Inner support bars can also be provided to buttress the arrangement. In the case of tubes having a smaller diameter it may not be necessary to insert the boards 18 and 19 as the material would itself maintain its shape. It will be seen from the above that the display means of the present invention is capable of forming to various shapes (including oblong and oval shapes) and sizes; may be rolled up and transported with relative ease and is substantially free standing. However, the Figure 1 embodiment would require some other means to retain it in an upright position for practical display purposes. Suitably, a framework may be provided for the display means 1 such as a framework of metal extrusion into which the combined sheets 2 and 3 may be mounted. Furthermore, such a framework may be provided to mount one sheet of corrugated material whereby the tension on the sheets 2 and/or 3 may be adjusted and/or maintained. This may be necessary where the display means is subjected to a more vigorous environment or method of usage. A display device according to this further aspect of the invention is shown diagrammatically in Figure 7. It is referenced generally by arrow 22. It comprises sides 23 and 24 and ends 25 and 26. It has a stand comprising two horizontal feet 27A and 27B. The said feet may be rotatable upon pivot 28 so as to be aligned in the same plane as bottom end 26 when the device is collapsed and stored or otherwise transported. In its preferred form, the device is modular in construction. It comprises corner portions 29 which inter-connect the sides 23 and 24 and ends 25 and 26. In addition, a further inter-engagement means or section 30 is provided whereby 30A represents the upper section and 3OB the lower section. This is illustrated in both Figures 7 and 8. Figure 8 shows in greater detail the modular nature of the device. Between portions 30A and 8 and 3OB and 8 is a further frame section 3LA (the upper section) and 3IB (the lower section) . While the preferred embodiment illustrates standard frame tubing (square in cross section) the frame may be substantially "U" shaped in cross section. This would provide the device with greater strength and stability. It would also allow the locking means to be inserted within (and thus partly or substantially concealed) the "U" shape making for a more aesthetically appealing product. Between the aforesaid sections 3LA and 3IB is a locking means which comprises a substantially annular roller 32 having an indent or slot 33 therein and at its upper end an adjustment means 34. The said adjustment means 34 may comprise a ratchet type knob which is recessed into the frame itself and which may be rotated by a person. It will be seen that roller 32 is positioned substantially adjacent to end 23 so as to leave a gap only sufficient for the width of the planar display medium which would be inserted into slot 33. Figure 9 shows one embodiment of a planar type display medium. It illustrates the medium having two ends 35 and 36, a smooth forward surface 37 and rear fluted surface 38. The said fluted surface is designed to give the display rigidity either vertically or horizontally, depending on which way the display device is positioned. The fluted surface 38 has cut outs or slits 39 to reduce the surface tension of surface 38 and allow the medium to be rolled up when not in use, as described below. Alternatively the medium may be formed so as to have a smooth forward surface and a fluted rear surface. The aforesaid slits may be narrow single slits in the order of .1mm to wider double slits of 1mm or even 2mm in width, depending on the desired use of the medium. It will be appreciated that ends 35 and 36 would be threaded into the indents or slots 33 of the respective locking means and tightened or tensioned. The fluted surface 38 will provide rigidity in the other direction and avoid folding or bowing of the surface. In use, the ends 35 and 36 will be threaded into the slots 33 of two locking means. In Figure 7, two locking means are shown. The first is the adjustable/ rotatable locking means 32 and the second is locking means 40 positioned adjacent the edge of side 24. In the Figure 7 embodiment locking member 40 is fixed while locking member 32 is rotatable. (However, as discussed below, two rotatable locking members may be used. ) In use, end 35 of the display medium would be inserted into the slot (not shown) of locking member 40. The sheet would then be unrolled and the other end (36) inserted into slot 33 of locking member 32. Knob 34 would then be rotated which would tighten or tension the planar medium across the face of the display device. In this embodiment the flutes 38 would run vertically and they would provide vertical strengthening. It will be appreciated from the above that the fluted surface 38 may be comprised of any material which imparts strength into the material and still allows it to be rolled up before and after use. Once the display has been used the knob 34 may be released (preferably by means of a release button - not shown) the knob 34 may be rotated so as to loosen the tension on the planar display medium, it may then be removed from the respective locking means. It may then be rolled up. The frame means may then be dismantled and the entire device stored in a suitable holder for purposes of transport. In use the locking means 40 may bow when the display medium is tensioned between one or more of the said means. To reduce or obviate this it is envisaged that the locking means may be arcuate or bowed. By rotating the locking means through 360° (or the like) the tension of the display medium would straighten out the bow in the locking means resulting in the display medium sitting substantially flushly with the inside edge of the frame of the device. This feature may be important if a substantially perfect fit between the frame and print was required, for example, for advertising and promotional displays. While the aforesaid embodiment illustrates the invention in one manner of operation various variants are envisaged. In the aforesaid embodiment the locking system is rotatable at one end while the other end is fixed. It may be desirable in certain circumstances to allow for both locking means to rotate so that the sheet material/display medium may be properly aligned and positioned before tightening. It is also envisaged that the knob 34 may be recessed in the frame portion 3LA so as not to be visible to the eye. The system may then be operated by means of an Allen key or similar tools. As to the engagement of the display medium with the locking means it is envisaged that the respective ends 35 and 36 of the display medium may contain a strip of Velcro. Likewise, the slots 33 in the locking means may themselves contain a Velcro type material. This would allow the respective end and slot to be correctly aligned to ensure that the display medium fits correctly into the outer frame, without distortions or gaps. While this embodiment describes a display medium spanned across the frame means it is envisaged that the display medium may be engaged to the rear of the frame means threaded around the front of the display means around the other side and then once again engaged with the securing means. In this way, the rame means would be substantially obscured from view thus providing for a display device with improved characteristics. Because the system described in this embodiment is modular the size of the frame may be increased or decreased, as required. Furthermore, the basic shape of the frame may be changed, for example, to an octagonal shape, depending on the required usage. The frame itself may be square, rectangular, "U" shaped or annular in cross section depending on the required usage again. Plastic corner plugs may be used to hold the device together. Likewise the corners may be welded or soldered together, for example, in the case of aluminium or stainless steel. The frame may then be powder coated. This would make the device weatherproof, particularly if used outdoors. It is also possible to provide the frame means with a handle so that when collapsed the frame means may be carried. Furthermore, the display medium may be stored in a hollow side of the frame. While the present invention has particular application to indoor promotional signs, it should be appreciated that it may be used for outdoor signs, regardless of size or location.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A display arrangement comprising a display means having a plurality of sheets of a corrugated or fluted material characterised in that the respective opposite surfaces of said sheets of material are adapted to be demountably securable together to hold said sheets of material with their respective flutes or corrugations disposed substantially orthogonally with one another to provide a substantial rigidity to the display means. 2. A display arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the corrugated or fluted material is adapted to carry a required display in respect of at least one surface thereof. 3. A display arrangement according to claim 2 having display panels. A display arrangement according to claim 3 wherein the display panels comprise indentations in the surface of the said display panels into which display indicia, pictures or prints may be mounted. 5. A display arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said sheets are secured by means of one or more engagement pads. 6. A display arrangement according to claim 1 having a plurality of substantially rigid sheets of material forming a display stand. 7. A display arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said display stand comprises a free standing device having three or more sides. 8. A display medium comprising a corrugated or fluted sheet material characterised in that said sheet material has a substantially smooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted surface. 9. A display medium according to claim 8 wherein the said rear surface has a plurality of cut outs or slits in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes so as to render it rollable. 10. A display medium according to claim 9 wherein the said cut outs or slits have a width ranging from .1mm to 2mm. 11. A display medium according to claim 8 wherein the edges of the sheet in the same axis as the corrugation or flutes are releasably securable thereby forming a substantially continuous demountable stand alone display means. 12. A display medium according to claim 11 wherein the display means is substantially tubular and is annular, oblong or oval in cross section. 13. A display medium according to claim 11 having inner support means to maintain the shape and/or stability of the display medium. 14. A display medium according to claim 13 wherein the inner support means comprises a foam type material and/or support rods. 15. A display device comprising a display means comprising a rollable sheet with corrugations or flutes extending in the direction of a first axis characterised in that said display means are extendable in a transverse second axis across said display device and including tensioning means to hold said display means under tension in its extended position in which at least one surface of said display means provides a planar display surface.- 16. A display device according to claim 15 wherein said tensioning means comprises locking means adapted to engage with said display means and to adjustably tension said display means substantially across or around a support frame. 17. A display device according to claim 16 wherein the said locking means comprises a locking system at one or more ends or sides of the display device and wherein at least one of said locking means is substantially arcuate and adjustable so as to tension said display means. 18. A method of displaying information comprising providing a plurality of sheets of material each having corrugations or flutes and surface adapted to receive a display characterised in that said method further comprises providing securement means to demountably secure respective opposite surfaces of said sheets of material together with their respective corrugations or flutes disposed substantially orthogonally with one another to provide a substantial rigidity to the display means. 19. A method of displaying information on a display medium comprising providing a corrugated or fluted sheet material characterised in that the said sheet material has a substantially smooth forward display surface and a rear corrugated or fluted surface and placing a plurality of cuts or slits in the said rear surface in the same axis as the corrugations or flutes so as to render the sheet material rollable. 20. A method of adjustably tensioning a planar display medium on/in a display device characterised in that at least two ends of the said planar display medium are engaged with the locking means of a support frame, and the said planar display medium is adjustably tensioned substantially across the support frame to provide a display medium.

Inventors: BICKER ROBERT LAURENCE, BICKER, ROBERT, LAURENCE
Applicants: BICKER ROBERT LAURENCE, BICKER, ROBERT, LAURENCE
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G09F15
IPC codes: G09F7, G09F15