DISPLAY UNIT HUB

Abstract: Hub (1) for a display unit comprises a main body (2) of molded plastics material with arcuate surfaces (3 to 6) which co-operate with the surfaces on hub clamp (7). Clamp (7) is held against body (2) by screw (8) which passes through central aperture (9) in body (2) and screws into clamp (7). Bar (11) of the strut end portion (or tube end) (12) is held between surfaces (4 and 4') such that it can freely rotate; the bar (11) of strut end (13) is likewise held in surfaces (5).

Description: DISPLAY UNIT HUB The present invention relates to a hub for a display unit, and for a display unit incorporating such a hub. The present invention is particularly, but not solely, suited to the pop-up type of display unit which provides ready set-up of the display unit once it has been taken out of its travel casing. According to the present invention, there is provided a hub for a pop-up display unit, the hub comprising a front plate and a back plate, and co- operable surfaces on the plates to hold an end portion of a strut for relative motion between said hub and said at least one strut end portion. In this way, the hub of the present invention may provide a display unit which can be easily and quickly constructed into the form for display from its constituent, separate parts. Moreover, once it is in that required form for display, it can be readily collapsed into the mode for travel or storage, and then returned to its display mode. Moreover, the hub of the present invention ensures that a wide variety of size and form of display unit can be assembled from a few simple standard constituent parts. Furthermore, such display unit can incorporate light units and constructions of table. The present invention may include any one or more of the following preferred features :- • a set of co-operable surfaces on the plates for each said end portion of a strut. • co-operable surfaces comprising two concave surfaces to enclose, in use, an element of a strut end portion. • co-operable surfaces comprising a concave surface and a flat surface to enclose, in use, an element of a strut end portion. • the strut end portion comprises a cylindrical bar which is held for rotation within the co-operable surfaces. • the strut end portion comprises a spherical (or an elliptoid or an ovoid) element which is held for rotation within the co-operable surfaces. • the strut end portion comprises a recess to accommodate a strut. • the hub comprises three sets of co-operable surfaces, each set to hold a separate strut end portion. • the hub comprises four sets of co-operable surfaces, each set to hold a separate strut end portion. • the sets of co-operable surfaces are equi-spaced about the periphery of the hub. • the front plate and the back plate are releasably inter- engageable (e.g by a screw thread). • wherein a pin holds together the front plate and back plate. • the pin has means to hold sheet material and/or other elements of a display system. • one of the plates forms a main body and the other plate forms a clamp. • the clamp is a cruciform shape. • the clamp is in a cruciform shape offset from the central axis of the clamp. • a pin to pass through a central axis of the plate and to engage with the other plate. • some or all of the plates, strut end portion(s) and a pin are manufactured of plastics material or glass-filled nylon, and may be molded. • the hub comprises a front plate and a back plate being held together, and one or more end portions of struts, the or each strut end portion being held in co-operating surfaces of the plates. • the hub comprises means to hold a light unit. • the holding means comprises a slot to engage with a light unit. • the struts are formed of carbon fibre. The present invention also provides a display system comprising an arrangement formed of struts connected together by a plurality of hubs according the present invention . The display system may provide at least one light unit attached to at least one hub and/or comprising material sheeting and/or other elements of the display unit attached to at least one hub. The present invention also provides a kit for a display unit, the kit including any one or more of the individual parts as described herein. Apparatus of the present invention as described herein may provide the following advantages :- • the hub is formed of a few components which can be manufactured easily and at low cost. • the component parts of the hub can be quickly and readily assembled together to form a hub for construction into a variety of different forms of display unit. • variants of the hub to hold specified numbers of strut ends/portions equi-spaced (e.g two equi-spaced, three equi-spaced) can be provided. • the hub design allows a hub capable of holding a given number of struts/portions to readily hold fewer struts/portions (e.g. a hub design for holding four strut ends/portions can hold without problem). • the hub design allows versatility in the structures of display units which can be achieved. • the hub can support a light unit especially one which is retained on the display when in the collapsed mode. The invention is applicable to all forms of display unit, whether collapsible or not but is particularly suited for pop-up display units. In order that the present invention may more readily be understood, a description is now given, by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is an exploded view of a hub embodying the present invention; Figures 2 A and 2B are plan views of alternative embodiments of the main body of a hub of the present invention; Figures 3 and 4 show details of the light unit; Figure 5 shows detail of a support post of the unit; Figures 6 and 7 shows plan configurations of the unit when in its display mode; and Figure 8 is a strut end connector. Figure 1 shows a hub 1 for a display unit, the hub comprising a main body 2 of molded plastics material or molded glass-filled nylon having arcuate surfaces 3 to 6 which co-operate with surfaces 3' to 6' on hub clamp 7. Clamp 7 is held against body 2 by screw 8 which passes though central aperture 9 in body 2 and screws into clamp 7. Bar 11 of the strut end portion (or tube end) 12 is held between surfaces 4 and 4' such that it can freely rotate; the bar 11 of strut end 13 is likewise held in surfaces 5 and 5' (not visible in the view of Figure 1 which also does not show strut ends for engagement with surface 3,3' and 6,6'). Clamp 7 has a cruciform shape offset from the central axis corresponding to that of aperture 9. Hanging pin 10 has a reduced thickness portion (not shown) to permit attachment of material sheeting and/or other elements of the display unit. Hub body 2 has a slot 15 with a T-shaped cross-section to accommodate support post 30 (see Figure 5). A light unit 16 may be fixed to one or more hubs of the display system. Figure 3 shows one arrangement whereby a light unit is attached to two hubs. Light unit 16 has: a rear light block 17, shown attached to hub 18 on the display unit; an arm 19 fixed to block 17; a front light block 20 which is slidable along arm 18 and is shown attached to a hub 21; a lamp 22. The rear light block 17 may incorporate a power unit for the light unit 16 or a socket for connection to power for the light unit 16. Lamp 22 can be arranged to illuminate either side of a panel of the display unit. The light unit 16 can be retained on the hubs and/or struts when folded for storage or travel. The light block shown in Figure 4 has a lug 23 to be held between e.g. surfaces 3,3' of hub 1 and a face 24 which sits on the front of the hub in similar fashion to a support post 30. Figure 5 shows a cross-section of a support post 30 which is used to secure (or rigidify) the display unit in its display form. Each display unit may have a number of support posts 30, and they may be used to hold load- supporting elements of the display unit, e.g. shelves or tables. Post 30 has a slot 31 to accommodate external literature shelves, side slots 32 to accommodate shelf supports or links to join separate pop-up display units together or to join to other panel systems. Steel tape is fixed e.g. by adhesive to faces 33 so that panels or metallic sheets, letters, numbers or symbols can be attached to the display unit. Figures 6 and 7 show examples of the many configurations of display panels which can be made from the basic elements of hub and struts described herein. As shown in Figure 8A and B, each strut 40 is formed of two tubes 41, 42 joined together by a molded plastics or glass-filled nylon connector 43 with apertures 44, 45, 46 in the central longitudinal region, any of which apertures may be used as a pivot point to be used in association with a pivot point of at least one other strut, thereby providing added versatility of the forms of display unit which can be achieved.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A hub for a pop-up display unit, the hub comprising a front plate and a back plate, co-operable surfaces on the plates to hold an end portion of a strut for relative motion between said hub and said at least one strut end portion. 2. A hub according to Claim 1 comprising a set of co-operable surfaces on the plates for each said end portion of a strut. 3. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein the co-operable surfaces comprise two concave surfaces to enclose, in use, an element of strut end portion. 4. A hub according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the co-operable surfaces comprise a concave surface and a flat surface to enclose, in use, an element of one strut end portion. 5. A hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the strut end portion comprises a cylindrical bar which is held for rotation within the co- operable surfaces. 6. A hub according to any of Claims 1 to 4 wherein the strut end portion comprises a spherical element which is held for rotation within the co-operable surfaces. 7. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein the strut end portion comprises a recess to accommodate a strut. 8. A hub according to any preceding claim comprising three sets of co- operable surfaces, each set to hold a strut end portion. 9. A hub according to any preceding claim comprising four sets of co- operable surfaces, each set to hold a strut end portion. 10. A hub according to Claim 8 or 9 wherein the sets of co-operable surfaces are equi-spaced about the periphery of the hub. 11. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein the front plate and the back plate are releasably inter-engageable. 12. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein a pin holds together the front plate and back plate. 13. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein the pin has means to hold sheet material and/or other elements of a display system. 14. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein one of the plates forms a main body and the other plate forms a clamp. 15. A hub according to Claim 14 wherein the clamp is a cruciform shape. 16. A hub according to Claim 15 wherein the clamp is in a cruciform shape offset from the centre. 17. A hub according to any of Claims 12 to 16 comprising a pin to pass through a central axis of the plate and to engage with the other plate. 18. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein some or all of the plates, strut end portion(s) and a pin are manufactured of molded plastics material or of molded glass-filled nylon. 19. A hub according to any preceding claim comprising a front plate and a back plate held together, and one or more end portions of a strut, the or each strut end portion being held in co-operating surfaces of the plates. 20. A hub according to any preceding claim wherein the hub comprises means to hold a light unit. 21. A hub according to Claim 20 wherein the holding means comprises a slot to engage with a light unit. 22. A display system comprising an arrangement formed of struts connected together by a plurality of hubs according to any preceding claim. 23. A display system according to Claim 22 comprising at least one light unit attached to at least one hub. 24. A display system according to Claim 22 or 23 comprising material sheeting and/or other elements of the display system attached to at least one hub.

Inventors: DELLA PORTA LOUIS, DELLA PORTA, LOUIS
Applicants: DELLA PORTA LOUIS, MARLER HALEY EXPOSYSTEMS LTD, DELLA PORTA, LOUIS, MARLER HALEY EXPOSYSTEMS LIMITED
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A47F5
IPC codes: A47F5