Display device

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device for displaying any kind of printed information or to be used also for displaying products at one or more shelves provided in the display device. The display device has the advantage that all that is needed for assembling the device and all that is needed for positioning the device in a display position is provided as an integral part of the plates constituting the display device. Accordingly there is no need for separate items needed for assembling the device. In a preferred embodiment the display device has an intermediate plate P1 and two curved display plates P2, P3 that is biased by a force being applied between engagement means of the plates. The plates may constitute one piece of material such as cardboard or a number of individual pieces to be mutually engaged by engagement means suitable for engaging the plates.

Description: The present invention relates to a display device for in- or outdoor use e.g. for displaying information at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms, outside buildings and the like, the display device being intended for mounting on a supporting surface. WO 99/36900 describes such a display device. The display device comprises two display plates made of stiff but flexible material. The display plates are made of cardboard, plastic, aluminium, steel or the like stiff flexible material. The display plates are attached to each other along lateral edge regions. The display plates are being spaced apart by a number of spacing means that is placed between the individually attached display plates. The spacing means has the shape of an intended second, spaced apart display position that is different from a first collapsed transport and storage position. Furthermore, the display device has a free lower periphery that may serve as a resting periphery for supporting the display device on a substantially horizontal surface such as a floor. This display device has some disadvantages. Firstly, it is necessary to use individual spacing means for providing the intended second, spaced apart display position of the display device. This means that when having to store or transport the display device as example from one exhibition to another it is necessary to store and transport both the display plates and the spacing means. Secondly, when placing the display device in its display position at the exhibition to the second spaced apart display position it may need two persons to arrange the spacing means between the display plates. At least, after having arranged the spacing means between the display plates it needs fixing of the spacing means to the inner surface of the display plates to keep the spacing means in place in relation to the display plates. Thirdly, the spacing means may need to be made from another material than the display plates. The display plates has to be rather flexible but the spacing means must not be too flexible, otherwise they will not be able to maintain the display plates in the spaced apart display position. This means that two different kinds of materials may have to be used just to make one display device. GB 436,046 describes a display device comprising a integrated display device with a plate being intended to be curved and constituting the display plate and semi-plates extending form edges of the display plate. The overall width of the semi-plates are smaller than the width of the display plate in the un-curved state of the display plate so that when opposing edges of the semi-plates are mutually joined the display plate will constitute a curved surface. The mutual joining of the opposing edges of the semi-plates takes place by a means of a slot in the edge of the one semi-plate and a corresponding tongue along the edge of the other semi-plate. The tongue has an over-length compared to the length of the slot. When the tongue and the slot are mutually joined, a pulling force is established in the joint and a compressive force is established between the edges of the curved display plate. This display stand also has some disadvantages. Firstly, the joing of the semi-plates by means of a slot and a tongue having an over-length makes it very difficult to join the edges of the semi-plates. The tongue has to be lingered into the slot, and this has to take place by overcoming the pulling force between the edges and while bending the display plate. This is very cumbersome and may be impossible if the display stand is very large and the person assembling the display stand has limited muscular force such as girls or women. Secondly, when the display stand has been assembled, the pulling force between the slot and the tongue may lead to the mutual joining being disrupted, at least during time, when the tongue has been lingered into the slot several times and the part of the tongue constituting the overlength of the tongue has been partly of fully damaged. Thus, there is the risk of the display stand suddenly collapsing. Finally, it will not be possible to provide a display stand having curved display plates at both sides. US 1,555,566 and US 1,576,636 also relates to display devices with one plate member being straight and one plate member being curved, when the display device is folded into a display state. However, the means for holding together the display device in the folded display state are subject to tensile forces, so there is a risk of the means being separated during the use of the display, the result being that the display device collapses. It is the object of the present invention to provide a display device that is capable of being self-supported but which is capable of being easily stored and transported and which is capable of being placed in its display position without the need for special items other than items being integral with the display plates and with no risk of the display device collapsing during use and no risk of the display device being damaged and thus not possible to assemble at all. This object is obtained by a display device having first plate P1 being an intermediate plate made of a substantially non-stretchable material and both a second plate P2 and a third plate P3 being display plates also made of a substantially non-stretchable but flexible material such as a sheet of cardboard, of plastics, of metal or the like, said first plate P1 having a longitudinal direction (r1) in the plane of the plate and a transverse direction (s1) in the plane of the plate, and said first plate P1 comprising a number of first through-holes (a1) for joining the plate P2 with the plate P1 by means of a number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2, and a number of second trough-holes (a4) for joining the plate P3 with the plate P1 by means of a number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3, and said number of first through-holes (a1) being placed along an intersection line (b1) and said number of second through-holes (a4) being placed along an intersection line (b4), and said first plate P1 comprising edges (c1, c4) running along border lines (d1, d4) opposing the intersection lines (b1, b4), respectively, said second plate P2 having a longitudinal direction (r2) in the plane of the plate, and a transverse direction (s2) in the plane of the plate, and said second plate P2 comprising a number of tongues (a2) for joining said second plate P2 with said first plate P1 by means of said number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate P1, and said number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2 being placed along an outer edge (b2), and said second plate P2 comprising an edge (c2) running along a border line (d2) opposing the outer edge (b2), said third plate P3 having a longitudinal direction (r3) in the plane of the plate, and a transverse direction (s3) in the plane of the plate, and said third plate P3 comprising a number of tongues (a3) for joining said third plate P3 with said first plate P1 by means of said number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1, and said number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3 being placed along an outer edge (b3), and said third plate P3 comprising an edge (c3) running along a border line (d3) opposing the outer edge (b3), the number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate P1 being spaced from the opposing border line (d1) of the first plate P1 with a width w1, the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1 being spaced from the opposing border line (d4) of the first plate P1 with a width w4, the number of tongues of the second plate P2 being spaced from the opposing edge (c2) of the second plate P2 with a width w2, the width w1 being shorter than the width w2, the number of tongues of the third plate P3 being spaced from the opposing edge (c3) of the third plate P3 with a width w3, the width w4 being shorter than the width w3, the first plate P1 being joined with the second plate P2 along the opposing edges (c1, c2) of the plates P1,P2 along the border lines (d1, d2) of the plates, the first plate P1 being joined with the third plate P3 along the opposing edges (c3, c4) of the plates P1,P3 along the border lines (d3, d4) of the plates P1,P3, whereby, when the number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate is being joined with the number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2 substantially along the intersection line (b1b4), a pulling force is applied in the first plate P1 in the transverse direction between the number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate P1 and the edge (c1) of the first plate P1, and a compressive force is applied in the second plate P2 in the transverse direction between the number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2 and the edge (c2) of the second plate P2, thereby causing the plate P2 to bend so that the display device, in a cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the plates, shows a straight line constituted by the plate P1 and a curved line constituted by the plate P2, and whereby, when the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate is being joined with the number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3 substantially along the intersection line (b4), a pulling force is applied in the first plate P1 in the transverse direction between the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1 and the edge (c1) of the first plate P1, and a compressive force is applied in the third plate P3 in the transverse direction between the number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3 and the edge (c3) of the third plate P3, thereby causing the plate P3 to bend so that the display device, in a cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the plates, shows a straight line constituted by the plate P1 and a curved line constituted by the plate P3. By providing means on the display plates themselves for maintaining the display plates in a display position, then it is possible to absolutely minimise the means needed for providing the display device. All the means for assembling the display plates and all the means for having the display plates in their display position and all the means for keeping the display plates in the display position are provided on the display plates themselves and on the intermediate first plate. This makes it easy to not only store and transport the display plates but also to place the display device in its display position because all what is needed therefore is always at hand. Also, with the means of the present invention at hand there is not only a certainty of the display device being possible to assemble, but there is also a certainty of the assembled display device maintaining its shape after assembling without any risk of the assembled display device collapsing. Thus, there is no risk of forgetting the means for assembling the display device into the display position and when placing the display device in its display position there is no need for two persons assembling the display device and no need for any fastening or securing of the means for making the display device, because the means are not separate but integrate with the plates constituting the display device. Having the display plates maintained in the display position takes place by fulfilling certain dimensional relations between the different plates of the display device. As mentioned, the display device comprises an intermediate plate being a first plate and two curved display plates being second and third plates. The intermediate plate has engagement means for maintaining the curved display plates in the display position, said engagement means being intended for being joined with other engagement means being provided at an opposing edge on the curved display plate. The mutual joining by means of the engagement means of the present invention has the advantage that the joining is self-supporting. This means that there is no risk of the display device suddenly collapsing or being impossible to assemble because of the mutual joining no longer being able to maintain the individual plates in their intended mutual relationship. The mutual relationship will always be possible to establish and will always be maintained after having been established. The intermediate plate and the two curved display plates have a mutual engagement, preferably by means of a folding line, along which the intermediate plates and the curved display plates are mutually joined. A distance that is measured from the mutual engagement, such as along the folding line, and to the number of through-holes of the intermediate plate is smaller than the width of the curved display plate when being in a collapsed position. This means that the distance from the mutual engagement, such as along the folding line, and to the number of through-holes of the intermediate plate is smaller than a distance from the mutual engagement to the number of tongues on the opposing edge of the display plates. When the number of first through-holes and the number of second through-holes are joined with the number of tongues, then the curved display plates stretch along a curve because the distance between the mutual engagement along which the intermediate plates and the curved display plates are mutually joined and the engagement between the number of though-holes of the intermediate plate and the number of tongues of the display plates is greater along the curved display plate than along the intermediate plate. In a preferred embodiment the curved display plates are in a biased state when the display plates is in the display position. Because the curved display plates are of a flexible material then the curved display plates are being in a biased state when a force is applied to the plates. The force is applied when the number of through-holes of the intermediate plate is engaging the number of tongues on the opposing edge of the display plates as an effect of the above-mentioned effect. The curved display plates try to revert to the collapsed and plane state, but the mutual joining of the number of through-holes of the intermediate plate and the number of tongues of the opposing edge of the curved display plates exerts a biasing force towards the mutual folding line. The biasing force keeps the distance between the mutual engagement of the plates such as along the folding line and the opposing edges of the curved display plates smaller than the width of the curved display plate when in a collapsed and plane state. Depending on the material that the curved display plates are made of and depending on the difference between the distance from the mutual folding line and the engagement of the number of through-holes of the intermediate plate and of the curved plates, respectively, then the biasing force and the possible curvature of the curved display plate may differ. The engagement means consist of though-holes such as slots provided in the intermediate plate and tongues provided at the opposing edges of the curved display plates. The tongues are intended for protruding through the through-holes such as the slots and thereby maintaining the opposing edge of the curved display plates in place along an intersection line in relation to the intermediate plate. For embodiments in which the curved display plates are maintained in place by means of a biasing force it is only necessary for the engagement to prevent the opposing edge of the curved display plates from sliding away from the intersection line in a direction away from the mutual engagement such as along the folding line. Because of the biasing, the opposing edge will always try to slide away from the intersection line in a direction away from as example the mutual folding line. The means of the intermediate plate and means of the curved display plates is capable of maintaining the curved display plate in place along the intersection line in both directions. If the display device is of a great height, as example is as high as 200 cm, then the display device may be used as an advertising column with a rooftop if a plate or the like is placed on top of the display device. This does not impose any demands for the display device when assembled to the display position other than being made of a material that is capable of withstanding the vertical load from the roof top and of any items that may be placed on the roof top. The invention will now be described more in detail by reference to the accompanying drawing, where fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a display device according to the invention fig. 2 is a plane view of a first embodiment of a blank of cardboard for constructing the display device according to the invention, fig. 3 is a sectional view of the blank of cardboard folded along predetermined folding lines, but not yet bend along selected curvatures, fig. 4 is a sectional view of the cardboard as folded and also as bend along the selected curvatures, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a display device. The display device consists of a first plate being an intermediate plate P1 and two second plates being curved display plates P2, P3. The intermediate plate P1 stretches between edges c1, c4. In the embodiment shown the edges c1, c4 lie along border lines d1, d4 constituting folding lines (see also fig. 2). The folding lines constitute a mutual joining of the plates P1, P2, P3. The curved display plates P2, P3 stretch from edges c2, c3, respectively, along a curvature and to opposing edges along outer edges b2, b3 of the curved display plates. Intersection is established between the outer edges edges b2, b3 and the border lines d1, d4. In the embodiment shown the curved display plates stretch along continuous shaped curves formed substantially as parables or as partial arcs of a circle. In alternative embodiments the curved display plates may stretch along other curvatures such as discontinuous partial squares or partial triangles. In the embodiment shown, maintaining of the outer edges b2, b3 of the curved display plates P2, P3 in relation to the intermediate plate P1 along the intersection of the plates is obtained by means of releasable engagement means a2, a3 in the shape of tongues (see fig. 2) provided at the outer edges b2, b3, respectively. The tongues a2, a3 are in engagement with releasable engagement means a1, a4 in the shape of slots (see fig. 2) provided in the intermediate first plate P1 along intersection lines b1, b4 (see fig. 2). Fig. 2 shows a plane piece of cardboard intended for folding and mutual engagement of engagement means in order to produce the display device as shown in fig. 1. The cardboard is shown before the cardboard is folded and before the display device is in its display position. The piece of cardboard is divided into three individual plate sections, namely a middle section in the middle of the cardboard constituting the intermediate first plate P1 and outer sections at each side of the middle section, said outer sections intended for constituting the display plates P2, P3. The middle section has an overall width W defined between border lines d1, d4 separating the middle section and the outer sections. The outer sections have a width w2, w3 between outer edges b2, b3 and border lines d2, d3, respectively. The outer sections are intended for constituting the curved display plates when the cardboard is folded and the engagement means a1, a2, a3, a4, respectively, are individually engaging thereby constituting the display device. In the embodiment shown, the width w2 and the width w3 are of the same magnitude, but in alternative embodiments, w2 and w3 may have different magnitudes. The cardboard has a length L that is measured in a longitudinal direction r1. The length L is defined between edges e1, e2, e3 (see below) of the plates P1, P2, P3. The width w1, w2 and w3 of the sections are measured in a transverse direction s1. As mentioned, the middle section for the intermediate plate P1 and the outer sections for the curved display plates P2, P3 are mutually joined along the border lines d1, d2, d3, d4 so that the cardboard constitutes a single piece of cardboard. For the sake of clarity, the border lines are illustrated as dotted lines. It will also be possible to have the cardboard made of a plurality of pieces of cardboard which subsequently are joined by gluing or by other fastening means such as a Velcro®-closure running along the border lines. Making the cardboard of a plurality of pieces is advantageous or necessary when the display device is large or where the middle section for the intermediate plate P1 is being made of another kind of cardboard or other material than the sections for the curved display plates P2, P3. The mutual engagement of the individual pieces constituting the plates will preferably take place at edges c1, c2 and c3, c4, respectively, by the appropriate joining means such as the ones mentioned, i.e. glue, Velcro® or the like. However, as mentioned later on, the mutual engagement may also take place as example between the border lines, so that the mutual engagement is hidden from outside, when the display device is in its display position. In the embodiment shown and in the following embodiments described, cardboard is used as an example of the material that the individual plates of the display device are made of. However, this is not to be construed as a limiting of the possible other materials that the plates of the display device can be made of. Other materials may be sheet metal such as aluminium or stainless steel, it may be wood such as plywood plates or pulp fibre plates, or it may be plastic such as acrylic or PVC. Also, in the embodiment shown a section constituting the intermediate first plate P1 and two outer sections intended for constituting the curved display plates P2, P3 are shown. As mentioned, the outer edges b2, b3 of the plates P2, P3 are provided with engagement means a2, a3 in the shape of tongues that extend outwards in relation to the cardboard and which extend in the plane of the cardboard. In the embodiment shown, both of the outer edges b2, b3 are provided with six tongues. The tongues have a length I. Spaces are provided between the tongues, said spaces having approximately the same length of the tongues. However, the length of and the shape of the tongues and of the spaces between the tongues may be designed individually. As example, the opposing edges may be provided with one elongated tongue extending along the edges b2, b3 almost in the entire length L of the cardboard. Also as mentioned, the intermediate plate P1 is provided with corresponding engagement means a1, a4 in the shape of slots that extend along intersection lines b1, b4 what is to be the intersection between the plates P1,P2,P3 (see fig. 1), when the cardboard is folded and the display device is in its display position. The slots have approximately the same length I as the tongues, and the tongues are intended for engagement with the slots when the cardboard is folded for making the display device. Engagement of the tongues and the slots is shown in fig. 1. A width w1 between the border line d1 and the number of first through-holes a1 and a width w4 between the border line d4 and the number of second through-holes a4 are smaller than the widths w2 and w3 of the plates P2, P3. This are the dimensional features of the plates P1, P2 and P3 that gives the display device the intended design as shown in fig. 1. The widths w1 and w4 may be chosen freely as long as these widths w1 and w4 are smaller than the widths w2 and w3. In the embodiment shown the intermediate plate P1 and the sections that are intended for constituting the curved display plates P2, P3 are mutually joined along the border lines d1, d2, d3, d4. Accordingly, the intermediate plate P1 and the sections for the curved plates P2, P3 constitute one single piece of cardboard. However, as mentioned above, it will be possible to have the plates joined in other ways. It will be possible to use individual plates for each of the sections and joining these individual plates by gluing, by clipping or by other mechanical means of joining. The joining of the individual plates do not have to take place exactly along the border lines but may as example take place a short distance from the border lines along the edges c1, c4 towards the central part of the intermediate plate, thus having the border lines running along the piece of material constituting the curved section. Thereby the joining will be hidden when the display device is in its display position. As a further alternative way of joining the plates the engagement means a2, a3 of the plates P2, P3 may be used not only along the outer edges b2, b3 but also along the edges c2, c3 where the border lines d2, d3 are intended to run along. Instead of the border lines, other further outer edges opposing the already present outer edges b2, b3 will be provided. In this embodiment, the sections intended for constituting the curved plates P2, P3 are individual and will have the engagement means a2, a3 along the outer edges b2, b3 and also further engagement means along the further outer edges, as example in the shape of tongues, provided also along the further outer edges c2, c3 and not only along the already present outer edges b2, b3. Thereby, the way of engagement as example by means of tongues and slots may be used along all edges, both along the present outer edges b2, b3 and along other opposing outer edges along the edges c2, c3 of the curved plates P2, P3 for making the display device. It will be necessary either to use the engagement means a1, a4 of the intermediate plate P1 as engagement means for not only one but for two of the four engagement means of the curved plates P2, P3 or to provide in the intermediate plate P1 two sets of further engagement means like the means a1, a4 for engaging with the two further engagement means of the plates P2, P3. In this embodiment, the intermediate plate P1 and the sections intended for the curved plates P2, P3 constitute individual non-joined plates that are intended for mutual engagement only by use of releasable engagement means when the display device is in its display position, but which are individual in a storage and transport situation. The cardboard has a lateral edges e1, e2, e3. The lateral edge e1 of the first plate P1 run from the border line d1 to the border line d4, the lateral edge e2 of the second plate P2 run from the border line d2 to the outer edge b2, and the lateral edge e3 run from the border line d3 to the outer edge b3. In the embodiment shown, where the plates constitute one single piece of cardboard, the lateral edges e1, e2, e3 run in continuation of each other from the outer edge of one section for the one curved display plate along the intermediate plate and to the outer edge of the other curved display plate. The lateral edges are linear and are intended for lying in individually parallel planes when the cardboard is folded for making the display device. Some of the lateral edges, as example the lower lateral edges as shown in the figure, are intended for supporting the display device at a plane surface such as the ground or a floor or is intended for mounting the display device at another surface such as a wall. The other lateral edges, as example the upper lateral edges as shown in the figure, are intended for constituting the top of the display device (see fig. 1). Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the cardboard when almost completely folded along the border lines d1, d2, d3, d4 (see also fig. 2), but not yet with the sections being bent that are intended for constituting the curved sections. The term "almost completely folded" refers to the fact that the intermediate plate P1 and the sections intended for constituting the curved display plates P2, P3 are only almost, but not completely, parallel and in abutment with each other. The intermediate plate P1 and the sections intended for constituting the curved display plates P2, P3 are folded so that when completely folded as shown with arrows, the sections are parallel and only take up limited space compared to the display device when in its display position (see fig. 1 and fig. 4). In the embodiment shown, the intermediate plate P1, as mentioned, has an overall width W. That means that when the cardboard is completely folded up, the overall width of the folded-up cardboard is the width W of the intermediate plate P1 added twice an extra width of the sections intended for constituting the curved display plates, i.e. the width W added a first width Δw2 being w2 minus W and added a second width Δw3 being w3 minus W. A length of the cardboard when completely folded up is the length L of the cardboard. A thickness of the cardboard when completely folded up is a thickness t1 of the intermediate plate P1 added a thickness t2 of the section intended for constituting the curved second display plate P2 and added a thickness t3 of the section intended for constituting the curved third display plate P3. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the cardboard when unfolded and the curved display plates being in place as when the display plates are in the display position. The intermediate plate P1 having the overall width W stretches from the one border line d1 to the other border line d4. The curved second display plate P2 stretches from the border line d2 to the outer edge b2. The curved third display plate P3 stretches from the border line d3 to the outer edge b3. The engagement means a2, a3 in the shape of the tongues (see fig. 2) that are provided at the outer edges b2, b3, respectively, (see fig. 2) are in engagement with the corresponding engagement means a1, a4 in the shape of the slots (see fig. 2) in the intermediate plate P1. Thus, the outer edges b2, b3 of the curved display plates P2, P3 intersect with the intermediate plate P1 along intersection lines b1, b4. It can be seen that the tongues a2, a3 of the curved display plates P2, P3 protrude through the slots a1, a4 in the intermediate plate P1. The curved display plates P2, P3 are maintained in place between the outer edges b2, b3, respectively, and the intersection lines b1, b4. Because the width w2 and w3 of the curved display plates are greater than the widths w1 and w4 between the border lines d1 and d4 and the number of through-holes a1 and a4, respectively, then the curved display plates is being applied a force in the direction of the plane of the intermediate plate P1. This results in bending of the sections forming the curved display plates P2, P3 so that the curvature of the plates is formed. A rise H of the curved display plates P2, P3 is dependent on the ratio between the width w2 and w2 and between w3 and w4 (see fig. 2). The greater the ratio is the greater the rise H will be. In the embodiment shown the slots a1, a3 along the intersection lines b1, b4 are provided at a distance from the border lines d1, d2. These form parts Q1, Q2 of the intermediate plate P1 that are not being covered by the curved display plates P1, P2. These parts Q1, Q2 of the intermediate plate P1 may vary in size. The main reason for forming these parts is so that the tongues a2, a3 that are provided at the outer edges b2, b3 may protrude through the intermediate plate P1 as shown, where the tongues need some space at the side of the intermediate plate opposite of where the tongues protrude. However, it will be possible to further limit the size of the parts Q1, Q2 of the intermediate plate P1. It will also be possible to completely omit these parts Q1, Q2 of the intermediate plate P1. Only, this demand for the tongues to bend a little backwards compared to the protrusion in the embodiment shown, i.e. the tongues protruding backwards in the direction of the curved display plate but on the side opposite of where the tongues protrude. Thereby the border lines d1, d4 coincide with the intersection lines b1, b2. In the embodiment shown the curved display plates P2, P3 constitute what seems to be a parable or a partial arc of a circle. However, other curvatures may be applied. If the curved display plates have one further folding line running parallel with the edges and running between the border lines d2, d3 and the outer edges b2, b3, then it will be possible for the curved display plates to form a triangle with the intermediate plate P1. If the curved display plates have two further folding lines running parallel with the edges and running between the border lines d2, d3 and the outer edges b2, b3, then it will be possible for the curved display plates to form a square with the intermediate plate P1. If the curved display plates have three or more further folding lines running parallel with the edges and running between the border lines d2, d3 and the outer edges b2, b3, then it will be possible for the curved display plates to form other polygons with the intermediate plate P1.

Claims: A display device for in- or outdoor use e.g. for displaying information at exhibitions, in show rooms, in sales rooms, outside buildings and the like, the display device being intended for mounting on a supporting surface, said display device comprising, a first plate P1 being an intermediate plate made of a substantially non-stretchable material and both a second plate P2 and a third plate P3 being display plates also made of a substantially non-stretchable but flexible material such as a sheet of cardboard, of plastics, of metal or the like, said first plate P1 having a longitudinal direction (r1) in the plane of the plate and a transverse direction (s1) in the plane of the plate, and said first plate P1 comprising a number of first through-holes (a1) for joining the plate P2 with the plate P1 by means of a number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2, and a number of second through-holes (a4) for joining the plate P3 with the plate P1 by means of a number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3, and said number of first through-holes (a1) being placed along an intersection line (b1) and said number of second through-holes (a4) being placed along an intersection line (b4), and said first plate P1 comprising edges (c1, c4) running along border lines (d1, d4) opposing the intersection lines (b1, b4), respectively, said second plate P2 having a longitudinal direction (r2) in the plane of the plate, and a transverse direction (s2) in the plane of the plate, and said second plate P2 comprising a number of tongues (a2) for joining said second plate P2 with said first plate P1 by means of said number of first through-holes (a1) of the.first plate P1, and said number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2 being placed along an outer edge (b2) of the second plate P2, and said second plate P2 comprising an edge (c2) running along a border line (d2) opposing the outer edge (b2) of the second plate P2, said third plate P3 having a longitudinal direction (r3) in the plane of the plate, and a transverse direction (s3) in the plane of the plate, and said third plate P3 comprising a number of tongues (a3) for joining said third plate P3 with said first plate P1 by means of said number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1, and said number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3 being placed along an outer edge (b3) of the third plate P3, and said third plate P3 comprising an edge (c3) running along a border line (d3) opposing the outer edge (b3) of the third plate P3, the number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate P1 being spaced from the opposing border line (d1) of the first plate P1 with a width w1, the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1 being spaced from the opposing border line (d4) of the first plate P1 with a width w4, the number of tongues of the second plate P2 being spaced from the opposing edge (c2) of the second plate P2 with a width w2, the width w1 being shorter than the width w2, the number of tongues of the third plate P3 being spaced from the opposing edge (c3) of the third plate P3 with a width w3, the width w4 being shorter than the width w3, the first plate P1 being joined with the second plate P2 along the opposing edges (c1, c2) of the plates P1,P2 along the border lines (d1, d2) of the plates, the first plate P1 being joined with the third plate P3 along the opposing edges (c3, c4) of the plates P1,P3 along the border lines (d3, d4) of the plates P1,P3, whereby, when the number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate is being joined with the number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2 substantially along the intersection lines (b1, b4), a pulling force is applied in the first plate P1 in the transverse direction between the number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate P1 and the edge (c1) of the first plate P1, and a compressive force is applied in the second plate P2 in the transverse direction between the number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2 and the edge (c2) of the second plate P2, thereby causing the plate P2 to bend so that the display device, in a cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the plates, shows a straight line constituted by the plate P1 and a curved line constituted by the plate P2, and whereby, when the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate is being joined with the number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3 substantially along the lines (b4, b3), a pulling force is applied in the first plate P1 in the transverse direction between the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1 and the edge (c1) of the first plate P1, and a compressive force is applied in the third plate P3 in the transverse direction between the number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3 and the edge (c3) of the third plate P3, thereby causing the plate P3 to bend so that the display device, in a cross-section perpendicular to the plane of the plates, shows a straight line constituted by the plate P1 and a curved line constituted by the plate P3. A display device according to claim 1 where at least the intersection lines (b1, b4) of the first plate, and the outer edges (b2, b3) of the second plate P2 and the third plate P3, preferably also the border lines (d1, d2, d3, d4), are being substantially parallel to each other and are being parallel to the longitudinal direction. A display device according to any of claims 1-2 where a number of the plates P1, P2, P3 are provided with supporting edges (e1, e2, e3), and where the display device is in a display position, is being placed so that at least part of the supporting edge (e1, e2, e3) is mounting the display means at the supporting surface. A display device according to claim 1 where the plate P1 and the plate P2 constitutes one single piece and wherein the border lines of the plates P1, P2 are a common folding line along which the plates P1, P2 are capable of bending by forming an edge. A display device according to any of the claims 1-4 where the number of tongues (a2) of the second plate P2 are provided along the outer edge (b2) of the second plate P2 and that the number of first through-holes (a1) of the first plate P1 are slots provided along the intersection line (b1) in the first plate P1. A display device according to any of the claims 1-4 where the number of tongues (a5) of the second plate P2 are provided along the line (b5) of the second plate P2 and that the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1 are slots provided along the intersection line (b4) in the first plate P1. A display device according to any of the claims 1-4 where the number of tongues (a3) of the third plate P3 are provided along the outer edge (b3) of the third plate P3 and that the number of second through-holes (a4) of the first plate P1 are slots provided in the first plate P1.

Inventors: PEDERSEN STEFFEN KJAER, VANG HARRY, PEDERSEN, STEFFEN KJAER, VANG, HARRY
Applicants: SIGNAL DISPLAY INTERNAT A S, SIGNAL DISPLAY INTERNATIONAL A/S
Application year: 2001
Main classification: G09F1
IPC codes: G09F15, G09F1