Abstract:
Display apparatus is removably attachable to the filler gun of a fuel pump, the filler gun including in series connection a gun nozzle having a forward discharge end and a rear end, a gun head having both a forward end portion which connects with the rear end of the gun nozzle and a rearward handle portion whose forward end connects to the rear of the gun nozzle and a rearward handle portion whose forward end connects to the rear end of said gun head. The display apparatus comprises a carrying body adapted to be fitted onto the fillers gun and to extend from approximately a first junction between the rear end of the gun nozzle and the forward end of the gun head to approximately a second junction between the rear end of the gun head and the forward end of the handle, the carrying body having an upper surface defining an elongate display surface for messages, and comprising a first member and a second member and structure for releasably interconnecting the first and second members, the first and second members being shaped to generally conform, when so interconnected, to enclose the sides, bottom, and upper portions of the gun head, and structure pivotally connected to the upper surface of the carrying body for supporting a replaceable message card placed on the display surface.

Description:
This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/610,961, filed Mar. 5, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,217, which is a CIP of Ser. No. 08/590,407, filed Jan. 25, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,975 all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a display apparatus removably attachable to the filler gun of a fuel pump. The filler gun includes, in series connection, (a) a nozzle having a forward discharge end and a rear end, (b) a gun head having a forward end portion which connects with the rear end of the nozzle, and (c) a rearward handle portion whose forward end connects to the rear end of the gun head. The display apparatus comprises a carrying body adapted to be fitted onto the filler gun and to extend from approximately a first junction between the rear end of the gun nozzle and the forward end of the gun head to approximately a second junction between the rear end of the gun head and the forward end of the handle. The carrying body has an upper surface defining an elongate display surface for messages. The display apparatus of the present invention is also useful on a filler gun having its gun head covered by a protective boot of rubber or plastic material. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The related art discloses a carrying body of the above mentioned type with the carrying body being shaped like a boot and having a rear end which is fully open to permit entry of the filler gun nozzle and the gun head, and a front end with a substantially smaller opening through which the filler gun nozzle protrudes when the carrying body is fitted onto the filler gun. A carrying body of such type has an upper surface which effectively covers the upper region of the gun head to thereby define the elongate display surface for messages. Such carrying bodies are suitable for use in countries having only a very limited number of filler gun types as, for example, in Norway, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. However, in other areas of the world, the number of differently designed filler guns may be substantially higher. In the United States of America, for example, the number of differently shaped filler guns is in excess of ten. Such a large number of different types of filler guns ordinarily requires a large number of differently dimensioned carrying bodies. In such situations, it is difficult to provide the same display surface area and configuration for each carrying body type. This is disadvantageous because it prohibits use of a size and configuration of an advertising display card or the like to be used in a maximum number of different filler guns. Also, some filler guns are so designed that it is difficult to design an easily fitted and removable carrying body. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is highly desirable to have a carrying body which is easily attachable to the filler gun even by an inexperienced person, and also to have a carrying body which is easily removable from the filler gun when maintenance is to be carried out on the filler gun, e.g. repair of fuel valve means within the filler gun head. 
     Most filler guns are known to have a gun head covered by a protective boot of rubber or plastic material, both for protecting the gun head against damage and to prevent a bare gun head from making scratches on a car&#39;s paint work. Removing such protective boot from a filler gun in order to replace it with a carrying body according to the present invention is both time consuming, implying a waste of such boot material, and because the gun head is then less protected. The present invention therefore also includes the feature of being able to be fit onto a filler gun a carrying body according to the present invention without having to remove such protective boot. 
     According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the carrying body comprises a first member and a second member and means for releasably interconnecting the first and second members, the first and second members being shaped to generally conform, when so interconnected, to enclose the side, bottom, and upper portions of the gun head; and means pivotally connected to a top surface of the carrying body for supporting a replaceable message card placed on the display surface of the first member. 
     According to another embodiment of the present display apparatus, the carrying body comprises a lower member and an upper member releasably engageable with the lower member, the lower member having two side panels and means for interconnecting the side panels. The lower member, when the two side panels are brought to lie against the gun head, substantially fitting around the lower part of the gun head. The side panels may have at their top region a first interlocking means, the upper member being formed as a cap-like member to fit over an upper part of the gun head, and having a second interlocking means for releasably engaging the first interlocking means on the lower member, and a top member releasably engageable with the upper member. The top member has means for releasable engagement with the upper member, space being provided between an upper surface of the upper member and a portion of the top member for locating a replaceable message card when the top member and the upper member engage. 
     When the filler gun head is of the type already covered by a protective boot of rubber of plastic material, the carrying body can be fitted on the filler gun without having to remove the protective boot. 
     In a further embodiment of the display apparatus, the carrying body comprises a lower member and an upper member releasably engageable with the lower member, and further a top member which is releasably engageable with the upper member. The top member has a curved configuration along its length. 
     According to still a further embodiment of the display apparatus, the carrying body may comprise a lower member, an upper member releasably engageable with the lower member, the lower member having two side panels, and means for interconnecting the side panels. The lower member, when the two side panels are brought to lie against the gun head, substantially surrounds a lower part of the gun head. The side panels have at their top regions a first interlocking means, and the upper member being formed as a cap-like means to fit over an upper part of the gun head, and also have a second interlocking means for releasable engaging the first interlocking means onto the lower member. The upper member may have an upper (top) surface for locating a replaceable message card, the upper surface having along at least a portion of its peripheral edge an upwardly extending rim and means protruding upwardly from the upper (top) surface for releasably engaging holes in the message card. This latter embodiment is also useful on a filler gun which has its gun head covered by a protective boot, because there is no need to remove the protective boot before fitting the carrying body onto the filler gun. 
     According to the invention, it is also possible to provide a carrying body comprising a lower member, and an upper member releasably engageable with the lower member, the upper member having a top surface with a curved configuration along its length. 
     Although in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the two side panels are brought towards each other to lie against opposite sides of the gun head, it is possible, with a choice of suitable material for the lower member, to have the two side panels integrally joined at a front region thereof. Such a variant may be useful in order to provide typical male/female elements for matching and joining front region edges of the two side panels. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two side panels are suitably made as a two separate panels which are provided with interconnecting means, such as a snap-lock means. 
     Contrary to the prior art carrying body, the carrying body of the present invention is made of a substantially hard plastic material e.g. polyamide. The pivotally connected member or top member is also suitably made of a substantially hard plastic material, e.g. polycarbonate. 
     If the carrying body is provided with a pivotally connected top member, such member can be a lid with a transparent face portion for viewing a message therethrough, or a frame with an open space between opposite sides of the frame. In the case of a frame, the frame can be made of a transparent or non-transparent material, for example, polycarbonate, and the color thereof could be e.g. the same color as that of the carrying body, or a color forming a typical contrast to the color of the carrying body. Also, such frame could have a portion carrying information related to the type of fuel supplied from the gun. Further, in order to more easily detach the frame from the upper member, the upper member may at a peripheral region adjacent to a corresponding portion of the frame have a transverse dimension which is less than a transverse dimension of the frame. 
     These, and further, embodiments of the display apparatus according to the present invention will appear from the description below with reference to the attached drawing figures, as well as the attached patent claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is now to be described with reference to the attached drawing figures illustrating preferred, but non-limitative embodiments of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate fitting of a lower member of the carrying body of the present invention onto a filler gun head; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates fitting of an upper member of the carrying body onto the filler gun head through engagement with the lower member; 
     FIG. 4 further illustrates mounting of the upper member onto the filler gun and with pivotable engagement of a top member with the upper member; 
     FIG. 5 shows a carrying body with the top member fully installed on the filler gun; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the upper member of the carrying body, according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the upper member of the carrying body, according to the present invention; 
     FIGS. 8,  9 ,  10 ,  11  and  12  are sectional views VIII, IX, X, XI and XII of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a top member of the display apparatus, according to the invention; 
     FIG. 14 is section XIV—XIV of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a cross section through the display apparatus with the top member of FIG.  13  and installed on a filler gun; 
     FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a modified top member of the display apparatus formed as an open frame; 
     FIG. 17 is section XVII—XVII of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a cross section of the display apparatus, according to the present invention fitted onto a filler gun and with a top member according to FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 19 shows a top plan view of a modification of the top member of FIG. 16, 
     FIG. 20 is cross section XX—XX of FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 21 illustrates in a perspective view the display apparatus installed on a fuel gun with a top member according to FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 22 shows in perspective view a display apparatus according to the present invention installed on a filler gun and with a top member according to FIG. 19; 
     FIG. 23 shows a further embodiment of an upper member of the carrying body of the display apparatus according to the present invention, with an integral frame structure at the top surface of the upper member; 
     FIG. 24 is cross section XXIV—XXIV of FIG. 23; 
     FIGS. 25,  26  and  27  are side view, top view and perspective view, respectively, of a further modified upper member of the carrying body; 
     FIG. 28 is cross section XXVII—XXVII of FIG. 27; 
     FIG. 29 is an enlarged view XXIX of FIG. 28; 
     FIG. 30 is a side view of a filler gun with a two-part carrying body fitted thereon and with a pivotally connected top member fitted onto the carrying body; 
     FIG. 31 is a side view of a filler gun with a two-part carrying body fitted thereon, and with a top member engageable with an upper part of the carrying body; 
     FIG. 32 is a side view of a filler gun with a two-part carrying body fitted thereon, and in accordance with the embodiments shown in FIGS. 23,  24  and  25 - 29 ; 
     FIGS. 33-35 illustrate fitting of the lower member of the carrying body onto the filler gun when the lower member at its front end region has its side panels integrally joined; 
     FIG. 36 illustrates a further modification of the two piece carrying body, and the top member; 
     FIGS. 37 and 38 are side and top views of a modified version of the upper member, according to the invention. 
     FIG. 39 is a slightly modified version of the frame according to FIG.  19 . 
     FIG. 40 is a cross-section at XXXX—XXXX of FIG. 38 of the display apparatus according to the present invention, fitted onto a filler gun and with an upper member according to FIGS. 37 and 38. 
     FIGS. 41 a  and  41   b  illustrate separate side panels of a further modified version of the lower member of the display apparatus according to the invention. 
     FIG. 42 illustrates installing the side panels of FIGS. 41 a  and  41   b  on a filler gun. 
     FIG. 43 illustrates the further modified version of the lower member fully installed on a filler gun. 
     FIG. 44 is an exterior side view of the side panel of FIG. 4l b.    
     FIG. 45 is a front view of the further modified version of the lower member. 
     FIG. 46 further illustrates mounting of the modified upper member onto the filler gun and with pivotable engagement of a modified top member with the upper member. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show a filler gun  1  of a fuel pump. The filler gun includes a fuel gun nozzle  2  for discharging fuel at its front end and a gun head  3  having internally located fuel valve means (not shown). The valve outlet means communicates with the nozzle  2 , and valve inlet means (not shown) communicates with fuel supply means connected to a fuel hose  4 , the fuel supply means extending through a handle  5  of the gun. The handle  5  has lever means  6  which are operatively connected to the valve means. The gun head  3  may be of an unprotected type, or may be covered by a protective boot of rubber or plastic material as indicated by reference number  3 ′. 
     As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the filler gun is provided with a display apparatus, generally denoted by reference number  70 . Such display apparatus is intended for supporting on its upper surface  8  a message card  9  for displaying a graphic message readily viewable by a filler gun user. 
     As clearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the carrying body  7  for the graphic message is adapted to fit over the filler gun to extend from approximately the junction “a” of the gun nozzle  2  with the gun head  3  to approximately the junction “b” of the gun head  3  with a forward end of the handle  5 . The display surface  8  for the graphic message, when the carrying body  7  is attached to the filler gun, also extends longitudinally along the filler gun from approximately the junction “a” of the gun head  3  with the nozzle  2  to approximately the junction “b” of the gun head with a forward end of the handle of the gun. 
     As clearly seen from FIGS. 1-5, the carrying body  7  comprises a lower member  10  and an upper member  11  releasably engageable with the lower member  10 . The lower member  10  has two side panels  12 ,  13 , a bottom element  14  and means  15 , such as film hinges or other transition means, integrally connecting side panels  12 ,  13  with the bottom element  14 . As shown in FIG. 2, the lower member  10  with its side panels  12 ,  13  and bottom element  14  are brought to lie against the gun head  3  substantially fitting around a lower part of the gun head. At the top region of the side panels there are first interlocking means  16 ,  17  and  18 ,  9  on the respective panels  12  and  13 . The first interlocking means  16 - 19  are suitably formed as male elements in the form of snap hooks. 
     As seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper member  11  is formed as a cap-like means to fit over an upper part of the gun head  3 . The upper member  11  has second interlocking means  20 ,  21  and  22 ,  23  for releasably engaging the first interlocking means  16 ,  17  and  18 ,  19 , respectively, on the lower member. The second interlocking means are formed as female elements having means, e.g. in the form of a ledge or set-off  20 ′,  21 ′,  22 ′,  23 ′ as indicated more closely in FIGS. 7,  8  and  10 . FIG. 1 shows that the panels  12 ,  13 , the bottom element  14 , the connecting means  15  and the first interlocking means  16 - 13  are formed as an integrally made structure, e.g. through an injection molding process. 
     As seen from FIG. 6, the upper member  11  has an upper peripheral portion  11 ′ with a bead  11 ″ extending along the upper peripheral portion  11 ′ for releasably engaging a peripheral skirt portion of a top member to be located on the upper member  11 , as will be explained further with reference to FIGS. 13-15. 
     At a forward end of the upper member, there is provided a first hinge means  24  in the form of a protruding member having a transverse hole  24 ′. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, side panels  12 ,  13  may be provided with a plurality of integrally made studs  25  which are both for compensating for any tolerances in the space between the panels  12 ,  13  and the gun head  3  as well as being able to penetrate partly into any protective boot provided on the gun head. Thus, when fitted around the gun head  3 , the lower member  10  may obtain an improved contact with the gun head  3 . 
     Similarly, as indicated in FIGS. 8-11, the upper member  11  may have similar or technically equivalent space compensating studs, generally denoted by reference number  26 . The studs should be so dimensioned that they will easily yield and/or penetrate into the soft protective boot covering the gun head if so provided. FIG. 12 discloses that the top face  11 ′″ of the upper member  11  has a curved configuration along its length. In a first embodiment, the top member shown in FIG.  4  and also in FIG. 13, is labeled with reference number  27  and is formed as a lid with a transparent face portion  27 ′ for viewing therethrough a message on the message card  9 . The top member  27  has means in the form of thickened portions  28  on a peripheral skirt portion  29  depending from the transparent face portion  27 ′ designed to engage the bead  11 ′ on the upper member  11 . Space is provided between an upper surface of the upper member  11  and a portion of the top member  27  in order that the replaceable message card  9  can be located in such space when the top member  27  and the upper member  11  engage, as illustrated in FIG.  15 . FIG. 15 shows how the lower member  10  with its side panels  12 ,  13  and the first interlocking means  16 ,  18  is capable of snap locking to the upper member  11 . 
     The top member  27  is suitably provided with a second hinge means  30  engageable with the first hinge means  24  on the upper member  11  for pivotable attachment of the top member  27  to the upper member  11 . The second hinge means has a protrusion which is integral with a pin  31 , suitably having a slit  32  and a thickened end  33 . 
     FIGS. 16-20 will now be explained with regard to the differences from what is shown and described in connection with FIGS. 13-15. Instead of the top member  27  being formed as a lid, the embodiment of FIG. 16 shows a top member  34  formed as a frame with open space  35  between opposite sides of the frame. The frame has a first element  34 ′ for laying over a marginal edge portion of a top surface of the upper member  11 , as clearly illustrated in FIG. 18 and a second element  34 ″ integral with the first element  34 ′ for releasably engaging upper, peripheral portion of the upper member  11 . As similarly shown in FIG. 13, second element may be provided with second portions  36  for releasable engagement with the upper peripheral portion of the upper member. Similarly to that shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the top member according to FIG. 16 is provided with a second hinge means  30 . 
     The top member of FIG. 16 can be made of a transparent material. Alternatively, it can be made of a translucent material, e.g. of a color that is the same as that of the upper member  11  or a color forming a suitable contrast with the color of member  11 . 
     FIG. 19 is a slight modification of the embodiment of FIG. 16, in that a rear end of the top member has a widened portion, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the top member. The widened portion of the frame is labeled with reference number  37  and is in reality a widened portion of the first element  34 ′ as shown and described in connection with FIGS. 16 and 17. The widened portion  37  of the frame is suitable for carrying information related to type of fuel supplied from the gun, e.g. “PREMIUM.” 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIGS. 16-18, and FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the embodiment according to FIGS. 19 and 20. 
     As clearly understood from inspecting in particular FIG.  13  and with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the second hinge means in the form of the male member  31  is capable of releasable snap engagement with the female member  24  of the hinge connection between the upper member  11  and its top member, e.g.  27  as shown in FIG. 13 or  34  as shown in FIG. 16, or the modified version of the top member  34  shown in FIG.  19 . 
     A modified version of the upper member  11  is shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the modified upper member being denoted by reference number  38 . The upper member  38  has along its peripheral outline a frame member  39  formed with open space  40  between opposite sides of the frame  39 . The frame has a first element  39 ′ located over a marginal top edge portion of the upper surface of the upper member  38 , and a second element  39 ″ integral with the first element  39 ′. The second element is preferably integral with the upper surface of the upper member, e.g. by welding or through the use of suitable adhesive. In order to properly locate the frame  39  onto the upper member  38 , e.g. during welding or other operation for joining the two male/female members, a protruding rim and mating recess generally denoted by reference numeral  41  may be provided on the frame  39  and the upper member  38 , respectively. 
     To provide easy insertion of a message card  9  in the space between the upper surface of the upper member  38  and the first element  33 ′ of frame  39 , a slot  42  as shown e.g. by dotted lines on FIG. 23 may be provided, the slot being provided suitably in the second element  39 ″ of the frame  39 . Alternatively, the first element  39 ′ of the frame  39  may have a removed section  43  to facilitate easy insertion and removal of the message card  9 . 
     An additional modification of the upper member  11  is shown and described with reference to FIGS. 25-29. In this embodiment, the upper member is labeled with reference numeral  44 . It has a top surface  44 ′ and along at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the top surface an upwardly extending rim  45 . The rim is suitably only a few millimeters high, maybe even less. Means in the form of studs  46  protrude up from the surface  44 ′, the protruding means  46  having a substantially arrow-shaped configuration, a straight upright portion thereof having a height substantially equal to the thickness “d” of the message card  9 . 
     When the message card  9  is positioned inside the inner circumference of the rim  45 , as indicated on FIG. 27, holes  47  provided in the message card  9  are brought into snap-like engagement with the arrow-shaped studs  46 . Thus, the message card  9  is held suitably in place on the upper member  44 . To provide for drainage of any rain water when the gun is located on the fuel pump between filling operations, the rim  45  is suitably provided with opening  45 ′ as indicated in FIG.  27 . The opening  45 ′ also provides for easier removal of the message car  9  when it is to be replaced by a new message card. 
     To further secure the message card  9  onto the top surface  44 ′ of the upper member  44 , a region of adhesive  48  may be applied to the upper surface  44 ′ of the upper member  44 , as indicated in FIG.  26 . Alternatively, the adhesive may be available on the rear side of the message card  9  and be of a type which e.g. firmly adheres to the rear side of the message card  9 , but not so firmly that it sticks to the upper surface  44 ′ of the upper member  44 . 
     FIG. 30 illustrates how the display apparatus according to the present invention and in accordance with the embodiments shown and described in connection with FIGS. 1-22 appears in a side view when mounted on a filler gun. 
     FIG. 31 illustrates that the top member  27 ;  34  (and  37 ) could be replaced by a top member  49  having no pivotable connection with the upper member  11 . In such a variant, the hinge means  24 ,  30  are not present. 
     FIG. 32 illustrates a side view of the embodiments according to FIGS. 23,  24  and  25 - 29 . 
     In connection with the description of FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be noted that the side panels  12 ,  13  at their front region have edges which mate when the panels are brought to lie against the gun head. Until then, the edges are spaced apart. However, in the modified embodiment of FIGS. 33-35, instead of having the lower member  10  of FIG. 1, it is proposed instead to have the two side panels  12 ,  13  be joined at a front region thereof. Thus, the front region  10 ″ of the two side panels, as indicated in FIG. 34 is brought into engagement with the gun head  3  on the filler gun  1 , as illustrated on FIG.  33 . 
     FIGS. 12,  14 ,  17 , and  20  show that both the upper surface of the upper member may as well as the top member may have a curved configuration along its length. However, it is readily conceivable that the top member, as indicated by reference number  50  in the side view of FIG. 36 could have two substantially planar sections  50 ′ and  50 ″ mutually forming an obtuse angle. Similarly, the upper member, here labeled as  51  could have a top surface of similar configuration seen along its length, i.e. two substantially planar, upper surfaces  51 ′ and  51 ″ forming an obtuse angle. Contrary to prior art carrying bodies for a display apparatus which is removably attachable to the filler gun of a fuel pump, the carrying body, in this particular invention a two-piece carrying body, is suitably made of a substantially hard plastic material. As an example, a suitable material would be e.g. polyamide. In a prototype, polyamide  66  has proved to be a suitable plastic material. 
     The top member  27 ;  34  ( 37 );  49 ;  50  is suitably made of a substantially hard plastic material which may be transparent or non-transparent. A type of material such as polycarbonate has proved to be suitable in connection with a prototype made of the present apparatus. Suitably, the polycarbonate could be e.g. of the make LEXAN®, MAKROLON®, GRILIAMID® or other suitable make. 
     In the embodiment of the lower member  10   a  as described in connection with FIGS. 33-35, when the lower member is to be fitted onto the gun head of the filler gun  1 , the rear portions of the side panels  12 ,  13 . may be pushed slightly away from each other to more easily push and enter the lower member  10   a  onto the filler gun. Although the lower member is made of a substantially hard plastic material, the wall thickness of the lower member is of such dimension that the manipulation of the side panels is possible. 
     Compared with FIGS. 6 and 7, the upper member  11  of FIGS. 37 and 38 have been modified in that a mid-region  11 ′″ of the peripheral portion  11 ′ thereof has its cross-dimension made smaller, inter alia, by removing sections of the peripheral bead  11 ″. At the rear end of the top member  52 , e.g. a frame as shown in FIG. 39 has an engagement member  53 , e.g. a bead, for engaging said bead  11 ″ at rear end of the upper member  11 . 
     As shown in FIG. 40, the frame  52  has a horizontal member  52 ′ and a vertical member  52 ″. The vertical member  52 ″ is at midsection  11 ′″ (FIG. 37) of upper member  11  spaced apart from the outer circumference of the upper member  11 , thus enabling the squeezing of opposite midportions of the frame towards each other to thereby result in movement of the bead  53  in a rearward direction so as to disengage bead  11 ″. 
     At a forward end of the upper member  11 , there is provided a modified first hinge means  54  shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 having a C-shaped cross-section with a recess  54 ′ for receiving in pivotable engagement a modified second hinge  55  located at a front end of top member  52 . 
     The lower member  10   b  (see FIG. 46) of the display apparatus in its&#39; further modified version comprises two side panels  56  and  57 . As illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 41 a  and  41   b  with such two side panels interconnected as shown in FIGS. 42-46. Side panel  56  has suitably a number of first interconnecting means  58 ,  59  and  60 . The number of such means could possibly be fewer, e.g. two or more, for example, four. Side panel  57  has corresponding second interconnecting means  61 ,  62  and  63 . The first interconnecting means  58 - 60  being suitably male snap-lock means. The second interconnecting means  61 - 63  are suitably female snap-lock means. Next to the respective interconnecting means may be provided holes  58 ′,  53 ′,  60 ′,  61 ′,  62 ′,  63 ′ as shown in FIG. 42 for inserting conventional self-locking straps in case any of the snap-lock means become defective. At the rear region of the lower member, additional holes  64  and  65  may be provided for engagement with conventional self-locking straps, if so required. Transversely protruding members  66  and  67  are intended for engaging a rear edge region of the gun head. The first interlocking members for engaging the upper member are labeled  16 ′,  17 ′,  18 ′ and  19 ′ in FIG.  41 . 
     With reference to FIG. 7 of the drawings, and also FIG. 26, and further with reference to FIGS. 13,  16 ,  19 ,  21 ,  22 ,  38 , it is first of all seen that the upper members have a peripheral outline of substantially oval form. Further, the top member also has a peripheral outline of substantially oval form. 
     Suitable dimensions of the top member in the longitudinal direction are in the range of 110-140 millimeters and a maximum transverse dimension in the range of 80-105 millimeters. Preferably, the longitudinal dimension is in the range of about 120-135 millimeters and the maximum transverse dimension is in the range of about 90-100 millimeters. 
     With the present invention, it is possible to design a display apparatus having a carrying body with an upper member suitable for any type of filler gun, and a lower member which is selected from a set of lower members, each such member “tailor-made” to fit a particular type or make of filler gun. Thus, using an upper member which has the same, display area for any type of filler message gun used, it is possible to standardize the configuration of the message card. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be possible for a person skilled in the art to modify the present display apparatus, and the scope of the present invention is therefor only to be limited by the features of the attached patent claims and technical equivalents thereof. Although the invention has been specifically described and claimed with reference to the use on the filler gun of a fuel pump, it will be readily appreciated that the present invention could be used on other types of fluid filler guns, such as typically found at service stations for automobiles, and that such use would also lie within the meaning of technical equivalence.