Patent Publication Number: US-8984784-B2

Title: Image display apparatus

Description:
The present invention relates to image display apparatus and more specifically to improved apparatus for mounting an image for display purposes and also for preventing the copying of a displayed image. 
     It is commonplace to mark important events in the lives of friends and relatives by having a professional photographer record these events on film or digitally. This film is subsequently developed in a laboratory, or by the photographer, and appropriate prints are chosen for mounting in a framing arrangement in order that they may be put on display. Such a framing arrangement can be seen in  FIGS. 1(   a ) and ( b ) where the constituent parts of the framing arrangement are shown. Such framing arrangements have become the standard method of securing a photograph for displaying. 
     Traditionally, there are two methods of framing images. Firstly, a frame goes over the outer edge of the image and the image is framed by the inner edge of the frame. Secondly, the frame is provided with additional elements such as a mounting sheet and glass. 
       FIGS. 1(   a ) and  1 ( b ) show an example of a prior art image framing arrangement A.  FIG. 1(   a ) is a cross sectional side view of the arrangement and shows a frame B with a flange C. An image D and mounting sheet E are held between a glass piece F and backing panel G, the backing G being held in place with clips H at the bottom and by the flange C of the frame B at the top; in addition, all items except the image abut against the side of the frame B below and perpendicular to the flange C. The image is secured to the mounting sheet E with adhesive and the inner perimeter of the mounting sheet E defines an image area I where the image is viewable. Frames of this type require the image to be rear mounted which involves much skill in properly aligning the image and ensuring that the final product is dust free. Additionally, they can be easily disassembled and the image may be removed and illegally copied. 
     UK Patent GB 2424832B describes an image display apparatus which includes a frame and a support member having a raised portion upon which an image, such as a photograph, can be mounted. Securing means are provided for securing the frame to the support member such that the frame surrounds the raised portion. The area of the raised portion may be smaller than the inner area of the frame to provide a gap between the frame and the raised portion, to give the impression of the image floating in the frame. The image may be secured to the raised portion by an adhesive layer to prevent removal for copying. A method for front mounting an image in a frame is also disclosed. 
     This prior art image display apparatus had advantages over the traditional frame of  FIG. 1  by providing a front loading picture frame in which it was easier to centre the image; created a shadow gap between the frame and image to make the image appear to be floating, and aided in preventing copying as the image was secured in the frame. 
     However, the image display apparatus has a major disadvantage. As shown in  FIG. 1 , traditional framing includes a mounting sheet which overlies the edges of the picture being framed to provide a decorative edging within the framing apparatus. This mounting sheet is typically card of a single colour, with the colour being selected to accentuate a colour within the image itself. Such an enhancement to the image is not available in the prior art apparatus of GB 2424832B. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an image display apparatus which provides the benefits of the image display apparatus of GB 2424832B with the image enhancement of a traditional mounting sheet. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an image display apparatus, the apparatus comprising a backing panel; one or more first raised portions located upon the panel, each first raised portion having an upper surface upon which is secured an image for display, the image extending to at least an edge of the first raised portion; one or more second raised portions located upon the panel, each second raised portion having an upper surface upon which is secured a mounting panel, each mounting panel having at least one inner edge arranged to surround a perimeter of each first raised portion such that each image is located within and spaced apart from a mounting panel to create a channel therebetween; and the backing panel extends beyond an outer edge of the mounting panel. 
     In this way, the mounting panel will accentuate the image, while the image and the mounting panel both appear to be floating as a result of the shadow gap created by the channel between them and the apparent depth created between the outer edge of the mounting panel and the backing panel. The image display apparatus also has the advantages of being front loaded, without glass, so that the image(s) and mounting panel(s) can be positioned easily and, as the images are secured to the raised portions, aids in preventing illegal copying. Yet further, the channel removes the requirement for the inner edge of the mounting panel to be cut to a close tolerance to meet the outer edge of the image, which is generally highly impractical to achieve. 
     Preferably, each mounting panel is formed of a rigid durable material. In this way, the apparatus is robust. If traditional card were used, this would degrade quickly as there is no glass cover present to provide protection. 
     Preferably, each mounting panel is formed from a sheet of plastic such as Perspex®. Plastics and solid resins are easy to cut and handle while being rigid. Their edges can also be polished to provide an aesthetic, clean appearance. 
     Optionally, each mounting panel may be formed from a sheet of metal such as aluminium. Sheet metal is easy to cut and handle while being rigid. Their edges can also be polished to provide an aesthetic, clean appearance. 
     Advantageously, each mounting panel is formed of at least a partially reflective material. The present applicants have discovered that a reflective surface further enhances the image without the distracting effect of the prior art in having reflective glass over the image. 
     Preferably each image is arranged to overhang the edge of the first raised portion. This increases the apparent floating effect. Preferably each mounting panel is arranged to overhang the second raised portion. This further increases the apparent floating effect. 
     Preferably, the backing panel is formed of a rigid durable material. In this way, the apparatus is robust and can be used without a frame. A purchaser can choose to mount the apparatus in a frame of their choosing. Optionally, the apparatus includes a frame, the frame being secured to the backing panel and sized to provide a channel between the outer edge of the mounting panel and an inner edge of the frame. The channel provides a shadow gap to maintain the floating effect. Yet further, the channel removes the exacting and in common practice, highly impractical requirement, for the inner edge of the mounting panel to be cut to a close level of tolerance to meet the outer edge of the frame. Thus reducing costs and simplifying assembly. 
     Preferably, the backing panel is formed from a sheet of plastic such as Perspex®. Plastics and solid resins are easy to cut and handle while being rigid. Their edges can also be polished to provide an aesthetic, clean appearance. 
     Optionally, the backing panel may be formed from a sheet of metal such as aluminium. Sheet metal is easy to cut and handle while being rigid. Their edges can also be polished to provide an aesthetic, clean appearance. 
     Advantageously, the backing panel is formed of at least a partially reflective material. The present applicants have discovered that a reflective backing panel further accentuates the floating effect of the image and mounting panel by increasing the apparent depth of the channel. 
     Preferably, the apparatus includes one or more light emitting devices located within the channel. The devices may be light bulbs, fluorescent bands or LEDs. In this way, a background light is created in the channel which highlights the shadow gap. 
    
    
     
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a prior art image display apparatus with  FIG. 1(   a ) being a cross sectional view and  FIG. 1(   b ) being a perspective view; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an image display apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention with  FIG. 2(   a ) being a cross sectional view and  FIG. 2(   b ) being a perspective view; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of an image display apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention with  FIG. 3(   a ) being a cross sectional view and  FIG. 3(   b ) being a perspective view; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of an image display apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention with  FIG. 4(   a ) being a cross sectional view and  FIG. 4(   b ) being a perspective view; and 
         FIGS. 5(   a )-( c ) are illustrations of further embodiments of the present invention, viewed from the front. 
     
    
    
     Reference is initially made to  FIGS. 2(   a ) and ( b ) of the drawings which illustrates an image display apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral  10 , having a backing panel  12 , a first raised portion  14 , a second raised portion  16 , a mounting panel  18  and an image  20  for display, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Image  20  is a photograph or other work of art which requires to be displayed. The image  20  is located upon a platform  14 . In this embodiment the platform  14  has a length and breadth which matches that of the image  20 . It is then simple to locate the image  20  upon the upper surface  24  of the platform  14 . Typically there will be an adhesive layer on the surface  24  which is exposed before the image  20  is affixed thereon. Once affixed the image  20  cannot be removed for copying purposes. 
     Beneficially the image  20  is effectively ‘front loaded’ as the apparatus  10  faces the user to mount the image  20 . 
     The platform  14  is a raised section, in this embodiment it is substantially square, but it may be of any two dimensional shape, such as rectangular, circular or oval. The platform  14  is affixed to a backing substrate  22  which is a large flat panel, typically of similar shape to the platform  14 . The platform  14  is a box affixed to the substrate  22 , or may be integral with the substrate  22 , to provide an upper surface  44  which sit&#39;s proud and away from the surface  23  of the substrate  22 . 
     The substrate  22  is made of a rigid durable material. This is distinct from the card and cardboard traditionally used, as these materials would degrade quickly as they are exposed in use and do not have the traditionally glass cover to protect them. The substrate  22  is cut from a sheet of Perspex®. Perspex® is a rigid plastics material which in 2-3 mm thicknesses provides a substantial ruggedness while still being able to be cut using simple cutting tools such as saws. Once cut the Perspex® edges can be smoothed and polished. Alternatively the substrate  22  may be formed from a metal sheet, such as aluminium. This also provides a highly rugged and durable backing to support the other components of the apparatus  10 . The use of Perspex® allows the surface  23  of the substrate  22  to have a colour selected by the user. The surface  23  may also be polished to provide a partially reflective surface  23 . Use of a polished metal gives a mirrored surface  23  which is highly reflective. 
     Located around the first platform  14 , is a second platform  16 . Platform  16  is substantially ring-shaped or annular to surround the first platform  14 . It has an inner edge  24  and an outer edge  25 . The second platform  16  is also of a box like construction to provide an upper surface  27  raised above the upper surface  23  of the substrate  22 . The second platform  16  is affixed to the substrate  22  or may be made integral with the substrate  22 . A mounting panel  18  is located upon the upper surface  27  of the second platform  16 . The mounting panel  18  is preferably cut to match the surface  27 . 
     The mounting panel  18  is made of a rigid durable material. This is distinct from the paper and card traditionally used, as these materials would degrade quickly as they are exposed in use and do not have the traditionally glass cover to protect them. The mounting panel  16  is cut from a sheet of Perspex®. Perspex® is a rigid plastics material which in 2-3 mm thicknesses provides a substantial ruggedness while still being able to be cut using simple cutting tools such as saws. Once cut the Perspex® edges can be smoothed and polished. Alternatively the mounting panel  18  may be formed from a metal sheet, such as aluminium. This also provides a highly rugged and durable surface  29 . The use of Perspex® allows the surface  29  of the mounting panel  18  to have a colour selected by the user. The surface  29  may also be polished to provide a partially reflective surface  29 . Use of a polished metal gives a mirrored surface  29  which is highly reflective. 
     The inner edge  24  of the mounting panel  18  and the platform  16  follows the perimeter of the image  20  and the first platform  14  to entirely enclose the first platform  14 . The shape of the inner edge  24  substantially matches the shape of an outer edge  26  of the image  20  and the first platform  14 . However the edges  24 ,  26  do not meet and a space or gap  30  is left there between. Ideally the gap  30  is of uniform width. A base  31  of the gap  30  exposes the surface  23  of the substrate  22 . 
     In a preferred embodiment the upper surface of the image  20  and the surface  29  of the mounting panel  18  are arranged to project from the surface  23  of the substrate  22  by the same distance. This provides a uniform projected surface to the apparatus  10 . The gap  30  gives the effect that the image  20  is floating. Additionally the mounting panel  18  will appear to float but also appear distinct from the image  20  so as to aesthetically enhance and frame the image  20 . By choosing a colour for the panel  18  based on the colours in the image  20 , the image  20  is further enhanced in the same fashion as would be provided by a mounting panel in a traditional picture frame. 
     The floating appearance of the panel  18  is further enhanced by the spacing between the outer edge  25  of the panel  18  and the outer edge  31  of the substrate  22 . By exposing a perimeter of the substrate surface  23  around the panel  18 , this acts to frame the panel  18  and due to the difference in heights, as the panel rests on the platform  16 , the depth creates an impression that the panel  18  is floating. The floating effect can be enhanced if the substrate surface  23  is reflective or mirrored. 
     The substrate  22  acts as a backing panel to support the component parts of the apparatus  10 . As the substrate  22  is rigid and durable, the apparatus  10  can be directly mounted on a wall. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3(   a ) and  3 ( b ) of the drawings which illustrate an image display apparatus, generally indicated by reference numeral  110 , having a backing panel  112 , a first raised portion  114 , a second raised portion  116 , a mounting panel  118  and an image  120  for display, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Like parts to those of the apparatus  10  in  FIG. 2  have been given the same reference numeral with the addition of 100 to aid clarity. 
     Apparatus  110  closely resembles apparatus  10  except in that the raised portions or platforms  114 ,  116  do not extend to meet the edges of the image  120  and the mounting panel  118  respectively. Thus the outer edge  124  of the image  120  now overhangs the surface  144  of the platform  114 . Similarly both the inner edge  126  and the outer edge  125  of the panel  118  overhang the upper surface  127  of the second platform  116 . This arrangement increases the width of the gap  130  and provides an increased sense that the image  120  and the mounting panel  118  are floating. By making the panel  118  of a rigid durable material the overhanging portions are less likely to be damaged. To provide a similar rigidity to the image  120 , a supporting panel  40  can be located between the image  120  and the platform  114 , the panel  40  being sized to match the area of the image  120  so that it is fully supported across its surface. The panel  40  preferably has a thickness not greater than the mounting panel  18 , so as not to spoil the floating effect. As an example, the mounting panel  18  may have a thickness of 1 to 3 mm and the platforms  114 , 116  may have a thickness of 10 to 15 mm. 
     Apparatus  110  also includes lights  48 . Lights  48  are provided as a row of LEDs, located in the raised portion  114  and directed into the gap  130 . These enhance the effect of the image  120  and mounting panel  118  floating by increasing the apparent distance between the image  120  and the backing panel  122 . While the lights  48  are shown as LEDs, they may be any light emitting devices. Additionally, while the lights  48  are shown located on the side panel of the raised portion  114 , they could be mounted on the opposite side panel of the raised platform  116 , mounted on or in the substrate  122  or even mounted under the overhang of the image  120  or mounting panel  118 . Similarly lights may be located on the opposite side of the raised portion  116 , to enhance the floating effect at the perimeter  125  of the mounting panel  118 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ) of the drawings which illustrate the image display apparatus  110  of  FIGS. 3(   a ) and ( b ) with the inclusion of a frame  50 . Like parts to those of the apparatus  110  in  FIG. 3  have been given the same reference numeral to aid clarity. Frame  50  is as known in the art and as substantially illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In cross-section, the top bottom and sides of the frame  50  are provided by a moulding having a substantially rectangular form. In the embodiment described, the height of the moulding decreases from the outer edge of the moulding to the inner edge although this may be altered to alter the appearance of the frame  50 . 
     The frame  50  is sized and arranged such that the upper surface  123  of the backing substrate  122  abuts a lower surface  52  of the frame  50 . Additionally, an outer edge  131  of the substrate  122  also reaches an inner edge  154  of the frame  50 . These edges need not match exactly as a clip  56  is attached, in a known manner, at intervals around the frame  50  to hold the substrate  122  to the frame  50 . 
     In selecting the frame  50 , the perimeter described by an innermost edge  58  is selected to be greater than a perimeter of the outer edge  125  of the mounting panel  118 . This difference creates a gap  60  between the mounting panel  118  and the frame  50  which exposes the surface  123  of the substrate  122 . Gaps  130 ,  60  may be referred to as a double shadow gap, which together help accentuate the apparent floating nature of the mounting panel  118  and the image  120 . The presence of the gap  60  also allows for variable sizes of frame  50  to be used as a tight tolerance is not required between the frame  50  and the mounting panel  118 . In an embodiment the heights of the panel  118  and the image  120  match the ‘sight edge’  62  of the frame. This arrangement  110 , provides a framed image in which the image and mounting panel give the illusion of floating within the frame. 
     As there is no glass in the apparatus  110 , the substrate  122  can be fixed in the frame  50  before the image  120  and/or mounting panel  118  are located by front loading the frame  50 . Alternatively the apparatus  110  can be entirely assembled and then the frame  50  is dropped over the substrate  122  and affixed in place. This ability to ‘front load’ the frame  50  assists in positioning the mounting panel  118  equidistantly from the edge  58  of the frame  50  on the respective sides. 
     Various numbers of images  20 , 120  and mounting panels  18 ,  118  can be used upon a backing panel  22 ,  122 . Illustrations of example embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 5(   a )-( c ). Like parts to those of  FIG. 2  have been given the same reference numeral with the addition of 200, to aid clarity. 
     In each embodiment,  210   a,b,c  each image  220  is enclosed by a mounting panel  218  to provide a gap  230  there between. In this way, all the images  220  have the illusion of floating. Additionally, each mounting panel  218 , is surrounded by an exposed section of the substrate  222 , to provide depth around the panels  218  and also give the appearance that the panels  218  are floating also. 
     In  FIG. 5(   a ) three images  220   a - c  are displayed in a linear arrangement with a common mounting panel  218 . In  FIG. 5(   b ) two images  220   a,b  are displayed, each having a mounting panel  218   a,b  arranged to frame and accentuate each image. In this arrangement a larger portion of the surface of the back panel  222  is viewed. In  FIG. 5(   c ) four images  220   a - d  are displayed. In this arrangement, two of the images  220   a,b  have their own mounting panels  218   a,b  while the two other images  220   c,d  share a mounting panel  218   c . The Figures illustrate that there may be a smaller number of mounting panels  218  than images  220 , as each panel can have a number of apertures located therein for the positioning of the first platform  214  and the image  220 . 
     Contemporary portrait photography places the subjects(s) on a white background. If these images are mounted on the apparatus of the present invention, they can be enhanced by choosing a white or black Perspex® mounting panel with a contrasting surface to the backing substrate. A polished metal surface to the backing panel works exceptionally well at providing a shadow gap between the images and the panel. 
     The principal advantages of the present invention are that it provides an image display apparatus which can be front loaded, prevents the image being removed and copied, and provides the illusion of the image appearing to float while being enhanced by a coloured mounting panel, which itself appears to float. 
     A further advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention is that it provides an image display apparatus which does not require a frame for presentation, but a frame may be used if so desired. 
     A yet further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an image display apparatus which uses new materials in the form of plastics and metals which provide a rugged apparatus that does not require a glass cover to protect the contents. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the invention herein described without departing from the scope thereof. For example, while it is assumed that the mounting panel is of a uniform colour, the panel may be of a selection of colours and/or have a surface which is textured. 
     Additionally, while the image is shown as a photograph or drawing, any 2-D or 3D image could be used with the apparatus, particularly as a glass cover is not required. Also, the shapes of the edges of the image(s) and the mounting panel(s) need not be square, rectangular, oval or circular, but may equally be of a free form as long as a shadow gap is left between the image and the mounting panel, and an exposed area of the surface of the substrate is left around the mounting panel.