Display device

Abstract

A display device is disclosed. The display device includes a back panel hinged to a front panel via one or more hinge elements, allowing the front panel to pivot along a first edge between a closed display position and an open position allowing insertion / removal of display items. The front panel has a boundary section and a transparent viewing section, the viewing section being fixed together with the boundary section to form the front panel. Additionally, a latch is included to releasably secure the front panel to the back panel. The latch includes an actuator movable within the back panel and in a direction through the body of the back panel to engage and release the front panel, respectively. The movement of the actuator raises and lowers a retaining element to engage and disengage from a retaining element baffle mounted on the front panel, respectively. The engagement prevents the front panel from pivoting from the closed position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device designed for displaying flat items (such as letters, certificates, magazines, etc.), and particularly allows such items to be displayed, for example, on a wall or independently. Background Technology

[0002] People often want to display typically flat items (such as magazines, letters, etc.) on surfaces like walls. The reasons for displaying these items can vary. For example, certificates recording achievements or events, magazines commemorating specific events or with a particular decorative purpose, letters relating to personal or celebrity relationships, or pleasing artwork to hang in a home or office.

[0003] Frames and display units are known in the art; they hold items flat and have a clear front screen that allows viewing of the item or a portion thereof. The screen also protects the item from damage. Frames and display units are also known to allow items to be inserted or removed to allow close-up viewing or replacement. However, units known in the prior art are not easily adjustable between portrait and landscape orientations, especially when an orientation that keeps the top open is desired. Additionally, different sized frames are typically required in the U.S. and other international markets due to the use of different paper sizes.

[0004] Existing technology units also include components that fasten the frame parts together (e.g., by rivets). For aesthetic purposes, these require the frames to be coated with a covering (such as paint). This increases both production costs and the risk of the covering cracking or wearing out over time. Furthermore, the components of existing technology frames need to be clamped together, making the necessary parts prone to breakage. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention, a display device is provided, the display device comprising a back panel hinged to a front panel via one or more hinge elements, such that the front panel is pivotable along a first edge between a closed display position and an open position allowing insertion / removal of a display item, the front panel having a boundary section and a transparent viewing section fixed together with the boundary section to form the front panel.

[0006] A latch that releasably secures the front panel to the back panel includes an actuator movable within the back panel and in a direction through the body of the back panel to engage and release the front panel, respectively. The movement of the actuator raises and lowers a retaining element to engage and disengage a retaining element baffle mounted on the front panel, respectively. The engagement prevents the front panel from pivoting from the closed position.

[0007] Preferably, the retaining element baffle has an arched member that defines a channel through which the retaining element can pass during engagement and disengagement.

[0008] Optionally, the retaining element has a wedge shape and is pivotally mounted along the wedge end, and operation of the actuator causes the wedge to move about the base of the wedge in the raised position and the pivotally engaged engagement of the arched member, thereby preventing relative movement of the front plate and the rear plate.

[0009] The front panel preferably includes one or more first support elements, and each of the first support elements preferably has an "L"-shaped cross-section. The hinge element can be slidably engaged with (preferably slidably removed from) the first support element to secure the hinge element in place. Where convenient, the front panel also includes support elements with different orientations relative to the front panel to allow the hinge to be attached, and the different orientations of the support elements allow the rear panel to pivot between a closed and open position along different edges. Furthermore, the hinge element preferably has internally inclined surfaces extending along it to guide it into the correct position and maintain it in a push-fit engagement with the support element.

[0010] Optionally, the observation section has walls to define a rectangular area for holding an article. Furthermore, the observation section may optionally include channel elements located on opposing walls, the opposing channel elements cooperating to hold elongated spacers, including spacers that reduce the area where the article is held. Additionally, the spacers may optionally include a ridge along one side to reduce the mass of the spacers required to produce a given area reduction, the ridge keeping the spacers in a spaced relationship with the walls and preventing the spacers from bending.

[0011] Preferably, the hinge element includes a pivot seat capable of engaging with a mounting element located on the back plate, the engagement allowing the hinge and the front plate to pivot relative to the back plate. Furthermore, a stop element preferably prevents pivoting beyond a predetermined angle. Additionally, the pivot seat preferably has a cylindrical outer surface.

[0012] Advantageously, the mounting element includes a cylindrical surface whose curvature is complementary to that of the pivot seat to provide smooth pivoting motion.

[0013] Preferably, the back panel includes one or more resilient supports having article-engaging surfaces for engaging with the surface of the displayed article. The resilient nature allows articles of varying thicknesses to be displayed without altering the supports or each individual support. Furthermore, the article-engaging surfaces are preferably covered with a material or sponge material. Additionally, the resilient supports preferably include an arm and a head arranged at a distance from the back panel, the arm being fixed at one end to the back panel and supported on its free end, and the head engaging with the displayed article.

[0014] Optionally, the latch engages with the back plate via a push-in engagement arrangement, allowing the latch to move between different positions on the back plate, thereby enabling the device to be easily used in different orientations. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely examples (illustrating one embodiment of the device). In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of an open display device that shows items in a vertical orientation;

[0017] Figure 2 It's a perspective view that has had the front frame removed;

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of the display device;

[0019] Figure 4a , Figure 4b The hinge mechanism is shown;

[0020] Figure 5a , Figure 5b The assembly of the hinge is shown; and

[0021] Figure 6 Examples of devices used for displaying items of different sizes are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The display unit shown herein is suitable for wall-mounted display of a series of items (e.g., magazines, letters, etc.) that are relatively thin in one dimension. In its broadest aspect, the display unit provides a support or back panel with a front cover mounted on it. The support or back panel is movable between an open and a closed position. In the open position, items can be inserted into or removed from the display unit; in the closed position, the items are retained within the display unit and can be viewed through the viewing area of ​​the front cover. In the following description, the described embodiments are applicable to the type attached to a wall or the like, but this should not be construed as limiting the invention to this type of device, and it also relates to freestanding devices. The display unit can be optionally mounted to a wall or can be freestanding, such that the unit opens around a hinged mount and along the joint line between the support and the front cover, along their lower edges in use. This reduces the risk of displayed items falling off the device and being damaged. In some embodiments, the display unit allows new items to be simply inserted in front of already displayed items. Additionally, the orientation of the opening can be changed, allowing the unit to be used for items oriented longitudinally or laterally. The display unit is adaptable to hold items of different sizes, thus allowing frames for different markets to be made with the same tools.

[0023] First refer to Figures 1 to 3 These figures illustrate a display device or unit according to the invention, generally designated 10. Unless otherwise stated, the components are generally able to be clamped together when needed. To achieve this, small ratchet pieces with undercut joints can be used. This simplifies production and reduces costs. Additionally, the components are self-colored and do not require additional surface coatings, which again reduces costs. Device 10 has a back plate 11 that can be fixed to a wall or other vertical surface during use. A frame or border 13 / viewing screen 14 assembly is attached to it along an edge 12, referred to as the front plate 15. The function of the frame 13 is primarily to reinforce the viewing screen 14, and secondarily to delineate an area to highlight important parts of the displayed document. For longer edges, the typical size of the device is approximately 30 cm, but this size can be selected to suit the purpose.

[0024] More specifically, the backplate 11 has (see...) Figure 6 Slots 16a and 16b are provided to accommodate fixed parts, thereby securing the device 10 to the surface. Figure 6In the illustrated embodiment, the back panel is provided with two slots 16a, 16b to allow the device 10 to be used with its edges horizontal in a shorter or longer manner, or, if desired, to be secured at a virtually angled position. In an alternative embodiment not shown, an adhesive pad attached to the rear of the back panel may be used to secure the device to the surface. The back panel may also have a cushioning pad attached thereto to cushion the device against a wall. The cushioning pad and the adhesive pad may include through-holes through which screws can pass, preferably located at the center of the pad. For example, screws may be used to more securely secure the device 10 to the wall to prevent theft and / or to prevent movement of the device 10 in the event of accidental impact. Four flexible fingers 17 (see...) Figure 4b Extending from the back panel 11, each of the fingers 17 includes a rod 18, one end of which is fixed to the back panel 11 and the other end of which supports a head 19. The rod 18 is preferably formed of an elastic material that biases the head 19 of the finger 17 toward the screen 14. The head 19 is preferably formed of a soft or sponge material to minimize potential damage to the displayed items in contact with it. The flexible fingers 17 work in conjunction with the inner surface of the viewing screen 14 to stably support the items in the correct orientation, as the items are compressed between the fingers 17 and the screen 14 when the device 10 is closed. The flexibility of the fingers 17 allows items of varying thicknesses to be easily held without altering the device 10. The device 10 can be supplied to the user in which the fingers 17 are located and held within openings 17a of a corresponding shape to minimize the risk of damage before use.

[0025] To secure the viewing screen 14 to the frame 13, an integral lug (not shown) is provided on the screen 14, which engages with a corresponding recess (also not shown) formed in the frame 13. If desired, the lug may be formed in the frame 13 to engage with the recess formed in the screen 14. The lug allows the frame 13 and screen 14 to operate as a front panel unit.

[0026] Since the device 10 is designed to be used for displaying items of different sizes, spacers 9 can be included within the device. Spacers 9 are suitable for, for example, converting the device 10 from one capable of holding pages the size of US letters to one for holding A4-sized items, and vice versa. In use, spacers 9 are held in place by channel elements 20a, 20b formed in the screen 14. Spacers 9 have a plurality of ridges 21 along one side that maintain the spacer in a spaced relationship with the wall portion 22 of the screen 14, but minimize the weight of the spacer for a given thickness. Similarly, if desired, a corresponding pair of channels are provided along a shorter edge adjacent to the wall portion 23 to allow adjustment of the effective longer length of the device to be changed. As shown, the positioning of spacers 9 allows them to remain concealed during use. The purchased device will include two spacers, one positioned along the shorter edge and the other along the longer edge. Inner wall members 24a, 24b are provided to hold items in place.

[0027] The hinge 30 is designed to allow the device 10 to be opened and closed such that the front panel 15 pivots away from the rear panel 11 along a selected common edge (but not engaged). The hinge 30 can be positioned such that the device 10 opens along the shorter edge, and if necessary, the hinge 30 can be removed and replaced to allow hinges along different edges, as different items will be displayed in different orientations.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 30, which may be formed of a plastic material, includes a bracket engagement body 31 for engaging a support member 40 located on and integral with the screen 14 during use. The body 31 is connected via an arm 32 to a pivot seat 33, which has a cylindrical outer surface and includes a cylindrical opening 34 into which an optional pin (not shown) extending from a wall of the back panel 11 engages, thereby allowing the hinge 30 to pivot about it. Optionally or additionally, the pivot seat 33 is held in place and allowed to roll within a pivot cover 35. The pivot cover 35 is secured to the back panel 11 along both edges. When viewed along the free edge 35a, the pivot cover 35 has a curved profile that approximately matches the curvature of the pivot seat 33, which facilitates pivoting action and prevents unwanted movement of the hinge 30 away from the back panel 11. A stop element (not shown) prevents pivoting between the back panel and the front panel beyond a predetermined angle.

[0029] Reference Figure 4b The support member 40 has an "L"-shaped cross-section and is fixed to the screen along the short side of the "L". Correspondingly, the body 31 of the hinge 30 is hollow, and the base 41 has an opening 42, the size of which allows the support member 40 to pass through. Additionally, see also... Figure 5aThe main body 31 has a slope 36 that slopes upward away from the pivot 33 and extends partially through the main body 31. Figure 5a As can be seen, the inclined surface 36 widens away from the pivot seat 33, causing the elongated gap 37 to gradually narrow. The shelf 38 extends into the body 31 with a vertical spacing relative to the inclined surface 36.

[0030] Therefore, in order to secure the hinge 30 to the screen 14, the body 31 of the hinge 30 slides on the support 40, which enters the end of the body 31 closest to the pivot 233 and slides along the ramp 36. As the support 40 slides into the body 31, it gradually engages the ramp 36 with the shelf 38 to firmly hold the body 31 in place.

[0031] Turning now to the closing mechanism, which consists of two main parts: a closing member 51 that engages with the latch 61. The closing member 51 is preferably detachably mounted to the back plate 11. The back plate 11 has a closing member receiving groove 53, with channels 54 in the two side walls of the groove 53. The closing member 51 has corresponding mounting edges 55, which have upper and lower surfaces that engage with the walls of the channels 54 to allow the closing member 51 to be assembled by a push-in fit.

[0032] The closure member 51 also has a pressable button 56, which has a lever 57 and a crossbar 58, allowing the user to push the button 56 down from its standard position to a pressed position, in which the crossbar 58 is flush with the upper edge of the back plate 11. The button 56 is coupled to a wedge 59 such that pressing the button 56 causes the wedge 59 to have its inclined surface 60 parallel to the upper edge of the back plate 11. When the button 56 is biased to the standard position, the release of pressure on the button 56 causes the button 56 to rise, and the wedge 59 to pivot about its wedge end 59a, thereby bringing the inclined surface 60 to its normal inclined orientation.

[0033] Actuation of the closing member 51 closes the device 10 by engaging the wedge 59 with a latch 61 on the screen 14. The latch 61 has a channel 62 to receive the wedge 59 and mounting edge 55 of the closing member 51. Along the middle of the channel 62, an arch 63 forms an opening 64 through which the wedge 59 and mounting edge 55 pass during opening and closing, the wedge 59 lying flat due to pressure on the button 56. Once the wedge 59 has passed through the opening, pressure is released from the button 56, the button 56 returns to its standard position, and the wedge 59 pivots to an inclined position. In this position, the base 59b of the wedge 59 holds the front plate 15 to the rear plate 11, engaging the arch 63 instead of the bottom, which is too high to pass through the channel 62. Thus, the item to be displayed is held in a position visible through the screen 14.

[0034] Additionally, screen 14 has two more hinge supports along its short side. Furthermore, screen 14 also has latches along one of its longer edges. These allow the device 10 to be switched to display items in both horizontal and vertical orientations without requiring additional devices. Moreover, the device 10 remains open along its bottom edge in use when turned to the desired orientation, with the top of the front panel curved downwards away from the rear panel, thus maintaining support for the contained items even when open. This provides the user with flexibility in displaying items.

[0035] Hinge 30 can be removed from the support along one edge and fixed along the other edge.

[0036] Therefore, in use, the user selects the desired orientation of the device. The frame is secured to the viewing screen using lugs and complementary recesses. The hinges slide onto the hinge supports on the screen via a push-in engagement. Any required clearances are correctly positioned. Closing members are fitted into corresponding recesses in the back plate 11. The back plate is secured to a wall or other surface using slots 16a, 16b. Alternatively, this step can be omitted if the device is self-supporting. The screen then slides relative to the back plate of the frame (front plate) assembly into position such that the hinge pivot seats are located below and partially surrounded by the pivot covers on the back plate. The device thus formed is ready to receive items to be displayed.

[0037] The item is positioned within wall members 24a, 24b. The front panel then pivots about a hinge, causing its top edge to move in a generally upward arc toward the top edge of the rear panel until the latch engages the channel. This pivoting action secures the item between the screen and the flexible finger 17. When the device is closed, the ramp engaging with the arched member is pressed against the ramp, and a button allows the wedge to pass through the channel. Once the wedge has passed through the channel, the button and the biasing force on the wedge lifts it to an inclined position. To open the device, the button is pressed, causing the ramp of the wedge to align with the upper edge of the back panel. This causes the front panel to pivot forward away from the rear panel, allowing the item to be removed.

Claims

1. A display device (10) comprising a back panel (11) hingedly mounted to a front panel (15) via one or more hinge elements (30), such that the front panel (15) is pivotable along a first edge between a closed display position and an open position allowing insertion / removal of a display item, the front panel (15) having a boundary section (13) and a transparent viewing section (14) fixed together with the boundary section (13) to form the front panel (15). A latch (61) releasably secures the front plate (15) to the back plate (11). The latch (61) includes an actuator (51) movable within the back plate (11) and in a direction through the body of the back plate (11) to engage and disengage the front plate (15), respectively. The movement of the actuator (51) raises and lowers a retaining element (59) to engage and disengage a retaining element (59) baffle mounted on the front plate (15), respectively. The engagement prevents the front plate (15) from pivoting from the closed position. The retaining element has a wedge shape and is pivotally mounted along the wedge end. Operation of the actuator causes the wedge to move about the base of the wedge in the raised position and the pivotally engaged engagement of the arched part of the retaining element baffle, thereby preventing relative movement of the front plate and the back plate. The observation section has walls to define a rectangular area for holding an article; the observation section includes channel elements (20a) located on opposite walls, the opposite channel elements cooperating to fix an elongated spacer (9), the spacer reducing the area where the article is held; the spacer includes a ridge (21) along one side to reduce the required mass of the spacer while reducing the area where the article is held, the ridge keeping the spacer in a spaced relationship with the walls and preventing the spacer from bending.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the arched member (63) defines the channel (62), and the retaining element is able to pass through the channel when engaging and disengaging.

3. The display device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel includes one or more first support elements.

4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the first support element or each first support element (40) has an "L" shaped cross section, and the hinge element (30) is slidably engaged with the first support element or each first support element to fix the hinge element or each hinge element in place.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the hinge element (30) is movably slidably engaged.

6. The display device of claim 3, wherein the front panel further comprises a support element having a different orientation relative to the front panel so that the hinge can be attached and operated in different orientations.

7. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the hinge element or each hinge element has internally inclined surfaces (36) extending along the hinge element or each hinge element to guide the hinge element or each hinge element to the correct position and keep the hinge element or each hinge element in a push-fit engagement state with the support element.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the hinge element includes a pivot seat (33) capable of engaging with a mounting element located on the back plate, the engagement enabling the hinge and the front plate to pivot relative to the back plate.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the hinge element includes a stop element to prevent pivoting beyond a preset angle.

10. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the pivot seat has a cylindrical outer surface.

11. The display device of claim 8, wherein the mounting element includes a cylindrical surface whose curvature is complementary to that of the pivot seat.

12. The display device of claim 1, wherein the back panel includes one or more resilient supports having an article engagement surface for engaging the surface of the displayed article.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein the article-joining surface is covered with a material or a sponge material.

14. The display device of claim 12, wherein the elastic support comprises an arm and a head arranged at a distance from the back panel, the arm being fixed at one end to the back panel and supported on the free end of the arm, and the head engaging with the displayed item.

15. The display device of claim 1, wherein the latch engages with the back panel via a push-in engagement arrangement such that the latch is movable between different positions on the back panel.

Images