A modular display system

Abstract

A modular display system for constructing display units of different sizes comprises at least one visual display unit (36, 37; Fig. 9) and at least one facing panel (6, 7, 38-42; Fig. 9) mounted to a

Description

The present invention relates to a modular display system for constructing display units of the type having a display panel, which may be any form of visual 5 display unit, and a number of facing panels, normally bordering the display panel. The facing panels are typically provided to hide cabling and peripheral components associated with the display panel, with the display panel and one or more facing panels being bordered by a peripheral frame to provide a particularly aesthetically pleasing look to the display unit. 10 With display units of the above type, it is known to provide a range of similar display units, varying only in size, so that a customer may select a display of a size appropriate to their requirements. Examples of such known display units are to be found in UK Patent Application Publication Number GB 2549990 Al, with Figure 1 C\| 15 (prior art) of the present application illustrating a section of the support frame and £\J peripheral frame of a display unit disclosed in that application. 1— 01) As illustrated in the attached Figure 1, known display units of the type to 1 which the present invention generally relates, are typically constructed by first 20 forming a support frame from a number of straight lengths 1,2 of material, each cut to a required length and fastened together to provide a support frame to which components 5, 6 of a peripheral frame are then attached. Each support frame is dimensioned to both provide a display unit having desired overall outer dimensions and to support desired components of the display unit, such as one or more display 25 panels, one or more speakers, cameras, microphones and ancillary equipment, or containers for ancillary equipment. Thus, each display unit of a range of similar display units of different sizes has a custom built support frame designed specifically for the display unit it is to form a part of. 30 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular display system for constructing display units of different sizes using a plurality of common components, the modular display system including a display unit constructed from the modular display system components, the display unit comprising: at least one display panel; at least one facing panel; a peripheral frame extending at least part way around a peripheral edge of the display unit to form at least a top edge and two side edges of the display unit; and a support 5 frame, wherein: the at least one display panel and the at least one facing panel define at least part of a front face of the display unit; the peripheral frame comprises one or more straight sections of material forming at least the top edge of the display unit, the length or lengths of the straight section or sections being dependent on the width of 10 the display unit; the support comprises a plurality of subframes and a plurality of first joining members for joining adjacent subframes together in the width direction to form the support frame of the display unit; the support frame comprises a lefthand subframe and a righthand subframe which subframes are separated from each other in a width direction of the display unit, directly or indirectly, by the joining C\| 15 members, so that the positioning of the joining members on at least one subframe £\J may be used to adjust the width of the support frame, enabling the support frame '1” to be used as the support frame for display units of different widths. 1 A modular display system in accordance with the present invention permits 20 display units of different widths to be constructed from common components, with each display unit comprising a support frame constructed from two or more subframes, including a lefthand subframe and righthand subframe separated by the joining members. The joining members may thus be positioned relative to at least one of the subframes in dependence on the width of the final display unit, 25 permitting the left and righthand subframes and associated joining members to be used to construct display units having different widths. Preferably, the lefthand and righthand subframes are interchangeable with each other, permitting a single subframe type to be used as either a lefthand or 30 righthand subframe. Preferably, the support frame of the display unit comprises two or more first joining members directly or indirectly joining together the left and righthand subframes, each first joining member being telescopically joined to at least one of the lefthand or righthand subframes, so that the width of the support frame may be adjusted in the width direction of the display unit. Each joining member being telescopically joined to at least one of the lefthand or righthand subframes, may permit the first joining members to be accommodated within that subframe, permitting each first joining members to extend a significant distance within the subframe. This may provide a large region of overlap, permitting adjacent subframes to be rigidly anchored together. The first joining members being telescopically joined to at least one of the subframes may also permit the “excess” length of the first joining members to be accommodate within the subframes when the subframes are positioned closely together. Another advantage of the first joining members being telescopically joined to at least one of the lefthand or righthand subframes is that it may permit an infinite variation in the spacing between the two adjacent subframes, or where locking pins or similar are provided, to lock the first joining members to one of the subframes, then this may enable the subframes to be separated by one of a set number of distances, depending on the positioning of the locking means. The modular display system may comprise at least two intermediate subframes, to be positioned between the lefthand and right hand subframes, with each adjacent pair of subframes being joined by at least two first joining members. The provision of intermediate subframes between the left and righthand subframes enables the support frames to be significantly expanded in a width direction and display units to be constructed from the subframes which have very great differences in widths, with the largest display unit in a range of display units possibly being an integer number of times wider than the smallest display unit in the range. Preferably, each subframe is the same, except in that the lefthand and righthand subframes may be provided with additional brackets for engaging with the peripheral frame. In this way, support frames of display units having different widths may be constructed from a number of identical subframes, greatly assisting a manufacturer or distributor, by permitting them to stock a large number of standard subframes which can then be quickly assembled to provide support frames having the required dimensions to construct displays of varying sizes. Preferably, at least some of the first joining members of the display unit have a dogleg in them, so that adjacent subframes are angled relative to each other to provide a display unit with sections that are angled relative to each other. In this manner, two sections may be angled relative to each other or three or more sections may be angled relative to each other to provide a curved display unit. Preferably, each adjacent pair of subframes may be joined together by at least two first joining members, with each first joining member telescopically connected to both adjacent subframes. With each first joining member telescopically connected to both adjacent subframes, there is provided a greater potential range of extension than if the first joining members are telescopically connected to only one subframe. In addition, this provides greater flexibility with it being possible for the subframes to be identical with the joining members telescopically inserted as appropriate, depending on the position of a particular subframe within the support frame of a display unit. Advantageously, each subframe is tubular and generally has the shape of a squared off figure 6, having three horizontal spaced apart horizontal members and three vertical members; each of the three horizontal members of each subframe being open at least at one end and arranged to telescopically receive one end of a respective first joining member; the display unit constructed from the modular display system comprises at least two squared off figure 6 shaped subframes facing each other and connected by three first joining members to provide the support frame, or a section of a support frame, having two lower generally square open sections bridged together by the lower two first joining members and a larger upper rectangular open section, extending substantially the width of the pair of subframes, bounded by upper sections of the adjacent subframes and the two 5 upper joining members joining the subframes together, the upper rectangular open section being arranged to receive the display panel. Subframes having the above mentioned structure are particularly strong, having two upright portions at the bottom, forming a square with the lower two 10 horizontal components. In addition, the single upright to one side of the upper portion of each subframe, permits inwardly facing adjacent subframes to define a relatively large aperture within the upper portion of the support frame, suited to receiving a display panel. Multiple pairs of subframes, so arranged, may be used to house a linear array of display panels within a single display unit. 15 Advantageously, each subframe comprises an upper component and a lower component which components can be telescopically separated from each other in a vertical direction of the display unit, to adjust the height of the support frame. In the above manner, not only may a support frame be extended in the 20 width direction, but it may also be extended in the height direction, permitting both the width and height of the display unit to be varied. Advantageously, the peripheral frame of the display unit comprises at least two straight extruded sections of material and at least one corner piece joining the 25 two straight extruded sections together to form two edges and an adjoining corner of the display unit, wherein the length of each straight extruded section is matched to the size of the display unit and wherein each straight extruded section is attached to the support frame of the display unit. In this manner, the peripheral frame may be constructed from an appropriate number of corner pieces and 30 intervening straight extruded sections, wherein the size of the peripheral frame can be varied to match the support frame simply by cutting the straight extruded sections to the required length. Advantageously, each straight extruded section of the display unit has at least one longitudinally extending channel formed in an inward facing surface, for receiving fasteners at different positions along the channel, which fasteners attach the peripheral frame to the support frame. In this manner, standard fittings on each subframe can be correctly aligned with an attachment point on a straight extruded section forming the top edge of the peripheral frame, irrespective of the width of the display unit and the number of subframes forming the support frame. Preferably, each straight extruded section has a plurality of longitudinally extending channels formed in an inward facing surface, with fasteners positioned in a selected one of the channels. By providing a plurality of longitudinally extending channels fasteners can be positioned in a selected one of the channels, providing fixings for components of the display unit which may vary in position in the depth direction of the frame, while also providing an infinite number of potential fixing positions in the longitudinal direction. One or more brackets to support a facing panel may be fastened by at least one fastener to at least one longitudinally extending channel,. In this way, the facing panels may be anchored directly to the peripheral frame, instead of the support frame, permitting them to be precisely aligned with the peripheral frame. Each bracket may magnetically engage with at least one facing panel to retain the facing panel in place. This enables the facing panels to be correctly positioned and secured in place from the front of the display unit, without the fixings being visible, and also permits a person in front of the display to subsequently remove the facing panels. Advantageously, at least one facing panel of a display unit includes one of a speaker, microphone or camera of that display unit. Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of support frame and peripheral frame of a known prior art display unit; 5 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a display unit of a modular display system in accordance with the present invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a support frame of a modular display system in accordance with the present invention, arranged for use in the display unit of Figure 2; 10 Figure 4 is a front elevation of the support frame of Figure 3; Figure 5 corresponds to Figure 3, but shows the support frame in an expanded state; Figure 6 is a front elevation of the support frame of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a display unit incorporating the support 15 frame in the expanded state, as shown in Figures 5 and 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the support frame of Figures 3 to 6 incorporating two additional subframes; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a display unit of a modular display system in accordance with the present invention, incorporating the support frame of Figure 20 8 and two display panels; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the support frame of Figures 3 to 6 with four additional subframes and a number of first joining pieces to provide a nonlinear support frame; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a display unit of a modular display system 25 in accordance with the present invention, incorporating the support frame of Figure 10 and three display panels; Figure 12 is a front elevation of a support frame similar to that illustrated in Figures 8; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the support frame of Figures 12; 30 Figure 14 is a perspective view of the support frame of Figures 13, but with a peripheral frame attached thereto; and Figure 15 illustrates how a facing panel may be attached to a peripheral frame of the display units of any of Figures 2, 7, 9, 11 or 13. Referring now to Figure 1, this shows a section of support frame and a 5 section of a peripheral frame of a known display unit, as discussed above. Referring now to Figure 2, a display unit of a modular display system is indicated generally as 2. The display unit comprising a base 3, a peripheral frame 4, a display panel 5, a lefthand lower facing panel 6, a righthand lower facing panel 10 7 and an upper facing panel 8. The upper facing panel 8 has mounted in it two speakers 9, a camera 10 and a microphone 11. The peripheral frame 4 is described below in more detail with reference to Figure 12, but as seen in Figure 2 this comprises four corner pieces 4Ato 4D with the upper corner pieces 4Aand 4B joined by straight extruded section 4E, with the lower corner pieces 4C and 4D C\| 15 joined by a lower extruded section 4F and with the corner pieces to each side £\J joined by a respective straight extruded sections 4G and 4H, which are identical to each other. Each of the straight extruded sections has the same profile and may 01) be formed by cutting an appropriate length from a longer length of straight extruded 1 section, with the length of the cut lengths being determined by the size of the 20 display unit. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, these show a support frame, indicated generally as 12, of the first display unit 2 of Figure 2. The support frame 12 comprises a lefthand subframe indicated as 12Aand righthand subframe indicated 25 as 12B. These are identical to each other and are joined by three first joining members 13A, 13B and 13C, each in the form of a section of metal tube having a rectangular profile slightly smaller than the rectangular profile of the sections of the subframes 12A, 12B which they engage with. Each first joining member 13Ato 13C has a plurality of sprung loaded pins which engages with holes 14 in the 30 subframes 12A, 12B, such that the separation of the subframes in the width direction may be varied. Each subframe 12A, 12B comprises an upper horizontal tubular section 15, a middle horizontal tubular section 16 and a lower horizontal tubular section 17. The middle and lower tubular sections 16 and 17 are spaced apart by two lower upright tubular sections 18 and 19. The middle and upper horizontal tubular sections 16 and 15 are separated by a telescopic upper upright tubular section 20. This comprises a first portion 21 fixed to and extending upwardly from an outward end of the middle horizontal tubular section 16 and a second portion 22 fixed to and extending downwardly from an outer end of the upper horizontal tubular section 15, with the first portion 22 being telescopically slidable within the second portion 20 and retained in place by a pin (not shown). Extending upwardly from the upper horizontal tubular section15 is a telescopic mounting 23 terminating in an attachment plate 24, for attaching to the upper portion 4E of the peripheral frame 4. Two further attachment plates 25 and 26 are inserted into the outer ends of the upper and middle horizontal tubular sections 15 and 16 and clipped in place, which attachment plates 25 and 26 attach the support frame 12 to a respective one of the straight extruded side sections 4G or 4H of the peripheral frame 4. Each lower horizontal tubular section 17 is slightly wider than the middle and upper horizontal tubular sections 15 and 16 and has a number of slots 27 in an upper surface, in register with corresponding slots 27 in the lower surface of the tubular section. These slots 27 border the first joining member 13C so that fasteners may extend through the slots 27 for attachment to the lower extruded section 4F of the peripheral frame 4 and to the base 3. When in the contracted state shown in Figures 3 and 4, the support frame 12 is sized to be a support frame of the first display unit 2 of Figure 2. Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, these correspond to Figures 3 and 4 but show the support frame 12 in an expanded state, revealing more clearly the first joining members 13A to 13C. Here the width of the support frame 12 is significantly greater than when in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4. Additionally, the telescopic upper upright tubular sections 20 have been extended as shown with an extension piece 28 added to each of the second portions 22, so that the height of the support frame 12 is also greater than the height of the support 5 frame 12 in the configuration shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the expanded configuration shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support frame 12 may form part of a second larger display unit, indicated generally as 29 in Figure 7. This has a larger display panel 30 than the first display unit 2 of Figure 2, with larger lefthand and righthand lower facing panels 31 and 32 and a larger upper facing panel 33. The 10 peripheral frame 34 comprises the same corner pieces 4Ato 4D, which are all identical, but the lengths of the upper extruded section 34E, lower extruded section 34F and side extruded section 34G and 34H of the peripheral frame 4 are all longer than the corresponding sections of the first display unit 2 of Figure 2, but are again all cut from lengths of a common extruded section, which extruded section is 15 the same as the extruded section used to form the peripheral frame 4 of first display unit 2 of Figure 2. Referring now to Figure 8, here there is shown a support frame, indicated generally as 35, comprising a lefthand subframe 12A, as per the lefthand subframe 20 previously described, and a righthand subframe 12B, as per the righthand subframe previously described, with two additional intermediate subframes 12C and 12D, with all the subframes 12Ato 12D all being identical, except in that the lefthand and righthand subframes 12Aand 12B have the additional attachment plates 25 and 26 fitted, as described with reference to the previous embodiments. 25 In the embodiment of Figure 8, five additional first joining members 13D to 13H are required to attach all the subframes 12Ato 12D together, as shown, so that all the subframes 12Ato 12D are telescopically connected to each other. Thus the spacing between each adjacent pair of subframes may be telescopically varied 30 in the width direction of a display unit. The support frame 35 of Figure 8 is used as the support frame of a third display unit, indicated generally as 36 in Figure 9. The third display unit 36 of Figure 9 comprises two display panels 36 and 37, which are the same as the display panel 5 of the first display unit 2 shown in Figure 2. It also has the same lefthand and righthand lower facing panels 6 and 7 in addition two intermediate lower facing panels 38 and 39 and with different upper 5 facing panels 40, 41 and 42. The peripheral frame 43 comprises four identical corner pieces 4A to 4D, identical to the corner pieces of the previous embodiments, and with straight extruded sections of frame 44Ato 44F cut from an extruded section having the 10 same profile as per the previous embodiments. Referring now to Figure 10, this show how a support frame 45 may be constructed from an appropriate number of subframes, in this case 12Ato 12F, and an appropriate number of first joining members to accommodate any number of 15 display panels and to create an appropriate display unit, in this case a fourth display unit which is seen in Figure 11. With reference to Figure 10, if in this embodiment the support frame 45 had incorporated only straight first joining members throughout then it will be 20 appreciated that the three sections 48 to 50 of the fourth display unit 46, illustrated in Figure 11, would have been linear, providing a flat linear display unit as per the display unit 36 of Figure 9. However, in the embodiment of Figure 10, the support frame 45 incorporates second joining members which are essentially the same as the first joining members and function in exactly the same manner when engaging 25 with the subframes 12C, 12E, 12F and 12D, but the second joining members each has the form of a dogleg, resulting in the three sections 48 to 50 of the display unit 46 of Figure 11 being angled relative to each other. In the previously described embodiments, all the subframes 12Ato 12F 30 have been identical, with the exception of the lefthand and righthand subframes 12Aand 12B comprising additional brackets 25 and 26. However, depending on the size and type of the: display panel or panels; camera or cameras; microphone or microphones; and speaker or speakers, it may be desirable for some of the subframes to be in a different form, in order to provide greater flexibility in the components that can be accommodated within the frame and to provide greater flexibility in the arrangement of those components within the frame. An example of a frame comprising different types of subframes is disclosed in Figures 12 to 14. Here a frame of a display unit, indicated generally as 51, comprises a lefthand subframe 12Aand a righthand subframe 12B, identical to those previously described. These are separated by two identical intermediate subframes, each comprising a respective lower portion 51A, 51B and a separate respective upper portion 52A, 52B. The lower components 51A and 51B are each identical to the lower rectangular portion of each of the previously described intermediate subframes. Similarly, the upper components 52Aand 52B are each identical to each of the upper portions of the previously described intermediate subframes. Each of the separated upper and lower components 51 A, 51B and 52A, 52B, forming the intermediate subframes of the embodiment of Figures 12 to 14, connects to adjacent subframes in exactly same manner as in the previously described embodiments, by appropriate first joining members, only 13 A and 13B of which can be seen in Figures 12 to 14. From the above and from a comparison of Figure 13 with Figure 8, it is seen that, in effect, the telescopic upper straight tubular section (labelled 20 in Figure 4), has been omitted from the intermediate subframes 51 A, 52A and 51B, 52B of Figures 12 and 13, providing a frame 51 that functions in precisely the same manner as the frame shown in Figure 8, but with a single large central aperture 53. This can provide greater flexibility, where required, to incorporate various components of the display unit, which may be specific to a particular customers requirements. Referring now to Figure 14, this illustrates how an extruded peripheral frame comprising corner sections 4A to 4D and straight sections 54A to 54F are first assembled on a frame, in this case the frame 51 of Figure 12 and 13, prior to the display panels, facing panels and other components being mounted within the 5 peripheral frame. Referring now to Figure 15, this shows a section of the peripheral frame of a display unit of a modular display system. The section of the display unit of Figure 15 is essentially the same as that shown in the previous figures, but with a modified 10 corner piece 55. The corner piece 55 joins adjacent straight extruded sections 56 and 57 together as shown. With reference to only the straight extruded section 56, this comprises a plurality of channels 58A to 58E which are tapered to provide a narrow neck portion at the inner face of the straight extruded section 56. The neck portion retains the heads of fasteners 59, which may be slid to appropriate C\| 15 longitudinal positions along one or more of the selected channels 58A to 58E, with £\J nuts of the fasteners being tightened to then lock the fasteners 59 in place. The fasteners 59 may be used to secure locating lugs 60 and brackets 61 in place. The 01) lugs 60 engage with slots 62 in a pressed aluminium facing panel to correctly 1 locate the facing panel 63 in position, directly on the peripheral frame. The facing 20 panel 63 is held in place by magnets 64 attached to the brackets 61, which magnets 64 magnetically attach to a steel insert 65, bonded to the back of the aluminium facing panel 63. This arrangement may be used to secure facing panels to the peripheral frames of the previously described embodiments. 25 Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above by way of example only. However, many modifications and alternative embodiments will be apparent to the skilled person, which may fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A modular display system for constructing display units of different sizes using a plurality of common components, the modular display system including a5 display unit constructed from the modular display system components, the display unit comprising:at least one display panel;at least one facing panel;a peripheral frame extending at least part way around a peripheral edge of10 the display unit to form at least two edges of the display unit; and:a support frame,wherein:the at least one display panel and the at least one facing panel define at least part of a front face of the display unit;C\| 15 the peripheral frame comprises one or more straight sections of material£\J forming at least one edge of the display unit, the length or lengths of the straight section or sections being dependent on the width or height of the display unit;01) the support frame comprises a plurality of subframes and a plurality of first1 joining members for joining adjacent subframes together in the width direction, to20 form the support frame of the display unit;the support frame comprises a lefthand subframe and a righthand subframe which subframes are joined to each other in a width direction of the display unit, either directly or indirectly, by the joining members, so that the positioning of the joining members on at least one subframe may be used to adjust the width of the25 support frame, enabling the support frame to be used as the support frame for display units of different widths.

2. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lefthand and righthand subframes are interchangeable with each other.

303. A modular display system as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, wherein the support frame of the display unit comprises two or more first joining members directly orindirectly joining together the left and righthand subframes, each first joining member being telescopically joined to at least one of the lefthand or righthand subframes so that the width of the support frame may be adjusted in the width direction of the display unit.

54. A modular display system as claimed in any preceding claim comprising at least two intermediate subframes which, depending on the width of the desired display unit, may be positioned between the lefthand and right hand subframes, with each adjacent pair of subframes being joined by at least two first joining10 members.

5. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein each subframe is the same, except in that the lefthand and righthand subframes are provided with additional brackets for engaging with the peripheral frame.CXI 15£\J 6. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein at least someof the first joining members of the display unit are angled so that adjacent01) subframes are angled relative to each other to provide a display unit with sections 1 that are angled relative to each other.

207. A modular display system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein eachadjacent pair of subframes may be joined together by at least two first joining members, with each first joining member telescopically connected to both adjacent subframes.

258. A modular display system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein: each subframe is tubular and generally has the shape of a squared off figure6 having three horizontal spaced apart horizontal members and three vertical members;30 each of the three horizontal member of each subframe being open at leastat one end and arranged to telescopically receive one end of a respective first joining member;the display unit constructed from the modular display system comprises at least two squared off figure 6 shaped subframes facing each other and connected by three first joining members to provide a support frame, or a section of the support frame, having two lower generally square open sections bridged together5 by the lower two first joining members and a larger upper rectangular open section, extending substantially the width of the pair of subframes, bounded by the upper sections of the adjacent subframes and the two upper joining members joining the subframes together, with the upper rectangular open section being arranged to receive the at least one display panel.

109. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the display unit comprises multiple pairs of subframes with each pair of adjacent subframes arranged to receive a display panel.COC\| 15 10. A modular display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein each£\J subframe comprises an upper component and a lower component whichcomponents can be telescopically separated from each other in the vertical01) direction of the display unit, to adjust the height of the support frame.20 11. A modular display system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein theperipheral frame of the display unit comprises at least two straight extruded sections of material and at least one corner piece joining the two straight extruded sections together to form two edges and an adjoining corner of the display unit, wherein the length of each straight extruded section is matched to the size of the25 display unit and wherein each straight extruded section is attached to the support frame of the display unit.

12. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 11, wherein each straight extruded section of the display unit has at least one longitudinally extending 30 channel formed in an inward facing surface, for receiving fasteners at different positions along the channel, which fasteners attach the peripheral frame to the support frame.

13. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 9, wherein each straight extruded section has a plurality of longitudinally extending channels formed in an inward facing surface, with fasteners positioned in a selected one of the channels.

514. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 12 or 13 wherein the display unit comprises one or more brackets fastened by at least one fastener to at least one longitudinally extending channel, with each bracket being arranged to at least partly support a facing panel.1015. A modular display system as claimed in Claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein each bracket magnetically engages with at least one facing panel to retain the facing panel in place.COC\| 15 16. A modular display system as claimed in any preceding wherein at least one £\J facing panel of a display unit includes one of a speaker, microphone or camera of '1” that display unit.

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