GB2289567A

GB2289567A - Display apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2289567A
Application number: GB9409659A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Walsh
Original assignee: AC Edwards PLC
Current assignee: AC Edwards PLC
Priority date: 1994-05-13
Filing date: 1994-05-13
Publication date: 1995-11-22
Also published as: GB9409659D0

Abstract

A display apparatus comprises a housing (10, Figure 2), a frame 15 movable between a retracted position within said housing and an extended position at least substantially exteriorly of said housing, and a display panel 20 movable between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position exteriorly of the housing, said display panel being supported by said frame and movable relative thereto, whereby on movement of said frame to the extended position the display panel can move relative to said frame to a position clear of the housing. The display panel is suitably supported by a cable (20) which passes over a pulley mounted on the frame and anchored to the housing, whereby the extent of movement of the display panel is determined by a ratio dependent upon the pulley arrangement. The frame may be supported on the housing by a spring arrangement (17, Figure 2) whereby frame and display panel are counterbalanced. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY APPARATUS This invention relates to display apparatus and more especially to such apparatus having a display panel which can be moved from a height at which the display may be changed to a display position.

In a known display apparatus a display panel is contained in a box-like housing wherein for changing the display the panel is moved to a position substantially to the exterior of the housing apart from a marginal supporting portion of the panel. The disadvantage with such an arrangement is that the display panel has a limited movement of less than the housing height and a limited supporting area and accordingly is vulnerable to wind damage.

Nevertheless, it is desirable that in order to utilise substantially the entire display area and dispense with the requirements for external staging for changing or servicing the display panel, the panel should be movable to a position clear of the housing.

According to the invention there is provided a display apparatus comprising a housing, a frame movable between a retracted position within said housing and an extended position at least substantially exteriorly of said housing, and a display panel movable between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position exteriorly of the housing, said display panel being supported by said frame and movable relative thereto, whereby on movement of said frame to the extended position the display panel can move relative to said frame to a position clear of the housing.

Preferably the frame and the display panel are so linked that on withdrawal of the display panel from the housing the frame is also withdrawn.

Although the panel may be arranged for a lateral sliding movement it is preferred to support the frame and the display panel for vertical movement, the display panel being withdrawn from an aperture at the underside of the housing. In this manner the display apparatus is suitable for use in limited space/access situations.

Furthermore, the use of doors and the attendant weakness of hinges and locks are avoided. In addition the use of ladders or other external staging is obviated for the majority of applications.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the display apparatus from below showing the display panels in a limiting drawn down position, Figure 2 is a part perspective cut away view from above on a larger scale for clarity, and Figure 3A and 3B are perspective views of the display apparatus used on the forecourt of a service station.

It should be noted that these drawings and the associated description refer to a double sided embodiment, however the invention is equally applicable to single and multiple sided constructions.

The display apparatus comprises a housing 10 of substantially box-like structure having sides 11, 12, and a top panel 13, and a bottom panel (not shown).

In the four vertical corners of the housing there are provided channels 14 respectively, forming guides which receive vertical runners 15 of a box-frame structure which rests within the housing 10.

The vertical runners 15 are joined at each side of the housing in pairs by at least one horizontal cross member 16 at the centre of each of which is connected a constant tension spring 17 or other means, such as gas springs, of establishing equilibrium between the display panels 21 and glazing frames 22, the vertical runners 15, and the housing 10.

Each vertical runner 15 is of H-section which thereby provides two channels 18, 19 back-to-back. The outermost channels 18 each accommodate a pulley mounted on a fixed axis on the runner 15, over which pulley passes a cable 20 secured at one end to the channel 14 and at the other end to a glazing frame 22 of one display panel 21 of glass, plastics or other material bearing display indicia. The display panels may be translucent if a lamp is provided within the housing to illuminate the indicia.

The vertical limbs of the frame 22 are of U-section and engage the innerrlost channels 19 of the runners 15.

Front and rear glazing frames 22 are provided which may be secured together in a further box-like structure by cross-members (not shown).

The position of the pulley axis, the length of the cable, and the cable end securing points are all chosen in such a manner that on a downward movement of the display panels 21 the box-frame structure comprising the runners perform half the downward movement of the display panels, the pulley giving a ratio of 2:1. Further pulleys may be provided to obtain ratios giving other suitable mechanical advantage.

The strength of the tension spring 17 is chosen in accordance with the weight of the display panels and boxframe structure resting within the housing so that a counterbalance is achieved whereby very little effort is required by the user to move the display panel up or down.

By means of the runners 15 which move to a so-called approxin;ately half-down position the display panels are held in a position at least clear of the housing and yet secure against damage due to wind.

The apparatus may be mounted on the central part of a forecourt display as shown in the examples of Figures 3A and 3B respectively.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display apparatus comprising a housing, a frame movable between a retracted position within said housing and an extended position at least substantially exteriorly of said housing, and a display panel movable between a retracted position within the housing and an extended position exteriorly of the housing, said display panel being supported by said frame and movable relative thereto, whereby on movement of said frame to the extended position the display panel can move relative to said frame to a position clear of the housing.

2. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame and the display panel are so connected that on withdrawal of the display panel from the housing the frame is also withdrawn.

3. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing is open at the bottom for downwards withdrawal of the display panel.

4. A display apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the display panel is supported by at least one cable, said cable passing over a pulley rotatably mounted on said frame and anchored to the housing, said pulley or pulleys enabling the display panel to move in a ratio dependent upon the pulley arrangement.

5. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein the frame is supported at at least one side by a tension spring or other mechanism whereby the frame and display panel are counterbalanced.

6. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, wherein two display panels are provided, one at the front and one rear of the apparatus.

7. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, wherein one, or a multiplicity of panels, are provided.

8. A display apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, mounted on the forecourt of a vehicle service station.

9. A display apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.