GB2295315A

GB2295315A - A display device

Info

Publication number: GB2295315A
Application number: GB9423752A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alfred Slack
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-11-24
Filing date: 1994-11-24
Publication date: 1996-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 2014-11-24
Also published as: GB9423752D0; GB2295315B

Abstract

A display device is in the form of a tetrahedron 1. On each face of the tetrahedron there is rotatably mounted a picture frame 2 in which a picture to be displayed can be mounted. The picture frame has a back plate which is partially cut away at one end so that under the force of gravity it is biased to an upright orientation regardless of the orientation of the support. The device can be placed so that any face may be used as a base and the pictures mounted on the exposed faces all rotate under gravity to the correct orientation. <IMAGE>

Description

A DISPLAY DEVICE The present invention relates to a display device.

According to the present invention there is provided a display device comprising a three dimensional support having a plurality of faces on which a picture to be displayed can be mounted, wherein at least one face has a mount which is rotatable relative to said support and weighted so that it is biased to a predetermined orientation regardless of the orientation of the support.

The device thus permits the support to be laid on any desired surface and the pictures placed in each mount will be in an upright position so that a picture can be viewed from any direction.

Preferably each mount comprises a picture frame rotatably mounted on a respective face in a plane substantially parallel to plane of the face.

The support may be in the form of a tetrahedron and the picture frame may be circular. Conveniently the picture frame has a rear panel part of which is removed to cause the frame to rotate under its own weight to a particular orientation.

Preferably a mount is located on each face of the tetrahedron and the tetrahedron can be stood with any face serving as a base.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective side view of a display device in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective plan view of the display device of figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of the display device of figure 1; Figure 4 is a part cut-away front view of a picture mount forming part of the present invention; and Figure 5 is a side view of the display device of figure 4.

Referring now to the drawings, the display device 1 is in the form of a tetrahedron made from, for example, wood or transparent plastics material although it will be appreciated that any appropriate material or combination of material may be used.

It will be appreciated that a tetrahedron has four triangular faces identical in size and shape so that it can be orientated in any manner with one of the faces acting as the base and with no apparent change in its appearance.

On each face of the tetrahedron there is rotatably mounted a circular picture frame 2 in a position central of the face. Each picture frame 2 comprises a rear mounting plate 3 and an integral peripheral frame 4 manufactured from, for example, brass. A picture 5 to be displayed is mounted in the frame 2 between the rear mounting plate 3 and a transparent cover member 6 (see figure 5). The rear mounting plate 3 has two cut-out apertures 7 (see figure 4) in one sector of the circle. The mounting frame 2 is rotatably mounted by means of a screw 8 or the like which passes though the centre of the rear mounting plate 3 and is flush with the surface thereof.

When the display device is placed on a supporting surface each exposed picture frame 2 will rotate under gravity to a particular orientation with the relatively light sector containing the cut-out apertures 7 being uppermost. The picture 5 mounted in the frame is arranged so that it is upright in this particular orientation. Thus when the tetrahedron 1 is turned over so that a different face is face down and becomes the base, the picture mounts 2 on the remaining exposed faces all rotate accordingly to the correct upright orientation.

The invention provides for an aesthetic display device which can be placed in any orientation to exhibit a chosen three out of four pictures without the need to have regard to the correct orientation of each picture.

From whatever direction the device is viewed there will always be at least one picture which can be seen.

It will be appreciated that the same principle of the present invention applies to any desired regular three dimensional object.

Claims

CLAMS

1. A display device comprising a three dimensional support having a plurality of faces on which a picture to be displayed can be mounted, wherein at least one face has a mount which is rotatably mounted on said support and configured so that it is biased under gravity to a predetermined orientation regardless of the orientation of the support.

2. A display device according to claim 1, each mount comprising a picture frame rotatably mounted on a respective face in a plane substantially parallel to plane of the face.

3. A display device according to claim 2, wherein the picture frame is substantially circular.

4. A display device according to 2 or 3 ,wherein the picture frame has a rear panel part of which is removed to cause the frame to rotate under gravity to said predetermined orientation.

5. A display device according to any preceding claim, wherein the mount is located on each face of the support and the can be stood with any face serving as a base.

6. A display device according to claim 1 or 2, the support being in the form of a tetrahedron.

7. A display device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.