GB2387355A

GB2387355A - Decorative frame members for visual display units

Info

Publication number: GB2387355A
Application number: GB0203440A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Michael Price; Fletcher Tynne Kewley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-13
Filing date: 2002-02-13
Publication date: 2003-10-15
Also published as: GB0203440D0; WO2003069454A1; AU2003245000A1

Abstract

A frame member for attachment to a visual display unit or monitor 13 with rectangular screen 16 has base member 6 with two arms 7 and 8 attached to it at right angles. The frame is attached to the border region of the display unit by adhesive or hook and loop fasteners. Thus the frame member may be attached around the top and two sides of the screen without obstructing viewing. The frame is made from a sheet of card, metal or plastic. Its face may be decorated, providing a decorative surround, or be a reusable writing surface. A holder for a writing instrument may be provided on one of the side members. The inner or outer edges of the frame may have a decorative profile. It may be extended to provide a further display region 25.

Description

-1- 2387355

Frame Members The present invention relates to frame members for use with visual display units and computer monitors. In particular the present invention 5 relates to a decorative frame member for attachment to a computer monitor for imparting a pleasing visual appearance or providing enhanced functionality.

Computers are now numerous, and their use is commonplace and widespread. The monitor or visual display unit of a computer is usually one of 10 the most visibly prominent parts, but at present monitors all conform to a general standard design. This standardisation means that monitors in general all look the same so providing little opportunity for individual expression by a user, especially in an environment such as an office where many identical monitors are used. Nevertheless, certain safety and practical considerations 15 mean that decoration of monitors has not previously been practical, especially as it is governed by considerations different to other fields of decoration.

In the present invention it has been appreciated that it is desirable to provide means for decorating computer monitors which means are both effective in imparting the desired aesthetic appeal whilst not adversely 20 affecting the operation of the monitor or the management of its use and safety. Important monitor control operations, which should not be inhibited, include the changing of brightness, contrast and other graphics features by using the control buttons on the monitor. Management of the monitor's use could include stock inventory management such as tagging of equipment. 25 The tags must remain accessible to identify and trace the equipment. - 2 -

Therefore according to the present invention there is provided a frame member for attachment to a visual display unit with a generally rectangular viewing screen, said frame member comprising a base member, two opposed arms attached generally at right-angles to the ends of the base member and 5 attachment means adapted to connect the base member and arms to a border region of the display unit around the top and two sides of the screen without obstructing view of the screen.

The construction of the present invention ensures that the bottom edge of the visual display unit or monitor is not obstructed, as this region is where 10 the control buttons and tags are usually located, thereby ensuring that operative control of the monitor is still possible. Furthermore, the top and sides of the monitor are usually the most visible, so any decoration on the surface of the frame is displayed to the optimum. Tracing tags are usually at the bottom of a monitor, or on the sides thereof so access to the tag is not 15 obstructed by the framemember.

The base member and the two side members may be integrally formed, or may be joined during construction. They preferably form a three-sided frame, the inner edge of which may align with the edge of the screen. The outer edge of the three-sided frame may align with an outer edge of the 20 monitor, or it may extend further, possibly providing a novel shape or profile.

The inner edge means those edges which are directed generally toward the screen, and the outside edges comprises the other edge portions.

The attachment means used to connect the frame member to a monitor may be or may include adhesive or adhesive impregnated material disposed 25 in use between the rear face of the base member and side members and the - 3 - monitor. The attachment means may also comprise two-part hook and loop fasteners, with one part of the fastener being attached to the rear face of the base member and/or side members of the frame, and the other part being attached to the border region of the display unit.

The outer edges of the frame may be shaped to impart a decorative profile. The base member or side members may be extended to provide a further display region or regions. These further display regions usually extend upwardly from the base member but may extend laterally from the side members. They are most conveniently integrally formed from the same piece 10 of material as the base or side members.

The frame member can be of any thickness (front to rear) but is usually relatively thin so that viewing of the screen from an angle is not unduly inhibited. The frame member may preferably therefore be constructed from planar materials such as sheet plastics, sheet metal, cardboard, or foam 15 backed plastic sheeting.

In order that it may be better understood, but by way of example only, the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows rear and side views of a simple embodiment of the 20 present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1 showing surface decoration; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 being aligned with a computer monitor for positioning thereon; and - 4 - Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention incorporating a further display region.

The same embodiment is shown in figures 1, 2 and 3 and so that embodiment will be described with reference to all of those Figures. A frame 5 member, generally indicated 5, comprises a base member 6 and side members 7 and 8. The side members 7 and 8 extend at right angles from one edge of the base member 6 at each end. The front face 9 of the framemember is provided with a decorative display, usually by printing onto the material that the frame member is formed from, and in this example the 10 display represents a brick wall.

The rear face 10 of the frame member is adapted in use to be disposed against and overlying an edge region 19 of the front face of a monitor (numbered 13 in Figure 3). An adhesive strip 11 is attached to the upper edge of the rear face 10 of the base member 6 and adhesive pads 12 are 15 attached to the rear face 10 of each side members 7 and 8.

As is best shown in Figure 3, the frame member 5 is positioned adjacent a computer monitor 13 to which it is intended to be attached. The base member 6 is aligned with the edge region 19 of the monitor 13 and the side members 7 and 8 are aligned with opposed side regions 20 of the 20 monitor 13. The inner edge 14 of the frame member roughly aligns with the edge 15 of the monitor's screen 16 to prevent obstruction of the screen 16.

As long as it does not obstruct the view of the screen, the inner edge can be profiled to impart a decorative shape, either alone or in combination with the outer edge. The outer edge 17 of the frame member roughly aligns with the 25 monitor's outer edge 18. Once aligned the frame member is pushed into - 5 - place so that the adhesive pads 12 and the adhesive strip 11 connect the frame member 5 to the monitor 13. During transport and storage, the adhesive pad 12 and adhesive strip 11 would be provided with a peelable backing sheet (not shown) to prevent un-desired adhesion. A suitable 5 strength contact adhesive is used which prevents accidental removal of the frame but allows the frame to be selectively removed from the monitor and replaced as appropriate.

The side members 7 and 8 and the base member 6 may be formed from a foambacked plastics material similar to that used for mouse mats. 10 This material offers excellent display properties and printability, but also is relatively flexible and non-damaging to the monitor.

Clearly the surface decoration depicted on the outer surface 9 of the frame member can take any form. The designs could be solely for the purpose of decoration or could also be used for advertising or promotional 15 purposes. For example the decoration could take the form of a quick reference guide for software loaded on a computer. In addition, surface texturing or relief work could be employed on the outer surface.

Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the present invention which is very similar to that shown in the previous figures, but which also incorporates 20 a further display region. Like parts to those described above have been given like reference numerals. The further display region 25 extends vertically from the upper part of the outer edge 17 of the base member 6 and can be used to display extra information, or perhaps to assist in imparting a decorative profile.

In this second embodiment the further display region 25 is generally 25 rectangular but could of course adopt many shapes. The further display - 6 region 25 is formed from the same piece of material as the base 6 and side members 7 and 8, and generally they would be simultaneously cut from the same stock. - 7 -

Claims

1. A frame member for attachment to a visual display unit with a generally rectangular viewing screen, said frame member comprising a base member, 5 two opposed arms attached generally at right-angles to the ends of the base member and attachment means adapted to connect the base member and arms to a border region of the display unit around the top and two sides of the screen without obstructing view of the screen.

2. A frame member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member and 10 the two side members are integrally formed.

3. A frame member as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the frame forms a three sided frame, the inner edge of which aligns with the edge of the screen.

4. A frame member as claimed in claim 1 to 3, wherein the attachment 15 means are or include adhesive between the rear face base member and side members of the frame and the monitor.

5. A frame member as claimed in claim 1 to 3, wherein the attachment means comprise a two-part hook and loop fastener, with one part thereof being attached to the rear face of the base member or side members of the 20 frame, and the other part being attached to the border region of the display unit.

6. A frame member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer edges of the frame are shaped to impart a decorative profile.

7. A frame member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein 25 the inner edges of the frame are shaped to impart a decorative profile -

8 - 8. A frame member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base member or side members are extended to provide a further display region.

9. A frame member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base member and side members are formed from sheet material.

10. A frame member as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sheet material is formed from paper, card, plastics, metal or foam backed plastics.

11. A frame member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the outwardly directed faces of the frame member are provided with 10 decoration.

12. A frame member as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the outwardly directed faces of the frame member are adapted to provide a reusable writing surface.

13. A frame member as claimed in claim 12, wherein the frame member is 15 provided with a releasable holder for a writing implement adapted for use with the reusable writing surface.

14. A frame member as claimed in claim 13, wherein the releasable holder is connected to one of the side members.

15. A frame member as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as herein 20 described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.