BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a display device. More particularly, the invention reiates to a display device comprising a base and at least two picture mounts secured to the base by extendable arms. Bases with mounts secured thereto by extendable arms are known. For instance. US1.473.263 "Shaving mirror" describe a base with a lazy tong extending therefrom and a mirror pivota!ly secured to the other end of the lazy tong.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a display device with multiple picture mounts that provides additional flexibility regarding relative orientation and positioning of the picture mounts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a display device that includes: a base; a first extendable arm secured at a first end to the base; a second extendable arm secured at a first end to the base; a first picture mount pivotaily connected to a second end of the first extendable arm; a second picture mount pivotaily connected to a second end of the second extendable arm; and securing means for securing the base to a base of an adjacent display device. Typically, each picture mount is movable between: (i) a retracted condition in which the extendable arm is fully retracted with the picture mount proximal the base; (ii) an extended condition in which the extendable arm is fully extended, displacing the picture mount from the base; and (ii) various intermediate positions between the retracted and extended conditions.

Generally, the first and second picture mounts, when in the retracted and extended conditions, are adjacent each other. Preferably, the base and picture mounts are substantially planar.

Typically, the base is square or rectangular, and each picture mount is square or rectangular. Generally, the height and width of the base corresponds to the height and width of the picture mounts combined when in the retracted or extended condition.

Typically, the securing means comprises male and female formations on each pair of opposing sides of the base, which male and female formations are sized and shaped such that the male formation on a first base may be received and captured within the corresponding female formation on an adjacent second base.

Generally, the display device further includes a transparent cover that is reieasably securabie to each picture mount for, in use, sandwiching pictures between the cover and picture mount.

Preferably, the extendable arm comprise? ·. series of members pivotally connected to each other. Typically, the base defines apertures for rr unting the base to a wall.

Generally, a lip extends orthogonally from the perimeter of the base in a direction towards the picture mounts. Preferably, each extendable arm includes first incrementing means for regulating extension or retraction of the extendable arm. Typicaiiy, second incrementing means is associated with the pivota! joint between each picture mount and its associated extendable arm, for regulating reiative angular displacement of the picture mount and extendable arm.

Generally, the base includes at least four extendable arms with picture mounts.

Optionally, each picture mount includes an electronic visual display (for example, an LCD or LED screen) for displaying pictures.

Further optionally, each extendable arm includes an electric powered actuator for moving the extendable arm between the extended and retracted conditions.

Preferably, each extendable arm is a lazy tong.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of exampie only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with picture mounts in an extended condition:

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the display device in Figure 1 with the picture mounts in a retracted condition;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the display device in Figure 1 with the picture mounts in intermediate positions: Figure 4 is a top view of the display device in intermediate positions; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of display devices secured to each other. DESCRiPTiON OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to Figures 1 to 5, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention a display device 10 includes a base 12 and picture mounts 14 secured to the base 12 via extendable arms 16.

The base 12 is square and planar in shape, defining apertures 18 through which nails and screws (not shown) may be driven for securing the display device 10 to a wall (not shown). A lip 20 extends orthogonally from the sides of the base 12 in a first direction. Apart from providing a boundary around the base 12 _: the lip 20 also serves a second roie, being that of providing securing means 12 for securing the base 12 to a base 12 of an adjacent display device 10 (as shown in Figure 5). The securing means 12 comprises male and female formations 12a and 12b on each pair of opposing sides of the base 12. The male and female formations 12a and 12b are sized and shaped such that the male formation 12a on a first base 12 may be received and captured within the corresponding female formation 12b on an adjacent second base 12.

The extendable arms 16 are movable between fully retracted and fully extended conditions. Each extendable arm 16 is pivotally secured at a first axial end to the base 12 and comprises a series of pivotally connected members 22. First incrementing means 24 regulate extension / retraction of the extendable arm 16. As such, a user (not shown) can determine the degree that the extendable arm 16 is extended / retracted using feedback from the first incrementing means 24.

The picture mounts 14 are also planar and square in shape. A single picture mount 14 is pivotally secured to the second axial end of each extendable arm 16 by a pivot joint. Although the pivot joint shown in the Figures (i.e. a hinge) permits relative angular displacement between the picture mounts 14 and extendable arms 16 in one plane, it will be appreciated that the pivot joint could alternatively be a universal joint. Turning to Figure 4, second incrementing means 26 regulate relative angular movement between the picture mount 14 and extendable arm 16. As such, a user (not shown) can determine the degree that the picture mount 14 has angularly been displaced relative to the extendable arm 16 using feedback from the second incrementing means 26.

Each picture mount 14 is independently movable between: (i) a retracted condition shown in Figure 2, in which the extendable arm 16 is fully retracted with the picture mount 14 proximal the base 12; (ii) an extended condition shown in Figure 1 , in which the extendable arm 16 is fully extended, displacing the picture mount 14 from the base 12; and (ii) various intermediate positions shown in Figure 3 between the retracted and extended conditions. When in the retracted or extended conditions, the picture mounts 14 are adjacent each other and can be aligned to provide a continuous pianar surface. it is apparent from the Figures that the height and width of the base 12 substantially corresponds to the height and width of the combined picture mounts 14 when in the retracted or extended conditions (i.e. the outline of the base 12 substantially corresponds to the outiine of the picture mounts 14 when the picture mounts 14 are arranged to form a continuous pianar surface).

A square, pianar transparent cover 28 sized to correspond with the size of the picture mount 14 is reieasabiy secured to each picture mount 14. in use, a picture (not shown) is sandwiched between the transparent cover 28 and the picture mount 14.

Since each display device 10 may be secured to adjacent display devices 10, these display devices 10 could be used to create a modular display device of any size. it will be appreciated: (i) instead of being square, the base 12 and/or picture mounts 14 may be rectangular in shape; (ii) various other forms of securing means 12 (e.g. such as ciips) may be used for securing adjacent bases 12 to each other; (iii) the extendable arm 16 cou!d be in the form of lazy tongs or a telescoping shaft; (iv) instead of supporting four picture mounts 14, the base 10 could support any number of picture mounts 14 from two upwards; (v) instead of receiving photos between the picture mount 14 and the cover 28, each picture mount 14 couid incorporate an electronic visual display (e.g. an LCD or LED screen) for displaying pictures; and (vi) the extendable arms 16 could automatically be moved between fully extended and fulfy retracted conditions (i.e. including into intermediate positions) by an electric powered actuator.