^:t A Display System"

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a display system which is suitable for use in advertising on vehicles, for example on aircraft cabin locker doors or on buses or trains.

An object of the invention is to provide -a display system which allows versatile display of information, with easy changing of the displayed information. Another object is that the system has little impact on the vehicle interior, particularly for use inside aircraft. Another object is that the system is of inexpensive construction, and another is that the system is easy to use. A further object is that the system be capable of use on surfaces of a variety of different shapes, such as convex.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a display system comprising

a frame having a holding means for supporting a display panel and defining a window through a display panel may be viewed, and

means to attach the frame to a surface of a vehicle.

In one embodiment, the frame comprises a plurality of engagement parts at extremities of the frame for engaging against a surface of a vehicle.

hi one embodiment, the frame comprises a mouth part configured to receive a display panel between the mouth part and the surface of the vehicle, and for guiding a display panel into the holding means.

In one embodiment, the holding means comprises a set of ledges for supporting a display panel, including a pair of opposed ledges acting as rails during insertion or removal of a display panel.

hi one embodiment, the holding means comprises a protruding element which protrudes from the frame to partially block the mouth part, and snap-fit behind a display panel after it has been pushed home into the frame.

In one embodiment, the protruding element is substantially curved in cross-section.

hi one embodiment, the mouth part comprises means to guide a display panel into the frame.

hi one embodiment, the guide means comprise a pair of opposed tapers in the mouth part.

In one embodiment, the frame is curved in overall configuration about a longitudinal axis extending in a direction for insertion and removal of a display panel into the frame.

In one embodiment, the frame is curved in a convex shape.

In one embodiment, the frame is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the frame.

In one embodiment, the attachment means is configured to releasably attach the frame to a surface of a vehicle.

In one embodiment, the attachment means comprises an adhesive.

In one embodiment, the frame comprises a reception space for receiving the adhesive.

In one embodiment, the frame comprises a channel defining the reception space.

In one embodiment, the frame has a generally rectangular configuration, and the channel extends along three sides of the frame.

hi one embodiment, the frame is flexible so that it can conform to any of a variety of vehicle surfaces to which it is attached.

hi one embodiment, the holding means comprises a protrusion to pinch an edge of a display panel to retain it.

hi one embodiment, the system further comprises a display panel retained in the holding means of the frame.

In one embodiment, the display panel is flexible enough so that it can be curved to a convex shape.

hi one embodiment, the display panel is flexible about a longitudinal axis of the frame.

hi one embodiment, the display panel is of a cardboard material.

hi another aspect, the invention provides a vehicle assembly comprising a vehicle, and any display system as defined above attached to a vehicle surface.

hi one embodiment, the display system is attached to a vehicle door.

hi one embodiment, the door is curved.

hi one embodiment, the door is curved in a convex shape.

In another aspect, the invention provides a display system kit comprising any display system as defined above and a jig comprising means for engaging a vehicle surface

and a guide surface for engagement with the display system to indicate a desired location.

hi one embodiment, the jig has a corner-shaped configuration for alignment against the corner of a vehicle panel, and the guide surface is configured as a notch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Fig. 1 is a front view of a display system of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view along lines II— II in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the display system of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view in the direction of the arrows IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are enlarged rear views of corners of a frame of the display system;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view along the lines VII-VII in Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view along the lines VIII-VIII in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a front view of the display system of Fig. 1 in position on an aircraft overhead locker door;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a jig for accurately placing the display system frame in place on a door;

Fig. 11 is a rear view of a frame of an alternative display system; and

Figs. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a display system panel being pushed into position into the frame of Fig. 11, and Fig. 13 shows the panel in position with its leading edge in position in the frame.

Description of the Embodiments

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 9 thereof, there is illustrated a display system 1 according to the invention. The display system 1 comprises a frame 2 for supporting a thin card display panel 25 printed with information such as advertising. The frame 2 may be releasably attached to a surface of a vehicle such as an aircraft overhead locker door, and the latter example is used in the following description. Typically, these doors are curved, with an outer side of the door being curved in a convex shape.

The frame 2 is of overall rectangular shape as viewed from the front, defining a rectangular open window for viewing of the card 25. The frame 2 is formed integrally, in this case by injection moulding. There are four corners 3, the rear surfaces of which contact the door surface when the frame is attached to a door or other vehicle surface.

There are three channels 6 extending around three sides of the frame 2 and between the corners 3. These accommodate adhesive tape 26 having a depth just greater than the depth of flanges 6(a) and 6(b) of the channel 6. Thus, when the frame 2 is pressed against a locker door D they releasably adhere the frame 2 to the surface. The adhesive is chosen to facilitate selective detachment of the frame 2 from the vehicle surface, for example if it is necessary to reposition or remove the frame 2. A variety of possible adhesives may be employed. One suitable adhesive is VHB Acrylic Foam Tape 4613F available from 3M. This is a type approved for use in aircraft.

The frame 2 has a mouth region 7 for entry of the card 25, and a holder region 8 to allow sliding of the card into position and subsequent retention of the card. When the frame 2 is attached to the vehicle surface, the mouth region 7 is spaced from the vehicle surface to enable the display panel 25 to be received between the vehicle surface and the mouth region 7 and to subsequently slide along the holder region 8. The arrow A in Fig. 1 illustrates the direction of display panel insertion, being of course from the left for the rear view of Fig. 3.

A dome-shaped protrusion 9 protrudes from the rear side of the mouth region 7. The protrusion 9 is engagable against the display panel 25 in a snap-fit manner to releasably retain the display panel 25 within the holder region 8. The curved aspect of the protrusion 9 is illustrated in further detail in Fig. 4. The protrusion 9 is situated on the centreline of the frame 2.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, at the mouth region 7 the frame 2 tapers inwardly towards the holder region 8. Tapered surfaces 10 act to guide a display panel 25 into the holder region 8.

The thickness, Dl, of the frame 2 at the closed end 40 (Fig. 8) is greater than the thickness, D2, of the frame 2 at the mouth region 7 (Fig. 4). Thus the closed end 40 forms a reliable end stop for the panel 25, whereas the mouth region 7 has sufficient flexibility to allow easy insertion of the panel 25 through the gap between the mouth region 7 and the door D. The display panel is of a cardboard material, and is easily curved about a longitudinal axis of the frame 2 to mate with the curved frame 2.

The dimensions for the frame 2 are: length 760mm; width 196 mm; and thickness 1.2mm at its deepest.

In use, the adhesive 26 is applied to the rear side of the frame 2 in the three channels 6. The frame 2 is attached to the vehicle surface by contacting the corners 3 and the adhesive 26 against the surface of the door D. The display panel 25 is inserted through

the mouth region 7 and into the holder region 8, until it is fully home, snap-fitted behind the protrusion 9. To remove the display panel it is slid out of the holder region 8 through the mouth region 7, flexibility of the mouth region allowing it to easily slide behind the protrusion 9.

Fig. 9 shows the display system 2 affixed to a door D of a locker, the door having a handle H. The display system 1 is centred accurately on the door D. This is achieved with use of a jig 30, shown in Fig. lO.The jig 30 comprises a wall 32 on a base 33. The wall 32 has a notch 34 shaped to receive the corner of the lower right hand corner of the frame 3. Thus, if the jig 30 is placed at the lower right hand side of the door with its edges aligned with the door D edges, and a mirror-image jig (shown in ghost form as 35 in Fig. 9) is similarly used at the lower left hand corner of the door D then the display system 1 is accurately centered on the door D.

Figs. 11 to 13 show another display system, 101, according to the invention. The system 101 has a frame 102, corners 103, channels 106, a mouth region 107, and a holder region 108 which are similar to the equivalent features of the system 1. In this case two protrusions 123 are provided at the mouth region 107 and there are two protrusions 124 in the holder region 108 at the end opposed to the mouth region 107. Each protrusion 123 and 124 is in the form of an elongate ridge. The protrusions 123 engage against the display panel in a snap-fit manner to releasably retain the display panel received within the holder region 108, in a manner akin to the use of the protrusion 9 of the frame 2. Fig. 12 shows a panel 25 being slid between a protrusion 123 and the door D as it is inserted into the frame 102. When the leading edge of the panel 25 reaches the opposite end of the frame 102 it is pinched by the protrusions 124 to assist with retention of the panel 25 in place.

It will be appreciated that the display system of the invention allows for very versatile display of information on vehicle surfaces. It may be easily attached or removed, and when in place display panels may be changed as regularly as desired. The display panels may be of an inexpensive construction as they are fully supported and retained

by the frame. Also, it will be appreciated that the frame may be used with a wide range of surface shapes including flat, convex, and concave.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which may be varied in construction and detail. For example, the display system may be manufactured with any suitable dimensions. The dimensions described are examples only. Also, the thickness of the frame at the closed end may be reduced to increase the flexibility of the frame 2 for bending about a longitudinal axis. By increasing the flexibility, this enables the frame 2 to be attached to a variety of differently shaped doors, for example a flat door or a door with a greater or lesser radius of curvature. The default out-of-use configuration of the frame may be flat. It will also be appreciated that the frame may be formed of any desired shape other than rectangular which allows a panel to slide through a mouth region, according to display requirements.