Abstract

The present invention relates to a display and more particularly to a display such as a tailors dummy or mannequin, which is used to display articles of clothing.

Existing mannequins suffered from the disadvantages that they were bulky and heavy and often required large storage spaces. They were also expensive to manufacture, bulky, heavy and not particularly visually striking in appearance.

The invention overcomes these disadvantages by way of a display comprising: a plurality of planar display pieces. The pieces are adapted to engage one with another so as to define a display and they are light transmissive that is they are either transparent or translucent. As a result of this a visually striking display is achieved by virtue of the fact that light is radiated from the pieces, thereby creating the impression of pieces that fluoresce.

Light may be radiated from ambient sources or from a light source, such as an incandescent or halogen lamp, a light emitting diode (LED) or laser LED.

Display pieces are formed from a rigid material such as synthetic plastics or glass. Different coloured light sources may be arranged to illuminate separate pieces.

(Figure 1 accompanies the abstract)

A Display

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a display for use in displaying items, for example garments, in shops or in window displays, or to a display for displaying other items, typically at a point-of-sale (POS) such as in a supermarket, shop or at a cash till/check-out.

Background

A very wide variety of different displays have been in existence for many years. One well-known example is the tailors dummy or mannequin, which is used to display articles of clothing according to seasons and changes in fashion and for a wide variety of colours and sizes.

However, these existing tailors dummy or mannequins suffered from the disadvantages that they are bulky and heavy and often require large storage spaces. They are also expensive to manufacture and once damaged difficult to repair.

Prior Art

Such problems were to some extent alleviated by way of 'knock-down' version of a tailor's dummy. An example of a so-called 'knock-down' version of a tailors dummy or mannequin is described and claimed in UK Patent GB 847 076 (Ann Baldwin Limited). The mannequin described offered the advantages of tailors dummy that was capable of being readily dismantled, therefore easily stowed, and which was also adjustable.

Another disadvantage suffered by existing solid body type tailors dummies were that they were not only bulky and heavy, but also not particularly visually striking in appearance, merely designed as a functional support for a garment.

An example of a more visually striking mannequin is disclosed in published US Patent US 5 782 389 (Marharg). US 5 782 389 discloses a display comprising a plurality of parallel sheets of planar material. A spine, for supporting the sheets, has a series of slots arranged to receive laminar sheets of rigid material, so that they are in registration one with another. Each sheet has a slightly different cross-section to the adjacent one, so that when assembled they define a torso. A superficial skin, such as an elastic or similar material, is drawn over the surface of the structure so as to give a more realistic impression.

Another example of a mannequin comprising planar sheets of material is described in International Patent Application W0-A1 -2004/064577 (Matsuoka). Published International Patent Application W0-A1 -2004/064577 describes a structure comprising templates each having notched grooves formed therein which are shaped and located so as to enable pieces to fit together so as to define a human or animal form. As the intention was to create a lifelike figure, a relatively large number of planar sheets or laminates had to be used in order to reduce the spacing between adjacent sheets.

Although achieving their intended aims, advertising and fashion industries increasingly demand more captivating and visually striking displays on which to show garments, items and accessories.

The invention therefore arose in an attempt to provide an improved display for use as a tailors dummy or mannequin, as a display for promotional or point-of- sales (POS) use and which is more visually striking than the aforementioned displays, tailor's dummies or mannequins.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a display comprising: a plurality of planar display pieces adapted to engage one with another so as to define a display, characterised in that at least one display piece is light transmissive.

An advantage with the invention is that, because display pieces are light transmissive (that is they are either transparent or translucent); a visually striking display is achieved by virtue of the fact that light is radiated from the pieces.

Preferably light is radiated along edges thereby creating the impression of the laminar or planar pieces fluorescing.

Pieces are ideally adapted to interlock, one with another, by way of interengaging portions.

Advantageously these interengaging portions are defined buy slots or apertures that are arranged to receive flaps, tabs or other excrescences.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the slots or apertures and flaps or tabs are formed integrally and in the same plane as the display pieces. An advantage with this is that the display piece is in the same plane as the mechanism for connecting it to another piece can be stowed flat and there is no risk of misplacing the connecting mechanism.

Ideally a locking mechanism is provided which ensures that once engaged pieces do not inadvertently become dislodged or dislocated.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the locking mechanism is formed as part of the slot and tab and locking is achieved by a displacement at right angles to the direction of insertion of a tab (flap) into a slot or aperture.

Light may be radiated from ambient sources and this is hereinafter referred to as passive emission or light can be received form a light source and this hereinafter referred to as active emission. An active light emitter requires a lights source such as an incandescent (tungsten filament) or halogen lamp, a light emitting diode (LED) or laser LED or any other suitable source of radiation.

Preferably the display pieces are formed from a rigid material such as synthetic plastics or glass.

Ideally the synthetic plastics material is optically active and is capable of receiving light at a major surface and releasing it at a minor or narrow surface or edge. The effect of using such materials is considered striking as a mannequin created with such optically active materials is such that the mannequin appears to shimmer or glow as if it is illuminated and this is achieved using only ambient lighting.

The laminar or planar pieces may be printed with instructions, brands, colours or any other images.

In an alternative embodiment the pieces may have a light source or a means for receiving light source as to illuminate individual pieces. In one embodiment different coloured light sources may be arranged to illuminate separate pieces. The light source is ideally locally powered, ie powered by a lamp located on a piece, or it may receive light from a remote lamp, for example a lamp with coloured lenses, via a fibre optic connection.

One or more laminar or planar pieces may be printed with specialised printing effects, textures or other surface effects so as to, for example, present an advertisement, to which attention may be drawn for example by way of flashing or pulsing light.

The pieces may be adapted for use as an advertising display so as to offer branding or promotional opportunities and in which case pieces may have differing signs or symbols printed thereon so as to show one image in a first set of optical conditions and a separate image in a different set of optical conditions.

Planar or laminar pieces, which may be translucent, may be formed using recovered waste product, which has been suitably treated and processed. Such waste material is usually available form manufacturing plants as off cuts from extrusions or mouldings.

Another advantage with the invention is that displays can be disassembled and stacked in a small volume for storage or transportation.

Advantageously apertures or slots are formed in display pieces, which receive tabs or flaps of other display pieces so that display pieces can be engaged so as to assemble the display.

Locking members may be used to lock display pieces one to another.

Preferably display pieces are shaped so that their profile corresponds with a planar section of a portion of the human body. Therefore when pieces are arranged one adjacent another, the visual and physical effect of a human body is created, whose features are able to support a piece of clothing.

Limbs, such as arms, legs or heads may be arranged to move so as to enhance the visual appearance of the mannequin. Moving parts may be adapted to displace or rotate for example by inclusion of a motor, hydraulic actuator or other drive means.

In a particular preferred embodiment, the display is adapted for advertising as a stand and may hold and display articles such as food, snacks, drinks, sportswear or other 'fast moving consumer goods' (FMCG) or other promotions.

Displays may be in the form of famous people, sports or media personalities. Such persons may be used as templates for the mannequin. This can be achieved using 3D modelling or stereo lithography, which uses, for example, an outline of a celebrity as template for design of the display.

Other embodiments of the display are as a shelving unit, in the form of a person or animal, possibly with a limb extending into a thoroughfare; as a piece of furniture; as a novelty lighting display; or as part of a novelty lighting kit.

The invention may be adapted, so that it is smaller, as a puzzle or toy an executive toy or even a key ring.

Similarly the invention may be adapted, so that it is used as a dolls clothes mannequin, game or puzzle.

Preferred embodiments will now be described, by way of examples only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows an overall view of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows an overall view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in part assembled, exploded form;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one transverse piece of the display;

Figure 4 is a plan view of one lateral piece of the display;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a set of pieces for two male mannequins, showing torsos, shoulders and legs of a display;

Figure 6 is a plan view of lateral pieces of a display, showing head pieces, and rib cage and spine sections;

Figure 7 is a plan view showing how two sets of pieces for two female mannequin torsos can be obtained from a single rectangular sheet of light transmissive material;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a set of lateral pieces of a display and shows pieces for the rib cage, bust, shoulders and arm sections;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatical view of an illuminated display;

Figure 10 is an isometric view of assembled male mannequins, showing torsos, shoulders and legs of a display supported on a base platform;

Figure 11 shows in detail an isometric view of an assembled head and plan views of lateral pieces of a display, showing pieces for a head and face display;

Figures 12a to 12k show diagrammatically, as sequential views, the steps required for assembly of the mannequin in Figure 10 on a display support;

Figure 13 is an overall exploded view showing construction steps in diagrammatical form and how a central sternum piece acts to lock individual pieces together; and

Figure 14 shows plan views of another embodiment of the display in the form of a male torso; and

Figure 15 is an isometric view of the display shown in Figure 14 in an assembled state.

Detailed description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Referring to Figures 1 to 4 generally, there is shown a display 10 of a female form. The main components of the display 10 are a plurality of interlocking display pieces. These comprise a transverse torso section 12, a bust longitudinal section 14 and a bust lateral section 16. All the pieces 12, 14 and 16 are formed form a synthetic plastics material, such as acrylic plastics or Perspex (Trade Mark). The synthetic plastics or acrylic material has been ideally coloured, stained or dyed so as to shimmer in ambient light conditions. Alternatively coloured or stained glass may be used.

Display 10 creates the overall impression of a female human torso. In use display 10 allows a garment or other item (not shown) to be displayed. Removal of display pieces 12, 14 and 16 from model 10 collapses the display.

Display pieces 12 are a generally flat shape and structure. Each display piece 12 has slots 12a, which allow separate display pieces 14 and 16 to be interlocked by way of flaps or tabs 14b and 16b.

Interlocking of display pieces is typically in a generally horizontal and vertically manner and forms a 3-dimensonal display structure. However, flaps or slots and tabs may be produced so that display pieces interlock diagonally.

The three-dimensional (3-D) structure gives the overall impression of a solid display on which, for example an article of clothing may be placed.

When not in use display pieces can be 'flat-packed'. This allows the display pieces to be transported easily with respect to a non-collapsible model.

Mannequin model 10 is manufactured from synthetic plastics material. Preferably, the synthetic plastics material is transparent allowing light to pass through it and give the model 10 a sense of depth.

Referring briefly to Figures 5 to 8, in which like parts bear the same reference numerals, as the other Figures, there is shown in Figure 5 a plan view of a set of display pieces 12 for two male mannequins, showing torsos with shoulders and legs of a display. Slots 12a are also shown. Slots 12a receive tabs or flaps from other pieces as hereinafter described, with reference to Figure 6.

Figure 6 is a plan view of lateral pieces of a display, showing head pieces, and rib cage and spine sections;

Figure 7 is a plan view showing how two sets of pieces for two female mannequin torsos can be obtained from a single rectangular sheet of light transmissive material;

Figure 9 shows a display 100 in the general form of a full body mannequin, a coloured light filter 110, which is in the form of a rotating coloured disc and an

illumination source 114. A plurality of optical fibres 112a to 112f extend from the coloured light filter 110 to the display 100 so as to illuminate different display pieces in a sequential manner. Optical fibres 112 deliver light from the lamps 114 to the pieces by way of couplers or plugs 113 which are in optical communication with the display pieces. In an alternative embodiment display pieces may be illuminated with different colours at random or they may be coloured with a single colour or illuminated with a monochrome light source.

In a yet further embodiment still or video images, text or any other graphic information may be delivered to the display pieces either along the optical fibres or by another data delivery system. Thus a display, made up from light transmissive pieces, may be used as a way of showing an advertisement or presenting other information, ideally by way of moving images. Such image information may be accompanied with audio signals, such as a voice speaking or music, thus creating an even more striking impression. This visual impact may be enhanced by way of a hologram or holographic display.

Figure 10 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of an assembled male mannequin 200 and shows base platform 201 , a chest portion 202 and a foot 203. Also seen are front forearm 204, side forearm 205 and groin piece 206. The head comprises pieces 207, 208 and the face is made up form pieces 209, 210 and 211. Legs consist of portion 212, 213 and 214. The legs are connected to a main frame 215, which in turn supports a pelvis 216. Left and right shoulders are defined by pieces 217 and 218 respectively. Stabiliser 19 and stabiliser 20 ensure that pieces remain static and locked in situ when assembled. Left diagonal torso piece is shown as 222 and upper left and right arm pieces appear as 223 and 224 respectively.

Figure 11 shows in detail an isometric view of an assembled head 300 with a face as well as plan views of pieces 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 and 307 that make up the head 300. Plan views of the pieces for the head 300 and face display are also shown. By use of the aforementioned modified data display system it is envisaged that, for example, an image of a persons face may be

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displayed on the most forward face portion 303 of the head, so as to create the impression of a person speaking.

Figures 12a to 12k show in diagrammatical form the steps of assembly. Each step is part of a sequence, which may be important to follow so that pieces fit together and lock in the intended manner. As mentioned above locking is achieved by inserting a tab 14 into a slot 12 and hooking or engaging an engaging piece therein. The steps shown in Figures 12a to 12k show how pieces are interlocked and that only a minimum number of nuts 500 and bolts 502 or screws are required in order to hold the assembled mannequin together. These are also ideally formed from a transparent material so as not to be obtrusive. Figure 13 shows the mannequin in partially assembled state, in overall exploded view and further illustrates the construction steps in diagrammatical form and how a central sternum piece acts to lock individual pieces together.

Referring now to Figure 14, which shows separate plan views of pieces of a further embodiment of the display 600, there is seen a male torso that comprises a main body section 606, an upper chest portion 608 and a lower chest portion 605. Also seen are two groin pieces 602a and 602b to which leg pieces 603 are attached. Left and right torso pieces are shown as 610. This embodiment of the display consists of relatively few pieces and is therefore ideally suited to portability for example for easy stowage and transportation to trade fairs. Figure 15 is an isometric view of the display shown in Figure 14 in an assembled state.

The foregoing description is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention. For example displays may be in the form of heads, hands or any other form of animal or human or object.

It will be understood that the invention may also be applied to product specific data and/or anthropometric data, such as data obtained for example for computer aided design (CAD) prototypes and production units, so as to adjust the size

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