AU600165B2 - Display apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALI

PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR OFFICE ISE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: r'i document contains the S tdnelits f made under Stin 49 and is correct for Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Wayne Stephen Hansell 8 Lae Place GLENFIELD, N.S.W. 2167 Wayne Stephen Hansell ANDERSON-TAYLOR ASSOCIATES, Registered Patent Attorneys of 10 Harrison Avenue BONNET BAY N.S.W. 2226 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: DISPLAY APPARATUS The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: -1- Y This invention relates to display apparatus and more particularly although not exclusively provides a plaque for exhibiting rugs or the like.

Existing techniques for displaying ornamental hangings such as rugs often involve simply tacking the upper edge of the rug directly onto a wall or other support surface.

Over a period of time however this tends to stretch or distort the material and so detract from its appearance and value.

It is therefore an object of this invention to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantage and accordin ±y this invention discloses a display plaque for exhibiting an ornamental rug or the like, said plaque comprising a wall mountable panel with means for releasably gripping said rug uniformly along an upper edge thereof.

The currently preferred embodiment of this invention will now be described with reference to the attached representations in which: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a rug plaque J according to this invention, Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the plaque along the lines A-A of figure 1, Figure 3 shows the preferred form of fastener for the retaining bar of figure 1, and -2- Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the plaque along the lines E-i of figure 1 Referring first to figure 1 the plaque according to this invention may be constructed from an elongated wooden panel designated generally by the numeral 1. The upper edge 2 of the panel may be contoured to an aesthetically pleasing shape and a oair of parallel channels 3 and 4 may be formed below said edge. These channels 3 and 4 are adapted to receive retaining and security bars 5 and 6 as described hereunder.

The function of the retaining bar 5 is to mount the rug 7 onto the plaque. This is accomplished as best shown in figure 2 by looping the upper fringe 7A of the rug around the bar 5 and then inserting said bar into channel 3. The fringe is thereby clamped evenly along the width of the carpet and the weight of the pile 7B is supported without any stretching or distortion. Preferably the fringe is fitted so that it passes first under bar 5 and then down over the top so that free end falls back onto the pile 7B and conceals the clamp mechanism. The preferred arrangement for securing the bar in place is best shown in figure 3. This comprises a screw 8 with a specially formed "dovetail" head 8A. This head on two opposite sides has outwardly bevelled edges 8B so as to seat within a correspondingly shaped niche 10 in the bar The remaining sides 8C are flattened so that the width of the head in this direction corresponds with the diameter of the threaded shank 8D and preferably does not greatly exceed the thickness of the bar 5. In use the shank 8D extends through an aperture 9 between the bottom of channel 3 and a recess 10A in the rear face of the plaque.

A nut 10B is turned onto the protruding end of the shank 8D and as it is tightened the bar is drawn back into channel 3 to clamp the fringe as mentioned earlier. By virtue of the novel and unique shape of the screw head 8A this clamping action is accomplished with a minimum of distortion to the fringe fibers in the immediate area. Although the invention is not limited to any particular number of such fastening screws sufficient clamping effect has been obtained in the embodiment shown with three fastening points evenly distributed along the length of the bar As will be appreciated these fasteners can only be released from the rear of the plaque after first removing it from the supporting wall 11 (see figure As an additional safeguard therefore the mounting bolts 12 are inset well into the front face of the plaque at spaced intervals along channel 4. Subsequent fitting of the security bar 6 into this channel serves to prevent unauthorised access to and removal of these bolts. The bar 6 is in turn held in place by means of key operated vertical pins 13 which slide up through bores 14 within the plaque and aligned apertures in the bar. Preferably at least two such pins are provided to thereby fix each end of the bar. The associated lock mechanisms are located on the bottom of the plaque so as to be concealed by the pile in front.

-4- I i I J I I II It will thus be appreciated that this invention at least in the form of the embodiment disclosed provides a novel and unique apparatus for displaying ornamental hangings such as rugs. Clearly however the particular example described is only the currently preferred form of the invention and a wide variety of modifications may be made which would be apparent to a man skilled in the art. For example the shape and configuration of the panel as well as the particular clamping means used may be changed according to the type of hanging to be displayed. Also while the panel is preferably constructed from wood and the components of the clamp from metal the invention is not so limited and extends to the use of any other suitable material including plastic.

Claims (6)

1. 2. The display plaque as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for releasibly gripping the rug comprise a retaining bar around which the upper edge of said rug may be looped, said rug then being insertable into a first longitudinal channel in the plaque.
2. 3. The display plaque as claimed in claim 2 wherein said retaining bar is held in said first channel by a screw, the head of the screw engaging said retaining bar and the shank of said screw extending through the plaque to a o recess in the rear face thereof. o i
3. 4. The display plaque as claimed in claim 3 wherein the screw head is dovetailed in shape and seats within a correspondingly shaped niche in the retaining bar. The display plaque as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said plaque is mountable to said wall by means of mounting screws or bolts which are inset into the front face of said plaque at spaced intervals along a second longitudinal channel. -6-
4. 6. The display plaque as claimed in claim 5 and including a security bar which is insertable into said second longitudinal channel to prevent unauthorized access to and removal of said mounting screws or bolts.
5. 7. The display plaque as claimed in claim 6 wherein said security bar is held within said second longitudinal channel by means of at least one vertical pin which slides up through bores within said plaque and aligned aperture in the security bar. 8 The display plaque as claimed in claim 7 wherein said vertical pin is operable by a key lock mechanism.
6. 9. The display plaque as claimed in claim 8 wherein the key lock mechanism is located on the bottom of the plaque so as to be concealed behind the rug. A display plaque for exhibiting an ornamental rug or the like, said plaque being substantially as described herein with reference to the attached drawings. Dated this 3o2 day of uc- 1988 Wayne Stephen Hansell By his Patent Attorney MICHAEL ANDERSON-TAYLOR