GB2094535A - Display frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A rectangular display frame has two parallel upper side members 4 defining a slot 6 between them, through which an advertising board can be removably inserted. The side members 4 are joined to the upright sides 11 by L-shaped cleats 9 fitting within channels 8. The sides 10, 11 without a slot may be made from a single length of extruded aluminium partly cut and bent up at the corners. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display frame This invention relates to a.displayframe and more particularly to a display frame for exchangeably receiving display paneis or cards or the like.

It is known to mount a display panel, such as an advertising board, in a rectangular display frame comprising four side members each having an inwardly facing channel to receive the board.

One side member may be detachable to permit a board to be removed and replaced, so that a selection of boards can be exchangeably displayed as required. However, such removal of a side member reduces the strength of the frame so that it becomes excessively "whippy" and therefore difficult to replace the board and the side member.

The invention consists in a closed display frame formed by interconnecting sides and having means for retaining the peripheral edge portion of a display member displayed within the frame, characterised in that one side of the frame includes a longitudinal slot through which may be exchangeably inserted a display member to be displayed within the frame.

Preferably, the frame is rectangular and the longitudinal slot may be defined between two parallel side members forming said one side of the frame. The ends of the side members are preferably respectively formed with at least one recess which receives an element joining it to the adjacent side. Preferably, the joining element is in the form of an L-shaped cleat.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment of display frame will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of the partially assembled display frame; Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line Il-Il in Fig.

1, with the frame fully assembled; and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing how certain parts of the frame fit together.

Referring to the drawings, the lower side 10 and the two upright sides 11 of a rectangular frame are formed from a single elongate extrusion of aluminium alloy. Two 45 cuts through all the extrusion except an outer web 1 6 permit the web 1 6 to be bent to form a mitred corner 12 between each upright side 11 and the lower side 10, on turning each side 11 upwardly from the side 10 to form a U-shaped frame as shown in Fig. 1.

The upper side of the rectangular frame is formed by two parallel extruded aluminium alloy members 4 spaced to form a longitudinally extending slot 6 therebetween. Each member 4 is formed with a longitudinal internal channel 8 adapted to frictionally retain one limb of a respective L-shaped cleat 9. The members 4 are firmly secured to the free upper ends of the upright sides 11 by means of the cleats 9 the other limbs of which are frictionally retained in channels 18 of the extrusion of the sides 11.

in use a display panel or advertising board, etc., (not shown) may be inserted through the slot 6 in the upper side of frame, the marginal edges of the panel or board being retained by a groove 14 formed in the extrusion 10 and by the slot 6 between the members 4. When it is desired to exchange the panel or board, it can easily be removed and replaced through the slot 6, without dismantling the frame in any way. In other words, the cleats 9 are a permanent fixing for the frame, thus improving the overall strength of the frame.

The two members 4 may be extruded from the same die.

Claims

1. A closed display frame formed by interconnecting sides and having means for retaining the peripheral edge portion of a display member displayed within the frame, characterised in that one side of the frame includes a longitudinal slot through which may be exchangeably inserted a display member to be displayed within the frame.

2. A display frame according to claim 1 which is rectangular.

3. A display frame according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the longitudinal slot is defined between two parallel side members forming said one side of the frame.

4. A display frame according to claim 3 wherein the ends of the slot-defining side members are respectively formed with a recess which receives an element joining it to the adjacent side.

5. A display frame according to claim 4 wherein the joining element is an L-shaped cleat one limb of which is received in said recess in the slot-defining side member and the other limb of which is received in a recess in the adjacent side.

6. A display frame according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the recess or recesses is formed by a longitudinal channel extending within the side member or side.

7. A display frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a side without the slot has an inwardly facing channel providing the retaining means.

8. A display frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sides without the slot are formed from a single length, cut and bent to form mitred corners between the sides.

9. A display frame substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (9)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Display frame This invention relates to a.displayframe and more particularly to a display frame for exchangeably receiving display paneis or cards or the like. It is known to mount a display panel, such as an advertising board, in a rectangular display frame comprising four side members each having an inwardly facing channel to receive the board. One side member may be detachable to permit a board to be removed and replaced, so that a selection of boards can be exchangeably displayed as required. However, such removal of a side member reduces the strength of the frame so that it becomes excessively "whippy" and therefore difficult to replace the board and the side member. The invention consists in a closed display frame formed by interconnecting sides and having means for retaining the peripheral edge portion of a display member displayed within the frame, characterised in that one side of the frame includes a longitudinal slot through which may be exchangeably inserted a display member to be displayed within the frame. Preferably, the frame is rectangular and the longitudinal slot may be defined between two parallel side members forming said one side of the frame. The ends of the side members are preferably respectively formed with at least one recess which receives an element joining it to the adjacent side. Preferably, the joining element is in the form of an L-shaped cleat. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment of display frame will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of the partially assembled display frame; Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line Il-Il in Fig. 1, with the frame fully assembled; and Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing how certain parts of the frame fit together. Referring to the drawings, the lower side 10 and the two upright sides 11 of a rectangular frame are formed from a single elongate extrusion of aluminium alloy. Two 45 cuts through all the extrusion except an outer web 1 6 permit the web 1 6 to be bent to form a mitred corner 12 between each upright side 11 and the lower side 10, on turning each side 11 upwardly from the side 10 to form a U-shaped frame as shown in Fig. 1. The upper side of the rectangular frame is formed by two parallel extruded aluminium alloy members 4 spaced to form a longitudinally extending slot 6 therebetween. Each member 4 is formed with a longitudinal internal channel 8 adapted to frictionally retain one limb of a respective L-shaped cleat 9. The members 4 are firmly secured to the free upper ends of the upright sides 11 by means of the cleats 9 the other limbs of which are frictionally retained in channels 18 of the extrusion of the sides 11. in use a display panel or advertising board, etc., (not shown) may be inserted through the slot 6 in the upper side of frame, the marginal edges of the panel or board being retained by a groove 14 formed in the extrusion 10 and by the slot 6 between the members 4. When it is desired to exchange the panel or board, it can easily be removed and replaced through the slot 6, without dismantling the frame in any way. In other words, the cleats 9 are a permanent fixing for the frame, thus improving the overall strength of the frame. The two members 4 may be extruded from the same die. Claims

1. A closed display frame formed by interconnecting sides and having means for retaining the peripheral edge portion of a display member displayed within the frame, characterised in that one side of the frame includes a longitudinal slot through which may be exchangeably inserted a display member to be displayed within the frame.

2. A display frame according to claim 1 which is rectangular.

3. A display frame according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the longitudinal slot is defined between two parallel side members forming said one side of the frame.

4. A display frame according to claim 3 wherein the ends of the slot-defining side members are respectively formed with a recess which receives an element joining it to the adjacent side.

5. A display frame according to claim 4 wherein the joining element is an L-shaped cleat one limb of which is received in said recess in the slot-defining side member and the other limb of which is received in a recess in the adjacent side.

6. A display frame according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the recess or recesses is formed by a longitudinal channel extending within the side member or side.

7. A display frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a side without the slot has an inwardly facing channel providing the retaining means.

8. A display frame according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sides without the slot are formed from a single length, cut and bent to form mitred corners between the sides.

9. A display frame substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.