GB2167590A - Display frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame for displaying a card is formed from extrusions defining channels to receive marginal edge portions of the card. In order to provide for insertion of the card into the frame the end extrusion 4 is subject to a machining operation whereby the rearwardly facing outer edge 8 is removed to thereby define a slot 9 which communicates with the channel formed between the limbs 5 and 6. A portion of the base of the U forming the end extrusion is left to provide a stepped edge 10 to permit the card to be slid into the frame in a quick and simple manner but by virtue of the inherent stiffness in the card, any attempt to remove same by sliding it in the direction of insertion will cause the edge of the card to abut the stepped edge over a substantial part of its length. To remove the card a thin card may be pushed in between the card and the limb 6. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in frames for displaying advertising or the like matter This invention relates to an improved construction of frame for the display of advertising or the like matter, the frame being primarily intended for use in public transport vehicles. It is common practice to advertise in public railway and road vehicles by means of posters which comprise a relatively stiff card or plastics material carrying advertising matter. The card is inserted within a metal framework and hitherto securing such a framework has been by means of screws which have to be removed in order to change the sign. In another arrangement the card is simply slipped into the frame from an open end. With both these methods it is obvious to vandals how the advertising matter is retained and thus relatively easy for persons to remove same.

It is an object of this invention to provide a frame which is of an inexpensive and simple construction but which nevertheless provides much better security against removal of the card insert.

According to this invention there is provided a frame for holding a sheet member, the frame having channels around the inner periphery serving to receive the marginal edge portions of the sheet member, such as a card, carrying advertising or the like matter, the rear outer periphery edge of an end of the frame being cut away so as to define a slot communicating with the channel, the slot having an inwardly facing stepped edge arranged so that the card may be inserted into the frame through the slot and thereafter ride over the stepped edge such that any sliding motion imparted to the card in a direction towards the slot will be resisted by virtue of an abutment formed between the stepped edge and an edge of the card.

A frame constructed in this manner appears to be identical around the whole of its perimeter and it is therefore not readily apparent that the card slides in from one side. Furthermore any attempt to slide the card out through the slotted end is met with resistance thereby preventing unauthorised removal. A further important advantage of this arrangement is that securing means such as screws to retain the frame against a support surface can be located to normally lie beneath the card. Such means thus cannot be undone without first removing the card.

The construction does however provide for quick and simple removal of the card by persons provided with suitable expertise.

This invention also extends to the method of manufacturing a frame for holding a sheet member, such as a card or the like, the frame comprising a channel section extrusion to hold the peripheral edges of the card and wherein one side of the channel section is cut away by a machining operation so as to expose a slot which communicates with the base of the channel and through which the card may be inserted or removed.

An embodiment according to the invention is shown by way of an example in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a rectangular frame for an advertising card.

Figure 2 shows a detail fragmentary view of one corner of the frame, Figure 3 shows a cross section on A-A of Figure 1, Figure 4 shows a cross section on B-B of Figure 1, and Figure 5 shows a cross section on C-C of Figure 1.

As shown in the drawings the framework is formed from four pieces of aluminium extrusion, there being two longer sides 1 and 2 and two shorter sides 3 and 4. Each extrusion is of an elongated U-shape in cross section as shown in Figure 3 with the rear limb 5 of the U extending beyond the front limb 6 of the U. This enables the rear limb 5 to be provided with screw fixing holes 7.

The corners are formed by mitred junctions between the members and these joints may be secured conveniently by welding or by other suitable fastenings.

This frame therefore defines an inwardly facing channel around the perimeter which serves to receive the marginal edge portions of a rigid card or the like carrying for example advertising matter. In order to provide for insertion of the card into the frame the end extrusion 4 is subject to a machining operation whereby the rearwardly facing outer edge at 8 is removed to thereby define a slot 9 which communicates with the channel formed between the limbs 5 and 6. This channel is sufficiently long and wide to receive the card.

The machining operation is further arranged so that an inwardly facing stepped edge 10 is provided this being by virtue of accurate control of the depth of cutting so as to leave a portion of the base of the U forming the frame in position. This arrangement permits the card to be slid into the frame in a quick and simple manner but by virtue of the inherent stiffness in the card, any attempt to remove same by simply sliding it in the direction of insertion will cause the edge of the frame to abut the stepped edge 10 over a substantial part of its length. In practice it is quite impossible to remove the card regardless of any force or manipulation applied to the front surface thereof.

When it is required to change the card this may nevertheless be removed in a very simple manner by sliding a thin card or even a sheet of paper into the slot 9 to lie between a front surface of the card and the inner facing surface of the limb 6 of the end frame. The paper is then worked downwardly so as to push the card rearwardly over the whole of its edge length and it may thereby be removed from the slot without impediment.

Although the construction described herein is in respect of a rectangular frame it is possible to adopt the constructional features related to the slotted end member in various shapes of frame and in one particular construction the end members 3 and 4 are arcuately curved so as to fit the concave internal panelling of a public transport ve hicle. It has been found that these end members can be conformed to the appropriate radius of curvature after the slots have been cut.

Claims (8)

1. A frame for holding a sheet member, the frame having channels around the inner periphery serving to receive the marginal edge portions of the sheet member, such as a card, carrying advertising or the like matter, the rear outer peripheral edge of an end of the frame being cut away so as to define a slot communicating with the channel, the slot having an inwardly facing stepped edge arranged so that the card may be inserted into the frame through the slot and thereafter ride over the stepped edge such that any sliding motion imparted to the card in a direction towards the slot will be resisted by virtue of an abutment formed between the stepped edge and an edge of the card.

2. A frame according to Claim 1 formed from side and end members defining a rectangle.

3. A frame according to Claim to or 2, formed from channel members of an elongated "U" crosssection.

4. A frame according to Claim 3, wherein the rear limb of the U-shape frame is longer than the front limb.

5. A frame according to Claim 4, wherein the rear limb of the frame has means to retain same against a support surface.

6. A frame according to Claim 5, wherein the means comprises apertures to receive screw fixings.

7. A frame according to any preceding claim, wherein the end of the frame is cut away by a machining operation so as to expose a slot which communicates with the base of the channel and through which the card may be inserted or removed.

8. A frame for displaying printed matter on a card substantially as described herein and exemplified by the drawings.