GB2294796A

GB2294796A - Carpet sample holder

Info

Publication number: GB2294796A
Application number: GB9421150A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Armstrong; John Armstrong
Original assignee: MULTI SHADES Ltd
Current assignee: MULTI SHADES Ltd
Priority date: 1994-10-20
Filing date: 1994-10-20
Publication date: 1996-05-08
Also published as: GB9421150D0

Abstract

A sample holder for samples of carpet or the like material comprises an base 12, and, spaced therefrom, a fascia 16 having apertures 18 into which a sample may be fitted and through which the sample may be viewed, the apertures being so arranged as to overlay at least one edge of the or each sample. The term "sample" used in the foregoing is to be interpreted as meaning either a small piece of carpet (or other floor covering), or a small piece of carpet (or other floor covering) mounted on a substrate material. Preferably, the sample is inserted into or removed from the holder at one of the edges (edge 26, Fig. 2(c)). <IMAGE>

Description

CARPET SAMPLE HOLDER This invention relates to a holder for receiving samples of carpets or the like materials for display purposes.

Carpet sample holders are employed by manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers of carpets to hold and display a number of sample pieces of carpet for viewing by prospective purchasers.

Modern forms of display involve the use of a "tray" of plastics or cardboard material within which one or more carpet samples is affixed. Normally, the or each sample of carpet is affixed within the tray relatively permanently, e.g. by adhesive. However, there is a call for a form of tray in which the carpet samples may be removed and replaced with different samples if desired.

The invention seeks to provide an improved form of sample holder in which the samples are easily removable.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sample holder for samples of carpet or the like material which comprises an base, and, spaced therefrom, a fascia having apertures into which a sample may be fitted and through which the sample may be viewed, the apertures being so arranged as to overlay at least one edge of the or each sample.

The term "sample" used in the foregoing paragraph is to be interpreted as meaning either a small piece of carpet (or other floor covering), or a small piece of carpet (or other floor covering) mounted on a substrate material.

Preferably, the sample is inserted into or removed from the holder at one of the edges.

In the case of carpet it is preferred that the actual piece of carpet is mounted or otherwise affixed to a support. In this case, it is the support edges which are overlaid whereby to retain the sample in the holder. Thus, the support may be secured in place within the holder such that the sample will not accidentally fall from the holder.

Alternatively, in the case of material such as smooth floor covering which is sufficiently flexible, the support may be dispensed with and the material itself may be inserted under the edges of the aperture so as to retain the material in the holder.

The sample holder of the invention may be manufactured from suitable materials, such as plastic materials or cardboard, and each element within the holder need not be of the same material.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompany drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a carpet sample holder in accordance with the invention with the sample in place; Figures 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) illustrate the components of the sample holder of figure 1; and Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are respectively plan and elevational views of a carpet sample mounted on a support.

Referring to the drawings, it will be seen that a carpet sample holder generally designated 10 comprises a base 12, a spacer 14 and a fascia panel 16. The spacer 14 has an aperture 15 and the fascia panel 16 is provided with an aperture 18.

A piece of carpet 20 is mounted on a resilient support 22, e.g.

of cardboard or plastics material by suitable means such as stapling, adhesion or the like to form the carpet sample. As can be seen from figure 3(a), the support 22 extends beyond the sample 20 at either side leaving "tabs" 24 which in use retain the sample in the holder.

In use, a piece of carpet 20 is firmly affixed to the support 22 to produce the sample 23. When it is desired to insert the sample 23 into the holder 10, this is done by introducing the support 22 into the wider portion 26 of the aperture 18 so that the opposed tabs 24 underlie the edges 28 of the fascia panel 16. In order to facilitate this, the support 22 is bent slightly after which its natural resilience enables it to spring flat into place in the finished holder 10. Removal is a simple reversal of this process.

Naturally, a number of units 10 can be assembled together so that a number of different carpet samples 23 can be displayed side by side, and the spacer 14 and fascia 16 will have the appropriate number and spacing of apertures.

The area of the support 22 should correspond to the aperture 15 in the spacer 14 so as to be a reasonably snug fit therein, but it should of a size to leave sufficient clearance to enable it to be removed easily. Similarly, the thickness of the spacer 14 will be somewhat greater than the thickness of the support 22.

As illustrated, the sample is retained by two opposed edges as this gives sufficiently stability of retention to the mounted sample while displaying the maximum amount of carpet.

For additional security the support 22 could be extended to provide three tabs 24 thus fixing the sample on three sides.

The fascia panel 16 would, in this case, be modified accordingly.

Should the sample of material to be displayed be sufficiently flexible, the support 22 may be dispensed with and the material itself could be directly inserted under the opposed edges 28 so as to be retained thereby. In this case, the thickness of the spacer board 14 should be slightly in excess of the thickness of the material to be displayed.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A sample holder for samples of carpet or the like material which comprises a base, and, spaced therefrom, a fascia having apertures into which a sample may be fitted and through which the sample may be viewed, the apertures being so arranged as to overlay at least one edge of the or each sample.
2. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sample is a small piece of carpet (or other floor covering), or a small piece of carpet (or other floor covering) mounted on a support or substrate material.
3. A holder as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 wherein the sample is inserted into or removed from the holder at one of the edges.
4. A holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the piece of carpet is mounted or otherwise affixed to a support.
5. A holder as claimed in claim 4 wherein it is the support edges which are overlaid whereby to retain the sample in the holder.
6. A holder as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the support is secured in place within the holder such that the sample will not accidentally fall from the holder.
7. A holder as claimed in any of claims 1 or 2 wherein the material is sufficiently flexible the material itself is inserted under the edges of the aperture so as to retain the material in the holder.
8. A holder as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7 manufactured from plastic materials or cardboard, wherein each element within the holder need not be of the same material.