GB2349083A

GB2349083A - Panel support devices

Info

Publication number: GB2349083A
Application number: GB9908941A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Ian Ruffell
Original assignee: CLAMP ITS Ltd
Current assignee: CLAMP ITS Ltd
Priority date: 1999-04-19
Filing date: 1999-04-19
Publication date: 2000-10-25
Also published as: GB9908941D0

Abstract

A panel support device (10) has adhesive means (12) for securing the device to a surface. The adhesive means (12) is preferably releasable from and readhesable to a surface to permit repetitive securement and removal of the support device to and from a surface.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SUPPORT DEVICES This invention relates to support devices and more particularly but not exclusively to a panel support device for securing a panel such as an advertising board or paper sheet to a surface such as a window or wall.

Our copending British Patent Application Number 9519310.8 and corresponding International Patent Application Number PCT/GB96/02273 discloses support devices, of the type previously mentioned, which are releasably securable to a surface by means of suction. The whole content of those specifications are included herein by reference. In these previously mentioned copending Patent Applications panel support devices were described which enabled securement to a surface by suction. To improve conformability of the seal to surface imperfections and thereby enhance sealing action and thereby improve retention of the support devices by suction a refinement of the devices described in the previously mentioned patent applications was to provide a sealing surface formed from a material more resilient than the main body of the support device which material preferably has highly resilient characteristics, one suitable material being silicon rubber.

The present invention seeks to provide such support devices having alternative means for securement.

According to the invention there is provided a panel support device having adhesive means for securing the device to a surface.

The adhesive means may be releasable from and readhesable to a surface to permit repetitive securement and removal of the support device to and from a surface.

The adhesive means may comprise a material which is interactive with a suitable surface material to permit adhesion. The adhesive means may be velcro (RTM). Alternatively the adhesive means may be an adhesive gel for example a silicon rubber such as Siloprene gel.

The support device may be formed to receive the edge of a panel.

The support device may be elongate and have an elongate formation to receive the edge of a panel.

The support devices may have an"L"shaped formation for receiving the corner of a rectangular panel. The support device may itself be corner shaped for example "rounded"corner or"L"shaped and the formation to receive the edge of the panel may extend along both arms of the corner or"L".

The support device may be in the form of a frame for surrounding and securing a panel.

The formation may be a groove or a slit into which the edge of a panel can be inserted. The walls of the slit or groove may be resilient to permit securement of a panel therebetween by a resilient clamping action. Alternatively, the formation may be a projecting web enabling retention of a panel between the web and a surface. The web may be resilient to permit securement of a panel between a surface and the web by a resilient clamping action.

In order that the invention and its various other preferred features may be understood more easily, some embodiments relating to panel support devices will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective elevation of an"L"shaped panel support device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation view of the panel support device of Figure 1, Figure 3 is an underside view of the panel support device of Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken transversely of one arm of the"L"shaped corner device of Figures 1 to 3, Figure 5 is an underside view of an alternative"L" shaped panel support device constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 6 is a view in the direction of arrow X of the "L"shaped panel support device of Figure 5, Figure 7 is an underside view of an"L"shaped support device of different shaping.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken transversely of one arm of an"L"shaped corner device similar to Figures 1 to 3 but having a slit for receiving a thin panel, Figure 9 is a partial side view of the device of Figure 7, Figure 10 is a side view of an elongate panel support device constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 11 is an underside view of the device of Figure 25, Figure 12 is an elevational view partly in cross section of an alternative construction of a panel support device constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 13 is an underside view of the panel support device of Figure 11, Figure 14 is a top view of the panel support device of Figure 11 to a reduced scale, Figure 15 is a cross sectional view taken along the section line X-X in Figure 13, Figure 16 is a perspective view of the panel support device of Figures 11 to 14, Figure 17 is a rear view of a panel support device constructed in the form of a frame, Figure 18 a to i illustrate some possible alternative cross sectional appearances of panel support devices constructed in accordance with the invention, Figure 19 is a plan view of a panel display apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention employing corner panel support devices, Figure 20 is a plan view of an alternative panel display apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and employed elongate panel support devices, Figure 21 is a plan view of another alternative panel display apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention employing both corner and elongate panel support devices, and Figure 22 is a plan view of yet another alternative panel display apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and employing a panel support device of frame configuration.

The"L"shaped panel support device of Figures 1 to 4 is formed from any suitable preferably resilient material such as polypropylene, nylon, polyurethane or synthetic rubber and comprises an"L"shaped corner piece 10 having arms which are substantially rectangular in cross section their inside edges having a groove 11 of rectangular cross section which extends the full length of both of the arms.

The lower face of the corner piece is provided with a base layer of an adhesive for securing the device to a surface.

The adhesive is preferably of a type which releasable from and readhesable to a surface. If the corner piece 11 is placed with the base layer 12 against a surface and pressure is applied the support device is secured to the surface by adhesion. The characteristics of the adhesive permit repetitive securement and removal of the support device to and from a surface.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 an alternative formation for receiving the edge of a panel is provided. In this case there is provided a projecting web or lip 14 instead of the groove which when in use serves to overlap the edge of a panel and secure the panel between the web or lip and the surface to which the panel is to be secured. The projecting web or lip may be resilient and may be arranged to secure the panel flush against the surface or may provide a gap in which the panel is contained.

The panel support device of Figure 7 is again"L" shaped and in this case has somewhat longer arms and a rounded corner.

The panel support device illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 employs a slit 15 instead of a groove 10 and this is intended to receive the edge of a panel in the form of a sheet of paper the arrangement being such that the sheet is gripped by the sides of the slit due to resilient clamping.

The slit formation can be employed instead of a groove in any of the constructions described herein.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate an elongate panel support device which as shown employs a slit 16 which extends along one side for receiving the edge of a sheet of paper the arrangement being such that the sheet is gripped by the sides of the slit due to resilient clamping.

Alternatively a groove may be substituted for the slit 16.

This elongate form of panel support device is intended for positioning along the edge of a panel and may be provided intermediate of adjacent edges of a rectangular panel or sheet. A rectangular panel can be supported by four such devices or by four corner support devices and one or more elongate devices. In the case of a slit it is also possible to hang a sheet of paper or thin card by means of a single support device.

The invention also extends to a panel support device in the form of a complete frame such as is shown in Figure 17. Here the frame 17 has a rebate 18 for receiving a panel but could be provided with a slot or slit, extending round the frame, into which a panel can be inserted. Although the panel is shown to be rectangular it will be appreciated that different shapes of panel and framework can be produced employing the invention.

Referring now to Figures 12 to 16 there is illustrated another possible panel support device. This device has a moulded or machined body 18 formed for example from a plastics or a metal in"L"shape configuration.

The construction is formed to receive the corner of a panel in that it is provided with cooperating"L"shaped jaws 19,20 on the inner faces of the"L". On jaw 20 is resiliently bias towards the other jaw 19 by means of a spring 21 so as to grip a sheet or panel therebetween. The jaw 20 is provided with a projection in the form of a press button 22 which extends from the front face of the"L" adjacent the corner. Pressing of the button cause the jaw 20 to be moved away from the jaw 19 against spring pressure to permit accommodation of sheets or panels of different thicknesses. This resilient jaw action is applicable also to elongate type panel securing devices and can be employed as modifications to any of the panel securing devices described herein. The principles employed in Figures 12 to 15 can of course be employed for elongate shaped and frame shaped panel support devices.

It will be appreciated that the overall cross sectional appearance of the devices can be made to exhibit and required ornate appearance and some examples are shown in Figures 8 a to i.

The invention also includes a panel display apparatus employing panel support devices as previously described and some examples of such apparatus are shown in Figures 19 to 32.

In Figure 19 a rectangular panel 23 is supported by four"L"shaped panel supported device 24 provided one at each corner.

In Figure 20 a rectangular panel 23 is supported by four elongate panel support devices 25 provided one on each edge intermediately of adjacent edges.

In Figure 21 a rectangular panel 23 is supported by four"L"shaped panel support devices 24 provided one at each corner and also by four elongate panel support devices 25 provided one on each edge intermediately of adjacent edges. Such an arrangement can of course support heavier panels or provide improved support against distortion of the panel than in the case of the arrangements of Figures 19 and 20.

In Figure 22 a rectangular panel 23 is supported by a frame shaped panel support device 26.

A particularly suitable adhesive for use in this invention has been developed by Bayer AG under their name Silopren Gel A13636. This is a solvent-free, low-viscosity room-temperature vulcanizing two-component silicone rubber which crosslinks into a gel-like produce by an addition reaction caused by mixing components A and B. The resulting gel is transparent and dimensionally stable and adheres to virtually all substrates.

An alternative to the use of an adhesive compound is to employ as the layer 12 a material which is interactive with a suitable surface material. One such suitable material is one having a multiplicity of hooks or barbs which cling to loops on another material forming a surface, or vice versa. One such material is marketed under the registered Trade Mark"VELCRO". Other such interlocking mechanisms are possible e. g. materials having projecting mushroom heads which are interlockable. This arrangement whilst having somewhat more limited application than the construction previously described has some specific applications e. g. in monitoring panels onto a display board or on upholstered furniture or on textiles such as clothing.

The arrangement is suitable for supporting many different types of panels for use in for example advertising or display. Typical applications are in Estate Agents windows, shops, commercial buildings and in the home. The invention permits display by securement to the inside of a window for viewing outside or alternatively for viewing in front of the surface to which the board is attached. The panel may comprise two perspex or glass sheets face to face for receiving posters, prints or cards therebetween.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A panel support device having adhesive means for securing the device to a surface.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive means is releasable from and readhesable to a surface to permit repetitive securement and removal of the support device to and from a surface.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesive means comprises a material which is interactive with a suitable surface material to permit adhesion.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the adhesive means is VELCRO (RTM).

5. a device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesive means is an adhesive or adhesive gel.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the adhesive gel is a silicon rubber.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the silicon rubber is Siloprene Gel.

8. A panel support device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims formed to receive the edge of a panel.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 of elongate shape having an elongate formation to receive the edge of a panel.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8, having an"L" shaped formation for receiving the corner of a rectangular panel.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, which is itself corner shaped.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the corner shape is rounded.

13. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the corner shape is"L"shaped.

14. A device as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the formation to receive the edge of the panel extends along both arms of the corner or"L".

15. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, in the form of a frame for surrounding and securing a panel.

16. A device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the formation is a groove or a slit into which the edge of a panel can be inserted.

17. A device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the walls of the slit or groove are resilient to permit securement of a panel therebetween by a resilient clamping action.

18. A device as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 16, wherein the formation is a projecting web enabling retention of a panel between the web and a surface.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the web (17) is resilient to permit securement of a panel between a surface and the web by a resilient clamping action.

20. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, including a pair of jaws one of which is resiliently biased towards the other to accommodate and grip different thicknesses of the panel.

21. A device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the resilient biased jaw is provided with a projection which permits separation of the jaws against the resilient bias by depression.

22. A panel support device substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.