GB2139396A - Illuminated display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated display unit comprises a box (1) containing an illuminating means e.g. a fluorescent tube and having lateral flanges (5,6,7,8) around its open front face, a display sheet being retained by clamping action between the flanges and a frame (9) which has an aperture (10) covered by a transparent window (11), lips (14) which engage over and around the flanges and a channel (15) at one end to engage one flange (5). Preferably the end opposite the channel has a catch means (15') which may "snap-over" the flange (7) to secure the frame. The lips of the frame prevent outward splaying of the sides of the box which may thus be of thin gauge material formed by vacuum moulding, integral strengthening ribs being provided. The window (11) may be retained on the frame (9) by adhesive, double sided adhesive foam tape, deformations or clips. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Illuminated display units This invention relates to illuminated display units in which an area is provided for displaying a sign, poster, transparency or the like having parts which are translucent and which are intended to be illuminated from the back by a light source.

It is an object of this invention to provide a box like display unit of low cost and of light-weight construction, which enables a poster or other displayed material to be changed quickly and easily.

According to this invention there is provided an illuminated display unit comprising a box containing a means of illumination, the box having an open rectangular front face surrounded by a flange extending laterally outward, and a front frame with a transparent window to support and protect matter for display, the frame edges overlying the flange, one of the frame edges having a channel to receive therein a flange at one side of the box, the other frame edges having lips which locate over the flanges on the other sides of the box.

The window will preferably be secured to the frame by bonding, using adhesive for example, to form an integral structure therewith giving strength against flexure which is aided by the lips of the front frame comprising portions extending generally at right angles to the front of the frame.

Alternatively the window may be secured using double sided adhesive foam tape. The window may comprise a clear PVC material whilst the surround is of styrene.

A back sheet may be provided serving to retain a poster or the like in face contact with the window, the back sheet being removable. The back sheet may be constituted by the poster or display matter itself. Catch means are provided and located between the frame at an edge and preferably that opposed to the channel and the adjacent flange of the box.

As an alternative or an addition to using an adhesive to retain the window, deformations or clips may be provided in side walls of the frame forming the lips. These deformations then engage edges of the window sheet material to rigidly secure same to the frame. Another embodiment uses a channel in the frame to hold securely the window sheet.

The box will preferably be an integral structure of a plastics material, such being formed by a vacuum moulding process from a sheet of material.

In an embodiment the catch means comprises projections in a lip of the frame directed inwardly, the projections being displaceable by deformation the frame to allow them to slide over and engage behind the flange on the box. One projection extending the length of the lip may be provided to define a channel into which the edge of the flange may engage.

The illumination means preferably is a single or ~double fluorescent tube with associated operating devices all housed within the box.

In this construction according to the invention the lips of the frame lie outside the flanges and thus prevent splaying of the open side of the box.

This gives a more rigid construction for the thickness of material used. The box is so shaped that it may be stacked prior to insertion of the illumination means thus reducing storage space.

Two fluorescent tubes may be provided positioned on the back wall of the box or one on each side wall. The control means for the tubes may be centrally disposed for balance. Means may be provided to hang or secure the unit to a surface or a cradle attachment may be provided.

In a preferred embodiment the main box of each unit is produced from selected 3mm plastic sheet which is vacuum formed. The frame component is a slide-down, clip-on front having embodied therein a transparent PVC window, .030" gauge. When this frame is positioned and clicked shut, the whole unit becomes rigid and stable. Such matter as will be used for display can be seen through the window and, by the same token, will always stay clean and dustfree.

An embodiment according to this invention and modifications thereof are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a front view looking into the box with front frame removed, Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the front frame of one embodiment, Figures 3 and 4 show steps in assembling the front frame to the box, Figure 5 shows a front view of the frame assembled to the box, Figure 6 is a section on VI--VI of Figure 5, Figure 7 is a view in direction VII of Figure 5, Figure 8 is a rear perspective view, Figure 9 is a section similar to Figure 6 but of a modified frame part, and Figure 10 is a section similar to Figure 6 but of a further modified frame part.

Referring to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings the illuminated display unit comprises a box 1 formed in one piece from a plastics material by vacuum moulding with integral strengthening ribs 2. The box may be secured by screws or bolts passing through the back wall. The back wall of the box has secured thereto a fluorescent lighting tube 3 with associated starter and ballast gear 4. The open rectangular front of the box has a continuous flange 5, 6, 7, 8, extending laterally outward around the four sides. A front frame 9 has a rectangular aperture 10 which defines a window covered by a transparent plastics sheet 11. The edges of the sheet 11 are secured all the way round to the inner front surface 1 2 of the frame edges.The sheet 11 may be secured by adhesive, double sided adhesive tape or clips, the arrangement chosen ensuring that the combined frame and sheet is connected together to provide good flexural rigidity. The frame 9 has side lips 1 3 and end lip 14 and top channel 1 5. The channel 15 engages over the top flange 5 of the box with the lips 1 3 and 14 passing over the flanges 6, 7 and 8 of the box whereby the frame inner front surface 1 2 can be brought into coplanar relationship with the flanges of the box. Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the operation of fitting the frame.

In this manner a display sheet placed against the inner surface of the window is retained by clamping action between the box flanges 5, 6, 7, 8 and frame 9.

To hold the frame in position on the box detent or catch means are provided on the end lip 14 of the frame. In the example shown the catch is formed by heat deformation providing "beaks" 151 which can be engaged with the flange 7 by flexural bending of the lip outwardly. Other catch devices can be provided.

As will be evident the construction of the frame in particular enables a display sheet, poster or the like to be placed against the window 10 in a manner allowing easy alignment and for the frame to be assembled without the matter being displayed becoming displaced.

The beaks 1 51 provide a particularly convenient means for securing the frame and the arrangement operates to provide a positive locking action once the ends of the beaks have cleared the flange 7 following deformation of the lip 14.

The display unit preferably is used in combination with a backing sheet with a highly polished surface and components having a highly polished surface which may adhere to the sheet.

Thus the backing sheet may be made up according to particular requirements and readily changed if necessary. The backing sheet will usually be of an opal translucent plastics material. A further important feature of the construction is the arrangement of the side lips 13 of the frame.

These lie outwardly of the flanges 5, 6, 7, 8, of the box and thus prevent outward splaying of the box sides. This contributes to rigidity of the unit when the frame is assembled to the box.

In figure 9 a modified means of securing the frame is shown. In this arrangement all four sides of the frame comprise an "L-shape" channel in section with a strip 1 spa secured to the top frame edge 1 sub by adhesive or other means. The strip defines a channel of width sufficient to receive the top flange 5 of the box. A similar strip 1 Sc is provided on the bottom frame edge 1 sod. Thus either the top or bottom of the frame may be engaged with the appropriate flange of the box and the opposed end flexed to engage with the other opposite flange following which the frame can be "snapped" into place.

In figure 10 the arrangement is similar but in this case the strips 1 spa and 1 sic are replaced by strips of rounded cross section 1 sue, 1 5f this affording an easier "snap-on" action as force applied between the frame and box will tend to deform the frame allowing same to ride over the flanges and into engagement.

Claims (13)

1. An illuminated display unit comprising a box containing a means of illumination, the box having an open rectangular front face surrounded by a flange extending laterally outward, and a front frame with a transparent window to support and protect matter for display, the frame edges overlying the flange, one of the frame edges having a channel to receive therein a flange at one side of the box, the other frame edges having lips which locate over the flanges on the other sides of the box.

2. A unit according to Claim 1, wherein the frame edge lip opposite to that having the channel includes a projection which may engage over the flange of the frame so as to secure same.

3. A unit according to Claim 2, wherein the projection comprises portions of the lip deformed inwardly to form beaks.

4. A unit according to Claim 2, wherein the projections comprise a strip secured to the inward facing surface of the lip, the strip defining a channel to receive the edge of the flange.

5. A unit according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein opposed sides of the frame include strips defining channels.

6. A unit according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the or each strip has a rounded profile.

7. A unit according to any preceding Claim wherein the window is secured to the frame by bonding, using adhesive for example, to form an integral structure therewith giving strength against flexure which is aided by the lips of the front frame comprising portions extending generally at right angles to the front of the frame.

8. A unit according to any preceding Claim, wherein catch means are provided located between the frame at an edge opposed to the channel, and the flange of the box.

9. A unit according to any preceding Claim, wherein the window is retained by deformations or clips provided in side walls of the frame forming the lips, these deformations then engage edges of the window sheet material to rigidly secure same to the frame.

10. A unit according to Claim 8, wherein the catch means comprises projections in a lip of the frame directed inwardly, the projections being displaceable by deformation of the frame to allow them to slide over and engage behind the flange on-the box.

1 A unit according to any Claim 10 wherein one projection is provided extending a substantial part of the length of the lip to define a channel into which the edge of the flange may engage.

12. A unit according to any preceding Claim, wherein the means of illumination comprises one or more fluorescent tubes housed within the box.

13. An illuminated display unit as described herein with reference to the drawings.