A mounting support for a poster

Abstract

 A mounting support (10) for a poster, which includes rectangular support means (12) in the form of a solid panel (18) which provides a support face (20) on which a poster can be supported. The mounting support (10) further includes holding means (14) in the form of two pairs of flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) which extend from peripheral edges of the support means (12). The flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) can be folded between an inoperative folded-open configuration and an operative folded-over configuration in which an edge region of a poster can be clamped between the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) and the support means. Each flap-like member (26.1, 26.2) has a number of clipping elements (28) and the support means (12) has a number of complementary clipping apertures (30) in which the clipping elements (28) can be releasably engaged, for holding the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) in their operative configuration. The mounting support (10) also includes attachment means (16) for attaching the support means (12) to a support.

Description

[0001] THIS INVENTION relates to a mounting support for a poster.

[0002] Posters of the type used to display newspaper headlines, details of election candidates/parties, important events, advertising, and the like, are known. Such posters are typically displayed to members of the public by being attached to the windows or walls of buildings by means of suitable adhesives, adhesive tape, or the like, or are typically mounted on a cardboard backing sheet, which is in turn mounted on various suitable supports, e.g. lamp poles or tree trunks, by means of pieces of string, or the like. A problem encountered with displaying posters of the above type in the manner described above is that such posters are often damaged by the elements and are susceptible to being easily tampered with or vandalized. Further, the attachment or mounting of such posters to suitable supports is often not secure and the mode of attachment often causes damage to such posters. A further problem encountered is that the manner in which posters are displayed and the damage which occurs to such posters, result in the posters having an untidy appearance.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting support for a poster of the above type, which will ameliorate some of the problems encountered with the display of posters in the manner as described hereinabove .

[0004] Any reference hereinafter to a poster must be interpreted to mean a poster of the type used to display newspaper headlines, details of election candidates/parties, important events, advertising, and the like, as described hereinabove.

[0005] According to the invention there is provided a mounting support for a poster, which comprises
   a substantially planar support means which provides a support face against which a poster can be located;
   holding means located along the periphery of the support means for releasably holding a poster in position against the support face of the support means; and
   attachment means for attaching the support means to a support therefor.

[0006] The support means may have a substantially rectangular configuration with the shape and size of the support means being substantially complementary to the shape and size of posters which are to be supported thereby.

[0007] The support means may define locating formations around its periphery to locate a poster with respect to the support face of the support means in a position in which the holding means can hold the poster against the support face.

[0008] The support means may comprise a solid panel having a number of integral structural strengthening formations.

[0009] The holding means may include flap-like members extending from peripheral edges of the support means in an arrangement which permits the flap-like members to be folded onto the support means in a configuration in which they can clamp an edge region of a poster, which is operatively supported against the support face of the support means, between the flap-like members and the support means, to frictionally hold the poster in position.

[0010] The flap-like members may have a number of engagement formations in the form of clipping elements and the support means may have a number of complementary engagement formations in the form of clipping apertures, which clipping elements and clipping apertures are releasably engageable when the flap-like members are displaced into their folded-over operative configuration, for holding the flap-like members in this operative configuration.

[0011] The flap-like members may define rib formations at free ends thereof which operatively fit into complementary grooves in the support means when the flap-like members are in their operative configuration, to enhance clamping of edge regions of a poster.

[0012] The flap-like members may be integral with the support means, the flap-like members extending integrally from the peripheral edges of the support means and being operatively foldable about the peripheral edges of the support means.

[0013] Each flap-like member, in its operative configuration, may define an outer face portion to which printed matter can be applied.

[0014] The mounting support may include at least one connecting member for permitting two or more similar mounting supports to be connected to one another to form an extended support face against which one or more posters can be supported.

[0015] The connecting member may have a number of engagement formations in the form of clipping formations, and the support means may define a number of complementary engagement formations in the form of clipping holes which permit releasable engagement of the clipping formations of the connecting member with respect to the clipping holes in the support means of two or more adjacent mounting supports which are to be connected with respect to one another.

[0016] The connecting member may have a line of weakness which divides the connecting member into two connecting portions, permitting releasable engagement of each connecting portion with the support means of mounting supports which are to be connected to one another, the line of weakness permitting the two connecting portions to be disposed at an angle with respect to one another, thereby permitting adjacent mounting supports connected to one another via a particular connecting member, to be disposed at an angle to one another.

[0017] The connecting means may be releasably engageable with the support means of a particular mounting support at a corner region thereof, thereby permitting the connection of other similar mounting supports thereto to permit the extension of the support face of said mounting support in at least two directions from its corner region.

[0018] The support means and the holding means may be of a moulded synthetic plastic material.

[0019] The attachment means may be provided on the support means for the attachment of the support means to a support.

[0020] The attachment means may comprise at least one pair of spaced apart attachment apertures which are defined in the support means to permit an elongated fastening means to operatively pass through the attachment apertures to permit the support means to be tied on a support post.

[0021] The attachment means may include a tie-wrap having a configuration which permits it to cooperate with the attachment apertures of the support means for tying the support means to a support post.

[0022] The attachment means may include a number of holes defined in the support means at suitable locations thereof, to permit fastening devices in the form of nails or the like, to be located therein for securing the support means to a wall-like support.

[0023] The attachment means may include locating formations in which attachment elements, selected from a group comprising suction cups, double sided adhesive tape, magnets, or the like, can operatively be located for securing the support means to a support.

[0024] The attachment means may include a separate attachment means which can cooperate with the support means to permit it to be attached to a support.

[0025] The attachment means may include one or more separate elongated fastening means which can co-operate with formations provided therefor on the support means for tying the support means to a support post.

[0026] The attachment means may include at least one separate mounting bracket having engagement formations which can operatively engage with complementary formations on the support means to permit the support means to be secured to a support.

[0027] The attachment means may include a separate support rod which can operatively cooperate with the mounting bracket to provide a support for the support means.

[0028] The support rod and the mounting bracket may have complementary configurations which permit the support means to be rotatably supported, via the mounting bracket, on the support rod.

[0029] The mounting bracket may have a configuration which permits two mounting supports to be mounted in a back to back arrangement, the mounting bracket having additional engagement formations for engaging complementary engagement formations of each of the support means of the two mounting supports to be mounted in a back-to-back arrangement.

[0030] The mounting bracket may permit the mounting supports to be rotatably mounted on a suitable support rod.

[0031] The support rod may have an end defining a spike to permit the support rod to be inserted into the ground.

[0032] The support rod may have a stand formation for permitting the support rod to be operatively supported on a ground surface.

[0033] It must be appreciated that the exact configuration of the mounting support of the invention may be greatly variable while still incorporating the features of the mounting support defined hereinabove.

[0034] Further features of the mounting support of the invention, including the mode of use thereof, are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to an example of the invention, illustrated by way of the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows an operative front view of a mounting support, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows on a slightly enlarged scale a sectional side view of the mounting support of Figure 1, cut along section line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an operative rear view of the mounting support of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a plan view of a connecting member which can cooperate with the mounting support of Figure 1;

Figure 5 shows a part-sectioned side view of the connecting member of Figure 4, cut along section line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows an enlarged cut-away sectioned side view of a clipping element of the connecting member of Figure 4;

Figure 7 shows an enlarged side view of the line of weakness of the connecting member of Figure 4;

Figure 8 shows an enlarged cut-away operative rear view of a corner region of the mounting support of Figure 1;

Figure 9 shows a side elevation of the mounting support of Figure 1, mounted on a support rod;

Figure 10 shows a top view of the mounting support of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a side view of the mounting support of Figure 1, being used in an application in which two mounting supports are mounted in a back-to-back arrangement on a support rod; and

Figure 12 shows an enlarged plan view of a mounting bracket, for use in the application in which two mounting supports are mounted in a back-to-back arrangement on a support rod, as depicted in Figure 11.

[0035] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, a mounting support, in accordance with the invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The mounting support 10 comprises, broadly, a planar support means 12, a holding means 14 located along the periphery of the support means 1 2 and attachment means, designated generally by the reference numeral 16.

[0036] The support means 12 is of a moulded synthetic plastic material comprising a solid panel 18 which provides a support face 20, on its operative front side, on which a poster (not shown) can be supported. The support means 12 has a rectangular configuration, with the size and shape of the support means 12 permitting A2 size posters to be supported thereby. It must be appreciated, however, that the shape and size of the support means 12 may be greatly variable to permit posters of different shapes and sizes to be supported thereby.

[0037] The solid panel 18 of the support means 12 has a number of rib-like integral structural strengthening formations 22, on its operative rear side.

[0038] The support means 12 has a locating formation 24 which extends around the periphery of the support means 12, for locating a poster with respect to the support means 12 in a position in which the holding means 14 can hold the poster against the support face 20 of the support means 12.

[0039] The holding means 14 is also of a moulded synthetic plastic material and includes two pairs of flap-like members 26.1 and 26.2, which extend integrally from peripheral edges of the support means 12. One pair of flap-like members 26.1 extends from opposite edges of the support means 12 and the other pair of flap-like members 26.2 extends from different opposite edges of the support means 12, thereby providing a continuous holder around the periphery of the support means 12 for clamping an edge region of a poster which is operatively supported against the support face 20 of the support means 12.

[0040] The support means 12 and the holding means 14 are moulded together in a single mould by a conventional moulding process.

[0041] Each of the flap-like members 26.1 and 26.2 extends from the support means 12 in an arrangement which permits the flap-like members 26.1 and 26.2 to operatively be folded onto the support means 12 to clamp an edge region of a poster. In Figure 2 of the drawings, one flap-like member 26.1 is shown in an inoperative configuration (shown in dotted lines) in which the flap-like member 26.1 is in a folded-open configuration and in an operative configuration (shown in solid lines) in which the flap-like member 26.1 is in a folded-over configuration in which an edge region of a poster can be clamped.

[0042] Each flap-like member 26.1 and 26.2 has a number of engagement formations in the form of complementary clipping elements 28 and the support means 12 has a number of complementary engagement formations in the form of clipping apertures 30 in which the clipping elements 28 can be releasably engaged when the flap-like members 26.1 and 26.2 are displaced into their folded-over operative configuration for holding the flap-like members 26.1 and 26.2 in this folded over configuration.

[0043] Referring particularly to Figure 2 of the drawings, the flap-like members 26.1 and 26.2 define rib formations 32 at their free ends, which operatively fit into complementary grooves 34 in the support means 12 when the flap-like members 26.1 and 26.2 are in their folded-over configuration, to enhance clamping of the edge regions of a poster by frictionally holding the poster in the grooves 34 in the support means 12.

[0044] Each flap-like member 26.1 and 26.2 includes an outer face portion 36 to which printed matter may be applied.

[0045] With reference also to Figures 4 to 7 of the drawings, the mounting support 10 may, where required in certain applications, include at least one connecting member, designated generally by the reference numeral 40. The connecting member 40 permits up to four similar mounting supports to be connected to one another to form an extended support face against which one or more posters can be supported. (In Figure 4 of the drawings, four mounting supports 10 are schematically depicted in dotted lines to illustrate the manner in which the connecting member can co-operate with up to four mounting supports at their corner regions).

[0046] The connecting member 40 has a number of engagement formations in the form of clipping formations 42 and defines a number of apertures 44 which can releasably engage complementary formations of similar mounting supports which are to be connected to one another via the connecting member 40. With reference to Figure 8 of the drawings, the support means 12 of the mounting support 10 defines a number of complementary engagement formations in the form of clipping holes 45, which permit releasable engagement of the clipping formations 42 of the connecting member 40 with respect to the clipping holes 45 in the support means of two or more mounting supports, which are to be connected with respect to one another. Further, the support means 12 of the mounting support 10 defines a number of locating projections 47 which can be located in the apertures 44 in the connecting member 40 to provide for secure location of the connecting member 40 with respect to a particular one of the mounting supports to be connected.

[0047] With particular reference to Figure 6 of the drawings, in which the clipping element 42 of the connecting member 40 is shown in more detail, the clipping element 42 defines a hook-like formation 46 which can releasably clip into a complementary clipping hole 45 in the support means 12 of a particular mounting support 10. The clipping element 42 further defines a projection 48 which provides a purchase for a user to manipulate the clipping element 42 by deforming it to release the hook-like formation 46 from the clipping hole 45 of the particular support means 12 of the mounting support 10 with which the clipping element 42 is releasably engaged.

[0048] The connecting member 40 has a line of weakness 50 which divides the connecting member 40 into two connecting portions, permitting releasable engagement of each connecting portion with the support means of mounting supports which are to be connected with respect to one another, the line of weakness 50 permitting the two connecting portions to be disposed at an angle with respect to one another, thereby permitting adjacent mounting supports connected to one another via the connecting member 40, to be disposed at an angle to one another. The connecting member 40 also has an aperture 51 defined therein, which assists in the deformation of the connecting member 40 about its line of weakness 50, when required.

[0049] The connecting means 40 is releasably engagable with the support means 12 of the mounting support 10 at a corner region thereof, thereby permitting the connection of other similar mounting supports thereto to permit the extension of the support face 20 of the support means 12 of the mounting support 10 in at least two directions from its corner region.

[0050] It must be appreciated that the exact configuration of the connecting member may be greatly variable while still incorporating the features of the connecting member in accordance with the invention. In a particular application in which it is required to connect two mounting supports with respect to one another, the connecting member 40 may be cut arong its line of weakness 50 to thereby form a T-shaped connecting member which permits connection of two adjacent mounting supports at their corner regions.

[0051] The attachment means 16 includes components which are provided on the support means 12 and also separate components which can co-operate with the support means 12 to permit it to be attached to a suitable support.

[0052] The attachment means 16 includes four pairs of spaced apart apertures 52 which are defined in the support means 12 to permit an elongated fastening means e.g. a tie wrap, to operatively pass through the attachment apertures 52 to permit the support means 12 to be tied to a support post. In another embodiment of the invention, the attachment means includes a tie wrap having a configuration which permits it to co-operate with the attachment apertures 52 of the support means 12 for tying the support means 12 to a support post.

[0053] The attachment means 16 includes two holes 54 defined in the support means 12 in operative upper and lower regions, respectively, thereof, to permit fastening devices in the form of nails or the like, to be located therein for securing the support means 12 to a wall-like support.

[0054] The attachment means 16 includes locating formations 56 on the operative rear side of the support means 12, in which attachment elements in the form of suction cups, double sided adhesive tape, magnets, or various other similar attachment devices can be operatively located for securing the support means 1 2 to a support.

[0055] The attachment means 16 also includes one or more separate mounting brackets having engagement formations which can operatively engage with the attachment apertures 52 of the support means 12 to permit the support means 12 to be secured to a support.

[0056] Referring to Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings, the mounting support 10 includes a separate support rod 58 which can co-operate with mounting brackets 60 to provide a support for the mounting support 10. The mounting brackets 60 has engagement formations which can engage with the attachment apertures 52 of the support means 12 of the mounting support 10 to permit the attachment of the mounting support 10 to the support rod 58. The support rod 58 has a flattened configuration to permit the mounting brackets 60 to securely engage the support rod 58. The support rod 58 has a spike 62 at one end thereof to permit the support rod 58 to be inserted into the ground 64.

[0057] Referring to Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings, a particular application of the mounting support 10 is shown in which two mounting supports 10 are mounted in a back-to-back arrangement. A support rod 66 in this application has an integral stand formation 68 at one end thereof, to permit the support rod 66 to operatively be supported on a ground surface. Mounting brackets 70 permit the mounting supports 10 to be rotatably mounted on the support rod 66. The support rod 66 has a round configuration to permit free rotation of the mounting brackets 70 about the support rod 66. This arrangement allows the two mounting supports 10 to be rotatably mounted to the support rod 66 in an arrangement in which the mounting supports 10 can rotate freely in, e.g. the wind.

[0058] With reference particularly to Figure 11 of the drawings, the mounting bracket 70 is shown in more detail. The mounting bracket 70 has a central aperture 72 in which the support rod 66 is operatively located. The mounting bracket 70 has engagement formations 74 which permit the mounting bracket 70 to be operatively clipped into the attachment apertures 52 of the support means of each of the two mounting supports 10, to permit the mounting supports 10 to be mounted on the support rod 66 in a back-to-back arrangement.

[0059] The Applicant believes that the mounting support of the invention provides a convenient and tidy means of supporting posters which conveniently facilitates the attachment of such posters to a large variety of supports. Further, the mounting support of the invention provides a measure of protection for posters which are supported thereby by protecting such posters from the elements and to a certain degree from vandalism.

Claims

1. A mounting support (10) for a poster, which mounting support is characterized in that it comprises a substantially planar support means (12) which provides a support face (20) against which a poster can be located, holding means (14) located along the periphery of the support means (12) for releasably holding a poster in position against the support face (20) of the support means (12) and attachment means (16) for attaching the support means (12) to a support therefor.

2. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that the support means (12) has a substantially rectangular configuration with the shape and size of the support means (12) being substantially complementary to the shape and size of posters which are to be supported thereby.

3. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized in that the support means (12) defines locating formations around its periphery to locate a poster with respect to the support face (20) of the support means (12) in a position in which the holding means (14) can hold the poster against the support face (20).

4. A mounting support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means (12) comprises a solid panel (18) having a number of integral structural strengthening formations (22).

5. A mounting support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding means (14) includes flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) extending from peripheral edges of the support means (12) in an arrangement which permits the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) to be folded onto the support means (12) in a configuration in which they can clamp an edge region of a poster, which is operatively supported against the support face (20) of the support means (12), between the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) and the support means (12), to frictionally hold the poster in position.

6. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 5, characterized in that the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) have a number of engagement formations in the form of clipping elements (28) and the support means (12) has a number of complementary engagement formations in the form of clipping apertures (30), which clipping elements (28) and clipping apertures (30) are releasably engageable when the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) are displaced into their folded-over operative configuration, for holding the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) in this operative configuration.

7. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 6, characterized in that the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) define rib formations (32) at free ends thereof which operatively fit into complementary grooves (34) in the support means (12) when the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) are in their operative configuration, to enhance clamping of edge regions of a poster.

8. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 7, characterized in that the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) are integral with the support means (12), the flap-like members (26.1, 26.2) extending integrally from the peripheral edges of the support means (1 2) and being operatively foldable about the peripheral edges of the support means (12).

9. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 8, characterized in that each flap-like member (26.1, 26.2), in its operative configuration, defines an outer face portion (36) to which printed matter can be applied.

10. A mounting support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting support includes at least one connecting member (40) for permitting two or more similar mounting supports to be connected to one another to form an extended support face on which one or more posters can be supported.

11. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 10, characterized in that the connecting member (40) has a number of engagement formations in the form of clipping formations (42), the support means (12) defining a number of complementary engagement formations in the form of clipping holes (45) which permit releasable engagement of the clipping formations (42) of the connecting member (40) with respect to the clipping holes (45) in the support means of two or more adjacent mounting supports which are to be connected with respect to one another.

12. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, characterized in that the connecting member (40) has a line of weakness (50) which divides the connecting member (40) into two connecting portions, permitting releasable engagement of each connecting portion with the support means of one of two mounting supports which are to be connected to one another, the line of weakness (50) permitting the two connecting portions to be disposed at an angle with respect to one another, thereby permitting adjacent mounting supports connected to one another via a particular connecting member to be disposed at an angle to one another.

13. A mounting support as claimed in any one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the connecting means (40) is releasably engageable with the support means (12) of a particular mounting support at a corner region thereof, thereby permitting the connection of other similar mounting supports thereto to permit the extension of the support face of said mounting support in at least two directions from its corner region.

14. A mounting support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support means (12) and the holding means (14) is of a moulded synthetic plastic material.

15. A mounting support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment means (16) is provided on the support means (12) for the attachment of the support means (12) to a support.

16. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 15, characterized in that the attachment means (16) comprises at least one pair of spaced apart attachment apertures (52) which are defined in the support means (12) to permit an elongated fastening means to operatively pass through the attachment apertures (12) to permit the support means (12) to be tied on a support post.

17. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 16, characterized in that the attachment means (16) includes a tie-wrap having a configuration which permits it to cooperate with the attachment apertures (52) of the support means (12) for tying the support means (12) to a support post.

18. A mounting support as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the attachment means (16) includes a number of holes (54) defined in the support means (12) at suitable locations thereof, to permit fastening devices in the form of nails or the like, to be located therein for securing the support means (12) to a wall-like support.

19. A mounting support as claimed in any one of Claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the attachment means (16) includes locating formations (56) in which attachment elements, selected from a group comprising suction cups, double sided adhesive tape, magnets, or the like, can operatively be located for securing the support means to a support.

20. A mounting support as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment means (16) includes a separate attachment means which can cooperate with the support means to permit it to be attached to a support.

21. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 20, characterized in that the attachment means (16) includes one or more separate elongated fastening means which can co-operate with formations provided therefor on the support means for tying the support means (12) to a support post.

22. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 20, characterized in that the attachment means includes at least one separate mounting bracket having engagement formations which can operatively engage with complementary formations on the support means to permit the support means to be secured to a support.

23. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 22, characterized in that the attachment means includes a separate support rod which can operatively cooperate with the mounting bracket to provide a support for the support means.

24. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 23, characterized in that the support rod and the mounting bracket have complementary configurations which permit the support means to be rotatably supported, via the mounting bracket, on the support rod.

25. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 24, characterized in that the mounting bracket has a configuration which permits two mounting supports to be mounted in a back to back arrangement, the mounting bracket having additional engagement formations for engaging complementary engagement formations of each of the support means of the two mounting supports to be mounted in a back-to-back arrangement.

26. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 25, characterized in that the mounting bracket permits the mounting supports to be rotatably mounted on a suitable support rod.

27. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 26, characterized in that the support rod has an end defining a spike to permit the support rod to be inserted into the ground.

28. A mounting support as claimed in Claim 26, characterized in that the support rod has a stand formation for permitting the support rod to be operatively supported on a ground surface.

29. A mounting support for a poster substantially as described in the specification with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

Drawing