Display device

Abstract

 A display device 10 for attachment to a post 12 is disclosed. The display device has a display means 14 adapted to encircle the post 12 and a plurality of support members 16 adapted to hold the display means 14 in a tubular arrangement. A pair of engaging clamps 18 engage the post, and connecting means 20 connects the display means 14 to the clamps 18.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to an advertising device for attachment to a post or pole.

[0002] It is commonplace to attach display devices or signs to posts or poles. For example, small road signs and road sign like advertising signs are regularly attached to lampposts. An example of such a display device and attachment means therefor is shown in Figures 1 and 2. A sign 1 is attached to a post or pole 2 by attaching means 3 which are held in engagement on the post 2 by tightening means 4.

[0003] The size of the sign 1 is an important factor in trying to draw attention to the sign. It is generally the case that the larger the sign the greater the attention drawn to it. However, a larger sign 1 will exert greater forces on post 2 and attaching means 3 when, for example, wind blowing from directions A or B act upon it. Such forces may exert a turning force on sign 1, which in turn acts on post 2 through attaching means 3. If attaching means 3 are not attached sufficiently tightly sign 1 will rotate. If a force of sufficient magnitude is applied to attaching bands 3 this force may cause damage to post 2, for example to the surface coating on post 2, or under a more extreme force the structure of post 2 itself may be weakened. The application of such forces may also apply a bending force to post 2. This may either weaken the connection between the post and the ground, for example by enlarging the hole in which the post sits, or may cause a structural fatigue within the post, in particular around the junction between the post and the ground.

[0004] The sign shown in Figures 1 and 2 is also only capable of displaying information in a single direction, when it may be necessary or at least advantageous to display information to persons in all directions from the post.

[0005] Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above described disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] According to the present invention there is provided a display device for attachment to an elongate support, the device comprising:-

at least one display means adapted to encircle said elongate support;

a plurality of support members adapted to form the or each display means into a respective hollow structure;

a plurality of engaging members adapted to engage said support; and

connecting means for connecting said display means and/or at least one said support member to at least one said engaging member.

[0007] By providing a display device having a display means supported around an elongate support by support members and connected to said elongate support by engaging members and connecting means, the advantage is provided that a single display device which is viewable from all directions can be provided. Such a display device also has the advantage that a wind blowing against the device has a straightforward aerodynamic route enabling the wind to move around the device and exerting forces significantly lower than the forces exerted by a similarly sized sign of the prior art. As a result, the damage caused to a post or pole carrying such a display device is significantly less than would be expected if an equivalent sign of the prior art would be used. Furthermore, this force is generally identical from all directions for a given wind speed.

[0008] The elongate support may be a flagpole or lamppost.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment said display means is formed from a sheet of flexible material.

[0010] By providing the display means in the form of a sheet the advantage is provided that a small weight and volume of material can be used to produce a large display device. Thus the display device is very lightweight further reducing the forces (in this case the force of gravity) that are applied to the post and therefore further increasing the size of display that can be created. Furthermore, when not in use the device can be folded into a compact form thereby taking up a minimal amount of space during storage or transportation.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment the sheet has a first edge, and a second edge adapted to engage said first edge thereby forming said hollow structure.

[0012] Having first and second edges which are able to engage each other provides the advantage that if, for instance, a cylindrical tubular display is to be formed, during the process of erecting the device, the cylinder may be formed around the elongate support rather than inserted over one end. Therefore for very long elongate supports or such supports having large obstructing means located above the position at which the display device is required, the process of erecting the display device is made significantly easier.

[0013] The first and second edges may engage each other by means of at least one hook and eye fastener and/or at least one button and/or at least one zip fastener.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment the flexible material is formed from durable woven or knitted plastic material.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment the or each said support member is substantially circular in use.

[0016] Providing circular support members in turn provides a display device having circular cross-section. Such a cross-section provides the most aerodynamically efficient shape from all directions.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment at least one said support means is a flexible, elongate, tubular member.

[0018] By using flexible elongate tubular members for the support means of the display device the advantages provided that lightweight support members which form naturally into circular members.

[0019] In another preferred embodiment the dimensions of each support member in use are substantially the same.

[0020] This provides a tubular display device of uniform cross-section.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment at least one said engaging member is adapted to engage said elongate support by means of friction.

[0022] By engaging the elongate support by means of friction it is not necessary to make any permanent alteration to the elongate support. Furthermore because of the reduced forces applied to the device, which in turn apply these forces to the elongate support at its surface, the frictional force required to maintain the device at a predetermined position is significantly less than those of the prior art, and therefore the damage to the elongate support will be reduced.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment said connecting means comprises at least one elasticated cord.

[0024] By providing elasticated connecting means the advantage is provided that at least some of the force which may be applied to the device by the wind is absorbed by the resilient means thereby further reducing the force applied to the engaging members. Furthermore, where the wind is able to cause the device to vibrate, due to a harmonic vibration being created by the wind speed, the majority of this vibration will be absorbed by the connecting means and the elongate support will remain unaffected.

[0025] In another preferred embodiment the connecting means further comprise clamping means for attaching the connecting means to at least one said engaging member.

[0026] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 shows a front elevation view of a sign of the prior art;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the sign of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a display device of a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a display device of a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded view of the display device of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a display device of a third embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a display device of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Referring to Figures 3 and 5 a display device 10 for attachment to an elongate support or post 12 has a display means 14 adapted to encircle the post 12 and a plurality of support members 16 adapted to hold the display means 14 in a tubular arrangement. The display device 10 also has a pair of engaging members or clamps 18 which engage the post 12 by means of frictional force. Connecting display means 14 to the clamps 18 are connecting means 20 which are themselves formed from elasticated cord 22 and clips 24.

[0028] Display means 14 has sleeves 26 into which support members 16 are inserted. Display means 14 is in the form of a sheet having opposing first and second edges 28 and 30 adjacent which hook and eye type fasteners (known as velcro) 32 are attached allowing the engagement of the first and second edges 28 and 30. Support members 16 are formed from flexible tubular material and have bungs 34 in opposing ends thereof allowing the opposing ends to be joined together. Display means 14 has holes 36 located therein.

[0029] In order to erect display device 10, clamps 18 are attached at a suitable distance apart on post 12. Display means 14, in the form of a flat sheet, has support members 16 inserted through sleeves 26. Display means 14 and support members 16 are then bent such that first and second edges 28 and 30 of display means 14 can be engaged such that velcro 32 can form an attachment between these edges. Bungs 34 allow opposing ends of support members 16 to remain engaged and provide structural support for display device 10. For ease of construction the above engagements are performed around post 12 such that the display means 14 encircles the post 12.

[0030] The display means 14 and support members 16 are connected to clamps 18 by connecting means 20. Elasticated cords 22 are tied through holes 36 and clips 24 attach the cords 22 to clamps 18. If the cords 22 are not sufficiently tight to maintain the display device 10 in a suitable location or under sufficient tension to for instance prevent the device 10 banging against post 12, clamps 18 can be loosened and repositioned such that the tension is correct.

[0031] Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which support members 16 of differing lengths are used, along with a suitably cut display means 14 such that a truncated conical display device 10 is formed.

[0032] In Figure 6 additional connecting means 20 are used so as to provide additional tension within the device 10. This arrangement would typically be used in areas regularly experiencing strong wind where an additional force is required to prevent the device 10 from contacting post 12. Such an arrangement might also be used where the display device is intended for long term display, the additional connecting means reducing the tension within any one connecting means and thereby increasing the life expectancy of the elasticated material in the cords 22.

[0033] Figure 7 shows an example of a longer device 10.

[0034] The above described display devices might typically be used for advertising. For example, a cylindrical device 10 could be decorated such that it represents the get-up of a cylindrical product or product sold in cylindrical packaging. The device 10 may also be used to display information through 360 degrees of viewpoints.

[0035] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiment was described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the support means need not necessarily be formed in use into an annular form, and a rectangular formation, for example, would provide many of the advantages over the prior art.

Claims

1. A display device for attachment to an elongate support, the device comprising:-

at least one display means adapted to encircle said elongate support;

a plurality of support members adapted to form the or each display means into a respective hollow structure;

a plurality of engaging members adapted to engage said support; and

connecting means for connecting said display means and/or at least one said support member to at least one said engaging member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate support is a lamppost.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the elongate support is a flagpole.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said display means is formed from a sheet of flexible material.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said sheet has a first edge, and a second edge adapted to engage said first edge thereby forming said hollow structure.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the first and second edges engage each other in use by means of at least one hook and eye fastener and/or at least one button and/or at least one zip fastener.

7. A device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said flexible material is woven or knitted from a durable plastic material.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each said support member is substantially circular in use.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said support member is a flexible, elongate, tubular member.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dimensions of each support member in use are substantially the same.

11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one said engaging member is adapted to engage said elongate support by means of friction.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting means comprises at least one elasticated cord.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means further comprises clamping means for attaching the connecting means to at least one said engaging member.

Drawing