(19)
(11) EP 1 635 312 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
18.04.2007 Bulletin 2007/16

(21) Application number: 04104336.5

(22) Date of filing: 08.09.2004
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
G09F 21/04(2006.01)
G09F 15/00(2006.01)

(54)

Vehicle display mounting structure

Aufbau zur Montage von Anzeigevorrigtungen an Fahrzeugen

Structure pour monter des éléments de publicité sur des véhicules


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(43) Date of publication of application:
15.03.2006 Bulletin 2006/11

(73) Proprietor: America, Andreas Henri Gerardus
2311 GN Leiden (NL)

(72) Inventors:
  • America, Andreas, Henri, Gerardus
    2311 GN Leiden (NL)
  • Kappelhoff, Rogier
    1018 MR Amsterdam (NL)
  • Witte, Johannes, Hendricus
    1019 BB Amsterdam (NL)

(74) Representative: Metman, Karel Johannes et al
De Vries & Metman Overschiestraat 180
1062 XK Amsterdam
1062 XK Amsterdam (NL)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 1 001 403
EP-A- 1 288 890
US-A- 2 724 917
EP-A- 1 271 456
WO-A-98/55981
US-B1- 6 282 822
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The invention relates to a display mounting structure for a vehicle, in particular a truck according to the preamble of claim 1, and to a truck comprising such mounting structure according to the preamble of claim 6.

    [0002] The most common way of displaying advertisements or other displayable representations on trucks and like vehicles is by using large stickers which are adhered to the side or the back door(s) of the vehicle. Adhering the stickers to the vehicle and especially taking them off again is a labour intensive and time consuming operation. There is also a considerable risk that the mounting surface of the vehicle or the paint thereon is damaged when the stickers are removed. In many cases the image on the sticker is interrupted by hinges or other projecting parts on the surface underlying the sticker.

    [0003] The features of the preamble of claims 1 and 6 are known from US-A-2,724,917. This document discloses a frame for displaying advertising material on motor vehicles, in particular on the back doors of a truck or the like. The frame includes three profile sections on each back door to form a U-shaped section having horizontal leg portions. A half of the advertising display is mounted in the U-shaped section to form a display with the half on the other back door.

    [0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a novel vehicle display mounting structure.

    [0005] For obtaining this object, the invention includes the features of the characterising portion of claim 1 and claim 6, respectively.

    [0006] In this way the display sheet is extended to the respective end of the truck door, even beyond the pivoting structure thereof. By selecting a flat design of the pivoting parts of the profile section, the profile section will not interfere with the pivoting movements of the back door of the truck.

    [0007] A simple and quick mounting and demounting of the sides of the sheet-like display can be obtained if the holding means of the profile sections comprises at least one longitudinal holding recess having a narrowed entrance opening in order to receive and hold a bead at the respective side of the sheet-like display.

    [0008] In a particular embodiment, each profile section has an attachment portion for attachment of the section to the vehicle and a holding portion comprising the longitudinal holding recess at a distance from the attachment portion.

    [0009] By this feature, the sheet-like display will be stretched at a distance from the respective surface of the vehicle so that any projection on this surface within the boundaries of the display has no effect on the appearance of the display.

    [0010] In a preferred embodiment the second profile section comprises a plurality of holding recesses distributed along the width of the profile section.

    [0011] Due to the presence of several holding recesses it is possible to compensate for tolerances in the display size, in the mounting position of the profiles or in the truck width, for example, by inserting the bead of the respective side of the display sheet to the holding recess that fits with the particular dimension of the sheet.

    [0012] Further details and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description with reference to the drawings showing an embodiment of the vehicle display mounting structure according to the invention.

    [0013] Fig. 1 is a very schematic perspective view of a truck upper structure having back doors on which the embodiment of the display mounting structure is provided.

    [0014] Fig. 2 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 but showing the truck with one back door in open position.

    [0015] Figs. 3 and 4 are schematic plan/top views of the rear part of the truck in the positions of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively.

    [0016] Fig. 5 is a side view of the first profile section in the display mounting structure according to Figs. 1-4.

    [0017] Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view according to the line VI-VI in Fig. 5.

    [0018] Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of the second profile section in the display mounting structure according to Figs. 1-4.

    [0019] Fig. 8 is a perspective view on the lower side of the second profile section of Fig. 7, on a slightly smaller scale.

    [0020] Fig. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view according to the line IX-IX in Fig. 7.

    [0021] Figs. 1-4 very schematically show the upper rear structure 1 of a vehicle, in particular a truck. This closed rear structure 1 can be opened by means of two back doors 2, 3, which are pivotable around substantially vertical pivots 4 fixed to the respective side of the truck upper structure 1. The back doors 2, 3 meet each other in the center of the upper structure 1 and may be locked in their closed position by means of a locking mechanism 5.

    [0022] As is shown in Figs. 1-4, there is provided a display mounting structure on the rear side of the vehicle, comprising two first profile sections 6 and two second profile sections 7. The first profile sections 6 are fixed to the facing free ends of the back doors 2, 3 and are mounted in a mirror image position. The second profile sections 7 are attached to the side of the truck adjacent the pivoting end of the respective back door 2, 3.

    [0023] Figs. 5, 6 show the first profile section 6 in more detail. In this embodiment, the profile section is made as an extruded section, preferably made of metal, for example aluminum. It includes an attachment portion 8 adapted for fixing the section to the vehicle. In this embodiment, the attachment portion is a flat portion of the section comprising a plurality of holes 9 to allow the passage of a fastener, such as a screw. By means of these fasteners, the profile section will be fixed to a mounting surface of the vehicle. In the case of the first profile section 6, this mounting surface will be formed by the outer surface of the back doors of the vehicle.

    [0024] Besides the attachment portion 8, the first profile section also comprises a holding portion 10, starting at right angles to the attachment portion and including at a distance from the attachment portion a holding recess 11. This holding recess 11 extends in longitudinal direction of the profile section 6 and includes a narrowed entrance opening 12. This entrance opening faces away from the attachment portion 8, in this case at an angle of substantially 135°. Substantially parallel to the entrance opening, there is a guiding edge 13 extending away from the attachment portion 8 and terminating at a distance there from.

    [0025] The holding recess 11 is intended to hold a bead at the respective side of the sheet-like display D therein, and the guiding edge 13 is adapted to guide the display around the extremity thereof in a direction to the other (second) profile section. This means that, in the mounted condition, the guiding edge 13 points away from the other profile section (see Fig 4).

    [0026] Figs. 7 - 9 show the second profile section 7. It again includes an attachment portion 8 and a holding portion 10, but in this case, both portions are connected to each other through a pivot 14. In fact, the attachment portion 8 includes a plurality of separate pivot blades 15, each connected to the integral holding portion 10 through their own pivot pin extending in longitudinal direction of the second profile section. The pivot blades 15 comprise holes 9 as well to allow the passage of fasteners for fixing the second profile section to a mounting surface. In this embodiment, the mounting surface for the second profile section is formed by the side surface 16 of the truck upper structure near the rear side of the truck.

    [0027] In the embodiment shown, the holding portion 10 of the second profile section comprises a plurality of holding recesses 11, in this case four, distributed over the width of the holding portion 10 of the second profile section 7. In use, only one of the holding recesses 11 is used to hold a bead of the sheet-like display. Which holding recess is used depends on the exact width of the display. Thus, the plurality of recesses can be used to compensate for the dimensional tolerances in the display D. The holding portion 10 of the second profile section 7 also includes a guiding edge 13 extending in line with the rest of the holding portion 10. The extent of the guiding edge will be such that in the mounted condition with the back door closed, the extremities of the guiding edges 13 of both profile sections 6, 7 will be at substantially equal distances from the surface of the back door 2, 3. As a result, the display D will be stretched at a desired distance from the surface of the respective back door 2, 3 and parallel thereof. Due to said distance, any protrusion from the back door surface, such as the locking mechanism 5 (see Figs. 1 - 4), will not interfere with the display D and the display will have a smooth plane surface when installed.

    [0028] In use, the holding portion 10 of the second profile section 7 is kept in position with respect to the attachment portion 8 by the stretching force in the display D which keeps the display taut and holds the holding portion in its position according to Fig. 9, i.e. in a position in which the holding and attachment portions 8, 10 are parallel to each other. When the respective back door 2, 3 of the truck is opened the holding portion will be moved by the display/back door, and in the completely opened position as is shown in Fig. 4, the holding portion 10 will be pivoted substantially 180° and will be lying substantially in line with the attachment portion 8.

    [0029] Returning to Figs. 1 - 4, there is shown a display mounting structure in use. In this embodiment, the first profile sections 6 are mounted such that in the closed position of the back doors 2, 3 the guiding edges 13 of both first profile sections near the free end of the back doors are positioned very closely together, so that the two sheet-like displays D together form a substantially uninterrupted display surface. In the embodiment shown, the displays D, extend only through a part of the height of the back doors 2, 3 such that the locking mechanisms 5 are positioned below the displays D, and do not interfere. It is however conceivable that the displays extend substantially over the entire height of the back doors. In this case, in order to be able to operate the locking mechanisms 5 of the back doors 2, 3 in an easy way, there can be made a provision in the displays D, such as a slit, to get easy access to the locking mechanisms. As an alternative, depending on the position and size of the locking mechanisms 5, the first profile sections 6 may be mounted more outwardly so that the locking mechanisms 5 will be positioned between the first profile sections 6. In that case, there will be a slight gap between the sheet-like displays D.

    [0030] From the foregoing it will be clear that the invention provides a vehicle mounting structure which is simple, reliable and easy to mount and demount without a risk of damaging the mounting surface.

    [0031] The invention is not restricted to the above-described embodiment as shown in the drawing, which can be varied in several ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it is possible to include additional profile sections or other holding means to hold one or two of the other sides of the sheet-like display. Furthermore, the holding means of the profile sections may be constructed differently depending on the cooperating part of the display. The number and position of the profile sections will also depend on the structure of the mounting surface of the vehicle, which may be on the back door(s) of the vehicle or on another part, such as the side thereof.


    Claims

    1. A display mounting structure adapted to be used for mounting a sheet like display (D) to a back door (2, 3) of a truck, comprising at least a first profile section (6) and a second profile section (7) adapted to be attached to the truck in a position parallel to each other, said profile sections (6, 7) each comprising holding means (10 - 12) for holding a respective side of a sheet-like display (D) and to keep it stretched between the holding means of the first and second profile sections, characterized in that the second profile section (7) comprises an attachment portion (8) and a holding portion (10) which are connected to each other through a pivoting portion (14) extending parallel to the at least one holding recess (11), the attachment portion (8) being adapted to be attached to the side (16) of the truck adjacent the respective back door (2, 3), such that the holding portion (10) of the second profile section (7) keeps the display taut in horizontal direction when opening the back door (2, 3) by a pivoting movement of this holding portion (10).
     
    2. The mounting structure of claim 1, wherein the holding means (10 - 12) of the profile sections (6, 7) comprises at least one longitudinal holding recess (11) having a narrowed entrance opening (12) in order to receive and hold a bead at the respective side of the sheet-like display (D).
     
    3. The mounting structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein each profile section (6, 7) has an attachment portion (8) for attachment of the profile section to the vehicle and a holding portion (10) comprising the longitudinal holding recess (11) at a distance from the attachment portion.
     
    4. The mounting structure of claim 3, wherein the holding portion (10) comprises a protruding guiding edge (13) adapted to guide and deflect the display sheet (D) towards the other profile section at a distance from the attachment portion (8), and preferably also at a distance from the holding means (10 - 12)
     
    5. The mounting structure of any one of claims 2 - 4, wherein the second profile section (7) comprises a plurality of holding recesses (11) distributed along the width of the profile section.
     
    6. A truck comprising at least one back door having an opening side and a pivoting side near the side (16) of the vehicle, and further comprising a mounting structure adapted to be used for mounting a sheet like display (D) to the back door (2, 3) of the truck, comprising at least a first profile section (6) and a second profile section (7) attached to the truck in a position parallel to each other, said profile sections (6, 7) each comprising holding means (10 - 12) for holding a respective side of a sheet-like display (D) and to keep it stretched between the holding means of the first and second profile sections, wherein the first profile section (6) is attached to the back door (2, 3) near the opening side thereof, characterized in that the second profile section (7) is attached to the side (16) of the vehicle near the pivoting side of the back door (2, 3) and comprises an attachment portion (8) and a holding portion (10) which are connected to each other through a pivoting portion (14) extending parallel to the at least one holding recess (11), such that the holding portion (10) of the second profile section (7) keeps the display taut when opening the back door (2, 3) by a pivoting movement of this holding portion (10).
     
    7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein the attachment portion (8) and the holding portion (10) extend substantially parallel in the closed position of the back door.
     
    8. The vehicle of claim 6 or 7, wherein the first profile section (6) has an attachment portion (8) for attachment of the profile section to the vehicle and a holding portion (10) comprising the longitudinal holding recess (11) at a distance from the attachment portion, the holding portion (10) comprising a protruding guiding edge (13) adapted to guide and deflect the display sheet towards the other profile section (3, 2) at a distance from the attachment portion, said protruding guiding edge (13) being positioned closer to the free end of the back (2, 3) door than the attachment portion (8).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Sichtbild-Montagestruktur, die angepasst ist zur Verwendung zum Montieren eines folienähnlichen Sichtbildes (D) an eine Hecktür (2, 3) eines Lastwagens und die aufweist: wenigstens ein erstes Profilteil (6) und ein zweites Profilteil (7), die so angepasst sind, dass sie an dem Lastwagen in einer Position parallel zueinander anbringbar sind, wobei die Profilteile (6, 7) jeweils Haltemittel (10-12) aufweisen zum Halten einer jeweiligen Seite eines folienähnlichen Sichtbildes (D) und zum gespannt Halten dessen zwischen den Haltemitteln des ersten und des zweiten Profilteils,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zweite Profilteil (7) einen Befestigungsabschnitt (8) und einen Halteabschnitt (10) aufweist, welche mittels eines sich parallel zu der wenigstens einen Halteausnehmung (11) erstreckenden Schwenkabschnitts (14) miteinander verbunden sind, wobei der Befestigungsabschnitt (8) so angepasst ist, dass er an der benachbart zu der jeweiligen Hecktür (2, 3) befindlichen Seite (16) des Lastwagens anbringbar ist, so dass der Halteabschnitt (10) des zweiten Profilteils (7) beim Öffnen der Hecktür (2, 3) das Sichtbild durch eine Schwenkbewegung dieses Halteabschnitts (10) in Horizontalrichtung straff hält.
     
    2. Montagestruktur gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei das Haltemittel (10-12) der Profilteile (6, 7) wenigstens eine längs verlaufende Halteausnehmung (11) mit einer verengten Eintrittsöffnung (12) aufweist zum Aufnehmen und Halten einer Wulst an der jeweiligen Seite des folienähnlichen Sichtbildes (D) .
     
    3. Montagestruktur gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei jedes Profilteil (6, 7) einen Befestigungsabschnitt (8) zum Befestigen des Profilteils an dem Fahrzeug und mit einem Abstand von dem Befestigungsabschnitt einen die längs verlaufende Halteausnehmung (11) aufweisenden Halteabschnitt (10) aufweist.
     
    4. Montagestruktur gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei der Halteabschnitt (10) einen vorstehenden Führungsrand (13) aufweist, der angepasst ist zum Führen und Umlenken der Sichtbild-Folie (D) in Richtung zu dem anderen Profilteil hin mit einem Abstand von dem Befestigungsabschnitt (8) und bevorzugt auch mit einem Abstand von dem Haltemittel (10-12).
     
    5. Montagestruktur gemäß einem der Ansprüche 2-4, wobei das zweite Profilteil (7) eine Mehrzahl von Halteausnehmungen (11) aufweist, die entlang der Breite des Profilteils verteilt sind.
     
    6. Lastwagen mit wenigstens einer Hecktür, die eine Öffnungsseite und eine Schwenkseite in der Nähe der Seite (16) des Fahrzeugs aufweist, und ferner mit einer Montagestruktur, die angepasst ist zur Verwendung zum Montieren eines folienähnlichen Sichtbildes (D) an die Hecktür (2, 3) des Lastwagens und die aufweist: wenigstens ein erstes Profilteil (6) und ein zweites Profilteil (7), die an dem Lastwagen in einer Position parallel zueinander angebracht sind, wobei die Profilteile (6, 7) jeweils Haltemittel (10-12) aufweisen zum Halten einer jeweiligen Seite eines folienähnlichen Sichtbildes (D) und zum gespannt Halten dessen zwischen den Haltemitteln des ersten und des zweiten Profilteils, wobei das erste Profilteil (6) an der Hecktür (2, 3) in der Nähe von deren Öffnungsseite angebracht ist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das zweite Profilteil (7) an der Seite (16) des Fahrzeugs in der Nähe der Schwenkseite der Hecktür (2, 3) angebracht ist und einen Befestigungsabschnitt (8) und einen Halteabschnitt (10) aufweist, welche mittels eines sich parallel zu der wenigstens einen Halteausnehmung (11) erstreckenden Schwenkabschnitts (14) miteinander verbunden sind, so dass der Halteabschnitt (10) des zweiten Profilteils (7) beim Öffnen der Hecktür (2, 3) das Sichtbild durch eine Schwenkbewegung dieses Halteabschnitts (10) straff hält.
     
    7. Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 6, wobei der Befestigungsabschnitt (8) und der Halteabschnitt (10) sich in der Geschlossen-Position der Hecktür im Wesentlichen parallel erstrecken.
     
    8. Fahrzeug gemäß Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei das erste Profilteil (6) einen Befestigungsabschnitt (8) zum Befestigen des Profilteils an dem Fahrzeug und mit einem Abstand von dem Befestigungsabschnitt einen Halteabschnitt (10) aufweist, der die längs verlaufende Halteausnehmung (11) aufweist, wobei der Halteabschnitt (10) einen vorstehenden Führungsrand (13) aufweist, der angepasst ist zum Führen und Umlenken der Sichtbild-Folie mit einem Abstand von dem Befestigungsabschnitt in Richtung zu dem anderen Profilteil (3, 2) hin, und wobei der vorstehende Führungsrand (13) näher an dem freien Ende der Hecktür (2, 3) angeordnet ist als der Befestigungsabschnitt (8).
     


    Revendications

    1. Structure de montage de dispositif d'affichage adaptée pour être utilisée pour le montage d'un dispositif d'affichage similaire à une feuille (D) sur la porte arrière (2, 3) d'un camion, comprenant au moins une première section de profil (6) et une seconde section de profil (7) adaptées pour être fixées au camion dans une position parallèle l'une par rapport à l'autre, lesdites sections de profil (6, 7) comprenant chacune des moyens de retenue (10 à 12) destinés à retenir un côté respectif d'un dispositif d'affichage similaire à une feuille (D) et pour le garder étendu entre les moyens de retenue des première et seconde sections de profil, caractérisée en ce que la seconde section de profil (7) comprend une partie de fixation (8) et une partie de retenue (10) qui sont reliées l'une à l'autre par le biais d'une partie pivotante (14) s'étendant parallèlement au au moins un évidement de retenue (11), la partie de fixation (8) étant adaptée pour être fixée au côté (16) du camion adjacent à la porte arrière respective (2, 3), de sorte que la partie de retenue (10) de la seconde section de profil (7) maintient tendu le dispositif d'affichage dans le sens horizontal lors de l'ouverture de la porte arrière (2, 3) par un mouvement pivotant de cette partie de retenue (10).
     
    2. Structure de montage selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle les moyens de retenue (10 à 12) des sections de profil (6, 7) comprennent au moins un évidement de retenue longitudinal (11) présentant une ouverture d'entrée rétrécie (12) afin de recevoir et de retenir un bourrelet sur le côté respectif du dispositif d'affichage similaire à une feuille (D).
     
    3. Structure de montage selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle chaque section de profil (6, 7) présente une partie de fixation (8) pour la fixation de la section de profil au véhicule et une partie de retenue (10) comprenant l'évidement de retenue longitudinal (11) à une certaine distance de la partie de fixation.
     
    4. Structure de montage selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle la partie de retenue (10) comprend un bord de guidage en saillie (13) adapté pour guider et défléchir la feuille d'affichage (D) vers l'autre section de profil à une certaine distance de la partie de fixation (8), et de préférence également à une certaine distance des moyens de retenue (10 à 12).
     
    5. Structure de montage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, dans laquelle la seconde section de profil (7) comprend une pluralité d'évidements de retenue (11) répartis le long de la largeur de la section de profil.
     
    6. Camion comprenant au moins une porte arrière présentant un côté d'ouverture et un côté de pivotement proche du côté (16) du véhicule, et comprenant en outre une structure de montage adaptée pour être utilisée pour le montage d'un dispositif d'affichage similaire à une feuille (D) sur la porte arrière (2, 3) du camion, comprenant au moins une première section de profil (6) et une seconde section de profil (7) fixées au camion dans une position parallèle l'une par rapport à l'autre, lesdites sections de profil (6, 7) comprenant chacune des moyens de retenue (10 à 12) destinés à retenir un côté respectif d'un dispositif d'affichage similaire à une feuille (D) et pour le garder étendu entre les moyens de retenue des première et seconde sections de profil, la première section de profil (6) étant fixée à la porte arrière (2, 3) à proximité de son côté d'ouverture, caractérisé en ce que la seconde section de profil (7) est fixée au côté (16) du véhicule à proximité du côté de pivotement de la porte arrière (2, 3) et comprend une partie de fixation (8) et une partie de retenue (10) qui sont reliées l'une à l'autre par le biais d'une partie pivotante (14) s'étendant parallèlement au au moins un évidement de retenue (11), de telle sorte que la partie de retenue (10) de la seconde section de profil (7) maintient tendu le dispositif d'affichage lors de l'ouverture de la porte arrière (2, 3) par un mouvement pivotant de cette partie de retenue (10).
     
    7. Véhicule selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la partie de fixation (8) et la partie de retenue (10) s'étendent de manière sensiblement parallèle dans la position fermée de la porte arrière.
     
    8. Véhicule selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel la première section de profil (6) présente une partie de fixation (8) pour la fixation de la section de profil au véhicule et une partie de retenue (10) comprenant l'évidement de retenue longitudinal (11) à une certaine distance de la partie de fixation, la partie de retenue (10) comprenant un bord de guidage en saillie (13) adapté pour guider et défléchir la feuille d'affichage vers l'autre section de profil (3, 2) à une certaine distance de la partie de fixation, ledit bord de guidage en saillie (13) étant positionné plus près de l'extrémité libre de la porte arrière (2, 3) que la partie de fixation (8).
     




    Drawing