A DEVICE FOR FACILITATING THE EXHIBITION OF AN INFORMATION CARRIER

Abstract

 The present disclosure relates to a device (100) intended to facilitate the exhibition of an information carrier (120) comprising an assembly having an upper (101) and a lower (102) horizontal stand part, both spaced apart vertically from each other, a vertical rod or bar which may be adjusted in the direction of its longitudinal axis, which each end part (103, 105) of the rod or bar is connected to the upper and lower stand part respectively, and a locking spring device is fixedly mounted on said vertical rod so the information carrier (120), which is defined by the upper, middle and lower limitation of the stand parts, is able to be pulled up and down in a controlled manner.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device intended to facilitate the exhibition of an information carrier comprising an assembly having an upper and a lower horizontal stand part, both spaced apart vertically from each other, a vertical rod or bar which may be adjusted in the direction of its longitudinal axis, which each end part of the rod or bar is connected to the upper and lower stand part respectively, and a locking spring device is fixedly mounted on said vertical rod so the information carrier, which is defined by the upper, middle and lower limitation of the stand parts, is able to be pulled up and down in a controlled manner.

Background

[0002] There are plenty of known devices for displaying information on the market. They are used for displaying ads, graphic or any type of public information. Some of these devices are called pull-up banners, floor displays or rolled-ups because they have a bottom capsule, a graphic, a graphic clamp and a support rod or stand. The bottom capsule has normally a housing and two lateral plates, the roller is placed in the bottom capsule, a lower end of the graphic is connected to the roller and an upper end thereof is connected to the graphic clamp. When the pull-up banner is stored, the graphic is wound on the roller and during display the graphic is pulled up out of the housing.

[0003] Different types of floor displays or similar devices are not capable of being locked at a certain level or position when the screen or graphic is or is about to be mounted. This is a clear disadvantage because it forces the user to always have a hand holding the stand or rod down while pulling up the graphic or information carrier.

Summary

[0004] The object of the embodiments of the present invention is to obviate the problem outlined above.

[0005] In particular, it is an object to provide a device for facilitating the exhibition of information comprising an upper horizontal part and a lower horizontal part spaced vertically from said upper horizontal part by an upper, a middle and a lower vertical rod, which may be adjusted in the direction of its longitudinal axis, wherein an information carrier is tensioned in the space between said upper and lower horizontal parts, said device is characterized in that said upper and lower vertical rods are partly inserted into a middle vertical rod, wherein a locking spring device is attached internally to said middle vertical rod and in contact with one end of the upper vertical rod, said locking spring device is adapted to lock at a selected position when a first force is applied to said upper vertical rod and to release the lock when a second force is applied to said upper vertical rod.

[0006] Further, the locking spring device is configured to unlock and entirely release a pressure applied by said second force in order to reach a maximum height. This allows a use to be able to mount bigger and broader information carriers or screens than previous version of floor displays.

[0007] Moreover, the information carrier is mounted after said first force is applied and before said second force is applied. In this manner, a user is capable of adjusting the information carrier or screen using both hands which is more practical and makes the assemblage of the exhibition device less difficult.

[0008] Furthermore, the locking spring device is configured to partly release a pressure applied by said second force so the information carrier is fully tensioned.

[0009] Further, there is provided a device wherein the locking spring device is a gas spring element.

[0010] Further, there is provided a base element comprising a holder of a cylindrical shape, said holder is configured to fit in diameter said lower vertical rod.

[0011] In addition, the base element further comprises at least a couple of through-holes with cover provided in the periphery of said base element. The base element is preferably of a square-shape and the through-holes are preferably located in each corner.

[0012] The device is further comprising a pair of U-shaped elements configured to receive opposing ends of said information carrier or screen.

[0013] Moreover, the elements are configured to enable two information carriers facing in different directions mounted on the vertical rods.

Brief description of drawings

[0014] Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1a-c shows a device in three extending positions according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2a-2c are closed up views of the device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 3-4 are closed up views of an example of the mechanism of attachments of one of the horizontal parts.

Figure 5 is showing an example of a base of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed description

[0015] Briefly described, the present disclosure relates to a device intended to facilitate the exhibition of an information carrier.

[0016] An exemplifying embodiment of such a method and device is explained below.

[0017] Figure 1a-c illustrates a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The device 100 or floor display comprises an assembly for displaying or exhibiting information having an upper and a lower horizontal parts 101, 102 which are spaced vertically from each other, and separated by at least a vertical rod or bar. In this embodiment, the vertical rod or bar comprises three parts which are an upper, a middle and a lower vertical rod 103, 104, 105. The lower vertical rod 105 is fixedly mounted on a base element 113 at one end and on the other end is inserted into the middle vertical rod 104. In other words, the lower vertical rod is incapable of moving upwards or downwards in a vertical direction.

[0018] The middle vertical rod 104 comprises at least one fastener 107 to fix the lower vertical rod. The fastener may be blind nits or similar and are capable of holding the lower vertical rod 104 fixed. Further the middle vertical rod 104 comprises a locking spring device 108, such as a gas spring element, which is attached to the internal walls of the middle vertical rod 104 by using at least one blind rivet.

[0019] During assemblage and after positioning both the lower and middle vertical rod in place, the lower end of the upper vertical rod 103 is then inserted into the middle vertical rod 104 until it touches the locking spring device 108.

[0020] The upper end of the upper vertical rod 103 is inserted into a holding device 109, which may be of a cylindrical shape and attached to the upper part of the horizontal part 101. Similarly, the lower end of the lower vertical rod 105 is inserted into a holding device 109 in order to be fixed and stable.

[0021] The differences between Fig. 1a-c are the different levels of compression of the gas spring element achieved by the pressure from the upper vertical rod 103 when pressed down by an applied force. Fig. 1 a shows the device 100 achieving its maximum length by extending vertically. In this case the locking spring device 108 is not compressed because the upper vertical rod 103 is not applying any force to the locking spring device 108.

[0022] Fig. 1b shows a final installation of the information carrier such as a screen or banners. In this case, the locking spring device 108 is slightly pressed by the force applied by the weight of the information carrier, which is tensioned, via the upper vertical rod 103.

[0023] Fig. 1c shows a step during installation before the information carrier is mounted on the horizontal parts 101,102. In this step, the upper vertical rod 103 is pressed down at a desired and/or specific distance from the floor in order to lock the locking spring device 108. This possibility allows the user to be able to use both hands when installing and adjusting the information carrier at a comfortable height and when installed, the upper vertical rod 103 is pressed again by the user applying a second force to unlock and partly release the pressure of the locking spring device 108 as illustrated in Fig 1 b.

[0024] Figure 2a-c illustrates a closed-up view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In this figure, the mechanism of the locking spring device 208 is shown. The different levels of pressure are shown here in the same way as explained above. In this closed-up view, it is possible to see how the piston 210 of the locking spring device 208 is in contact with the upper vertical rod 203. This allows the spring locking device or gas spring element 208 to compress when the upper part of the locking spring device 208 is pressed down.

[0026] Figures 3 illustrate a closed-up view of an engagement of the information carrier that may be used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] In this embodiment, the device in Figure 3 further comprises a pair of elements constructed on at least one long side for receiving opposing ends of the information carrier or screen. This elements 311 may be in U-shaped and are releasably connected to the respective upper and lower vertical rods 303, 305 and forming part of the upper and lower horizontal parts 301,302, respectively.

[0028] As seen in Fig 4, the information carrier or screen is fastened in the upper horizontal part 402 by inserting the upper end of the information carrier 420, which may be stiffened by a strip 412 or a similar stiffener, between the two legs of each of the U-shaped elements 411. Correspondingly, the lower end of the information carrier is inserted, for instance by a strip 412, into the recess formed by the legs if the U-shaped part of the element 411, said U-shaped part being in reverse to the first-mentioned U-shaped part of the element 411.

[0029] It is essential within the scope of this invention to provide an upper and a lower element 411 which are mutually identical and which enable the releasably attachment of the lower and the upper horizontal part 402 and at least one information carrier. Moreover, it is important to notify that the respective upper and lower elements 411 may be formed in different ways when considering securing the information carrier to the stand. Further, the elements 411 may be constructed so as to enable two information carriers facing in different directions mounted on the vertical rod or stand.

[0030] Other arrangements for fastening the information carrier may also be used.

[0031] Similar to previous embodiments, the middle vertical rod 104 is provided internally with a fixedly mounted element having spring and locking properties and the upper and lower vertical rods 103,105 are coupled to a holding element of a e.g. cylindrical-shape for holding said rods fixed to the upper and lower horizontal parts respectively.

[0032] Fig. 5 illustrates a base element used in one of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] As seen in Fig. 5, the base element 513 may have a square shape and comprise four through-holes 514 in each corner. The through-holes 514, when not in use, are covered by a cover adapted in size to the through-holes. These covers are removed when a product holder or similar device is inserted in the through-holes by acting as an attaching device to the floor. The base element 513 may be of different weight according to the type of exhibition environment. However, the base element 513 ought to create stability to the device independent of weight when placed on the floor according to the present invention.

[0034] While the embodiments have been described in terms of a few embodiments, it is contemplated that alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents thereof will become apparent upon reading of the specifications and study of the drawings. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims include such alternatives, modifications, permutations and equivalents as fall within the scope of the embodiments and defined by the pending claims.

Claims

1. A device for facilitating the exhibition of information comprising an upper horizontal part (101) and a lower horizontal part (102) spaced vertically from said upper horizontal part (101) by an upper, a middle and a lower vertical rod (103, 104, 105), which may be adjusted in the direction of its longitudinal axis, wherein an information carrier is tensioned in the space between said upper and lower horizontal parts (101, 102), said device is characterized in that said upper and lower vertical rods (103, 105) are partly inserted into a middle vertical rod (104), wherein a locking spring device (108) is attached internally to said middle vertical rod (104) and in contact with one end of the upper vertical rod (103), said locking spring device (108) is configured to lock at a selected position when a first force is applied to said upper vertical rod (103) and to consequently unlock when a second force is applied to said upper vertical rod (103).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said locking spring device (108) is configured to entirely release a pressure applied by said second force in order to reach a maximum height.

3. The device according to any of claims 1 or 2, whereon said information carrier (120) is mounted after said first force is applied and before said second force is applied.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein said locking spring device (108) is configured to partly release a pressure applied by said second force so said information carrier (120) is fully tensioned.

5. The device according to any of preceding claims, wherein the locking spring device (108) is a gas spring element.

6. The device according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein a base element (513) is comprising a holder of a cylindrical shape, said holder is configured to fit said lower vertical rod (105).

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said base element (513) further comprises at least a couple of through-holes (514) provided in the periphery of said base element.

8. The device according to any of claims 1 to 7 further comprising a pair of U-shaped elements (411) configured to receive opposing ends of said information carrier or screen (420).

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said U-shaped elements (411) are configured to enable two information carriers (420) facing in different directions mounted on the vertical rods (103,104,105).

Amended claims

Amended claims in accordance with Rule 137(2) EPC.

1. A device for facilitating the exhibition of information comprising an upper horizontal part (101) and a lower horizontal part (102) spaced vertically from said upper horizontal part (101) by at least a vertical rod (103, 104, 105) which may be adjusted in the direction of its longitudinal axis, wherein the space between said upper and lower horizontal parts (101, 102) is adapted to tension an information carrier, said device is characterized in that :

a gas spring element (108) is attached internally to said at least vertical rod and in contact with at least one end of an upper part of said vertical rod, said gas spring element (108) is uncompressed when said vertical rod is at its maximum length and compressed by a force applied by the weight of said information carrier when said information carrier is tensioned.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the gas spring element is locked when fully compressed.

3. The device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the gas spring element is slightly compressed when said information carrier is tensioned in the space between said upper and lower horizontal parts (101, 102).

4. The device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a base element (513) is comprising a holder of a cylindrical shape, said holder is configured to fit a lower part of said vertical rod.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said base element (513) further comprises at least a couple of through-holes (514) provided in the periphery of said base element.

6. The device according to any of claims 1 to 5 further comprising a pair of U-shaped elements (411) forming part of the upper and lower horizontal parts (301, 302) respectively, whereon opposing ends of said information carrier or screen (420) are mounted.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said U-shaped elements (411) are configured to enable two information carriers (420) facing in different directions to be mounted on the vertical rod.

Drawing