Field of Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to the display of graphic holders on display arms in
commercial premises, for example the display of price signs on clothing rails. In
particular, the present invention provides an improved device for positioning a graphic
holder on a display arm.
Background
[0002] Many goods are displayed in shops on display arms. Typically, the goods will be hung
below a display arm. This is beneficial allows a plurality of goods to be displayed
on a shop floor in a relatively compact space. Most display arms comprise stop means
positioned at the end of the display arm to prevent goods from sliding off the arm.
Typically, display arms have a suitable stop means formed at or near the end of the
display arm. Generally the stop means comprises a protrusion is formed on, and extends
upwards from, an upper surface of the display arm. For example, some display arms
have a small ball welded on an upper surface adjacent to the end of the display arm
to act as a stop means whilst other display arms have plates that extend above the
upper surface of the arm attached to the end of the arm to act as a stop means.
[0003] In order to inform customers about the goods displayed on the display arm information
regarding the goods may be positioned substantially at an end of the display arm.
The information may include the price of the goods, information on sales offers or
specific information on the specification of the goods. The information is usually
in the form of a suitably sized graphic i.e. a piece of paper or card with the information
printed on one side. The graphic may or may not be held in a graphic holder. A typical
graphic holder comprises a rigid plastic sleeve for the graphic.
[0004] It is important that any graphic or graphic holder positioned on the end of a displaying
arm does not become an obstacle to a person easily placing goods on and removing goods
from the display arm. It is also important that the graphic or graphic holder is not
easily damaged by the placement and removal of goods on or from the display arm. Therefore,
many graphics are displayed in hinged graphics holders. Typically, the graphic holder
is attached to the display arm at a top edge by a hinge. This allows the graphic holder
to swing about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the display arm. Generally,
when goods are not being placed on, or taken from, the display arm the graphic holder
will hang in a substantially vertical position. However, as the graphic holder is
hinged, it is able to swing away from the vertical position when required. For example,
the graphic holder can be swung upwards, away from the display arm, when removing
goods from the arm. Nevertheless, graphic holders formed in this manner do impede
the placing and removal of goods on or from a display arm. Furthermore, graphic holders
formed in this manner are typically formed of hard plastics and are prone to breakages
and may even injure customers.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for devices for displaying graphics and graphic holders
on display arms. The devices should allow graphics to be displayed on a display arm
without interfering with the operation of the display arm. The devices should also
be resistant to breakages and should definitely not provide any possibility of injuring
a user.
[0006] GB 2458543 discloses a number of devices for positioning a graphic holder on a display arm.
The devices generally comprise a body portion and a neck portion. The body portion
comprises a band that allows the device to be mounted on a display arm. The band may
be continuous and be resilient and elastic to allow it to be stretched over a display
arm. Alternatively, the band may include a closure means that allows it to be tied
around a display arm. The neck portion of the devices is attached to the body portion
at a first end and has attaching means for attaching to a graphic holder at a second
end. In a number of the embodiments the neck portion substantially comprises a length
of resilient elastic material that is free to bend and flex in substantially any direction.
In another embodiment the neck portion is substantially rigid and can not be substantially
flexed or bent.
[0007] In all of the embodiments of
GB 2458543 the neck portion is either completely flexible and can be bent or twisted in any
direction or it is rigid and cannot be bent or flexed at all. As will be readily appreciated
by the person skilled in the art this is not ideal. Although some flexibility of the
neck is preferred, for example to allow goods to be easily placed on and removed from
a display arm, flexibility in all directions is not advantageous. This is because
such flexibility may allow the graphic holder to be damaged by impacting the display
arm or goods positioned thereon, it may also result in the graphic holder becoming
stuck in a position which impedes the positioning and removal of goods on or from
the display arm. Therefore, there is a need for an improved device for positioning
a graphic holder on a display arm that avoids such problems.
Summary of Invention
[0008] The present invention provides a device for positioning a graphic holder on a display
arm comprising:
a body portion substantially formed of a resilient elastic material and comprising
a band for securing around a display arm; and
a neck portion attached to the body portion at a first end and having attaching means
for holding the graphics holder substantially at a second end; wherein
the neck portion substantially comprises a first side wall attached to a first side
of the body portion at a first end, a second side wall attached to a second side of
the body portion at a first end and an end portion attached to a second end of the
first side wall and a second end of the second side wall thereby forming the second
end of the neck portion;
the first side wall and the second side wall are parallel and extend in a plane parallel
to an axis of the band of the body portion and the end portion of the neck portion
is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the band of the body portion; and
the first side wall and the second side wall have reinforcing portions substantially
at each of their edges.
[0009] Preferably, an edge of the end portion of extending between the first side wall and
the second side wall is substantially adjacent to the band of the body portion and
is separated from the body portion by a notch.
[0010] The present invention also provides a device for positioning a graphic holder on
a display arm comprising:
a body portion substantially formed of a resilient elastic material and comprising
a band for securing around a display arm; and
a neck portion attached to the body portion at a first end and having attaching means
for holding the graphics holder substantially at a second end; wherein
the neck portion substantially comprises a first side wall attached to a first side
of the body portion at a first end, a second side wall attached to a second side of
the body portion at a first end and an end portion attached to a second end of the
first side wall and a second end of the second side wall thereby forming the second
end of the neck portion;
the first side wall and the second side wall are parallel and extend in a plane parallel
to an axis of the band of the body portion and the end portion of the neck portion
is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the band of the body portion; and
wherein an edge of the end portion extending between the first side wall and the second
side wall is substantially adjacent to the band of the body portion and is separated
from the body portion by a notch.
[0011] Advantageously, the first side wall and the second side wall of this device have
reinforcing portions substantially at each of their edges.
[0012] The neck portion of a device according to the present invention substantially comprises
a first side wall attached to a first side of the body portion at a first end, a second
side wall attached to a second side of the body portion at a first end and an end
portion attached to a second end of the first side wall and a second end of the second
side wall thereby substantially forming the second end of the neck portion. A neck
portion formed in this manner is relatively lightweight but resilient. In particular,
a neck portion formed of two substantially parallel side walls will be more resistant
to twisting than a neck portion formed of a single wall. The presence of an end wall
attached to the first and second side walls further reinforces the neck portion in
a lightweight manner.
[0013] The first and second side walls may have reinforcing portions substantially at each
of their edges. The reinforcing portions may be portions of increased thickness substantially
extending along, or adjacent to, the edges of the side walls from their first end
to their second end. Reinforcing portions are advantageous as they strengthen the
side walls in a lightweight and simple manner whilst retaining flexibility. Suitably
formed reinforcing portions can prevent excessive stretching or twisting of the neck
portion. In particular, using two reinforced side walls prevents excessive twisting
of the neck about a vertical axis. This is because reinforced side walls particularly
resist the stretching that is necessary to twist the device in this manner.
[0014] The first side wall and the second side wall are substantially parallel to and extend
in a plane parallel to an axis of the band of the body portion and the end portion
of the neck portion is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the band of the
body portion. For example, the first side wall and the second side wall extend vertically
upwards from the body portion of the device in a plane parallel to one another and
parallel to the axis of the band of the body portion, the first and second side walls
may bend through approximately ninety degrees such that their second ends, and the
end wall, are substantially vertical and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the
body portion. This arrangement is advantageous as it means that the end wall is substantially
vertical and may be positioned directly above an opening of the band of the body portion
of the device. This enables a graphic holder to be attached to the end wall of the
device and be supported in a substantially vertical position adjacent to an end of
a display arm when the device is positioned on the display arm, adjacent to its end.
[0015] Furthermore, this method of locating the end wall is advantageous as it means that
is difficult to rotate a top edge of the end wall downwards, towards an opening of
the band of the device. This is due to the difficulty in stretching the first and
second side walls in this direction. In contrast, it is relatively easy to rotate
the top edge of the end wall upwards, towards a top side of the band of the device,
as the first and second side walls can be compressed in this direction. As will be
readily appreciated, in practice, this allows a graphic holder attached to the end
wall of the device to be lifted upwards fairly easily whilst preventing the downward
rotation of the graphic holder, where it might impact an end of a display arm or the
goods displayed thereon.
[0016] In order to facilitate the rotation of the device and an attached graphic holder,
as set out in the paragraph immediately above, it is advantageous that an edge of
the end portion extending between the first side wall and the second side wall is
substantially adjacent to the band of the body portion and is separated from the body
portion by a notch. The notch may either comprise a zone of reduced thickness or a
gap formed between the edge of the end portion and the body portion. The presence
of this notch makes the rotation of a top edge of the end wall back towards a top
side of the band of the device easier as it means it is not necessary to stretch a
relatively thick portion of material that might otherwise be present between an edge
of the end portion and the body portion.
[0017] The present invention is advantageous over the prior art as it allows a graphic holder
to be safely displayed on a display arm whilst preventing damage to the graphic holder
and preventing users from being injured. The present invention also facilitates the
placing of goods on the display arm and the removal of goods from the display arm.
In particular, the present invention provides a flexible fixing solution for displaying
graphics holders.
[0018] As the body portion of the device is formed of a resilient elastic material it can
be fitted to device arms with a large range of cross sections. That is, a single device
can be used to mount a graphic holder on any one of a large variety of differently
shaped display arms. All that is necessary is that the size of the band of the device
is suitable for the cross-sectional size of the display arm. For example, the same
device could be used to mount a graphic holder on a display arm with a substantially
circular cross-section or on a display arm with a substantially rectangular cross-section
of approximately the same size.
[0019] Preferably, the band of the body portion of the device will be formed as a continuous
stretchable band. This means the band does not have opening or a closure but is instead
positioned on a display arm by stretching the band around the arm. However, it is
to be understood that a device according to the present invention may have a band
that is not continuous and has a closure means. Devices formed in this manner may
be attached to a display arm by opening the closure means of the band, placing the
band in position around a display arm and then fixing the band in position around
the display arm using the closure means.
[0020] Preferably the device of the present invention comprises locating means for fixing
the orientation of the body portion in relation to the display arm. A location means
is beneficial as it allows the device to remain in a specific orientation in relation
to the display arm. For example the first end of the neck portion can be substantially
at an upper side of a display arm.
[0021] A locating means may be formed in substantially any manner apparent to a person skilled
in the art. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the locating means comprises
an aperture formed through a wall of the band. A locating means formed in this manner
operates by positioning the stop means of a display arm through the aperture when
the device is positioned on the display arm. This prevents the band of the device
rotating relative to the display arm and prevents the device being moved along the
display arm.
[0022] In order to facilitate the positioning of a device according to the present invention
on a display arm it may be preferable that the body portion additionally comprises
a holdable tab extending from outwards from the band. The tab may be formed integrally
with the band and may be formed substantially opposite a stop means of the device.
[0023] A device according to the present invention may be formed in any manner apparent
to the person skilled in the art. However, it may be advantageous that the device
is substantially formed as a unitary moulded product. That is, the device may be formed
as a single moulding using an appropriate manufacturing process, such as injection
moulding.
[0024] If a device according to the present invention is formed as a unitary moulded product
it may be preferable that it is formed of a silicone material. Silicones are advantageous
for forming the present invention as they are relatively resilient and elastic. Furthermore,
silicones are a relatively cheap material.
[0025] The attaching means of the present invention may comprise any means suitable for
attaching a graphic holder to a device in such a manner that the graphic holder is
suitably supported by the device.
[0026] The attaching means of the device may comprise an attaching aperture formed through
the second end of the neck portion. An attaching aperture can be utilised to support
a graphic holder by positioning a cooperatively formed attaching portion of the graphic
holder through the attaching aperture of the device. For example, a graphic holder
may have a suitably sized protrusion formed on a rear wall. By removably fixing the
protrusion of the graphic holder in the attaching aperture of the device the graphic
holder may be removably attached thereto. If the attaching means of the device is
an attaching aperture it may be formed substantially centrally through the aperture.
Additionally or alternatively, an inner side of the end wall may have a cut away portion
that is formed around the aperture and extends through approximately half of the thickness
of end wall to enable location of an attaching means of the graphic holder therein.
[0027] Alternatively, the attaching means of a device according to the present invention
may comprise a locating tab formed substantially at the second end of the neck portion.
A locating tab can be utilised to support a graphic holder by positioning the locating
tab through a cooperatively formed locating slot or aperture formed in a wall of the
graphic holder. For example, a graphic holder may have a suitably sized locating slot
formed through a rear wall. By permanently or removably positioning the locating tab
of the device through the locating slot of the graphic holder the graphic holder may
be permanently or removably attached thereto.
[0028] An inner surface of a locating tab may be attached to an outer surface of the end
wall of the device by a joining portion. The joining portion may be attached to the
end wall just below an upper edge of the end wall. The locating tab may extend from
just above the joining portion to below a lower edge of the end wall. Furthermore,
the locating tab may have a thickened portion formed across a front surface. The thickened
portion may be located opposite a joining portion and may be a reinforcement thereof.
The locating tab may have a plurality of parallel ridges are formed on an outer wall
thereof to enable the tab to be grasped by a user. The parallel ridges may be formed
below and be parallel to any thickened portion of the tab.
[0029] The present invention also provides a system for the display of graphic on display
arms comprising a device according to the discussion above and a graphic holder. The
graphic holder may be any graphic holder that is suitable for use with a device as
set out above. In an embodiment of the system of the present invention the graphic
holder comprises a substantially rigid polymer sleeve for containing a graphic, the
sleeve being open at an upper edge for inserting or removing a graphic and having
attaching means for attaching to the attaching means of the device. However, it is
to be appreciated that many other conventional graphic holders are known and these
could be easily adapted to operate with the device of the present invention and such
suitably adapted graphic holders may be part of a system according to the present
invention.
[0030] As set out above, a graphic holder for operation with the device of the present invention
requires attaching means for attaching the graphic holder to the device. The attaching
means of the graphic holder must be suitable for cooperatively attaching to the attaching
means of the device.
[0031] In an embodiment of the system of the present invention attaching means of the graphic
holder is substantially comprised of a slot formed in a rear wall of the graphic holder.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment of the system of the present invention the attaching
means of the graphic holder is substantially comprised of a rotatable shaft extending
outwards from a rear wall of the graphic holder. For example, the attaching means
of a graphic holder may be mounted through an aperture formed in a wall of the graphic
holder. The attaching means may comprise a central axle with stop means formed at
each end of the axle. A first stop means may be mounted at a first end of the axle,
within a space of the graphic holder, and a second stop means may be mounted at a
second end of the axle, outside of the graphic holder. In this manner the attaching
means is rotatably mounted within the graphic holder. The attaching means may be used
to attach the graphic holder to a device by positioning the axle of the attaching
means through an attaching aperture of the device such that the second stop means
is positioned on an opposing side of the end wall from the graphic holder.
[0033] Further features, details and advantages of the present invention will be apparent
from the preferred embodiments that are illustrated in the Figures and are described
below.
Drawings
[0034]
Figure 1 is front view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present
invention;
Figure 2 is a first side view of the first embodiment of the device;
Figure 3 is a second side view of the first embodiment of the device;
Figure 4 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the device;
Figure 5 is a top view of the first embodiment of the device;
Figure 6 is a bottom of the first embodiment of the device;
Figure 7 is front view of a second embodiment of a device according to the present
invention;
Figure 8 is a first side view of the second embodiment of the device;
Figure 9 is a second side view of the second embodiment of the device;
Figure 10 is a rear view of the second embodiment of the device;
Figure 11 is a top view of the second embodiment of the device;
Figure 12 is a bottom of the second embodiment of the device;
Figure 13 is a graphic holder that is suitable for use with the first embodiment of
the device;
Figure 14 is a graphic holder that is suitable for use with the second embodiment
of the device;
Figure 15 is a display arm suitable for use with either the first or the second embodiment
of the device; and
Figure 16 shows a graphic holder according to Figure 14 mounted on a display arm using
the device of Figures 7 to 12.
[0035] A first embodiment 1 of a device according to the present invention is shown in Figures
1 to 6. A second embodiment 20 of a device according to the present invention is shown
in Figures 7 to 12. The first embodiment 1 and the second embodiment 20 are very similar
and have a large number of the same features. Where appropriate, features that are
common to both the first embodiment 1 and the second embodiment 20 are indicated by
the same reference numerals in the following description.
[0036] The first embodiment 1 of the device is formed of a single piece of moulded silicone
material. The moulded silicone material is a resilient elastic material that can flex
and be stretched in an elastic manner. The device 1 has a body portion 2 and a neck
portion 3. The body portion 2 comprises a continuous band 4, a holdable tab 5 and
a central aperture 6 around which the band is formed. The holdable tab 5 extends downwards
from an outer surface of the lower side of the band 4. The tab 5 is substantially
planar and is formed in a plane that is substantially normal to the axis of the central
aperture 6. The tab 5 has a plurality of parallel ridges 7 formed on its front and
back surfaces that allow the tab to be easily held by a user. The neck portion 3 of
the device 1 extends upwards from the upper side of the band 4, substantially opposite
the tab 5.
[0037] The neck portion 3 comprises a first side wall 8 attached to a first side of the
band 4 at a first end, a second side wall 9 attached to a second side of the band
4 at a first end and an end wall 10 attached to a second end of the first side wall
8 and a second end of the second side wall 9. The first side wall 8 has first side
wall reinforcing portions 11 formed adjacent to its edges and the second side wall
9 has second wall reinforcing portions 12 formed adjacent its edges. The end wall
10 is formed above the band 4, is substantially planar and is substantially normal
to the axis of the central aperture 6. The end wall 10 has an attaching aperture 13
formed centrally therethrough. An inner edge of the end wall 10 extending between
the first side wall 8 and the second side wall 9 is adjacent to the band 4 and is
separated from the band 4 by a notch 16. The notch 16 comprises a zone of reduced
thickness wherein the thickness of the silicone is very much thinner than that of
the band 4 or the first side wall 8 or the second side wall 9 or the end wall 10.
An inner side of the end wall 10 has a cut away portion 14 that is formed around the
aperture 13 and extends through approximately half of the thickness of the end wall.
A locating aperture 15 is formed through an upper side of the band 4, between the
first side wall 8 and the second side wall 9 and directly above the tab 5.
[0038] The second embodiment of the device 20 comprises all of the features of the first
embodiment 1 except for the attaching aperture 13 and the cutaway portion 14 formed
through the end wall 10. The second embodiment 20 additionally comprises a locating
tab 21 that is formed adjacent and parallel to the end wall 10. An inner surface of
the locating tab 21 is attached to an outer surface of end wall 10 by a joining portion
22. The joining portion 22 is substantially perpendicular to the first side wall 8,
the second side wall 9, the end wall 10 and the locating tab 21. The joining portion
22 is located just below an upper edge of the end wall 10. The locating tab 21 extends
from just above the joining portion to below a lower edge of the end wall 10. The
locating tab 21 has a thickened portion 23 formed across a front surface. The thickened
portion 23 is located opposite the joining portion 22 and is a reinforcement thereof.
A plurality of parallel ridges 24 are formed on an outer wall of the locating tab
21 to enable the tab to be grasped by a user. The parallel ridges 24 are formed below
and are parallel to the thickened portion 23 of the tab 21.
[0039] The first and second embodiments of the device 1; 20 can be used to mount a suitable
graphic holder 30; 40 on a suitable display arm 50. The end of a suitable display
arm 50 is shown in Figure 15. The display arm 50 substantially consists of a horizontal
beam 51 of elliptical cross-section with a stop means 52 mounted on an upper surface
adjacent to an outer end 53. The stop means 52 is a spherical ball that is welded
to the upper surface of the beam 51.
[0040] The first and second embodiments of the device 1, 20 can be mounted on a display
arm by stretching the band 4 around the beam 51 of the display arm such that the beam
51 extends through the central aperture 6 of the band 4 and the end wall 10 of the
device 1, 20 is facing outwards from the display arm. The stop means 52 is positioned
through the locating aperture 15 formed through the upper side of the band 4. In this
manner the device 1, 20 can be removably mounted on the display arm 50 and the stop
means 52 of the display arm will prevent the device from rotating about the display
arm.
[0041] The first embodiment of the device 1 can be used to mount a graphic holder 30 according
to Figure 13 on a display arm 50. The second embodiment of the device 20 can be used
to mount a graphic holder 40 according to the Figure 14 on a display arm 50. The graphic
holder 30 of Figure 13 and the graphic holder 40 of Figure 14 are very similar and
have a large number of the same features. Where appropriate, features that are common
to both graphic holders 30, 40 are indicated by the same reference numerals in the
following description. The graphic holders 30, 40 are rigid transparent plastic sleeves
within which a graphic (not shown) can be mounted. The graphic holders 30, 40 comprise
an outer wall 31 and an inner wall 32 that can be semi-permanently or permanently
clipped together using fixing means (not shown) formed on side walls 33 of the outer
wall 31 and of the inner wall 32 to form a sleeve. The side walls 33 extend around
three edges of the outer wall 31 and the inner wall 32. There is no side wall along
an upper edge of the outer wall 31 or the inner wall 32 such that when the outer and
inner walls are clipped together the upper edge of the resulting sleeve is open. A
small cutaway portion 35 is provided in the upper edge of the inner wall 32. The cutaway
portion 35 is approximately finger sized and allows a graphic positioned within the
holder 30; 40 to be removed therefrom without the need to invert the holder.
[0042] An attaching portion 36 is formed at a central upper portion of the inner wall 32.
The attaching portion 36 is a rectangular portion of the inner wall 32 that is parallel
to the rest of the inner wall but is not coplanar therewith. When the outer wall 31
and the inner wall 32 are joined together the attaching portion 36 is spaced away
from the outer wall 31 by a distance greater than the spacing between the rest of
the inner wall 32 and the outer wall 31. In this manner the attaching portion 36 forms
a cuboid-shaped space within the graphic holder 30; 40.
[0043] The graphic holder 30 of Figure 13 has a rotatable attaching means 37 mounted through
an aperture 38 formed centrally in the attaching portion 36. The attaching means 37
comprises a central axle 39 with stop means 41, 42 formed at each end of the axle.
A first stop means 41 is mounted at a first end of the axis 39, within the cuboid-shaped
space of the graphic holder 30, and a second stop means 42 is mounted at a second
end of the axle, outside of the graphic holder. In this manner the attaching means
37 is rotatably mounted in the attaching portion 36 of the graphic holder 30.
[0044] The graphic holder 30 of Figure 13 can be rotatably attached to the first embodiment
of the device 1 by pushing the second stop means 42 of the attaching means 37 through
the aperture 13 formed in the end wall 10 of the device such that the axle of the
attaching means 37 extends through the aperture 13 and the second stop means 42 is
substantially located in the cutaway portion 14 formed in the inner wall of the end
wall.
[0045] The graphic holder 40 of Figure 14 has two horizontal slots 43 formed centrally in
the attaching portion 36. These slots 43 allow the graphic holder 40 to be semi-permanently
and non-rotatably mounted on the second embodiment of the device 20. In particular,
the graphic holder can be mounted on the device 20 by pulling the locating tab 21
through one of the slots 43 formed in the attaching portion. The parallel ridges 24
formed on the locating tab 21 assist the user in doing this. As will be readily appreciated,
this must be done before the outer wall 31 of the graphic holder 40 is clipped to
the inner wall 32. The horizontal slots 43 are formed such that they are a similar
size and thickness to the joining portion 22 of the device 20 and the device 20 can
thereby securely hold the graphic holder 40. As will be understood, the elastic nature
of the material from which the device 20 is formed allows the locating tab 21 to be
pulled through a horizontal slot 43 despite the fact that the locating tab 21 is slightly
larger than the horizontal slot 43. Furthermore, it will also be understood that when
the locating tab 21 has been positioned through a horizontal slot 43 of a graphic
holder 40 it may be difficult, if not impossible, to remove the graphic holder 40
from the device 20 without damaging one or the other, or both.
[0046] The present invention may comprise either a device 1; 20 alone or a system comprising
both a device 1; 20 and a cooperating graphic holder 30; 40.
[0047] Figure 16 shows the second embodiment of the device 20 according to the present invention
supporting a cooperating graphic holder 40 on a display arm 50. As can be clearly
seen in Figure 16, the graphic holder 40 is supported in a substantially vertical
position adjacent to the outer end 53 of the display arm 50. It can also be seen that
the stop means 52 of the display arm 50 is located through the locating aperture 15
in the upper side of the band 4 in order to prevent the device 20 rotating about the
display arm.
[0048] As will be readily understood by the skilled person, as the device 20 is formed of
a silicone material it is possible to rotate the graphic holder 40 upwards by lifting
a lower edge of the graphic holder away from the display arm 50. This is useful as
it allows goods to be easily placed on and removed from the display arm 50. The majority
of the rotation of the graphic holder is facilitated by the device 20 by rotation
of the locating tab 21 relative to the end wall 10 by flexion of the joining portion
22. However, the rotation of the graphic holder 40 is further facilitated by the presence
of the notch 16 of the device 20. The notch 16 comprised of a zone of reduced thickness
that is formed at the inner edge of the end wall 10 adjacent to the band 4. As this
notch 16 is a zone of reduced thickness it allows the end wall 10 of the device 20
to be rotated back towards the top surface of the band more easily than would otherwise
be possible.
[0049] The graphic holder 40 can not be rotated downwards substantially beyond the vertical
position shown in Figure 16. This is because the first side wall reinforcing portions
11 and the second wall reinforcing portions 12 prevent any substantive stretching
of the first side wall 8 or the second side wall 9 respectively. If the first side
wall and second side wall reinforcing portions 11, 12 were not present it would be
possible to rotate the graphic holder 40 downwards. This is undesirable as it would
allow the graphic holder 40 to impact the outer end 53 of the display arm 50.
1. A device for positioning a graphic holder on a display arm comprising:
a body portion substantially formed of a resilient elastic material and comprising
a band for securing around a display arm; and
a neck portion attached to the body portion at a first end and having attaching means
for holding the graphics holder substantially at a second end; wherein
the neck portion substantially comprises a first side wall attached to a first side
of the body portion at a first end, a second side wall attached to a second side of
the body portion at a first end and an end portion attached to a second end of the
first side wall and a second end of the second side wall thereby forming the second
end of the neck portion;
the first side wall and the second side wall are parallel and extend in a plane parallel
to an axis of the band of the body portion and the end portion of the neck portion
is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the band of the body portion; and
the first side wall and the second side wall have reinforcing portions substantially
at each of their edges.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein an edge of the end portion extending between
the first side wall and the second side wall is substantially adjacent to the band
of the body portion and is separated from the body portion by a notch.
3. A device for positioning a graphic holder on a display arm comprising:
a body portion substantially formed of a resilient elastic material and comprising
a band for securing around a display arm; and
a neck portion attached to the body portion at a first end and having attaching means
for holding the graphics holder substantially at a second end; wherein
the neck portion substantially comprises a first side wall attached to a first side
of the body portion at a first end, a second side wall attached to a second side of
the body portion at a first end and an end portion attached to a second end of the
first side wall and a second end of the second side wall thereby forming the second
end of the neck portion;
the first side wall and the second side wall are parallel and extend in a plane parallel
to an axis of the band of the body portion and the end portion of the neck portion
is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the band of the body portion; and
wherein an edge of the end portion extending between the first side wall and the second
side wall is substantially adjacent to the band of the body portion and is separated
from the body portion by a notch.
4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the first side wall and the second side wall
have reinforcing portions substantially at each of their edges.
5. A device according any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the notch comprises a zone of reduced
thickness.
6. A device according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the notch comprises a gap formed
between the edge of the end portion and the body portion.
7. A device according to any preceding claim having locating means for fixing the orientation
of the body portion in relation to the display arm.
8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the locating means comprises an aperture formed
through a wall of the band.
9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the band is continuous.
10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body portion additionally comprises
a holdable tab extending from outwards from the band.
11. A device according to any preceding claim substantially formed as a moulded product.
12. A device according to claim 11 substantially formed of a silicone material.
13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the attaching means comprises an
attaching aperture formed through the second end of the neck portion.
14. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the attaching means comprises a
locating tab formed at the second end of the neck portion.
15. A system for the display of graphic on display arms comprising:
a graphic holder and a device according to any preceding claim
16. A system according to claim 15 wherein the graphic holder comprises a substantially
rigid polymer sleeve for containing a graphic, the sleeve being open at an upper edge
for inserting or removing a graphic and having attaching means for attaching to the
attaching means of the device.
17. A system according to claim 16 wherein an attaching means of the graphic holder is
substantially comprised of a slot formed in a rear wall of the graphic holder.
18. A system according to claim 16 wherein an attaching means of the graphic holder is
substantially comprised of a rotatable shaft extending outwards from a rear wall of
the graphic holder.