EP1635311A1

EP1635311A1 - A system for displaying an image provided on a flexible medium, a carrier member for the said system, an element for constituting the carrier member, a method for assembling the said system and use of the said system for displaying an image

Info

Publication number: EP1635311A1
Application number: EP04077489A
Authority: EP
Inventors: J. Schürgers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-09-08
Filing date: 2004-09-08
Publication date: 2006-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2024-09-08
Also published as: DE602004010259T2; EP1635311B1; DE602004010259D1

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a system for displaying an image provided on a flexible medium, comprising two substantially parallel carrier members between which at least a part of the medium provided with the said image is stretched out, wherein each carrier member is a composition comprising two longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, each element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, wherein the profiles of the second surfaces co-operate to provide for a connection between the elements and constitute a longitudinal cavity for inserting and thereby detachably locking a part of the medium. The invention also pertains to a carrier member for the said system, an element for constituting the carrier member, a method for assembling the system and use of the said system for displaying an image.

Description

The present invention pertains to a system for displaying an image provided on a flexible medium, comprising two substantially parallel carrier members between which at least a part of the medium provided with the said image is stretched out. The invention also pertains to a carrier member for the said system, an element for constituting the carrier member, a method for assembling the system and use of the said system for displaying an image.
Such a system is known from US patent 4,636,105. In the said system extruded hollow profiles are used as carrier members for carrying a flexible medium such as a piece of cloth, tarpaulin, screen, paper, plastic sheet etc. In each of the said profiles a groove is made in order to receive the edge of the medium. The medium can be fastened in various ways, for example by filling up the groove with a fastener element, thereby grasping the medium in the groove, or simply by gluing it to the carrier member. In an embodiment, the flexible medium is squarely stretched out between four carrier members, wherein the carrier members are connected by four corner pieces which have legs that fit into the hollow carrier members.
The known system has several important disadvantages. Firstly, the system is not versatile. For example, the medium can only be fit between the carrier members in one way, i.e. such that the carrier member itself is visible. Especially for advertisement purposes in shops, department stores, exhibitions etc, this can be very annoying. Next to this, the known system is only suitable to make two-dimensional display units. Self supporting free-standing display units cannot be made with the known carrier members. Next to this, hollow profiles are relatively expensive to make, especially when profiles in the order of one metre or more are necessary. Also, it is hard to neatly fit the flexible medium between the carrier members since the medium has to be fastened by using an additional means such as glue, clamps or a filler medium for the groove. Also, disassembling the display system without damaging the flexible medium is hardly possible.
It is an object of the present invention to mitigate the above-described disadvantages. For this, a display system according to the preamble has been devised, characterised in that each carrier member is a composition comprising two longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, each element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, wherein the profiles of the second surfaces co-operate to provide for a connection between the elements and constitute a longitudinal cavity for inserting and thereby detachably locking a part of the medium.
According to the invention, the carrier members are assembled by connecting two or more longitudinal elements via profiled surfaces of these elements. At the same time, the profiles provide for a cavity for detachably locking a part, in particular an edge, of the medium. This way, the carrier members can be assembled in order to meet a specific purpose, and also, the position of the flexible medium with respect to the carrier member can be chosen out of a plurality of possibilities. Next to this, because the carrier member can be assembled out of relatively simple, for example substantially flat, separate elements, it can be manufactured for a relatively low price. Another important advantage of the display system according to the present invention is that the medium is detachably locked simply by inserting the medium into the cavity, for example by sliding in a thickened edge that fits the cavity. Thus, no additional means are required to lock the medium in the cavity, and the medium can easily be changed for a new one.
In an embodiment the system comprises a tension means to interconnect the carrier members and stretch the medium such that the system is self- supporting. This embodiment has the advantage that a supporting medium for the system, such as a wall to which the carrier members are connected, can be dispensed with. Next to this, the tension means can provide for a neat stretching of the flexible medium so that wrinkles, curves or other irregularities do not interfere with the image to be displayed. By providing the tension means, the carrier members become rigidly connected and the system thus becomes self-supporting. This enables the system to be placed on a floor whilst standing, for example via a foot to which is connected to the ends of the carrier members. In particular for exhibition purposes this is a major advantage.
In a further embodiment, the tension means allows reversible stretching of the medium. In this embodiment, the tension means can be used to stretch the medium, for example by moving the carrier members in opposite direction, but also to de-stretch the medium, for example by bringing the carrier members in a near contiguous constitution. This way the system can be folded in like an umbrella and can be transported or stocked easily.
In another embodiment the carrier member comprises at least three longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, the elements being connected to form a longitudinal box. In this embodiment, the composition of longitudinal elements forms a hollow carrier member. Advantages of such a carrier member are it's intrinsic rigidity and the possibility to enclose all sorts of additional means in the hollow space, for example wiring to connect electrical apparatus. With respect to the known hollow carrier member as described here-above, this embodiment has the advantage that it can be (partly) disassembled to allow easy access to the entire hollow space.
In a further embodiment the profiled surfaces of the elements are directed to the interior of the box. In this embodiment the cavity to detachably lock the flexible medium is provided in the interior of the box. In particular when the elements have smooth first surfaces directed to the outside of the box, this leads to an aesthetically sound display system. In this embodiment the longitudinal edges of at least two elements are not in physical contact so that a small longitudinal opening at the corresponding edge of the carrier member remains for leading through the flexible medium that is locked inside the carrier member.
In a further embodiment the carrier member comprises three of the said elements forming a triangular shaped box. It appears that such a box can be used to constitute a very well appreciated display system that is mechanically very rigid and aesthetically very nice. Three or more of such triangular boxes can be used together to create a free standing pillar like display system that is very suitable for advertisement purposes, e.g. at exhibitions
In an embodiment of the present invention the longitudinal elements of a carrier member are essentially identical. This makes the production and subsequent assembling of the system easier and thus cheaper. In a preferred embodiment the longitudinal elements of a carrier member are slidably interconnected in the said longitudinal direction. This way the elements can be connected with a sliding movement which is convenient and easily detachable.
In another embodiment, the part of the medium that is detachably locked in the cavity of a carrier member comprises a tendon that is substantially enclosed by the cavity. Such a tendon can be sewed into an edge of the flexible medium as is commonly known in the art. By choosing an appropriate tendon, the outer circumference of the tendon surrounded by the flexible medium, can be adjusted to the shape and size of the cavity. Locking the medium in the cavity by using a tendon provides for a very secure locking and still allowing easy removing of the medium from the carrier member. This is highly advantageous for displaying images temporary.
The present invention also pertains to the parts that allow assembly of the display system according to the present invention. In particular, the invention comprises a carrier member that is a composition comprising two longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, each element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, wherein the profiles of the second surfaces co-operate to provide for a connection between the two elements and constitute a cavity for inserting and thereby detachably locking a part of a flexible medium. The scope of the invention also covers a longitudinal element suitable for constituting such a carrier member, the longitudinal element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, wherein the profile of the second surface is such that two of these elements can be slidably connected in the longitudinal direction via their profiles and constitute a cavity for inserting and thereby detachably locking a part of a flexible medium.
The invention also pertains to a method for assembling the display system as described here-above, the method comprising the steps of composing two carrier members, each comprising two longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, each element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, by connecting the elements via co-operation of their profiled surfaces, thereby providing a longitudinal cavity in each carrier member, inserting a first part of a flexible medium, in particular a first edge provided with a tendon, in the cavity of the first carrier member, inserting a second part of the flexible medium, in particular a second edge opposite to the first edge and provided with a tendon, in the cavity of the second carrier member, stretching the flexible medium by moving the carrier members in opposite direction and, and ultimately fixing the stretched medium by providing a rigid connection between the carrier members. Use of the assembled display system is also covered by the appended claims.
The invention will be further explained with reference to the following examples which represent one specific embodiment of the many embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 1 schematically shows a cross section of a longitudinal profiled element according to the invention.
Figure 2 schematically shows a cross section of a carrier member composed of three separate elements as depicted in figure 1.
Figure 3 shows another cross section of the carrier member as depicted in figure 2, provided with four separate flexible media.
Figure 4 schematically shows a free standing self supporting display system according to the present invention.

Figure 1

Figure 1 schematically shows a cross section of a longitudinal profiled element 1 according to the invention. The element as depicted is made of extruded aluminium and has a first surface 2 that is smooth. The second surface 3 is profiled and provided with sub-elements 4, 5, 6 and 7. These sub-elements define anchoring points for a detachable connection between two or three of these elements. Next to this, they define cavities 22, 24 and 41. Of these cavities, elements 22 and 41, which extend along the entire length of the element 1, are designed to detachably lock an edge of a flexible medium that is provided with a tendon. The length of the element 1 can be up to several meters. In another embodiment, the element 1 can be constituted out of two or more sub-elements that are arranged e.g. sequentially in longitudinal direction and for example welded, glued or clamped together. The width, as is shown here in cross section, is about 7 centimetres.
As is apparent for the skilled practitioner, the element 1 can be made out of many materials depending on the rigidity needed, the costs, the required looks etc. Many different types of metals can be used as well as synthetic materials, natural materials or mixtures thereof such as carbon fibre reinforced plastics. Also, the surface texture of the first surface can be chosen according to the wish of the user of the display system. In a preferred embodiment, the first surface is anodised aluminium.

Figure 2

Figure 2 schematically shows a cross section of a triangular box-like carrier member 10 composed of three separate elements 1a, 1 b and 1c as depicted in figure 1. Figure 2 shows part of the length of the elements, as this figure is partly a side view. By sliding the elements 1a, 1 b and 1c together in longitudinal direction, a detachable connection is formed which is very strong in non-longitudinal directions. In order to secure the elements also in the longitudinal direction, the carrier member can be foreseen with two end-caps. According to the invention, the longitudinal elements constituting the carrier member are substantially of equal length. Being of substantially equal length means that each of the elements at least has the same length as the length of the flexible medium that is locked in the carrier member composed of these elements, in order to be able and provide that each of the elements runs along the entire length of the flexible medium. Without diverting from the scope of the invention, it may be that one or more of the elements have an additional length and that this length is different for each element. Due to the profiled surfaces directed to the interior of the triangular carrier member, this member is provided with three cavity groups for locking a flexible medium, viz. the groups consisting of cavities 20, 21 and 22; cavities 30, 31 and 32; and cavities 40, 41 and 42. An edge part of a flexible medium that is locked in one of these longitudinal cavities can leave the carrier member via openings 43, 33 and 53 respectively. These openings typically have a width of 1,2 mm in order to accommodate a large variety of flexible media.
The carrier member is also provided with cavities 23, 24 and 25 which can be used for all kinds of purposes such as taking up securing elements of a foot for vertically carrying the carrier member or taking up electrical wires for connecting electrical equipment such as light and sound equipment. In an embodiment, the longitudinal elements 1a, 1b and 1c are detachably connected to each other. This enables complete disassembly of the display system of which the carrier member is a part. In another embodiment, the longitudinal elements are permanently connected to each other after sliding them together. Since in the latter embodiment, the cavities are still open at the ultimate ends of the longitudinal carrier member, a flexible medium can still be detachably connected to the carrier member by sliding an edge part into one of the corresponding longitudinal cavities.

Figure 3

Figure 3 shows another cross section of the carrier member 10 as depicted in figure 2, provided with four separate flexible media 60, 80, 86 and 91. All media are provided with an edge part in which a tendon is stitched in. The tendon in each case consists of a rubber-like cable. Medium 60 for example is provided with a tendon 50 that is surrounded by an outer part of the flexible medium which is folded together and stitched at location 61 to securely lock tendon 50. The edge of the flexible medium 60 provided with tendon 60 is slidably engaged in cavity 21. Since the cavity almost grasps the medium, it is securely but still detachably locked in the carrier member. Medium 60 leaves the carrier member via opening 43.
In a comparable manner, medium 80, provided with tendon 70, is detachably locked in cavity 30 and leaves the carrier member via opening 73. With the shown carrier member it is also possible to have two flexible media connected at the same corner point of the carrier member. This is shown for media 86 and 91, provided with tendons 85 and 90 respectively. They both leave the carrier member 10 via opening 53. It is noticed that the rubber-like tendons provide for additional stiffness of the carrier member in non-longitudinal directions.
It is clear for the skilled man that there are many variations possible to the shown ways for detachably connecting flexible media into a carrier member. Also, the way in which the flexible medium leaves the carrier member, i.e. bending around the carrier member as is shown for medium 60, or leaving the carrier member in a straight line as shown for medium 80, or leaving it under a certain angle as is shown for media 86 and 91, can be varied in may ways according to the needs or wishes of the user of the display system.

Figure 4

Figure 4 schematically shows a free standing self supporting display system 100 according to the present invention. System 100 is a rectangular pillar like display system that comprises four triangular carrier members 10a, 10b, 10c and 10d. The carrier members are connected to a foot 99. Between the carrier members 4 flexible media are stretched of which media 80a and 80b are partly shown. In the actual embodiment, media 80a through 80d have approximately the same length as the carrier members, in this case 2.5 metres. Internally, the display system is provided with a tension means to interconnect the carrier members and stretch the medium such that the system is self-supporting. The tension means as depicted comprises two groups of levers , viz. the group consisting of levers 205, 206, 207 and 208, and the group consisting of levers 215, 216, 217 and 218. Each of the levers itself is pivotably connected to a carrier member, and the levers of one group join each other at the centre line of the display system where they can swing with respect to each other. The two groups of levers are interconnected by cords 201 and 202 that are connected and brought under tension by stretcher 200. When assembling the display system as shown, the carrier members are provided with the edges of the flexible media and then the levers are brought together at the centre line of the display system. At that time, the levers have an almost vertical position. Then the cords 201 and 202 are connected to the stretcher 200. By tensioning the cords 201 and 202 the levers adopt a more horizontal position and the carrier members move in opposite direction. This stretches the media 80a, 80b, 80c and 80d. When the media are stretched satisfactorily, the tensioning action is stopped and stretcher 200 secures it's tensioning action. After that, foot 99 is secured to the carrier members to make the system even more stable. By taking off foot 99 and releasing the tension of the cords 201 and 202, the media can be de-stretched for removing them from the display system.

Claims

System for displaying an image provided on a flexible medium, comprising two substantially parallel carrier members between which at least a part of the medium provided with the said image is stretched out, wherein each carrier member is a composition comprising two longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, each element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, wherein the profiles of the second surfaces co-operate to provide for a connection between the elements and constitute a longitudinal cavity for inserting and thereby detachably locking a part of the medium.
A system according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises a tension means to interconnect the carrier members and stretch the medium such that the system is self-supporting.
A system according to claim 2, characterised in that the tension means allows reversible stretching of the medium.
A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier member comprises at least three longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, the elements being connected to form a longitudinal box.
A system according to claim 4, characterised in that the profiled surfaces of the elements are directed to the interior of the box.
A system according to any of the claims 4 and 5, characterised in that the carrier member comprises three of the said elements forming a triangular shaped box.
A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the longitudinal elements of a carrier member are essentially identical.
A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the longitudinal elements of a carrier member are slidably interconnected in the said longitudinal direction.
A system according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the part of the medium comprises a tendon that is substantially enclosed by the cavity.
Carrier member for use in a system according to any of the preceding claims, the carrier member being a composition comprising two longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, each element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, wherein the profiles of the second surfaces co-operate to provide for a connection between the two elements and constitute a cavity for inserting and thereby detachably locking a part of a flexible medium.
Longitudinal element suitable for constituting a carrier member according to claim 10, the longitudinal element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, wherein the profile of the second surface is such that two of these elements can be slidably connected in the longitudinal direction via their profiles and constitute a cavity for inserting and thereby detachably locking a part of a flexible medium.
Method for assembling a system according to any of the claims 1 to 9, comprising
- composing two carrier members, each comprising two longitudinal elements of substantially equal length, each element having a first surface and opposite thereto a profiled second surface, by connecting the elements via co-operation of their profiled surfaces, thereby providing a longitudinal cavity in each carrier member,

- inserting a first part of a flexible medium, in particular a first edge provided with a tendon, in the cavity of the first carrier member,

- inserting a second part of the flexible medium, in particular a second edge opposite to the first edge and provided with a tendon, in the cavity of the second carrier member,

- stretching the flexible medium by moving the carrier members in opposite direction and,

- fixing the stretched medium by providing a rigid connection between the carrier members.
Use of the system according to any of the claims 1 to 9 for displaying an image provided on a flexible medium.