Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 95/332~3 P~ 7.1. _ ~Gq~.
2 1 89779
TITLE OF THE INVENTION: A PICTURE OR TEXT DISPLAY UNIT
TT r~lNTÇAT FIELD
5 The present lnvention relates to a picture or text display
unit, and then particularly to a display unit which can be
easily ~/ l el9 and easily dismantled with the aid of simple
means .
10 The inventive unit is comprised of at least two sheet-like
panels which advantageously have a square or rectangular
surface extension, although other shapes are conceivable.
The properties of the two or more sheet-like panels described
15 below are c1sn~f~f~nt to the invention and by the expression
"bendable or flexible" is meant that an initially flat panel
can be rolled to cylinder form with a rli I Ll::L which is at
least smaller than 0. 5 m, without being broken or deformed
plastically in any way that will be problematic to its
20 intended purpose.
It lies within the scope of the invention to produce the
sheet-like panels from a material and/or material composi-
tion, and/or to give the sheet-like panels a th1 -kn~c~ which
25 will impart to the panels a stiffness and fl~ h~l1ty that
will enable the panels to be readily rolled-up to a form
suitable for Lla~ L Lc-tion purposes, said roll having a
:d~L~LUIlned small diameter, and also enable the sheet-like
panels to be unrolled readily from their cylindrical form to
30 their initially flat shape, or at least to an essentially
flat state, without appreciable plastic deformation of the
panels .
According to the concept of the invention, it shall be
35 possible to slightly bend a suitably supple sheet-like panel
to construct a self-supporting structure which has suitable
rigidity for the intended purpose. It is n~ qC~ry for this
WO 95133253 P~ 5 ~ 0 ~q~
2 1 ~779
construction to be given a sufficiently wide base surface so
as to enable a ~LLu~Lul-; of given height to stand firmly, by
virtue o~ bending the sheet-like panels and as a result their
coaction with other panels in the X~luuLuL~:
In this regard, the length (height) and width (1i - c1nnc of
individual sheet-like panels will depend on current circum-
stances and requirements.
10 Naturally, it Also lies within the concept of the invention
to make available di~ferent variations with regard to the
outer shape of respective panels and other measures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE R~rRr~ ART
Several diiferent designs of picture display units of the
aforedescribed kind are known to the art.
~ or instance, it is known to use in conjunction with such
20 picture display units erectable and Gnl 1 Arc1 h~ support
devices which when in an extended or erected position are
able to support one or more normally f lat picture-carrying
panels, by fitting to the support device a flrst part of a
two-part coupling unit and by fitting the other part of said
25 roU~l 1 n~ unit to the picture-carrylng panel ~he ~ r- i n~
unit is preferably comprised of two mutually coacting strip-
shaped p~-~cllt:llL magnets, whereby the picture-carrying panel
will hang from its upper edge part and rest on the support
device, in either a flat or curved state.
It will be noted in this respect that the picture-carrying
panel can be Llcll,~ul L~d in the form of one or more rolls and
any plastic deormation to the shape of the panel caused when
rolling-up the panel is compensated for by the intrinsic
35 weight of the panel when s~lcrf~n~ and resting on the support
device .
WO9~l33253 2 ~ 8 97 7 9 I~_lI;!ir. c ~
U.S. Patent ~p~r~f;r~tion 4,825,930 discloses a hinge system
edapted for large picture display systems, ; nm~ ; nlJ a frame
or a support device onto which a picture panel or a wall part
is applied.
Other ~ 1 PC of the earlier standpoint of techniques are
found in U.S. Patent Sr~;f;--Rtions 4,147,198 and 4,448,231,
and in the International Patent Publication WO 91/12402
( PCT/SE91/00090 ) .
It is known in the production of simpler display devices or
picture display units to fasten a picture carrier in a
stiffened frame and to fasten the picture carrier to a rigid
sheet or llke device.
The present invention relates to the simpler display arrange-
ments and to display arr~n~ L~: which have a relatively
small display surface, although the width-height .1; ~nnc
of the display surface of each display panel used may be in
the order of 0 . 5-2 . 0 m x 1. 0-4 . 0 m, preferably 0 . 5-1. O m x
1.0-3.0 m.
It is known to construct an easily :2RRF'mh1 F~fl and easily
dismantled picture or text display unit which comprises at
least two panels of which a first panel is fastened to the
edge of the second panel and where the width of said second
panel is greater than the width of said first panel.
1PR of the earlier standpoint of technislues are found
in prior Patent Publications GB-A 2,172,734, DE-B2-25 04 171,
US-A 2,160,724 and Finnish Patent Application 88 3327.
These prior patent publications thus teach methods of
building ~LLU~:LUL~:S in which one panel i5 flat while the
other panel is bent in tension to form a convex shape when
seen in plan.
WO 95/332~;3 r ~ 3/~ ~ Jq~
2 1 89779
nISrT.flSllRT.' OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
TT.'rT~NTr~T. PROBLEMS
5 When r.r,nC~ llPring the present standpoint of techniques as
clPcrrlh~-l above, it will be seen that a tprhnirAl problem
resides in ~;w-~LLu-:Ling a picture or text display unit which
can be easily A - ' 1l e~ and easily dismantled, with the aid
of solely two sheet-like panels and which in an erected or
10 ;~Rqpmhl ~-1 state can be readily given difierent degrees of
stability in accordance with the ~ nc of the picture-
carrying panels in relation to a structure supporting
surface, and with which when dismantled, the panels can be
readily rolled to a cylinder form without destroying or
15 ' _ ' n~ the panels .
It will also be seen that a t~rhn~cAl problem resides in
rPAli7;n~ the qign1firAnre of allowing the panels to be
rolled into a cylinder form in a manner such that any
20 P~LIIIall~lL def-,L-I,aLions caused when rolling-up the panels will
be compensated for when two or more sheet-like panels are
brought into mutual coaction in an Aqsomhl P~l or fitted state
by virtue of bending the panels perF~n~1 nlll Ar to the perma-
nent deformation when a~_ ' lln~ the panels to form said
,~ LL U~:LUL~,.
It will also be seen that a tPrhn1rAl problem resides in
rP~ n~ the significance of needing to fasten to two
mutually ~IrpOc~ ng edge parts of one picture-carrying panel
30 f irst parts of two-part coupling devices, and of f astening
to the mutually opposing two edge parts of the second panel
second parts oi two-part coupling devices, and by r~Al~7tns
that the distance between the first coupling parts on the
first panel will differ from the distance between the second
35 co--rl ln~ parts on the second panel.
It will also be seen that a tPrhn1r~1 problem is one of
WO 9~/332S3 r~ Jq~
2189779
rP~ n~ the signlficance that are associated with and the
advc~ yt:s that are afforded by the possibility simple and
known, readily hPnrl~hl P two-part rollrl i ng devices .
5 Another tP(-hni--~l problem is one of rP~1;7~n~ the advantages
that are afforded by configuring respective coupling devices
that one r~llrl in~ part will define a gap, and such that the
gaps of the two first coupling parts associated with the
first panel will face towards one another, and therewith also
10 to realize the necessity the second coupling parts rlPf;n~n~
a gap such that the gaps of the two second coupling parts
associated with the second panel will face away from each
other .
15 It will also be seen that another tPr hnlr~l problem is one
of realizing the significance of and the advantages afforded
by ~hnn.~ing distance differences between the first rrlllrl in~
parts associated with the first picture-carrying panel and
the second coupling parts associated with the second picture-
20 carrying panel which are greater than 10% and normallysmaller than 60%, and also in realizing that in normal cases,
the difference in distance shall lie between 5 and 30%.
It will also be seen that a te(~hn~mnl problem resides in
25 rP~l ;7~n~ the advantages that are afforded by producing
respective panels from plastlc sheet material that has a
square or L~ yular surface extension, and by forming the
first and/or the second part of respective two-part coupling
devices from strip material which is fastened to the rear
30 side of said panel with the aid of fastener means.
Another ter~hnlr;~l problem in this regard is one of rPAl~7~ng
the q~gnlf1r.~n~!P of using a fastener means which has the form
of Velcro~ tape, magnetic strip or double-sided adhesive
35 tape, or alternatively to use an elastic and springy rCl~ellt:L
means in the construction of a picture or text display unit
of the aforesaid kind which can be readily ;lqqpmhl Pcl and
W0 9~133253
2 1 8q7 79
readily dismantled.
It will be seen that another ~rhn; r~l problem resides in the
R~nlfir;lnr~ of giving the first and the second parts of the
5 coupling device the form of a b~nfl~hlP or flexible plastic
strip whose hf~nrl~h i 1 ~ ty is greater than the hpnrl~h~ 1 1 ty or
f lexibility of the picture-carrying panel, therewith to
enable the plastic strip to be bent to a small radius of
curvature without being deformed plastically to a greater
10 extent than the material of said panel.
It will also be seen that a tPrhni r~l problem resides in
rP~117~n~ those advantages that are afforded when, in the
a,,L. ' le~l state of said two sheet-like panels, the outwardly
lS facing picture or text displaying surface of a first panel
is slightly concave in one plane, normally a horizontal
plane, while the outwardly facing picture or text display
surf ace of the other panel is convex and has bottom edge
surf aces which extend between said edge parts of the two
20 panels such as to support the ~LLuuLuL~ on a flat underlying
supportive surf ace.
It will also be seen that a tPrhn~r~l problem resides in
realizing the UUll~ U~I~ S of and the advantages afforded by
25 making the one panel more rigid or stiffer than the other
panel, so as to be able to change the external shape of an
i~ccPmhl Pd display unit.
A further tPrhn~r~l problem is one of realizing the advantag-
30 es that are afforded when a display unit of the aforesaid
kind is comprised of more than two picture-carrying panels.
Another ~Prhn~r~l problem is one of realizing the advantages
that are afforded when the parts of said rollrl ~ ng device can
35 be orientated in a direction which deviates from a parallel
orientation .
... ..
W0 95/33253 F~
2 1 8~779
Another tPrhn~r~l problem resldes in seeing the benefits of
forming the two parts of respective coupling devices from
mutually coactable strips, Velcro~lD tapes, pPrr-nPntly
magnetized strips, double-sided adhesive tape or like means
5 attached in a known manner to respective picture-carrying
panels .
It will also be seen that a tPrhn~l problem resides in
providing a uu~ Luu~lon in which a first panel will present
lO a flat, or at least a generally flat display 3urface while
using the characteristic features of the construction
described in the aful, I loned Swedish patent application.
It will also be seen that a tPrhn1r~1 problem resides in the
15 ability to provide simple coupling means which despite the
~U~ y cl,l ' L:j being located at a given distance from
one edge surface 2re able to provide this poq~h~1lty.
Another terhnlr~l problem is one of rP~ in~ the signifi-
20 cance of using adhesive tape as said cn-~~rl 1ns devices, and
also to realize the significance of adapting the point of
~1, ' t of said adhesive tape so that solely the display
surface of the first panel will be flat or have an adapted
~.:Ul VCll.Ul'd.
Another ~erhn~r~l problem resides in rP~ll71n~ that the
second coupling parts of respective two-part coupling devices
may have the form of two pivotally connected magnetic strips
of which one is fixed to the edge surface of the first panel
30 and one is adapted for coaction with a magnetic strip fixed
ad~acent to the edge surface of the second panel.
It will also be seen that a tPrhnlr~l problem is one of
re~1171ng the fll -lnn~n~ rules that are required for a
35 coupling device to provide a flat display surface on solely
the f irst panel .
WO 95/33253 ~ r~
2 1 89779
Another fF~hnll-~l problem is one of rf~ in~ that in order
to obtain a simple unit construction, the f irst panel, i . e.
the flat panel, should be provided with an edge-orientated
strip, such as a magnetic strip, prior to assembly, and that
5 durlng assembly, the edge part of the second panel should be
allowed to support against said magnetic strip and then serve
as a support for attachment means and said edge as the second
panel is bent.
10 Another te~-hn i ~ problem is one of realizing the signif i -
cance of using coupling devices which stand in precise
relationship with one another, such as separate magnetized
strips having only one single relevant, specific position of
mutual attraction.
Another terhn~ l problem is one of providing a rollrl in~
device which is so elastic as to afford requisite compression
when rolling-up a panel of lower elasticlty, and corre-
sponding P~rAnell~n when unrolling said panel, and vice versa,
20 without the coupling device loosening from the panel.
SOLUTION
With the intention of solving one or more of the aforesaid
25 te~ hnl~l problems, the present invention takes as its
starting point an easily ~q~ fl and easily dismantled
picture or text display unit which is comprised of at least
two sheet-like panels whose outer defining surfaces may be
quadratic or rectangular in shape with the exception of the
30 upper edge surfaces and/or side surfacesr when ~udged to be
suitable .
,~rrr~r~l~ns~ to the invention, first parts of two-part coupling
devices are each fastened ad~acent a respective edge of two
35 mutually opposing edge parts of a first panel, and the second
parts of said two-part coupling devices are each f astened
ad; acent a respective edge of two mutually opposing edge
.. _ . ... _ _ . . . , . .. .. , . . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
WO 9S1332S3 r ~ Jq(~ ~
2 1 89779
parts of the second panel, wherein the horizontal distance
between the courl inS parts associated with the first panel
differs from the horizontal distance between the second
coupling parts of respective coupling devices associated with
the second panel.
According to proposed ' '~ I i that fall within the scope
of the inventive concept, each of the first rm-~nl ~n~ parts
defines a gap, with the gaps defined by the two coupling
parts associated with the first panel facing towards one
another .
Each of the second rollrl;n~ parts also defines a gap, with
the gaps defined by said two second coupling parts associated
with the second panel facing away from each other.
According to the present invention, it is n~ C~ I y for the
difference in the between the first coupling parts and the
second rol-rl1n~ parts to be greater than 10% and preferably
less than 60%, normally between 15 and 30%.
~rcrr~1n~ to one embodiment of the invention, respective
picture or teYt-carrying panels have the form of plastic
sheets and the first and/or second parts of respective
25 coupling devices have the form of a strip attached to said
panels with the aid of a fastener means.
In this regard, the fastener means may have the form of
Velcrd5 tape, magnetized strip, double-sided adhesive tape or
30 the like, and the fastener means will preferably be slightly
elastic and springy.
According to another P~ho,ll It of the invention, the first
and the second coupling parts may have the form of a flPY~hl~
35 plastic strip whose bPnrl~h1l~ty or flF~Y1h~l1ty is greater
than the flPy~h~l~ty of respective panels. ~he two ro
parts of rr~lrl ins device may have the form of Velcro~ tape,
Wo 95/33253
21 89779
magnetized strip, double-sided adhesive tape or the like.
The stif fness of one picture-carrying panel may conveniently
be greater than the stiffness of the other panel.
According to the invention, the display unit is structured
so that when two picture-carrying panels are brought together
and f astened to one another by means of said two-part
coupling devices, the outwardly facing surface of one panel
10 will have a slightly concave ~;ulvatule in a defined plane,
such as a horizontal plane, and the outwardly facing surface
of the other panel will have a convex ~ulvelLul~: with bottom
edge surfaces that extend between said edge parts of the two
panels so as to support against an underlying supportive
15 surface.
The invention also relates to the sheet-like panels in a
dismantled state of the picture or text display unit, with
said one or said second parts of respective coupling devices
20 being bc~n~l~hle to a cylinrlr~r~ shape, wherein the height or
length of the cylinder thus formed corresponds to the width
of respective panels.
The invention also enables the cross-sectlonal shape of the
25 unit to be changed by usilig three or more different or
similar picture-carrying panels and/or by rhiln3~ n~ the
orlentation of the coupling parts of respective r.nllrl i n3
devices .
30 In accordance with the invention, there extends between the
first coupling parts associated with the ~irst panel and the
second ro--rl 1 n3 parts associated with the second panel a
fastener device by means of which the first panel can be
given a flat or generally flat display surface.
According to ~l~L~l~:d . '~'~ ~:, that lie within the scope
of the inventive concept, said fastener device has the form
~0 95/33253 P~ 5'C ~qC ~
2 1 8q77q
11
of an adhesive tape whose one edge part is f astened to the
second panel and whose other edge part is f astened to a
magnetic strip on the first panel.
5 In additlon, the edge surface of the second panel is adapted
to rest supportingly against the f irst panel adi acent an
edge-related magnetic strip.
According to one preferred pmho~ , said device is
10 comprised of said second rol-rl ing part in the form of two
pivotally connected magnetic strips, of which one is fastened
to the first panel adjacent its edge surface, and one is
adapted for coaction with a magnetic strip fastened ad~acent
the edge surface of the second panel.
The length and the ~h~rknPqR of said two magnetic strips are
chosen in relation to the ~hirknPRR and stiffness of respec-
tive panels, such that one panel will obtain a flat display
surf ace .
The two magnetic strips will preferably be identical with
regard to cross-section and length.
ADVANTAGES
The adv~l.~c.y~s primarily afforded by and characteristic of
an inventive picture or text display unit reside in the ease
in which a few, two or more, sheet-like panels can be
ARRPmhl P~l to form the unit while being held together by
30 coupling devices, and which can be ~ust as easily dismantled.
The panels may be made from a material which will enable the
panels to be readily bent or f lexed in the absence of any
plastic deformations that may have a deleterious effect on
the external shape of the as~ ' 1P~1 units, since when
35 A ' 1~l the panels are intended to curve in a direction
perpPn~llrl-lA~ to any such deformation.
WO 95133253 r~ h~
2~89779
12
Further zidv~-lL~Iy~s that are afforded by an inventive picture
or text display unit reside in the provision of conditions
which enable a flat, or generally flat, display surface to
be obtained on the first panel with the aid of an especially
5 configured devLce coacting between the coupling parts of a
two-part coupling device, even when the panels are made from
a readily h~n~lAhl~ or flf:~lr;hl~ material.
The primary characteristic ~eatures of an inventive picture
or text display unit are 6et forth in the characterizing
clause of Claim 1.
_ _
B}~ F DESCRIPTION OF THE D~
An inventive easily A.cc~mhl ~ and easily dlsmantled picture
or text display unit will now be fl~crr1hP~l with reference to
L~ thereof at present preferred and also with
efeL~ce to the ~ ying drawings, in which
Figure l is a peL:,~e.iLlve view of an A~ ' lerl picture or
text display unit comprising two panels;
Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the unit shown
in Figure 1;
0 Figure 3 is an enlarged view of one of many two-part cou-
pling devices that can be used in accordance with
the invention:
Figure 4 illustrates how one or more panels can be rolled-
up to be stowed away and/or transported;
Figure 5 il 1 ustrates a completely dismantled unit which is
WO 9S/33253 I~
2189779
13
rolled to a cylinder form with the panels inserted
in a cylindrical packaging device for postal
dispatch;
5 Figure 6 comprises three views A-C which lllustrate changes
in the cross-sectional shape of the unit when the
two coacting panels have mutually different de-
grees of stiffness;
10 Figure 7 shows three views A-C which illustrate different
changes in the cross-sectional shape of the unit
when choosing different distances between the
points of attachment of two mutually coacting and
similarly rigid panels;
Figure 8 shows four views A-D which illustrate different
changes in the cross-sectional shape of the unit
when nhnnqln~ different distances between the
edges of a panel and the dl.t ' L points of two
mutually coacting and similarly rigid panel;
Figure 9 is a peL~.~euLlve view of one: ~ ~/11 L of two
stable units formed by two panels and an inter-
mediate, separate panel;
Figure 10 is a peL_I e-,~ive view of one ~ which
includes the use of a ~:L~ lle:-lLly magnetized strip
or tape which participates in coupling ~U~ Ll.eL
two unit-forming panels and which also partici-
pates in col~rl~ng an ad~acent separate panel;
igure 11 is a perspective view of a unit formed from three
mutually coacting and similarly rigid panels;
5 Figure 12 is a perspective view of a unit formed by four
similarly rigid and similarly ~11 q1 nn~l, mutual-
ly coacting panels;
WO 9S/33253 ~ C ~!(
21 89779
14
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a unit formed by four
similarly rigid panels, of which one pair of
panels have different ~ nnc to the other pair
of panels;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a unit formed by five
picture-carrying panels;
Figure 15 is a sectional view of one edge part of a display
unit, with the edge of one panel f astened to the
second panel, and showing a device whereby the
first panel is given a completely flat display
surf ace;
Figure 16 illustrates ~ n~ly an alternative embodi-
ment of said device and also illustrates initial
coaction between the edge parts of the first panel
and the second panel and the f irst and second
parts of a two-part coupling device associated
therewith
igure 17 illustrates the coaction of the embodiment shown
in Figure 16 sl ~nl f i r~nt to the invention, and
also shows a coaction with an ad~acent unit; and
25igure 18 is a p~L~e~lve view which illustrates the coact-
ing F~mho~ of Figure 17 more clearly.
;n~ OF 7~MRl~nTM~NTS NOW
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a picture or text display
unit 1 in an a~ state, said unit comprising two sheet-
like panels, i.e. a first panel 10 and a second panel 20.
35 The first panel 10 has an outwardly facing surface lOa on
which a desired picture or text can be mounted.
.. , .. _ _ _ . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
~fo 95l33253 P
~ 218977~
The second panel has an outwardly facing surface 20a onto
which a picture or text can be mounted, similar to the
surface lOa.
5 The first panel 10 has an inwardly facing surface lOb, and
the second panel 20 has an inwardly facing surface 20b.
The first panel 10 has a rectangular surface extension of
width "b", coL ~ n~ to 70 cm, and a height "h" corre-
qron(l1n~ to 2 m.
The second panel 20 has a width "bl" corr~cp~n~1 n~ to 85 cmand a height "h" corrl~cr~n~lin~ to 2 m, and has also a
rectangular surface extension or shape.
Both panels 10, 20 are produced from one and the same
material have mutually the same stiffness and ~h1~ n~cc.
The f irst and the 8econd panels are held together by a f irst
20 coupling device 2 which extends along the edge parts lOd and
20d of respective panels, and a second coupling device 3
which extends along respective edge parts lOe and 20e of said
panels .
25 Since the ~.o.lrl in~ devices 2 and 3 are mutually identical,
and are h~n~f~ Al ly identical, only the rollrl ~n~ device 3
will be described in detail, with reference to Figure 3.
As will be seen from the drawing, one part 31 of a two-part
30 ~ r' ing device 3 is fastened to the rear side lOb of two
mutually opposing edge parts lOd and lOe of the first panel
10. Second parts 32 of the two-part coupling device 3 are
fastened to the rear side 20b on two mutually opposing edge
parts 20d and 20e of the second panel 20.
The distance b' between the two col~rl~n~ parts 31, 31'
associated with the first panel 10 differs from the distance
., . _ .. . . . .
~0 95/33253 1 ~
~7~977~
16
bl' between the two second coupling parts 32, 32' assoclated
with the second panel 20.
In the ill~ LaL~d case, this difference in distance is
greater than 10% and less than 60%, normally between 15 ana
30% .
In the case oi the 1 illustrated in Figure 1 and 2,
the difference in distance is about 2096.
The distance "c" between the coupling device and the edge
10e' of the first panel 10 is, in practice, between 5 and 30%
of the width "b" of the panel 10.
15 In the illustrated case, the edge 20e' of the second panel
20 terminates just short of the edge lOe', although it may
pro~ect beyond said edge 10e' to some extent, which is deter-
mined f rom case to case .
20 One part of the two-part coupling device has, in the illus-
trated case, the ~orm of a strip which forms a gap 31a, with
the gaps for the two parts 31, 31' associated with the first
panel 10 ( the l-aL~ panel ) facing towards each other.
25 The second coupling part 32 also has the form of a strip
which forms a gap 32a, with the gaps for the two second
r~ ~n~T parts 32, 32' associated with the second panel 20
( the broader panel ) facing away from each other .
30 Respective panels 10 are comprised of plastic sheet and the
first and/or the second part of respective coupling devices
are comprised of a strip 31b, 32b, which is fastened to the
panels with the aid of respective fastener means 31c and 32c.
35 When the panel has a height extension of 2 . 0 m and a width
of 0. 7 m and when the width of the rear panel is 2096 greater
than the width of the front panel (0.8 m), the panel will
WO 95/33253
~ 2 189779
17
conveniently have a thlr~n~cc of from 0.2-1.0 mm.
The panel will preferably have an elastic modulus where E =
2, 000-5, 000 MPa.
By way of comparison, it can be mentioned that PVC has an E-
modulus = 3, 200 MPa and a PVC-panel has a thickness of 0 . 5
mm, the panel will have properties that will enable it to be
bent or flexed in the manner decreed by the invention.
10 Greater thl rknf~cc-~c and/or higher elasticity moduli may be
pref erable .
A "print" on ele:~Llu~L(lLlc paper can be baked in with a hot-
laminate-polyester + polyethylene having a thl rknl~cc of 0 . 25
15 mm on the front and the rear sides to form such a panel. ~he
base material may then have a thlrkn~cc slightly greater than
0.5 mm and a, ' ln~d E ~ C desired (somewhat stiffer
than PVC ) .
20 The fastener means and/or one or both coupling parts of the
two-part rnllrl lng device may consist in a double-sided
adhesive tape, a VelcroD tape, a p~r~ Lly magnetized strip
or some like device.
25 It is particularly preferred that the fastener means is
comprised of an elastically resilient material.
According to one preferred ~fll- ~ in this regard, there
i9 conveniently used in some applications an adhesive tape
30 which is provided with a double-adhesive plastic foam as the
fastening means for one or the other of said coupling parts
of respective rs -rl 1 nrJ devices.
~ he first parts and the second parts of the two-part coupling
35 device are comprised of b~n~l~hl ~ strips 31b, 32b, such as
plastic strips, wherein the plastic strips have a b~nfl~hl 11 ty
or fl~xlhlllty which exceeds the flf~xlhll;ty of the first
W0 95133~53 r~ q~
2 1~779
18
panel 10 or the second panel 20.
In view of the desire to provide dlsplay units that can be
easlly assembled and easily dismantled and the re~auirement
5 of using display panels whose stif fness enables the panels
to be rolled-up into appropriate tubular shapes, the inven-
tion proposes a number of different ~1 c1nn1nsJ p~cc;h;11-
ties for readily rhRn~1 ng the cross-sectional shape of the
unit, in Rl-rnrrls~n(-e with Figure 2.
A first pocs~h11 ;ty is to give the first and the second
display panels lC, 20 the same degree of rigidity, E-modulus,
and the same th1 ~kn~cR therewith obtaining a cross-sectional
shape essentially corresponding to that shown in Figure 2,
15 particularly when the coupling devices 2, 3 are fitted at the
locations shown in Figure 2.
Another FoqR1h; 1 ;ty is to make the first panel 10 more rigid,
or stiffer, than the second panel 20.
The change in conf iguration af f orded hereby is shown in
Figure 6A to Figure 6C.
A third pnc~;h1lity is for the second panel 20 to be more
25 rigid, or stiffer, than the first panel 10.
By altering the distance between the ~ol~rl ;n~ devices 2, 3,
with regard to the second panel 20, for instance, different
cross-sectional shapes are obtained, as illustrated in Figure
30 7A to Figure 7C, and a chan~e in cross-sectional shape can
also be achieved by positioning the ro~lr1; n~ devices 2 and
3 at ~1ff~rPnt distances from the edge parts lOe' and lOe'.
This is shown in more detail in Figure 8A to Figure 8D.
There is nothing to prevent the coupling device 2 irom being
located at a first distance and the coupling device 3 being
~09~/33253 r~lla~7~
,~ ~ 1 8~779
19
located at a dlfferent distance, l . e. a second distance, from
the edge part of a respectlve panel, wherewlth the coupllng
devlce 2 may be located closer to or further away from the
edge part lOd' than the spaclng of the r~llpl inr devlce 3 ln
5 relatlon to the edge part lOe ', or vlce versa.
As wlll be seen partlcularly from Flgure l, when the dlsplay
unlt l is ' 1~, the outwardly faclng surface lOa of the
flrst dlsplay panel lO will be slightly concave in a horlzon-
lO tal plane, whlle the outwardly faclng surface 20a of thesecond panel 20 wlll be convex with the lower edge surfaces
lO', 20' of the panel extending in a flat state between the
edge parts lOd', lOe' and rest agalnst a flat supportive
surf ace 6 .
In the illustrated case, the outer llmltatlon llnes of the
dlsplay panels lO and 20 deflne a Lt:.:Lcllyular surface.
These limitatlon llnes, or ~lefin1n3 llnes, may, of course,
20 have any deslred form, however.
However, the llmltatlon llnes that face towards the support-
lve surface 6 shall be conflgured to enable the panels 10 and
20 to be ~U~OL L~:d agalnst the supportlve surface so as to
25 form a stable unit, unless otherwise deslred.
Figure 4 shows the p~ h~ 1~ ty of rolllng-up a dlsmantled
dlsplay panel lO and storlng the panel ln lts rolled-up
state. In thls case, the base materlal of the panel lO and
30 the coupllng devlces 31, 31 ' applied thereto wlll all be bent
to a cyllndrlcal form.
Corr~p~n~l~n~3y, the display panel 20 can be rolled-up to
f orm a sllmmer cylinder, and the two cyllnders can then be
35 lnserted one into the other ln a speclally rl~ n~ r~r~ 1 ng
or transport tube 7, shown in Flgure 5.
WO 9~1332~3 ~ 6
2~ 89779 ~
Figure 6 is intended to illustrate and describe more clearly
those changes, or deLu~ c-Llons, in the cross-sectional shape
of the unit that are achieved when the stiffness of the front
panel lû and the stiffness of the rear panel 20 vary, with
5 the rear panel 20 having a width which is 20~6 larger than the
width of the front panel 10 and the attachment points of the
coupling devices 2, 3 being centered f rom the outer edges at
a distance CorrpqFnn~l~n~ to 20% of the width of the front
panel .
In the Figure 6A ~ t, the front panel 10 is twice as
rigid as the rear panel 20, while in the Figure 6B em. bodi-
ment, the front panel 10 and the rear panel 20 have the same
stiffness, while in the case of the pmholl1 L shown in
15 Figure 6C, the stiffness, or rigidity, of the front panel 10
is half that of the rear panel 20.
Figure 7 is intended to illustrate the deformation or change
in cross-sectional shape, of the unit when the ratio of the
20 distances from the parts of the rl~url in~ devices (the width)
on the front panel 10 and the rear panel 20 vary, but when
the front panel 10 and the rear panel 20 have mutually the
same stiffness and are fastened at the same distance from the
edge part.
For instance, Figure 7A illustrates an omhorll L in which
the wldth of the rear panel 20 is 10% greater than the width
of the front panel, while 7B shows an ~ 1 in which the
width of the rear panel 20 is 20% greater than the front
30 panel 10, and Figure 7C shows an embodiment in which the
width of the rear panel 20 is 30% greater than the width of
the front panel 10.
Figure 8 is intended to describe the changes in shape that
35 derive from the position of the points of attachment of the
coupling parts o said coupling device, and also to show the
n1f1r~nr.P o_this position with regard to the deformation
wo g5133253 r~ . o~
2 1 89779
21
achieved when the two front and rear panels 10, 20 have
mutually the same stlffness.
In this regard, Figure 8A illustrates the cross-sectional
5 shape that i8 achieved when the coupling parts are positioned
at the uut L ends, although this may result in a somewhat
flimsy and less robust construction.
Figure 8B shows the coupling parts attached at a slight
10 distance from the edge ( 596 of the width), at which point the
stiffening tension forces begin to take effect in the display
panels .
In the case of the Figure 8C illustration, the att~l' -t
lS points are placed inwardly from the edge at a distance
uuLL~ rl;ns to 20% of the width, such as to produce an
arch, which is considered suitable in a number of applica-
tions . Figure 8D shows the a L I ~ L points located inwardly
of the edge at a distance UULL~ Jl- tl~ n~ to 3096 of the width,
20 although in this case the resultant arch is too large for
practical purposes.
Figure 9 is intended to show the pnCR; h1 l; ty of fastening a
permanently magnetized strip to the rear side of the front
25 panel edge, with the aid of an adhesive material or magnetic
strip .
This enables similar units to be added one to the other.
Figure 9 illustrates two display units con~ LLU~,L~d in
30 accordance with the inventive concept, these units supporting
or carrying a single further display panel 30 which lacks
"back" stiffening means.
It is also shown that the coupling parts of the co~r l; n~
35 device 2, 3 can be mutually uul-vc~Ly~llL, to provide varying
stability in the vertical direction.
WO 95/33253 ~ P._~ r~
2 1 8q779 ~
22
Figure 10 is a pt L~;Llve view of the construction shown in
Figure 9, using p~ - n.-~.Lly magnetized strips as col~rl 1n~
devices 2, 3 and a similar, edge-related strip 100.
5 Figure 11 is a perspective view of one '-'1 t of an
inventive display unit which comprises three mutually
identical panels 10, 20 and 30. Figure 12 shows a ciisplay
unit having four mutually identical panels 10, 20, 30 and 40,
while Figure 13 shows a unit .~ ,LLu~,Llon comprising four
panels 10, 20, 30 and 40 with pairs of panels having mutually
different ~111 q1nnq.
Figure 14 is a ~:L~eL;LlVe view of a display unit comprising
five panels 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50.
It will be seen that as a result of the variation afforded
by the different panel configurations and different panel
stiffnesses, and also as a result of the various locations
at which the coupling devices 2, 3 can be attached, every
20 pnqq1 hl ~ combination given in the present do, t is
poq~ hl ~ within the scope of the inventive concept.
Figure 15 is a sectioned side view of first edge parts of two
mutually coacting panels, a first panel 10 and a second panel
20, when these panels are Joined to form a unit.
Figure 15 also illustrates how the display surface of the
first panel 10 can be made flat, and shows the first coupling
part 31 of a two-part coupling device 3 located adJ acent the
edge surf ace .
The second part 32 of the two-part coupling device 3 has the
form of adhesive tape 32a, whose one edge part 32a' is
fastened to the second panel 20 at a distance from the edge
surface 201, and whose other edge part 32a" is fastened to
35 a magnetic strip 31a' which is fastened adhesively to the
first panel 10, adjacent its edge surface 101.
_ . .. ... _ ... .. . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
WO 95133253 F~ J'~(
~ 2 1 8977~
23
The edge surface 201 of the second panel 20 is therewith
intended to rest against the rear side of the first panel 10,
against the magnetic strip 31a ' .
Figures 16 and 17 illustrate an alternative ' ~11 L in
which said device i8 formed by virtue of the first cQllrl ln~
part 31 having the form of two pivotally connected magnetic
strips 310, 311, of which a first magnetic strip 310 i8
fastened to the first panel ad~acent its edge surface 101,
and the second strip 311 is adapted for coaction with a
magnetic strip 33a' fastened on the edge surface 201 of the
second panel 20.
Figure 17 is intended to show the position that occurs when
the first panel 10 coacts with the second panel 20 with the
aid of a two-part collr1 ;nS device according to Figure 16,
said panels 10, 20 having essentially the same stiffness or
rigidity .
The length and the thl rknPcc of the two magnetic strips shall
be chosen in relation to the thl~ nPcc and the stlffnPCR of
respective panels, so that the first panel 10 will obtain a
flat display surface 10 ' .
The magnetic strips 310, 311 and the magnetic strip 33a' have
mutually the same cross-section and length and have a
polarization such that said strips (311 and 33a' ) will be
able to coact with one another in a manner to obtain a
precisely located position, as shown in the Figure.
An adhesive tape 312 is provided to hold the magnetic strips
310 and 311 Luut:LIleL and to form a hinge 313 therebetween.
It will be understood that the width of the tape 312 can be
adapted so that the edge surface 101 of the first panel 10
will lie in plane with the general extension of the panel 10.
The tape 312 is thus fastened in a manner which will enable
WO95l33253 l~lla~
2 I rd 977q ~
24
it to straighten or lncline the edge surface of the first
panel 10.
It will be seen from Figure 17 that the magnetic strip 33a'
of the second panel 20 is distanced from the edge 201 such
that the tape 312 will counteract any torque that is generat-
ed and provide a straight front surface 10 ' .
It will be noted that the magnetic strip 33a' is fastened to
the second panel 20 at a distance "a" from the edge surface
201. (See Figure 16. )
The ' -'; 1 shown in Figure 17 has also been supplemented
with a further holding device 315 in the form of a magnetic
strip. This magnetic strip 315 is able to coact with holding
means in the form of a magnetic strip 310 positioned along
the edge surface 101 of the first panel 10, and .l ,L~-~L~I,,lTng
holding means in the form of a r-S!n~ r strip 310 ' positioned
along the ed~e surface 101' of an adjacent panel 10",
therewith positioning the two panels in one and the same
plane or permitting the panels to be angled in relation to
one another.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of one end section of the
'~o~ t shown in Figure 17. The reference numeral 315
identifies a magnetic strip which can be rolled-up ana which
when in a rolled-up state functions to couple together two
separate display units, each having an edge-related magnetic
strip, wherein the parts or panels ( 10, 10", 20, 20 ' ) of the
unit may also be capable of being rolled-up.
It will be understood in tbis regard that the adhesive tape
312 may not be too thick, since a thick tape is not only
stif f and needs to be highly resilient in order to return
from a rolled state to a flat state, but also weakens the
magnetic attr~ction forces.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . , . . , . . . _ _
WO 95/33253 P~
2 1 89779
The polarization of the magnetic strlps 315, 310 and 310'
shall conform to the earlier described polarlzation and
provide a ~Lt:dei,~ ined side-related orientation.
5 It will be understood that the invention is not restricted
to the illustrated and described exemplifying embodiments
thereof, and that 'lflrAtlons can be made wlthin the scope
of the inventive concept as deflned in the following Claims.
