Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
1
SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENT
The present invention concerns a suspension arrangement including a plate with
means for mounting suspension fittings and with coupling means that interact
with
coupling means on a support.
The invention furthermore concerns a method for making a suspension
arrangement
including a plate with means for mounting suspension fittings and with
coupling
means that interact with coupling means on a support.
A large number of suspension arrangements are known which primarily are used
in
shops for displaying products. These suspension systems are based on modular
dimensions determined from the spacing between supports that usually are
formed as
vertical members which are fastened to a wall. On these members suspension
fittings,
in the shape of support holders are fastened for supporting shelves that are
used for
displaying articles/products. Alternatively, suspension fittings in the form
of hangers
may be provided between two juxtaposed members for supporting hooks or other
suspension fittings on which the products are placed.
Some articles, like audio equipment, also necessitate supply of power in order
that
they may operate. Individual lighting may also be required for providing
correct
presentation of the goods.
If electric wiring is to be provided, a unsightly mess of wires will often
appear,
influencing the aesthetic presentation of the articles in a negative way. It
is therefore
desirable to hide the wires as much as possible. Until now, this has widely
been
effected by hiding wiring in wire ducts that are fastened to the members and
the
underside of,the shelves. However, this has been associated with drawbacks,
among
others because the wires would still be visible at the passage around edges on
shelves,
and because replacing just one single article requires a dismounting of wire
ducts in
order to release the wires.
CONFIRMATION COPY
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
2
The articles may have different shape and size that put different demands on
shelves
or suspension hooks.
Today, there are great demands on the arranging of articles in correct groups
with
corresponding articles, e.g. pants together with shirts, socks and ties. Each
of these
products makes demands to suspension fittings, as some are to be displayed on
shelves
and others on hooks/pegs. It is often difficult to utilise an available wall
area
efficiently, due to the restrictions of the module determined by the distance
between
the members of the support. In order to get optimal utilisation of the wall
area, there is
need for a small spacing between the support members. This will, however, add
to the
costs of producing the suspension arrangement.
In prior art suspension arrangements, backgrounds are often a part of the
display and
contribute to the presentation of the articles. Posters or pictures are
therefore placed on
the walls between the members in order to enhance correct presentation of the
articles.
Mounting of posters is thus determined by the module too which is defined by
the
spacing between juxtaposed support members.
For several years, there has thus existed a desire for efficient utilisation
of space and
an aesthetically correct presentation of articles in a suspension arrangement
where the
spacing of the support members does not form a restriction, and where there is
possibility of presenting articles at individually determined locations and
with
individually determined disposition of hooks, shelves or other members. There
is also
a desire for the suspension arrangement to be used for power consuming
articles
without the well-known mess of electric wires.
According to the present invention, this is achieved with a suspension
arrangement of
the type mentioned in the introduction, which is peculiar in that the plate
has a front
side from which the suspension fittings are projecting, and a back side on
which the
mounting means of the plate are disposed, and that the plate is provided at
its front
side with grooves that along a part of their extension communicate with holes
that
open on the back side, as the suspension fittings are mounted extending
through a hole
for supporting with a first support member on the back side and with a second
support
member supporting against the bottom of the groove.
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
3
The method according to the invention is peculiar in that the plate is made
with a back
side on which the mounting means of the plate are disposed, and with a front
side
which is provided with grooves that over a part of their extension communicate
with
holes that open up on the back side, and that the suspension fittings are
mounted
projecting from the front side of the plate, as they are mounted extending
through a
hole for supporting with a first support member against the back side and with
a
second support member supporting against the bottom of the groove.
In the plate it is possible to dispose the grooves with a mutual spacing which
is
substantially less than the spacing between traditional support members on a
wall.
Also, it is possible with very little spacing between successive holes in a
groove. It is
thus possible to operate with rather small modules and thereby achieve very
flexible
utilisation of the display area. Thereby it becomes possible to dispose
products in
correct grouping even if they require different support/suspension. For
example, pants,
shirts, socks and ties may be hanged on hangers/hooks or laid on shelves. Thus
it is
easy to get an efficient utilisation of an available wall area, as one is not
bound by the
module determined by the distance between the members of the support or by a
modular measure for the height between shelves.
By making a display wall, the plate will preferably be mounted together with
juxtaposed identical plates for forming an unbroken wall face which at the
front side
only display grooves that preferably will be vertically oriented.
Alternatively, the
grooves may run obliquely or even horizontally if desired. A wall will thus
appear for
the viewer, from which wall the suspension fittings are projecting. No support
members, shelf brackets and back wall appear as is the case with the prior art
display
walls.
It is possible to enhance the viewer's impression of an unbroken wall by
providing an
unbroken pattern or picture on the surface of the plates. According to a
further
embodiment of the invention, the suspension arrangement is thus peculiar in
that the
front side of the plate is provided with an image formed at the surface of the
front side
and at the bottom face of the grooves.
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
4
Hereby, the wall will appear with a uniformity so that the viewer on the whole
cannot
see the grooves, irrespectively if these are having sidewalls that run
perpendicularly to
the bottom face of the groove and the surface of the plate. This is
particularly the case
if the grooves are shallow so that the sidewalls of the grooves have
negligible
dimensions compared with the area of the plate surface and the bottom surfaces
of the
grooves. Alternatively, the grooves may have inclining course in relation to
the
bottom surface of the groove and the surface of the plate, so that an image is
also
formed on the sidewalls.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the method for making
the
suspension arrangement is peculiar in that the front side of the plate is
provided with
an image formed at the surface of the front side and at the bottom face of the
grooves,
as the image is preferably produced by an inkjet printer. By applying the
image with
an inkjet printer or by corresponding application technology, in a simple way
there
may be formed an unbroken image at the front side of the plate/display wall.
It is possible to mount suspension fittings in the shape of shelf support
holders,
brackets, lamp fittings etc., in the holes. These suspension fittings may be
designed in
different ways known per se, for bearing against the front side as well as the
back side
of the plate. At the part projecting from the front side, these suspension
fittings will
preferably have a thickness corresponding to the width of a groove. Thereby is
achieved a stabilising support in lateral direction, which is particularly
advantageous
for suspension fittings that do no interact with other suspension fittings or
shelves.
The projecting hooks are thus mounted in a stable way, without any need for
stabilising plates for bearing against the surface of the wall.
The holes formed through the plate may be used for passing through power wires
for
supplying power to displayed articles or for power supply to lamps; or other
wires for
use in the transmission of signals or data, e.g. loudspeaker wires that
connect a
displayed amplifier with loudspeakers displayed at another location on the
display
wall. All wiring may thus be provided at the back side of the plate/display
wall.
For easy access to the wires and at the same time to have space behind the
plate
needed for wiring, the suspension arrangement according to a fizrther
embodiment of
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
the invention will be peculiar in that the support and/or the coupling means
of the
plate include interacting hook-shaped projections. Alternatively, other
coupling means
may be used which enable removal of the plate from the support when the need
for
accessing the back side of the plate arises. At the back side of the plate,
fittings may
5 be provided for power supply and/or wire trays for other wires for signal
and data
transmission. Such fittings and trays may be mounted at the back side of the
plate or
on support members on which the plate is mounted.
Furthermore, it is also preferred that the coupling means of the support is
formed on a
support section which is mounted on a building wall and which has coupling
means
that interact with coupling means on a reinforcement section at the back side
of the
plate in order to provide an interspace between the building wall and the back
side of
the plate.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the suspension arrangement
is
peculiar in that the coupling means of the plate are formed on angular
reinforcement
sections fastened along the length of the plate. Reinforcement against bulging
of the
plate, even if heavily loaded, is hereby achieved. Such reinforcement sections
will
usually be positioned with vertical orientation and adapted for interacting
with vertical
support members that are mounted on the building wall.
According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the suspension
arrangement is
peculiax in that the holes are formed as drillings extending from the back
side and
partly through the plate to a position approximately at the bottom of the
grooves.
Alternatively, the holes may be formed by disposing plate members or planks,
which
have mutual spacing, so that through-going holes appear where the grooves and
the
mutual spacing axe crossing an interspace between the plate members. However,
from
a manufacturing point of view drilling of holes is a more simple process, and
simultaneously is achieved a more flexurally rigid construction in that the
rearmost
thickness of the plate can be continuous.
The plate may be formed as a solid plate with milled grooves and drilled
holes, or as a
laminated sheet or plate. According to a further embodiment of the invention,
the
suspension arrangement is thus peculiar in that the plate is formed as a
laminated sheet
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
6
or plate with the grooves formed between juxtaposed elongated front side
plates.
These elongated front side plates may in a simple way be glued on a base
plate,
subsequent to the latter being provided with holes in a previous process step.
This may
be done in an inline production.
Holes are drilled in the plate, the holes extending from the back side and
partly
through the plate to a position approximately at the bottom of the grooves,
or, as an
alternative, through-going holes may be made in a base plate.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the suspension arrangement
is
peculiar in that the grooves have a width between 3 and 8 mm, preferably
between 4
and 6 mm, that the grooves have a depth between 3 and 8 mm, preferably between
4
and 6 mm, and that the spacing between juxtaposed grooves is between 30 and
250
mm, preferably between 80 and 100 mm. The grooves will hereby only constitute
a
limited part of the total surface of a display wall, and additionally there
will be
achieved a good stabilising support laterally, sufficient enough for most
fields of
application of the display wall for displaying retail articles.
Other dimensions may, however, be necessary, if the suspension arrangement is
used
for heavy items, e.g. tools in workshops, DIY centres or tool stores.
In the above, the invention has been described in connection with a display
wall.
However, it is noted that the invention also may find application within other
fields
where flexible suspension of different products is desired, and where possibly
it is also
desirable to hide the wiring. This may e.g. be the case in walls of offices,
and where a
wall may be a freely standing partitioning, or in hotels where a wall can be
made for
flexible disposition of bed tables, lamps, desk sheets, television apparatuses
etc.
The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying
3 0 drawing, where:
Fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of parts for a suspension
arrangement
according to the invention;
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
7
Fig. shows a schematic perspective view according to Fig.
2 1 but with the parts
assembled;
Figs.
3-5
show
the
suspension
arrangement
of
Fig.
2 seen
in
plane
view,
from
the
side
and from the top, respectively;
Fig. shows a schematic perspective view of partial suspension
6 arrangement
according to the invention;
Figs.
7-9
show
the
suspension
arrangement
of
Fig.
6 seen
in
plane
view,
from
the
side
and from the top, respectively;
Fig. shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 7;
10 Fig. shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 8;
11
Fig. shows plates for use in a suspension arrangement according
12 to the invention;
Fig. shows an end piece for use in a plate in a suspension
13 arrangement according
to the invention;
Fig. shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 13;
14
Fig. shows views of different types of suspension fittings
15 for use in a suspension
arrangement according to the invention;
Fig. shows views of different shelves for use in a suspension
16 arrangement
according to the invention;
Fig. shows an angular reinforcement section intended to
17 be fastened to the back
side of a plate in. a suspension arrangement according
to the invention;
Fig. shows a fitting for electric installations for use
18 in a suspension arrangement
according to the invention;
Fig. shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 18;
19
Fig. shows a second embodiment of a fitting for electric
20 installations;
Fig. shows an enlarged detail of Fig. 17;
21
Figs.
22-23
show
wall
fittings
for
use
in
a suspension
arrangement
according
to
the
invention;
Fig. shows a partial enlarged detail of Figs. 22 and 23;
24
Fig. shows a plate for use in a suspension arrangement
25 according to the invention,
as seen from behind;
Figs.
26-28
show
the
plate
of
Fig.
25
seen
in
plane
view,
from
the
side
and
from
the
top, respectively;
Figs.
29-31
show
an
enlarged
detail
of
Fig.
26
seen
in
plane
view,
from
the
side
and
from the top, respectively;
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
8
Figs. 32-34 show a plate with suspension fittings and shelves mounted, as seen
in
plane view, from the side and from the top, respectively;
Figs. 35-36 show different enlarged details of Fig. 33;
Fig. 37 shows a schematic perspective view of a plate provided with an image
at the
front side by a method according to the invention; and
Fig. 38 shows a sectional view illustrating how a plate is provided with an
image at
the front side by a method according to the invention.
Identical or corresponding elements in different Figures of the drawing will
be
provided with the same designations. Each single detail will thus not be
explained in
connection with each Figure.
Fig. 1 shows a suspension arrangement 1 in the shape of a wall which is to be
used for
displaying articles. The plate 2 has a height corresponding to the height of a
room in
which it is mounted, and it may have different widths. The plate 2 is mounted
on a
wall 3, in that on the back side of each plate there is provided reinforcement
sections 4
that are fastened along the height of plates and which have coupling means
(described
below) with coupling means on horizontal members 5 that are fastened on the
wall.
The plates have a front side 6 and a back side 7. This particularly appears
from Fig. 4.
In the interspace 8 formed between the wall 3 and the back side 7 of the
plates 2,
panels 9 are provided for electric installations. Electric connections 10
provided at the
wall 3 will thus be used for passing wires via the vertical panels 9 to a
desired level, as
the installations are hidden behind the plates 2. In Fig. 1 are illustrated
examples of
wiring 11 in the panels 9, as the latter, for the sake of clarity, are shown
with the back
side facing forward in relation to the way in which they are mounted on the
wall 3.
The shown wiring 11 will thus be disposed between the wall 3 and the panels 9.
The suspension arrangement furthermore includes lamps 12 for illuminating the
articles to be displayed. On Fig. 1 is also seen a shelf 13 for use in
displaying articles
and box 14.
Fig. 2 shows the suspension arrangement of Fig. 1 with the parts assembled and
mounted on the wall 3. On Fig. 2 is illustrated a power outlet 15 at the front
side of the
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
9
plates 2. It appears that the plates 2 are forming an unbroken covering of the
wall, and
that the plates at each side are finished with end pieces 16 hiding the
interspace
located behind the plates 2. Alternatively, the plates 2 may cover a whole
wall so that
there is no need for end pieces 16.
The plates 2 comprise vertical grooves 17 disposed with mutual spacing 18
which is
substantially less than the mutual spacing 19 between two subsequent
reinforcement
sections 4 at the back side of the plates.
Fig. 3 illustrates schematically that holes 20, which open at the back side of
the plates,
are provided along the vertical extension of the grooves 17. As explained
later, it will
be possible to mount suspension fitting through these holes, e.g. as
illustrated by a
shelf support holder 83 in Fig. 4.
Fig. 5 illustrates how the panels 9 are mounted so that the connection points
10 are
situated inside the panels. Electric wiring may hereby be provided via the
panels, e.g.
to the connection 15 which is disposed opposite a panel 9. Alternatively,
wires may be
drawn out at different levels on the plates in order to pass the wires via the
holes 20
for providing for articles that are displayed in the suspension arrangement,
e.g. by
placing on the shelf 13. Likewise, it will be possible to perform a mutual
connecting
of different elements with signalling wires and the like. Wires from the box
14 may
thus be passed through holes 20 and taken out via holes that are situated
right behind
other articles, for example on the shelf 13. All wiring will thus be mounted
at the back
side of the plates and may come out via the holes 20 that are also used when
suspension fittings, e.g. for the shelf support holder 83, are fitted in the
plates.
By the plates it thus becomes possible to mount suspension fittings in a very
flexible
way, irrespectively whether electric or signal wiring for the displayed
articles is
required or not.
Furthermore, it is noted that the suspension fittings can be disposed as shelf
support
holders supporting shelves with different widths, but at least a shelf width
corresponding to the spacing between two succeeding grooves 17. Alternatively,
hooks or pegs may also be disposed in each single groove for suspending
articles that
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
only require suspension on a hook or a peg which does not need to have a
dimension
wider than the width of the individual groove 17.
Fig. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a suspension arrangement where the plates
2 are
5 suspended on vertical support members 21 which are mounted on a wall (not
shown).
Figs. 7-9 show views of the suspension arrangement of Fig. 6. It is thus said
that the
plates 2 are provided with mounting fittings 22 that interact with the
vertical support
members 21. The mounting fittings 22 are disposed at separate positions
distributed
10 across the back side of the plate 2.
On the detail views on Figs. 10 and 11 it appears more clearly that the
mounting
fittings 22 have a projecting sidewall 23 at the outer end of which there is a
hook-
shaped notch 24. The hook-shaped notch 24 is intended for disposition over
pins 25
that project from the sides of the vertical support members 21. As it will
appear, it is
easy to lift individual plates 2 off the engagement, or to mount these on the
members
21 by making the hook-shaped notches 24 engage over the pins 25. Hereby is
formed
the interspace 8 extending from the inner side 26 of the member 21 which is
intended
for bearing against the wall and the back side 7 of the plate 2.
On the enlarged detailed views furthermore appears that the grooves 17 have a
depth
27 and a width 28. In a specific embodiment, the depth will be 5 mm, and the
width
will correspondingly be 5 mm. The spacing between juxtaposed grooves 17 is 95
mm.
The grooves will thus only cover a limited part of the surface of the plate,
and due to
the depth of the grooves, the through-going opening will only be visible for a
viewer
to a very limited extent. The wall surface of the suspension arrangement will
thus
appear largely unbroken with a pattern of vertical grooves.
The wall may appear more as unbroken when an image is applied to it in a way
explained below with reference to Figs. 37 and 38.
Fig. 12 illustrates examples of plates 2 that are provided with grooves 17 and
through-
going holes 20. The plates 2 have different widths. It is furthermore seen
that one of
the narrow plates are provided with a through-going opening 29. Outlets or
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
11
connections 15 may be provided via the through-going opening 29. The
connection 15
may thus be permanently fitted on the panel 9 instead of constituting a
separate
connection which is mounted at the front side of the plates 2. The concrete
design of
the large plates will typically have a dimension of 2400 mm in height, 572 mm
in
width and a thickness of 18 mm. Narrow plates 2 for covering the panels 19
will
typically have the same height but with a width of 172 mm and a thickness of
18 mm.
The plate 2 with the opening 29 will be intended for external power supply,
whereas
the other narrow plate 2 will be intended for covering an internal power
supply which
is carned in the panel 29 behind the plate 2. The plates can be made of
various
materials, but will preferably be made of wood. For all embodiments it is may
be so
that the plates are provided with openings as well as milled grooves, or
alternatively
be provided with a base plate in which the holes 20 are drilled and where a
number of
juxtaposed elongated front side plates are provided that mutually form the
grooves 17.
Fig. 13 shows an end piece 16 corresponding to that of Fig. 1. It appears from
the
enlarged detail in Fig. 14 that the end piece 16 consists of a base plate 30
with a width
that may cover the interspace 8 between the plate and the wall 3. The end
piece 16
furthermore has a turn-in edge part 31 which is intended for covering the
foremost
edge area of the outermost plate 2 in the suspension arrangement.
Fig. 15 illustrates different suspension fittings for use on the wall of the
suspension
arrangement. Cormnon to all suspension fittings is that they have a part 32
intended
for passage through a hole 20, and a part 33 disposed behind the plate 2, and
which
has a bearing plate 34 that may bear against the back side 7 of the plate.
Each of the
suspension fittings also has a part 35 that project from the front side of the
plate. A
support face 36 is provided at the projecting part 35 for support against a
bottom face
37 (see Fig. 11) of a groove 17 and which has thickness that corresponds to
the
spacing between opposite sidewalk 38 (see Fig. 10) in the groove.
The suspension fittings will thus have support parts 34 against the back side
of the
plate and support parts 36 that bear against the bottom of the groove 17.
Furthermore,
the thickness of the suspension fittings will ensure lateral stabilisation of
the
suspension fittings. On Fig. 15 is shown a so-called side hanger 39 which has
a width
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
12
of 364 mm. Furthermore is shown a corresponding side hanger 40 with a width of
942
mm. Also illustrated are so-called spike-bars 41 and 42 with a length of 364
mm and
942 mm, respectively. 43 designates a shelf support holder that may be
produced in
different lengths. A shelf support holder will typically have a thickness of 5
mm and a
height of 28 mm, and with a length being 280, 330, 380 or 430 mm. Also
illustrated is
a front hanger 44 which also will have at thickness of 5 mm and a height of 28
mm
and a length of 300 mm. A shelf support holder and a front hanger are designed
with
largely identical shapes. However, it appears that the shelf support holder 43
is
provided with two notches 45 for supporting a shelf, whereas the front hanger
44 is
provided with a single notch 46 at the outer end.
47 illustrates an angular support holder with a first section 48 and a second
section 49
displaced in relation to the first section, and which is connected to a
vertical section
50.
51 illustrates a so-called nick arm which is a suspension fitting extending
obliquely in
relation to the plate, and which at its top side is provided with a number of
notches,
e.g. for the support of brackets. The length may be 364 mm.
53 designates a hook which is intended for interaction with the spike-bars 41,
42. The
hook 43 has rear branches 54 intended for disposition at the back side of a
plate 55 in
the spike-bars 41, 42, and a front hook part 56 which is provided for
disposition at the
front of the plate 55.
57 designates a hook which is intended for placing in t~wall plate. The hook
may
have a thickness of 5 mm and lengths of 150, 200 or 250 mm.
Fig. 16 illustrates different sizes and shapes of shelves for use in the
suspension
arrangement. The shelves 13 may thus be provided in embodiments 58, 59 with
edge
profiles or in embodiments 60, 61 as rectangular shelves without edge
profiles.
Shelves 58, 60 are shown that may have a length of 942 mm and a thickness of
18 mm
and a width that may be 300, 350, 400 or 450 mm. Furthermore, shelves 59, 61
are
shown that may have a length of 364 mm and a thickness of 18 mm and a width
that
may be 300, 350, 400 or 450 mm.
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
13
Figs. 18 and 20 show fittings 62, 63 for electric ducts with a length of 1200
mm and
2400 mm, respectively. These fittings 62, 63 are intended for mounting 65 with
their
side plate 64 disposed against a wall. The side plate 64 is provided with
holes for
accommodating screws with which they are fastened. Each fitting has a further
wall 66
which is bent out from the wall for forming an internal space 67 for
accommodating
electric installations. The wall 66 furthermore has a turn-up side edge 68,
the
outermost edge area 69 of which is angularly bent inclining outwards in
relation to the
wall.
The angular edge area 69 is intended for interacting with slots 70 which are
illustrated
in Fig. 17 and in the enlarged detail in Fig. 21. The slots 70 are formed in
an angular
reinforcement section 71 which is made for disposition along the height of a
plate and
extending with largely vertical orientation. The plates are mounted directly
on an
electric fitting by interaction between the slots 70 and the angular edge
areas 69.
Figs. 22 and 23 show alternative fittings 72, 73 for placing directly on a
wall. These
are made with lengths of 1200 mm and 2400 mm, respectively. These fittings 72,
73
have a sidewall 74 in which there are openings 75 for accommodating screws for
fastening on the wall.
Fig. 24 shows an enlarged view of the section used for making fittings 72, 73.
It
appears that each fitting has a bent edge area 76 which also is angular with
orientation
away from the wall in order to interact with the slots 70 in the angular
reinforcement
sections 71.
The Figures 25-28 show different views of a plate 2. Fig. 25 shows a plate
from
behind, and Fig. 26 shows the same plate as seen from the front. It appears
that the
plate is provided at the back side with a uniform pattern of holes 20, and
that this
patterns ends with half holes along the opposite side edges 77 of the plate 2.
From Fig.
26 appears that the front side 6 of the plate is provided with grooves with
uniform
spacing, and where the side edge 77 of each plate ends with a half groove. It
is
preferred in practice that a laminated wall is assembled with side edges at
the bottom
of the grooves 17, as plate joints hereby appears least visible for the
viewer.
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
14
Figs. 29-31 illustrate an enlarged detail of the plate shown in Fig. 26 which
furthermore illustrates the half holes and the half groove.
Figs. 32-34 show different views of a suspension arrangement where the plates
2 are
mounted on horizontal fittings 62 via the angular suspension sections 71. The
partially
enlarged view in Fig. 36 clearly shows the interaction between a fitting 62
and a
reinforcement section 71.
In the mounted plates there is provided various examples of mounting means of
the
type illustrated in Fig. 15.
Fig. 35 shows an enlarged detail illustrating the interaction between a
suspension
fitting and the plate 2. It appears that the bearing surface 34 bears against
the back
wall of the plate, and that the bearing face 36 bears against the bottom
surface 37 of a
groove 17.
Fig. 37 shows a view of a plate 2, the front side of which being provided with
an
image schematically indicated by 78. The image is applied to the front side 6
of the
plate 2.
In Fig. 38 is illustrated an inkjet printer 79 sending an ink jet 80 towards
the plate 2.
An image 78 consisting of image parts 81 is hereby formed, situated at the top
side of
the plate parts located between the grooves 17, as well as consisting of other
image
parts 81 located at the bottom faces of the grooves. 17. For the viewer, a
plate 2 will
be provided with an unbroken image. The inlejet printer 79 can be set to make
an
image covering an assembly of one or more plates. Thus it will be possible to
convey
juxtaposed plates through a large printer so that a continuous image is formed
on a
plurality of juxtaposed plates. Alternatively, separate images can be made on
each
individual plate.
In the above, the invention is described with reference to a separate
embodiment
where the suspension arrangement is shown in an embodiment for forming a
display
wall. Alternatively, it is possible to erect the plates to that they appear as
a freely
standing wall with two plates disposed at each their side of a frame, so that
CA 02545382 2006-05-09
WO 2005/044061 PCT/DK2004/000783
installations and support are located within the frame, and where the front
side of the
plates with grooves is mounted at opposite sides of such a free-standing wall.