GB2304448A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

A display device (10) comprises a frame (11) of generally re-entrant channel configuration, a panel (12) comprising a first part (13) which is at least translucent and on which information can be provided, and a second generally opaque part (14) positioned next to the first part (13), the periphery (15) of the panel (12) being received in the re-entrant channel of the frame (11), the frame (11) comprising an internal hollow (16) in which is located a light source (18) whereby light produced by the light source (18) shines into the first panel part (13) and is reflected internally across the panel (12). The second panel part (14) is suitably a sheet of dark material. Cladding means (31) may be provided to give the frame (11) a decorative finish. The device may be used with a writing implement which writes in fluorescent marking medium.

Description

Title: Display Device Description of Invention This invention relates to a display device and more particularly but not exclusively to a display device on which information may temporarily be displayed.

Display devices comprising blackboards are commonly used for examples, in restaurants and wine bars so that the day's menu and the like can be displayed.

Whereas such blackboards are ideal in bright conditions, they are not easily read in darker conditions.

Other display devices are also known which can be wiped clean for reuse but in general they too suffer from the disadvantage of not being easily read in darker conditions.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a display device comprising a frame of generally re-entrant channel configuration, a panel comprising a first part which is at least translucent and on which information can be provided, and a second generally opaque part positioned next to the first part, the periphery of the panel being received in the re-entrant channel of the frame, the frame comprising an internal hollow in which is located a light source whereby light produced by the light source shines into the first panel part and is reflected internally across the panel.

Thus utilising a device in accordance with the invention information written on the panel in an appropriate marking medium such as a fluorescent ink, can be made to glow thus making reading the information in darker conditions easier.

In one embodiment the frame may comprise a plurality of lengths of extrusion connected together and inset means to locate the panel in the frame.

Thus the periphery of the panel may be positioned in the frame in an optimum position for the light to shine into the first panel part.

Conveniently the first at least translucent panel part comprises a generally transparent glass sheet. This can easily be wiped clean if for example a water based marking medium is used and is durable.

The generally opaque second panel part comprises a sheet of dark material, for example a sheet of black plastic material which it has been found provides the best contrast against most bright marking medium colours.

The re-entrant channel configuration frame may present a mouth which faces an opening provided by the frame in which the periphery of the panel is received, the width of the mouth and the thickness of the periphery of the panel received thereby being generally equal. Thus the maximum amount of light is caused to shine into the thickness of the first part of the panel.

Depending on the width of the panel and the strength of the light source more than one light source may be required. Thus two opposite side members of the frame may each have a light source located in a hollow thereof.

To achieve an even as possible spread of light across the panel, conveniently the or each light source comprises a tubular light source which extends along a substantial part of the length of the or the respective frame side.

Particularly where the marking medium to be used comprises a fluorescent marking medium, the or each light source may comprises a source which produces ultra-violet rich light or another light which causes the marking medium to fluoresce.

Where the light source is of the kind which requires a ballast or the like actuating means, preferably the actuating means is accommodated in a hollow of the frame.

The frame may be decoratively finished as desired. For example cladding means may be provided to clad the frame or, particularly but not exclusively where the frame is made of metal, the frame may be coated with paint or the like.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide in combination, a device according to the first aspect of the invention and a writing implement which writes in florescent marking medium.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 is an illustrative front view of a display device in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded fragmentary perspective view of the device of figure 1.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a display device 10 comprising a frame 11 of generally re-entrant channel configuration, a panel 12 comprising a first part 13 which is at least translucent and on which information can be provided, and a second generally opaque part 14 positioned next to the first part 13, the periphery 15 of the panel 12 being received in the re-entrant channel of the frame 11, the frame 11 comprising an internal hollow 16 in which is located a light source 18 whereby light produced by the light source 18 shines into the first panel part 13 and is reflected internally across the panel 12.

The frame 11 is made up from four extruded hollow lengths 19,20,21,22 of aluminium extrusion in this example, which are mitred together at the corners thereof to present a generally rectangular frame 11. Each section 1922 has an internal hollow 16 and presents a mouth 23 which has a width which is generally the same as the thickness of the panel 12. Thus the minimum amount of light escapes and the maximum amount of light from the light source 18 shines into the thickness of the panel 12. Of course if desired, the frame 11 may be made in other materials and fabricated in another way as desired. Also the frame 11 can be made to a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending upon the nature of the light source 18 as hereinafter described.

Within the hollows 16 of the frame sections 19-22, at the corners of the frame, there are provided insets 24 which locate the panel 12 in the frame 11. In this example, the inserts 24 each comprise a mitred block carrying a pad 25 of cushioning material, e.g. fibre reinforced rubber, which is abutted by edge 27 of the panel 12. The inserts 24 are relatively short so as not to obstruct the hollows 16 of the sections 19-22 in which they are received.

The first part 13 of the panel 12 is in this embodiment, made of toughened glass which is durable and can easily be wiped clean of marking medium. Typically the glass panel part 13 has a thickness of 4 mm. The second panel part 14 is preferably a black plastic sheet 14 of about 3 mm thickness which thus prevents light which is not internally reflected, escaping from the rear side of the panel 12.

In the example illustrated, there is a light source 18 in the hollows 16 of each of two opposite sections 19,21 of the frame 11 and the light sources 18 are each tubular sources, such as "Glowlux" tubes which produce ultra-violet rich light. However other kinds of light source may alternatively be used although tubular sources which extend along at least a substantial length of the frame side are preferred. The tubular light sources are received in channel shaped holders 26 which protect the tubes 18. In the case of tubular sources 18, an actuating means 29 is required, such as a ballast 29 connected to the source 18 and a power supply by wires (not shown), which ballast 29 may conveniently be accommodated in a hollow 16 of one of the other sections 20,22 of the frame 11. A single actuating means 29 may be used for both light sources 18, or an actuating means 29 may be provided for each as desired. Where more than one actuating means 29 is provided, an actuating means 29 may be provided in the hollows 16 of different sections 19-22, or all may be provided in a common hollow 16, as space permits.

The frame 11 may be decoratively finished as desired. However in the example illustrated, the frame 11 is clad with timber cladding 31 which comprises first sections 32 of timber which are profiled and are mitred at the corners thereof and planer timber cladding panels 33, thus to resemble a picture frame. The timber cladding 31 may be finished by painting, staining or the like as desired.

Alternatively, the frame 11 may be finished by painting or other coating.

In use, marking medium such as fluorescent ink is applied to the glass panel part 13 using a suitable marking implement. For example, particularly where the light source or sources 18 produce ultra-violet rich light, the marking medium may comprise a fluorescent ink which fluoresces when exposed to ultraviolet light.

Light from the light sources 18 shines into the thickness of the first glass part 13 of the panel 12 and is internally reflected within the thickness of the panel 12. The dark sheet of the second panel part 14 prevents light escaping from the rear of the panel 12 and thus the only light which can be seen is that which is transmitted from the marking medium on a front face 34 of the panel 12.

Hence the marking medium will be easily visible even in dark conditions.

By virtue of the front face 34 of the panel 12 being of glass, when it is desired to remove the marking medium, cleaning of the panel 12 is facilitated.

Preferably the marking medium is a water based ink or the like which can very easily be removed by wiping.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (1)

1. A display device comprising a frame of generally re-entrant channel configuration, a panel comprising a first part which is at least translucent and on which information can be provided, and a second generally opaque part positioned next to the first part, the periphery of the panel being received in the re-entrant channel of the frame, the frame comprising an internal hollow in which is located a light source whereby light produced by the light source shines into the first panel part and is reflected internally across the panel.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the frame comprises a plurality of lengths of extrusion connected together and inset means to locate the panel in the frame.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first at least translucent panel part comprises a generally transparent glass sheet.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the generally opaque second panel part comprises a sheet of dark material.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the reentrant channel configuration frame presents a mouth which faces an opening provided by the frame in which the periphery of the panel is received, the width of the mouth and the thickness of the periphery of the panel received thereby being generally equal.

7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two opposite side members of the frame each have a light source located in a hollow thereof.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each light source comprises a tubular light source which extends along a substantial part of the length of the or the respective frame side.

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the or each light source comprises a source which produces ultra-violet rich light.

11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided an actuating apparatus for the light source and the actuating apparatus is accommodated in a hollow of the frame.

12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein cladding means are provided to clad the frame so as to provide a decorative finish.

13. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the frame is made of metal and is coated with paint or the like as a decorative finish.

14. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. In combination a device according to any one of the preceding claims and a writing implement which writes in fluorescent marking medium.

16. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.