WO1998018369A1

WO1998018369A1 - Support for presenting documents or the like

Info

Publication number: WO1998018369A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/001937
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Tourre
Original assignee: Torenco S.A.R.L.
Priority date: 1996-10-29
Filing date: 1997-10-29
Publication date: 1998-05-07
Also published as: DE69704497T2; ES2158525T3; EP0935434B1; EP0935434A1; FR2754993B1; DE69704497D1; FR2754993A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a support for presenting documents or the like comprising: a back arranged for providing a central support (7) for the back of the documents, projecting between two lateral clearances (8); and two lateral pressing elements (15) borne by one or more clips (11) extending, in the absence of documents, inside the lateral clearances (8), such that documents placed between the central support (7) and the lateral pressing elements (15), have a convex curve from one vertical edge to the other.

Description

PRESENTATION MEDIUM FOR DOCUMENTS OR THE LIKE

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the technical field of support, selection or presentation of flat articles or documents of a more or less flexible or flexible nature, such as sheets, sheets, leaflets, brochures, booklets, printed matter, etc.

The object of the invention relates more precisely to the supports comprising at least one clamp adapted to maintain the documents in a stable position.

PRIOR ART

In the field of supports or displays, it is known to constitute a housing comprising a base from which rises a bottom panel and a front panel connected together by side walls. The box is opened from above to allow the introduction and taking of documents resting by their edges on the base.

This type of support has a major drawback linked to the relative freedom of orientation that the documents have inside the case. The documents can thus take skewed directions or collapse as the documents are picked, which affects the presentation of the documents and leads to their deterioration.

In an attempt to remedy these drawbacks, patent EP 0466 697 has proposed a support for documents comprising a bottom panel rising from a base serving as support for the edge of the documents. This support also includes a clamp extending from the base in a curved orientation directed towards an opening in the bottom panel. This clamp has an elastic tension adapted to allow retaining various thicknesses of documents. The elastic tension of the clamp also produces in documents, a concave curvature directed over a limited width, on either side of their vertical median, extending from top to bottom of documents. The curvature of the documents gives them a self-supporting structure making it possible to avoid the problems of sagging and winding of the documents. However, such a curvature of the documents causes the upper corners to tilt towards the front of the case. If such an arrangement makes it easier to grip the documents, it appears that the upper corners of the documents flex under their own weight, especially since their residence time is long inside the case. It follows an untreated presentation, detrimental to the good visibility of the documents, in particular, at their upper corners.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention therefore aims to remedy the drawbacks stated above by proposing a support for documents in the general sense, designed to keep them in a stable position over time regardless of the quantity of documents remaining, while offering careful presentation of the documents.

To achieve this objective, the support according to the invention comprises:

- a base intended to serve as support for documents,

- a raised base relative to the base and providing support for the back of the documents,

- And at least one clamp extending from the base while being curved towards the bottom.

According to the invention, the support for documents comprises:

- a bottom arranged to constitute a central support for the back of the documents, being established projecting between two lateral clearances,

- And two lateral pressure elements carried by the clamp (s) extending, in the absence of documents, inside the lateral clearances, so that documents placed between the central support and the lateral pressure elements , have a convex curvature from one vertical edge to the other.

Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below. below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments and implementation of the subject of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a support for documents according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation view taken substantially along lines II-II of FIG. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines III-III of FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another alternative embodiment of a support according to the invention.

Fig. 5 is a section showing a characteristic detail of the invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a support according to the invention.

Fig. 7 is a front view of another alternative embodiment of a support according to the invention.

Fig. 8 is a side view taken substantially along lines VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

BEST WAY TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the subject of the invention relates to a support or a display 1 intended to ensure the maintenance in a stable position, of documents 2 in the general sense, such as printed matter, sheets, sheets, booklets, brochures, leaflets or the like . The support 1 comprises a base 3 intended to serve as a support for the lower edge of the documents 2. In the example illustrated, the base 3 is mounted on a base 4 constituted by two feet 5, a detailed description of which will be given later.

According to the invention, the support 1 comprises a bottom 6 made up, in the example illustrated, by a central support 7 for the back of the documents 2. The central support 7 extends projecting between two lateral clearances 8 establishing on either side of the support 7. In the 'illustrated example, the central support 7 rises from the base 3, in a substantially perpendicular direction. According to a preferred embodiment, the central support 7 constitutes a rib having a curved cross section. As shown in fig. 3, the rib 7 has a profile forming a localized support for the back of the documents. Of course, the rib 7 may have a profile with a larger radius of curvature, adapted to allow support for the documents, not located, but extending over part of the width of the documents. According to this alternative embodiment, the profile of the support 7 may have a curvature substantially identical to that of the documents 2, shown in phantom in FIG. 3. In the same direction, the support 7 can be constituted by several juxtaposed ribs, the extreme ribs delimiting towards the outside, the lateral clearances 8. In the same direction, the support 7 is located, in the examples illustrated, to allow the documents to be supported substantially in their plane of vertical symmetry. Of course, the support 7 is not necessarily located to allow the centered support of the documents, but is adapted to act in the central region of the documents which can extend over most of their width. In addition, the central support 7 preferably has a free end 9 having a curved profile towards the bottom 6 and whose function will appear more clearly in the following description.

The support 1 according to the invention also comprises at least one clamp 11 having a substantially uniform thickness and extending from the base 3 with a profile 12 curved outwards and upwards, extended by a flat section 13 directed upwards and towards the bottom 6. The clamp 11 thus constitutes the front of the support. By its shape, the clamp 11 defines with the bottom 6, an open cavity 14 for receiving documents 2 which are subject to the elastic tension developed by the clamp forming a spring.

According to the invention, the clamp 11 is provided with two lateral pressure elements 15 extending in the absence of documents 2, each inside a lateral clearance 8. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS . 1 to 3, each lateral pressure element 15 is constituted by means of a fin extending perpendicularly to the clamp 11. According to a preferred alternative embodiment, the fins 15 are shaped so that their upper edges 15 are inclined towards the bottom from the back of the clamp 11 to facilitate the introduction of the documents inside the receiving cavity 14. As shown more precisely in FIG. 3, the free ends of the pressure elements 15 extend in the clearances 8 beyond the vertical plane P tangent to the central support 7. In the absence of documents 2, the distance] between the vertical plane P tangent to the central support 7 and the plane P, passing through the ends of the pressure elements 15, is chosen to generate a radius of curvature adapted to ensure the stability of the documents. This distance can usually be of the order of 5 to 10 mm.

Such an arrangement makes it possible to ensure on the documents 2 two pressure points situated laterally with respect to the central zone of the documents abutted by their backs on the central support 7. It follows that the documents 2 are folded with a convex curvature extending from top to bottom of the documents and directed from one vertical edge to the other of the documents. Relative to the clamp 11 or to the support front, the vertical edges of the documents are thrown back in consideration of the central part of the documents. The curvature of the documents 2 gives them a self-supporting structure excluding the problems of winding or sagging of the documents. In addition, such a convex curvature makes it possible to avoid a forward bending of the upper corners of the documents and, as a result, localized folds detrimental to reading and presentation aesthetics.

It should be considered that, in the example illustrated, the central support 7 extends over a length much greater than the pressure elements 15 which are of a point or almost localized nature. Of course, provision may be made for a central support 7 of a punctual nature in combination with elements 15 with localized pressure or not, to ensure a convex curvature. In general, the pressure elements 15 must be located on either side of the central support 7, extending substantially along the same level. According to another alternative embodiment, the support 1 comprises a bottom 6 materialized by a panel or a wall 18 from which extends projecting, the central support 7 (fig. 4). According to this alternative embodiment, the pressure elements 15 ensure that the vertical edges of the documents 2 are pressed against the bottom panel 18. The vertical edges of the documents 2 are thus pressed over their entire height against the bottom panel 18 , even when using pressure elements of a point nature. Due to the convex curvature of the documents 2 and the support of the lateral edges over their entire height, this results in a stable maintenance of the documents over time and a perfect presentation, whatever the number of documents remaining.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support 1 is made of an injected plastic material using a single translation mold making it possible to obtain respectively front and bottom walls, located in offset planes. As shown in fig. 1, the clamp 11 and the central support 7 extend from the base 3 to form a single piece. The clamp 11 has a central opening 20 whose profile corresponds to that of the support 7. More specifically, the width of the opening 20 is greater than the width of the central support 7, while the height of the opening 20 is substantially greater than the height of the central support 7. The opening 20 thus delimits on either side, two arms 21 each corresponding to a lateral clearance 8. In the example illustrated, the two arms 21 are connected between them at their apex by a connection part 22 establishing above the central support 7 and making it possible to produce a single clamp 11. It should be noted that the arms 21 can be independent of one of the other, so that the support 1 comprises two clamps each formed by an arm 21 provided with a lateral pressure element 15.

As shown more precisely in FIG. 2, it should be noted that the clamp 11 delimits, between its connection part 22 and the upper end 9 of the central support 7, a window or an opening 23 for introducing documents 2. The curved or rounded profile of the top of the central support 7, possibly combined with the upper edges 15, of the pressure elements, facilitate the introduction of the documents 2 inside the receiving cavity 14. In the above examples, illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the support 1 is supported by a base 4 intended to rest on a horizontal support plane S. Of a preferably, the base 4 is formed, as is more precisely apparent from FIGS. 1 and 5, by two feet 5, for example of removable nature, each provided with two notches 25 each arranged in a wing 5, extending from the core of the foot. The notches 25 of each foot 5 are intended to cooperate with a pair of notches 26, 26, arranged on the bottom wall 18 (fig. 5) or on a fallen return 27 extending from the base 3 ( fig. 1). According to an advantageous characteristic of embodiment, the notches 26, 26 are formed relative to one another and relative to the edges of the support 1, so as to allow an assembly of at least two supports 1 mounted side by side . Thus, for each pair of notches 26, 26, the distance 1, between the notch closest to the edge 1, namely that of 26, and the edge 1, is equal to half the distance 1 ₂ separating the two notches 26, 26, of the same pair. Such a characteristic allows the adjoining assembly of several similar supports 1 by mounting a foot 5 straddling two supports 1, coming to engage by its notches 25 in the notches 26, supports, placed closest to the edges 1 ,. It should be noted that the material remaining between the two notches 26, 26, of the same pair can be eliminated, making it possible to obtain a single notch of larger dimension.

Of course, the support 1 can be mounted on a base 4 of different structure from that described above. In the same direction, the support 1 can be equipped with fixing means on a wall support or on a bottom panel 18 intended to be mounted on a wall support. The bottom panel 18, or even the support, can be provided with lateral walls extending perpendicular to the bottom 6, so as to serve as a lateral stop for the documents 2.

It should be considered that the support 1 according to the invention can have different possible forms while assuming the functions described above. As shown in fig. 6, provision may be made to make a support 1 comprising a single clamp 11 having a solid surface while being produced by an injection technique. In this exemplary embodiment, the support 1 comprises a bottom panel 18 from which extends a central support 7 constituted by a rib. The bottom panel 18 has a main opening 30 formed to allow the clearances on either side of the lower end of the support 7 to remain side 8. The main opening 30 associated with the clearances 8, delimits an open U-shaped section corresponding to the profile of the clamp 11 which extends from the bottom panel 18 from the base of the opening 30. Thus, the clamp 11 has two pressure elements 15 placed in correspondence with the lateral clearances 8. The pressure elements 15 may be constituted by added elements or by a suitable curvature of the clamp, namely convex. It should be noted that the convex shape given to the clamp 11 makes it possible to increase the dimensions of the window 23 for introducing the documents.

In this exemplary embodiment, it should be noted that the support 1 comprises, on either side, side walls 37 ensuring the abutment of the documents 2 by their vertical edges. The bottom panel 18 and / or the side walls 37 can be provided with means 38 ensuring the fixing of the display stand on a vertical support or its assembly with one or more identical supports 1 mounted adjacent. In the above examples, the support 1 according to the invention is made of an injected plastic. Of course, the support 1 according to the invention, namely the clamp (s) 11, the bottom panel 18 and the central support 7, can be manufactured by a different technique for example, by folding. As can be seen more precisely from FIGS. 7 and 8, the support 1 comprises a single clamp 11 having a base 3 intended to be fixed on a bottom panel 18. The bottom panel 18 is equipped with a central support 7 delimiting, on either side, lateral clearances 8, in each of which is intended to come a lateral pressure element 15 carried by the clamp. The pressure elements 15 may be constituted by fins added or formed by bending from the clamp or by a projecting imprint formed, for example, by stamping. In the example illustrated, it should be noted that the central support 7 extends over a limited height relative to the height of the document. Such an arrangement is sufficient to impart a convex curvature to the document.

In the example illustrated in fig. 7 and 8, the clamp 11 has a substantially straight free end 22. Provision may be made at this end for a cutout 40 of triangular shape shown diagrammatically in phantom in FIG. 7, allowing to accentuate the window for introducing documents 23. In the same direction, provision may be made to give the clamp 11 a convex profile to facilitate the introduction of documents between the clamp and the central support 7.

In the various embodiments which precede, the support 1 according to the invention is preferably made of a transparent plastic material, so that the clamp (s) 11 do not hide the documents. However, provision may be made to attach to the clamp 11 and, in particular, between the arms 21, a part intended to receive a message of an advertising nature or not.

POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The support according to the invention makes it possible to present any document of a flat nature in a stable position that does not affect their integrity regardless of the number of documents remaining in the support.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 - Presentation support for documents (2) or similar comprising:

- a base (3) intended to serve as a support for the documents (2),

- a bottom (6) raised relative to the base and providing support for the back of the documents,

- And at least one clamp (11) extending from the base (3) being curved in the direction of the bottom (6), characterized in that it comprises:

- a bottom (6) arranged to constitute a central support (7) for the back of the documents, projecting between two lateral clearances (8),

- And two lateral pressure elements (15) carried by the clamp (s) (11) extending, in the absence of documents, inside the lateral clearances (8), so that documents placed between the 'central support (7) and the lateral pressure elements (15) have a convex curvature from one vertical edge to the other. 2 - Support according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (6) is arranged to constitute a central support (7) rising projecting from a support panel (18) on which come to bear the vertical edges documents. 3 - Support according to claim 2, characterized in that the support panel (18) is delimited, on either side, by side walls (37) serving as lateral stop for documents.

4 - Support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the central support (7) has at its upper part (8), a curved profile in the opposite direction of the clamp to constitute, between the clamp (11) and l 'central support (7), a window (23) for introducing documents.

5 - Support according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamp (s) (11) have transversely a convex profile relative to the central support, with a view to delimiting, between the latter and the clamp (s), a window for introducing documents (23), the extreme edges of the clamp (s) delimiting the lateral pressure elements (15).

6 - Support according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral elements pressure (15) are constituted by fins projecting from the clamp (s) (11) and having an upper edge (15,) inclined to facilitate the introduction of documents.

7 - Support according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the two lateral pressure elements (15) are carried by a single clamp (11) having a central opening (20) corresponding to the central support and delimited , on both sides, by arms (21) connected to their top and corresponding to the lateral clearances (8).

8 - Support according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamp (11) and the central support (7) extend from the base (3) to form a single piece produced by injection.

9 - Support according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the clamp (s) (11), the bottom panel (18) and the central support (7) are made by folding.

10 - Support according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a base (4) for mounting the base.

11 - Support according to claim 10, characterized in that the base is formed by two feet (5) provided with two notches (25), intended to be each engaged in two notches (26) arranged in the base (3), the distance of the notches from the edges of the panel is determined so that each leg can support two adjoining presentation supports.

12 - Support according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises means (38) for fixing on a vertical support.