Display stands

Abstract

A display stand 1 for a flexible laminar member 2 such as a poster has a base 3 , an upright 4 and a top cross-member 5 . The laminar member 2 is movable between a storage position, in which it is retracted round a spring-loaded rotatable member 6 in the base 3 , and a display position as shown, in which it is attached to the top cross-member 5 . Means is provided for the torsional force of the spring-loaded rotatable member 6 to be adjusted.

1 . A display stand for a flexible laminar member in which said laminar member is movable between a display position and a storage position in which it is retracted round a spring-loaded rotatable member mounted in a housing, said rotatable member being acted on by a torsion spring, wherein an adjusting means is provided for adjusting the torsional force of said torsion spring.  
     
     
         2 . A display according to  claim 1 , wherein said torsion spring has first and second ends, wherein one of said ends is secured to said rotatable member and the other of said ends is secured to said adjusting means comprising a ratchet member, said ratchet member being movable between a first position in which it is fixed relative to said housing, and a second position in which it is rotatable relative to said housing by means of a tool introduced through an aperture in said housing.  
     
     
         3 . A display stand according to  claim 2 , wherein said ratchet member has an appropriate formation to enable it to be operated by said tool.  
     
     
         4 . A display stand according to  claim 3 , wherein said formation is a slot for a screwdriver.  
     
     
         5 . A display stand according to  claim 3 , wherein said formation is a slot for an Allen key.  
     
     
         6 . A display stand according to  claim 1 , wherein said torsional force in said torsion spring may be increased in steps.  
     
     
         7 . A display stand according to  claim 2 , wherein said ratchet member includes teeth co-operating with a stop formed on said housing.  
     
     
         8 . A display stand according to  claim 2 , wherein a second spring acts on said ratchet member to bias said ratchet member into said first position.  
     
     
         9 . A display stand according to  claim 2 , wherein said ratchet member moves axially relative to said rotatable member between its first position and its second position.  
     
     
         10 . A display stand according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing forms a base for said display stand.  
     
     
         11 . A display stand according to  claim 1 , wherein a support member is provided for supporting said laminar member in said display position.  
     
     
         12 . A display stand according to  claim 11 , wherein said support member comprises an upright member and a cross-member.  
     
     
         13 . A display stand according to  claim 1 , wherein said housing contains two spring-loaded rotatable members such that said display stand is a twin-sided display stand.  
     
     
         14 . In combination, a display stand according to  claim 1 , with a flexible laminar member.  
     
     
         15 . In combination, a display stand according to  claim 13 , with two flexible laminar members.