Textile sampling

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed for displaying a plurality of textile or fabric samples. The apparatus includes a plurality of elongate rail members configured to receive and engage at least one sample member. The at least one or each sample member holds at least one sample and is adapted to slidably and/or pivotally engage at least one rail member by way of one or more corresponding apertures or channels provided therein.

1 . An apparatus for displaying a plurality of samples, the apparatus including a plurality of elongate rail members configured to receive and engage at least one sample member, said rail members being spaced apart by at least one frame member. 
   
   
       2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  including at least one sample member, wherein each sample member is configured to hold at least one of said plurality of samples. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein at least one sample member is configured to releasably engage at least one of said rail members. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said at least one sample member is configured to engage each or a selection of the plurality of rail members via a corresponding plurality of channels provided therein, said channels being provided on or proximate to an edge of each said sample member, each channel extending from said edge and having a width which narrows proximate said edge. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the force required to break the engagement is equal to or greater than the combined weight of the sample and corresponding sample member(s) to prevent the sample member from becoming undesirably detached. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein at least one sample member is configured to slidably or pivotally engage at least a selection of said rail members. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the or each sample member comprises a substantially rigid base portion and a sheet portion which is at last semi-rigid, wherein the base portion is adapted to engage with at least one of said plurality of rail members, and the sheet portion is configured to hold at least one of said plurality of samples. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  including at least one substantially rigid buttressing member configured to engage the rail members. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein at least one buttressing member is configured to slidably engage at least one of said rail members. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus includes means for securing at least one buttressing member in a first configuration substantially orthogonal to the rail members. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said means for securing is integral to or coupled to said frame member. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein two buttressing members are provided and each buttressing member may be configured in the first configuration with one being at each end of the rail members. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said buttressing members, when in the first configuration, enable a plurality of such apparatuses to be stacked on top of each other. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the or each buttressing member includes a plurality of apertures, each being adapted to engage a corresponding one of the plurality of rail members, wherein each aperture is substantially elongate in shape or otherwise configured such that the or each buttressing member is permitted a limited range of movement substantially orthogonal to the rail members and is permitted to recline relative to the rail members in a second configuration, such that said buttressing member(s) may pivot relative to the rail members. 
   
   
       15 . A sample member adapted for engagement with an apparatus according to  claim 1 .