Frame member

Abstract

A deflectable display frame beam ( 1, 100 ) and associated engaging member ( 107 ) for mounting a display panel to the frame ( 8 ). The beam ( 1, 100 ) includes segments ( 130 ) interconnected by a continuous strip ( 4 ) and a pair of opposed lips ( 20 a, 20 b ) extending inwardly and along the length of the beam ( 1, 100 ) for removably engaging the engaging member ( 107 ). The engaging member ( 107 ) includes a continuous strip ( 170 ) with a pair of diverging flanges ( 171 ) along its length and on one of its sides for cooperating with the lips ( 20 a, 20 b ) of the beam ( 1, 100 ). The engaging member ( 107 ) also includes a series of segmented walls ( 172 a, 172 b, 172 c, 173 a, 173 b ) on the other of its sides that define slots for engaging a display panel. The engaging member ( 107 ) and the beam ( 1, 100 ) can both be curved by deflecting or flexing the continuous strips ( 4, 170 ) to vary the separation between adjacent segments ( 130, 172 a, 172 b, 172 c, 173 a, 173 b ).

1 . A frame member for a display frame, the frame member comprising a longitudinal engaging feature for removably engaging a co-operating member, and a segmented portion interconnected by connecting portions, wherein at least a portion of the frame member may be curved, in use, by deflecting or flexing the connecting portions, thereby varying the separation between at least two adjacent segments of the segmented portion. 
     
     
         2 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portions comprise or are provided by a continuous portion or strip. 
     
     
         3 . Frame member according to  claim 2 , wherein the segmented portion comprises two or more segments attached to and/or extending from at least one side of the strip. 
     
     
         4 . Frame member according to  claim 2 , wherein the frame member comprises a beam and the continuous portion comprises a side or face of the beam. 
     
     
         5 . Frame member according to  claim 2 , wherein the continuous portion comprises the longitudinal engaging feature along at least a portion of its length. 
     
     
         6 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal engaging feature is configured to slideably engage a co-operating member. 
     
     
         7 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal engaging feature comprises a slot or groove. 
     
     
         8 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal engaging feature comprises one or more lips. 
     
     
         9 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal engaging feature comprises a pair of opposed lips that define a slot or groove for engaging a co-operating member. 
     
     
         10 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame member comprises an extrusion with a substantially constant cross section that is at least partially segmented along its length. 
     
     
         11 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the segmented portion comprises the or a further longitudinal engaging feature along at least a portion of its length. 
     
     
         12 . Frame member according to  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal engaging feature is segmented along at least a portion of its length. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An engaging member for mounting a display panel to the frame member of a display frame, the engaging member comprising a first longitudinal engaging feature for releasably engaging a frame member, a second longitudinal engaging feature for releasably engaging a display panel and a segmented portion interconnected by connecting portions, wherein at least a portion of the engaging member may be curved, in use, by deflecting or flexing the connecting portions, thereby varying the separation between at least two adjacent segments of the segmented portion. 
     
     
         15 . Engaging member according to  claim 14 , wherein the connecting portions comprise or are provided by a continuous portion, the first longitudinal engaging feature being on a first side of the continuous portion and the second longitudinal engaging feature being on a second side of the continuous portion. 
     
     
         16 . Engaging member according to  claim 14  or  claim 15 , wherein the connecting portions comprise or are provided by a continuous strip with two or more segments attached to and/or extending from at least one side of the strip. 
     
     
         17 . Engaging member according to  claim 16 , wherein the two or more segments comprises or provides the second longitudinal engaging feature. 
     
     
         18 . Engaging member according to  claim 14 , wherein the first longitudinal engaging feature is configured to slideably engage a frame member. 
     
     
         19 . Engaging member according to  claim 14 , wherein the first longitudinal engaging feature comprises a pair of lips that extend outwardly or away from one another. 
     
     
         20 . Engaging member according to  claim 14 , wherein the second longitudinal engaging feature comprises one or more slots or grooves provided by one or more projections or flanges or lips. 
     
     
         21 - 24 . (canceled)