AU2001100516A4 - Sign frame - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATIONS INNOVATION PATENT ALUMINIUM SIGN FRAME The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: SIGN FRAME The invention relates to improvement in devices used as part of a sign to hold and support the sheet that displays graphics or text.

For many years the sign industry has fabricated a seemingly endless variety of sign structures from a variety of materials to support sign sheets and hold them sufficiently flat to be visually appealing. Many have failed due to being neither vandal or weather resistant. Many have had to be especially made for small run or one-off quantities. This device provides an alternative by way of a multi-use pre-coatable extrusion that can be cut to length and fastened around a sign sheet to form sign structures to suit a large range of applications. It may be convenient and is suitable for both one-off and mass production for long lasting signage, both single or double sided.

Presently any extrusion available to the sign industry to support a sign sheet are dependent on adhesives and/or leave fasteners such as screws or rivets accessible or visible. Fasteners may be sometimes visually undesirable. This new device encloses all fasteners used in assembling it to the sign sheet. The device also provides for enclosing any fasteners used to fix, the abovementioned assembly, to posts or to supporting surfaces such as walls or fences.

The invention has use for metal signs or notices within public places as it reduces the risk of injury to persons by enclosing sharp edges of a sign sheet. The frame also resists damage by vandals by enclosing the vulnerable edges of the sheet while also enclosing fasteners to prevent their removal. The invention in the form shown does this with the angle that when positioned appears to be part of the frame reducing risk of its removal which is difficult and unlikely without the use of special tools.

The invention has a use within general advertising structures. The frame decorates and finishes the edges of a sign face as a picture frame does to an artwork. The invention may be fastened to a large existing range of products that may be used as posts. The frame in the shape shown is also adaptable to existing balustrade sections which extends its' applications and provides that various associated and existing castings and decorative ornaments can be attached. The ability of the frame to accept sign sheets of metal, plastic or flexible banner type material extends its' usefulness.

The frame can be readily pre-coated to a vast range of colours and finishes to provide a variation in appearance and speed completion of assembly.

The best method of performing the invention known to me is now described To assist with understanding the invention, reference will now be made to to the accompanying drawing figures 1- 6 which show one example of the invention, how it may be assembled and some examples of its' applications.

The drawings and text show or relate to fasteners, sign sheets, geometric angles, a stake, and post/s that are not part of the invention claimed, but used with the invention. Reference to the "the section", "the frame" or "sign frame" within this text or drawings, refers to the invention being the sign frame. Reference to "aluminium" includes its' alloys.

Figure 1 is a pictorial view of the frame surrounding a rectangular sheet.

Figure 2 shows a method of assembling the frame at corners.

The section is firstly cut into lengths to suit the sign face sides. The pieces are then held together by a stake as commonly used to assemble aluminium sections.

That stake could be a short length of angle for square corners. For other angles it could be a length of flat bar bent in its centre at the intersecting angle. A length of the same size bar can be inserted within the cavity provided for a stake to give additional strength over unsupported spans as required.

Figure 3 shows one method of fixing the ridged sign sheet to the frame.

The sign sheet is placed within the frame where shown and fastened by rivets or screws forming an assembled sign face and frame.

Figures 4a and 4b show a method of fastening the frame to posts or surfaces.

Fasteners may be placed through pre-drilled holes to fix the frame to the outer edge to support (such as a post) or to the back to a surface parallel to the sign face (such as a wall or post). When fastening to an outer edge it is best that the fasteners located close to corners are seated onto the stake so it provides immediate support to the adjacent length of sign frame.

Figure 5 shows the frame enclosed on a ridged sign sheet.

An angle shaped section of suitable size and thickness to be tight fitting is placed at the opening and struck into the position where shown. When cutting to length ends may be scribed rather than mitred to provide for a less visible joint. This allows for less precise cutting to length as the piece can be moved laterally to provide a neat joint. The last piece positioned must be cut accurately to length to assure good joints between mating parts at both ends.

Figure 6 shows the sign frame holding a flexible sign sheet.

Here a banner is shown wrapped around a rope or bar, sewn or otherwise.

Protection could be provided to the banner where it extends from the frame by placing suitable tape or coving on the frame at this point. This would also pack the opening to assure that the banner is clamped firmly. All descriptions to figure above also apply to figure 6. The frame may be used to all, some or one side of a banner.

It will be realised the sign frame according to this invention is not restricted to the shape shown in the examples, but may be of an extrusion that frames a sign sheet and provides for jointing at corners and closure of an opening from where the frame is fastened to the sheet and to surfaces behind or to the side.

Claims (4)

1. A sign frame, consisting of an extrusion of a shape that can be joined and secured at corners and that provides an opening to locate and fasten a sign sheet, used to display graphics or text, and access to fasten the frame to support both behind or to the side of the sign sheet while also providing for closure of that opening by a second extrusion that then, when seated in place, conceals all said fasteners and the edge of the sign sheet.

2. A sign frame of claim 1 wherein the said second extrusion is a readily available geometric angle.

3. A sign frame of claims 1 and 2 wherin the frame is used to hold a sign sheet made of a rigid material as shown in figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

4. A sign frame of claims 1 and 2 wherin the frame is used to hold a sign sheet made of flexible material, such as a banner, as shown in figure 6 of the accompanying drawings. A sign frame of claims 1 4 wherin the frame is used as part of a double sided sign equally suited for viewing from both sides. MALCOLM CHARLES VENABLES 19 OCTOBER 2001