AU2009200264B2 - Sign - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a floor sign (10) including at least one substantially planar panel (12, 14), the panel having an outer face (30) and provided with one or more friction areas (28) on or projecting from the outer face (30), so as to form anti-slip 5 ground-engaging means to prevent or impede the sliding of the sign (10) when the outer face (30) is in contact with the ground. The friction areas (28) assist in mitigation of hazards to personal safety provided by fallen signs lying in contact with the ground.

Description

AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention title: Sign The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: Sign Field of the Invention The present invention relates to signs. In particular the present invention relates to self-supporting floor signs. 5 Background of the Invention In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date: (a) part of common general knowledge; or 10 (b) known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. Self-supporting floor signs are typically composed of a pair of substantially similar panels hingedly connected along their top edges so to form in use an 'A' form assembly. Such signs are commonly used in public places to alert passers-by to 15 hazards in the immediate vicinity, commonly to indicate work in progress in a public area, such as floor cleaning activity in a building, or an open utility hole in a street. Known floor signs are described in United States Patent No 7,013,590 and published European Patent Application EP 0878787. 20 A floor sign of this sort is deployed by folding the lower edges of the panels away from each other, with a means such as a linkage bar limiting the maximum separation of the panels. The bottom edges of the panels form a base, upon which the sign stands. The sign is collapsed by bringing the panels back together once more, eg. by lifting the sign by way of a top handle portion. In the collapsed 25 configuration, the signs are easy to transport and can be conveniently stacked for storage. Since they are freestanding, floor signs can topple over onto the ground on impact, such as if the panels are inadvertently collapsed together on being knocked. Once on the ground the sign can present a safety hazard to passers by.

2 Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a floor sign including at least one substantially planar panel, the panel having an outer face and provided with one or more friction areas projecting from the outer face, so as to form anti-slip 5 ground-engaging means to prevent or impede the sliding of the sign when the outer face is in contact with the ground. The friction area or areas assist in mitigation of the hazards to personal safety provided by fallen signs lying in contact with the ground. Such fallen signs can readily slide along the ground, and thus a person inadvertently stepping on the 10 fallen sign may slip, with potentially injurious consequences. The risks of such incidents occurring are greater in the more hazardous environments where floor signs are generally deployed (such as wet floor areas). Floor signs according to the present invention represent a simple yet very effective advance in safety for such situations. 15 In a preferred embodiment, the sign features a plurality of spaced friction areas on or projecting from the outer face. The one or more friction areas are made from a suitable non-slip material, to provide the required frictional contact with the ground . Natural or synthetic rubber are suitable materials in this regard. 20 The friction areas may be suitably distributed across the face of the panel to provide secure frictional contact with the ground when the sign is lying on its face. According to one embodiment, the one or more friction areas are provided adjacent to the upper and lower edges of the panel, when in its standing, in-use configuration. 25 Preferably, the floor sign of the invention comprises two substantially planar panels, hingedly connected along their edges. Each panel may be provided with said one or more friction areas on or projecting from the outer face. Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by reference to the 30 accompanying drawings in which: 3 Figure 1 is a perspective view of an in-use floor sign according to the invention; and Figure 2 is an enlarged exploded view of the upper portion of one panel of the floor sign of Figure 1. 5 Detailed Description of the drawings A self-supporting floor sign 10 is illustrated in Figure 1. Sign 10 is comprised of first 12 and second 14 panels that are connected along their uppermost edges in a hinging arrangement. The hinging arrangement allows pivotal motion of panels 12, 14 relative to one another. As the detail of Figure 2 shows, the particular form 10 of the top portions 18 of the panels above the pivot point 20 affords a stop means to prevent the panels separating beyond a certain angle of separation, as shown in Figure 1. The sign 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is shown in its in-use configuration, with a base 22 formed by feet 24, two of which extend from the lower edge 26 of each panel. 15 Circular rubber stoppers 28 are provided in each panel 12, 14, to project beyond the outer face 30 of the panel. The stoppers are affixed to the panels by way of central projections 32, sized and shaped to locate within holes 34 formed in the face of each panel. In the configuration illustrated, two rubber stoppers are provided symmetrically arranged in the upper part of the panel face, and two are 20 provided symmetrically arranged in the lower part. The skilled reader will readily appreciate that other arrangements are equally possible, such as longitudinal strips of non-slip material or even a single extended non-slip area provided on the outer face 30 of panel 10. The floor sign structure and its base are sufficiently secure to hold the sign safely 25 in its upright in-use configuration when the sign is not subject to any external -force. However, impact (accidental or otherwise) applied to the sign can cause the sign to fall over and to collapse onto its face 30. When the face is in contact with the ground, rubber stoppers 28 come into frictional engagement with the ground to provide friction areas to prevent or at 30 least impede the sign from sliding on its face along the ground. In turn, this 4 substantially eliminates the safety hazard presented by a sign in contact with the ground. Although the floor sign illustrated in Figure 1 comprises two panels 12, 14 upon each of which information can be printed, the present invention can also be 5 embodied in a sign having a single panel hingedly connected to a frame member, rather than to a second panel. In such an assembly, friction areas are preferably provided on the frame member as well as on the panel. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the stoppers 28 may be replaced by one or more pads of rubber or similar material, covering more significant areas of 10 the face of one or both or panels 12, 14. This pad or these pads may be adhered or otherwise secured to the surface of the panel, or within a complementary recess provided in the face of the panel in an appropriate position. The word 'comprising' and forms of the word 'comprising' as used in this description do not limit the invention claimed to exclude any variants or 15 additions. Modifications and improvements to the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope of this invention

Claims (12)

1. A floor sign including at least one substantially planar panel, the panel having an outer face and provided with one or more friction areas projecting from the outer face, so as to form anti-slip ground-engaging 5 means to prevent or impede the sliding of the sign when the outer face is in contact with the ground.

2. A floor sign according to claim 1 wherein the one or more friction areas are made from a non-slip material that provides for frictional contact with the ground. 10

3. A floor sign according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each friction area is in the form of a stopper.

4. A floor sign according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the or each friction area is in the form of a strip.

5. A floor sign according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the non-slip 15 material is rubber.

6. A floor sign according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the friction areas are distributed across the face of the panel to provide secure frictional contact with the ground when the sign is lying on its face.

7. A floor sign according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the friction areas 20 are provided adjacent to the upper and lower edges of the panel, when in its standing, in-use configuration.

8. A floor sign according to claim 7, wherein the friction areas are arranged symmetrically in the upper and lower edges of the panel.

9. A floor sign according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the floor sign 25 comprises two substantially planar panels, hingedly connected along their edges, each panel being provided with said one or more friction areas on or projecting from their outer face.

10. A floor sign according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the floor sign comprises a single panel hingedly connected to a frame member. 6

11. A floor sign according to claim 10, wherein friction areas are provided on the frame member.

12. A floor sign substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.