AU2010200889B2

AU2010200889B2 - A Three-Sided Rotatable Display Sign

Info

Publication number: AU2010200889B2
Application number: AU2010200889A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bruce Jay Wallace Brownley; Graham Roder Gibbs; Hugo Rodier Gibbs; Paul Mcarthur Grieve
Original assignee: Rodier Advertising 1986 Ltd
Current assignee: Rodier Advertising 1986 Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-28
Filing date: 2010-03-10
Publication date: 2012-05-17
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-21
Also published as: AU2010200889C1; NZ525526A; AU2010200889A1; AU2004201670A1

Abstract

- 13 A three sided rotatable signage display defined by an elongate hollow structure which defines three face sides at each indicia carrying substrates can be presented. The triangular structure can support 3 menu signs and can rotate relative to the wall it is mounted next to. At least one light is provided to backlight the menu signs. The light stays stationary and is backed by a reflector to cast light towards the menu sign being presented for display.

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL Name of Applicant: RODIER ADVERTISING (1986) LIMITED Actual Inventors: GRAHAM RODIER GIBBS, PAUL MCARTHUR GRIEVE, BRUCE JAY WALLACE BROWNLEY and HUGO RODIER GIBBS Address for service A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601, in Australia: Australia Invention Tide: A THREE-SIDED ROTATABLE DISPLAY SIGN The following statements is a full description of dis invention, induding the bcst method of performing it known to me.

-2 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a three-sided rotatable signage display device and in particular although not solely to a display sign which can present multiple menu information for a fast food outlet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fast food outlets utilise various forms of apparatus for displaying menu information. Normally such menu information is printed on a substrate which by means of such apparatus receive back lighting to illuminate the menu. Many chain fast food outlets are providing different menus at different times of the day. McDonalds and Burger King for example provide both a main menu as well as a breakfast menu which are available at certain different periods during the day. Replacement of menu information is hence required in order to ensure that the menu which is available at a certain time is appropriately displayed to the customers. Currently outlets such as McDonalds and Burger King are providing two different menus during two different periods of the day. Rotatable signs which can cater for a two menu day are known and are for example describe in our New Zealand and US patent NZ504716 and US6449888. It is however envisaged that some outlets may move to a three menu day. It will hence be an advantage to such outlets to be able to provide a rotatable sign which includes three faces which display the different menus to be available for different times of the day. Displaying more information than what is currently available to be displayed on and in a convenient manner by the existing menu boards as for example described in our own previous patent will introduce complications. A two sided display will not cater for a three day menu without one menu slide needing to be replaced by a third menu slide at some stage. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a three-sided rotatable signage display device which addresses the abovementioned issues and/or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention consists in a three sided rotatable signage display means comprising: -3 an elongate hollow structure of substantially uniform triangular cross section along its length (hereinafter "triangular structure") and which presents three face sides at each of which indicia carrying substrates are presentable, said triangular structure being rotatable about an axis which is parallel to said elongate direction of the triangular structure and which extends through said triangular section to allow each of said three face sides to be presented for viewing by a viewer located at a region of perspective away from said triangular structure; and at least one or more mounting bracket(s) adapted and configured for mounting the triangular structure with its axis of rotation in a substantially horizontal orientation from one or more selected from a wall, and a ceiling. Preferably, the three sided rotatable signage display means comprises at least one means to illuminate disposed within said triangular structure such that when energized, said removable indicia carrying substrates can become illuminated. Preferably, the said at least one means to illuminate is located within said triangular structure in a manner to remain stationary to said fixed structure, and Preferably, the three sided rotatable signage display means comprises a reflector located in said triangular structure, said reflector mounted to remain stationary relative to said fixed structure and is positioned to reflect light from said at least one illumination means towards said region of perspective. Preferably, the three sided rotatable signage display means comprises at least one axle for providing rotatable support of said triangular structure by said mounting bracket(s). Preferably said triangular structure is of an equal sided triangular cross section. Preferably said face sides are of a rectangular perimeter. Preferably said means to illuminate is located within said triangular structure in a manner to remain stationary to said fixed structure. Preferably said means to illuminate includes at least one fluorescent tube which provides illumination to each of said three face sides. Preferably each face side has its own designated means to illuminate.

-4 Preferably means is provided to, in use, ensure that only that face side which is presented for viewing is illuminated. Preferably each said means to illuminate is switchable on or off dependent on the rotational position of each face side relative to said region of perspective. Preferably said triangular structure has at least one mounting axle extending therethrough in the elongated direction and defining the axis of rotation of said triangular structure, said means to illuminate being dependent from said mounting axle which remains stationary relative to said mounting bracket(s). Preferably each said face sides comprises of a planar quadrilateral shaped frame structure. Preferably said quadrilateral shaped frame structure defines the perimeter to a respective face side of said triangular structure. Preferably adjacent quadrilateral shaped frame structures of a face side of said triangular structure are engaged with each other along one apex of said triangular section. Preferably a pivotable engagement exists between all adjacent quadrilateral frame structures save for at one apex of said triangular section. Preferably said quadrilateral frame structures of said triangular structure can, about two pivots at the apex between adjacent quadrilateral frame structures, articulate relative to each other to be able to assume a lay flat condition. Preferably said quadrilateral frame structures can articulate to each other about pivot axis provided at the apex and parallel to the elongate direction of said triangular structure such that a lay flat condition can be assumed by said quadrilateral frame structures. Preferably said at least one or more mounting axles are provided dependent from one or more of said mounting brackets and are located at each end of said triangular structure. Preferably a said mounting bracket is provided at each end of said triangular structure, said brackets being engaged to each other by a stringer which extends exterior of said triangular structure. Preferably said stringer is an elongate member from which at or towards its distal ends said bracket are engaged, said brackets being held in a fixed relationship relative to said stringer and to each other.

-5 Preferably said stringer provides means to mount said triangular structure to said one or more selected from a wall, and a ceiling. Preferably said rotatable sign is used to display fast food menu information. Preferably said reflector is of a length at least equal to the length of said illumination means. The term "comprising" as used in this specification means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprised" are to be interpreted in the same manner. Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both. As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame structure of a three-sided rotatable sign, Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of a three-sided rotatable sign of the present invention, Figure 4 is a plan view of a mounting arrangement for the frame structure of the three-sided rotatable sign, Figure 5 is a sectional view through part of a building illustrating the three-sided rotatable sign mounted to the building, Figure 6 is a perspective view wherein one face side of the frame has been removed, Figure 7 is an end view of a frame of the three-sided rotatable display device of the present invention being manipulated to move to a lie flat condition, Figure 8 illustrates a three-sided rotatable display sign in a layflat condition ready for transport, Figure 9 is a front view of a mounting bracket of the three-sided rotational display sign of the present invention, Figure 10 is an end view of the frame structure of the present invention illustrating the rotation limiting axle mounting region, Figure 11 shows in A the tenon part of the hinge joint and B the mortise part of the hinge joint and together in C they are shown with the tenon inside the mortise to form a hinge structure, all shown in a cross section perpendicular to the horizontal axis of rotation, and Figure 12 is a sectional view through a frame of the three sided rotatable display device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a substantially elongate triangular section frame or body 1 which forms part of the three-sided rotatable display device of the present invention. The frame is preferably made up of three quadrilateral frame structures which are generally planar and provide the face sides of the elongate triangular section frame. The quadrilateral frames preferably have their major sides extending substantially parallel to the elongate direction of the elongate triangular section frame. End or capping members 4 are provided and are of a triangular perimeter shape such as for example shown in Figures 1 and 2. The quadrilateral frames are engaged to each other at each apex of the triangular cross section to define in part the elongate triangular section frame which defines a cavity within which back lighting 5 as for example shown in Figure 6 can be provided. The cavity is substantially enclosed by the quadrilateral frames and the end or capping members 4 and signage substrates. Light radiated by the -7 illumination means 5 such as for example fluorescent tubes can only escape the cavity through the illuminating openings 6 which may be open or may be of a translucent or transparent sheet material. In respect of the nature of the quadrlateral shaped frame structures reference is hereby made to our granted New Zealand patent NZ504716 which by way of reference is hereby incorporated into the description of the specification. Each quadrilateral frame structure may itself provide the sheet material on which the menu information is printed or may alternatively and for example with reference to our New Zealand patent NZ504716, be of a kind which can receive removable menu printed substrates. Each quadrilateral frame member 2 may provide one or more regions 7 for displaying menu information. In for example Figure 1, two regions 7 for displaying menu information are provided by the facing quadrilateral frame member. The quadrilateral frame sections 2 are preferably of an equal height so as to form an equally sided elongate triangular section frame. The elongate triangular section frame is rotatably mounted to a fixed structure such as for example a wall or a ceiling of a building. Mounting means such as brackets 9 are preferably provided at the distal ends of the elongate triangular section frame. The mounting brackets 9 include an axle 10 which has an axis which is substantially coaxial with the central elongate axis extending through the elongate triangular section frame. A single axle 10 may extend through the triangular section frame or alternatively two axles may be provided to engage with axle mounts 11 provided at each end of the triangular section frame. Such axle mounts may be engaged to the exterior or interior of the end or capping members 4 of the triangular section frame. The mounting brackets 9 may be mountable directly to a wall structure by way of a mounting pad 12 or similar or alternatively the mounting brackets 9 may be engaged to a stringer 13 which extends between the mounting brackets 9. The stringer 13 may hold the mounting brackets 9 in a secure disposition relative to each other so that when the three-sided rotational display sign is to be mounted to a wall or other fixed structure the mounting brackets are held in a fixed relationship thereby holding the axles 10 in a fixed relationship. This will ensure that the axes remain aligned relative to each other making for convenient mounting. Were the mounting brackets 9 provided independent from each other problems may arise where the mounting of each mounting bracket may not adequately align the axes of each of the axles 10 thereby potentially causing problems with the operation and rotation of the three-sided rotatable display sign. Located within the cavity of the elongate triangular section frame are the means to illuminate which consists preferably of at least one fluorescent light tube 5. Alternatively a plurality of such tubes may be provided. The illumination means provide backlighting to the menu information to be displayed by the three-sided rotational display sign of the present invention. The means to illuminate preferably remain stationary relative to the fixed structure. Accordingly the elongate triangular section frame will rotate about the means to illuminate. Additional electrics or electronics such as capacitors or starters may need to be provided and these can also be mounted within the cavity and remain stationary relative to the fixed structure. A reflective device 101 is preferably provided interior of the triangular section and is provided to remain stationary relative to the lighting means 5 and the preferred stationary axle 10 extending through the triangular frame section. The reflective means 101 preferably extends to the same extent as the lighting tubes 5 which are the preferred form of the illumination means of the device. The reflector 101 may preferably extend the full length of the interior cavity of the triangular section frame. Brackets 102 may be provided for supporting the reflector 101 from the axle 10 or from the brackets 20. The reflector is positioned so as to reflect light in the viewing direction and will cast the light from the illumination means 5 in that direction which when a face of the triangular section frame is disposed within the line of sight from a consumer with the sign, will direct the light towards the image substrate thereby providing all of the illumination energy in that direction. The means to illuminate may hence be mounted from or at least dependent from the stationary axles 10 which mount the elongate triangular section frame. The means to illuminate may be supported by a bracket or other like mounting 20 which is engaged to the axles 10 for example at each end of the elongate triangular section frame. An electrical cable can be fed via a conduit or passageway provided through the axles 10 and through the mounting brackets 9 into the cavity to provide for energisation to the fluorescent tubes. Alternatively such wiring can be provided from external of the axle 10. Where wiring is provided external from the axle 10 and into the cavity, it may become an issue that the cabling is prevented from being wound about the axle 10. Rotation of the elongate triangular section frame may need to be limited to ensure that -9 the cable does not wind itself up and thereby cause electrical problems. Accordingly a stopper 21 is disposed from the mounting bracket 9 on at least one of the mounting brackets 9. The stopper 21 is offset from the axis of rotation provided by the axle 10. An upstand 22 is also provided dependent from the end or capping members 4. The upstand 22 is also offset from the axis of rotation and provides stopping surfaces 23 and 24 beyond which rotation of the triangular section frame member cannot rotate as a result of the engagement between the upstand 21 and the upstand 22 In this manner rotation of the rotatable display sign can be limited to within less than 360 degrees. Preferably the rotation is not limited to anything less than 260 degrees. With reference to Figures 7 and 8, each of the quadrilateral frame sections defining and providing a face side of the elongate triangular section frame can articulate relative to an adjacent quadrilateral section. Provided at at least two of the apex of the triangular section frame are pivot providing members 26. The pivot providing members 26 provide an axis of rotation of a quadrilateral frame relative to an adjacent quadrilateral frame which is substantially parallel to the general elongate direction of the triangular section frame. The pivot providing members 26 are preferably hinges which will allow for the movement of two of the quadrilateral frames relative to a middle quadrilateral frame from at least the triangular formation as shown in Figure 1 to a layflat formation as for example shown in Figure 8. With reference to Figure 11 an example of an extrusion which can provide for the hinge at the apex of the panels is shown. Such will allow for the adjacent quadrilateral frames to articulate to allow for them to assume a layflat condition. The corresponding halves of the frame top and/or bottom are shown as 30 and 31. Projecting from one member (in this example 30) is a tenon 32 which is slidingly engaged with a complimentary shaped mortise 33 shown in Figure 11C. The engagement is such that the members comprising the frame allow rotation about the centre 34 to allow the frames to be laid flat or assembled into the constructed triangular form. Other forms of mortise and tenon joint are also possible whereby the engagement is not necessarily sliding but merely requires a rotation by a certain angle for engagement of the mortise and tenon. In situations where rotational engagement is not required then the engagement between the frame members 30 and 31 may be any form of complimentary engaging members and these fall within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A three sided rotatable signage display means comprising an elongate hollow structure of substantially uniform triangular cross section along its length (hereinafter "triangular structure") and which presents three face sides at each of which indicia carrying substrates are presentable, said triangular structure being rotatable about an axis which is substantially parallel to the length of the triangular structure and which extends through said triangular section to allow each of said three face sides to be presented for viewing by a viewer located at a region of perspective away from said triangular structure; and at least one or more mounting brackets adapted and configured for mounting the triangular structure with its axis of rotation in a substantially horizontal orientation from one or more selected from a wall, and a ceiling.

2. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one means to illuminate disposed within said triangular structure such that when energized, said indicia carrying substrates can become illuminated.

3. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one means to illuminate is located within said triangular structure in a manner to remain stationary to said fixed structure.

4. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any of claims 2 to 3, comprising a reflector located in said triangular structure, said reflector mounted to remain stationary relative to said fixed structure and is positioned to reflect light from said at least one illumination means towards said region of perspective.

5. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4,, comprising at least one axle for providing rotatable support of said triangular structure by said mounting bracket(s).

6. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said triangular structure is of an equal sided triangular cross section.

7. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said face sides are of a rectangular perimeter. - 11

8. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein said means to illuminate includes at least one fluorescent tube which provides illumination to each of said three face sides.

9. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein, each face side has its own designated means to illuminate.

10. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claim 9, wherein means is provided to, in use, ensure that only that face side which is presented for viewing is illuminated.

11. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein each said means to illuminate is switchable on or off dependent on the rotational position of each face side relative to said region of perspective.

12. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 11, wherein said triangular structure has at least one mounting axle extending therethrough in the elongated direction and defining the axis of rotation of said triangular structure, said means to illuminate being dependent from said mounting axle which remains stationary relative to said mounting bracket.

13. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12,wherein each said face sides comprises of a planar quadrilateral shaped frame structure.

14. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claim 13,wherein said quadrilateral shaped frame structure defines the perimeter to a respective face side of said triangular structure.

15. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 13or 14,wherein adjacent quadrilateral shaped frame structures of a face side of said triangular structure are engaged with each other along one apex of said triangular section.

16. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claim 15,wherein a pivotable engagement exists between all adjacent quadrilateral frame structures save for at one apex of said triangular section.

17. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claim 16,wherein said quadrilateral frame structures of said triangular structure can, about two pivots at the apex between adjacent quadrilateral frame structures, articulate relative to each other to be able to assume a lay flat condition. - 12

18. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any of claims 17, wherein said quadrilateral frame structures can articulate to each other about pivot axis provided at the apex and parallel to the elongate direction of said triangular structure such that a lay flat condition can be assumed by said quadrilateral frame structures.

19. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 12to 18, wherein said at least one or more mounting axle is provided dependent from one or more of said mounting brackets and are located at each end of said triangular structure.

20. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein a said mounting bracket is provided at each end of said triangular structure, said brackets being engaged to each other by a stringer which extends exterior of said triangular structure.

21. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said stringer is an elongate member from which at or towards its distal ends said brackets are engaged, said brackets being held in a fixed relationship relative to said stringer and to each other.

22. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in claims 20or 21, wherein said stringer provides means to mount said triangular structure to said one or more selected from a wall, and a ceiling..

23. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein said rotatable sign is used to display fast food menu information.

24. A three sided rotatable signage display device as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 23, wherein said reflector is of a length at least equal to the length of said illumination means.

25. A three sided rotatable signage display device as described in this specification with or without reference to the accompanying figures.