AU2010201679B2 - Method of transport and erection and/or dismantling of display or traffic signs - Google Patents

Abstract

A sign assembly, suitable for traffic signs, has a sign frame with a pair of leg assemblies, Each leg assembly has a pair of legs movable between 5 retracted (transport) and extended (operational) positions, the leg assemblies being provided with support members selectively rotatable in, and height adjustable relative to, the vertical uprights of the sign frame. Each leg assembly may be provided with hingedly-mounted leg extensions, to increase the "footprint", where the hinge connectors can selectively allow the 10 leg extensions to be retracted or extended at selected angles relative to their legs.

Description

2010201679 28 Apr 2010 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Invention Title: "METHOD OF TRANSPORT AND ERECTION AND/OR DISMANTLING OF DISPLAY OR TRAFFIC SIGNS"

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 2010201679 28 Apr 2010

METHOD OF TRANSPORT AND ERECTION AND/OR DISMANTLING OF DISPLAY OR TRAFFIC SIGNS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method of transport and erection and/or dismantling of display or traffic signs; as well as a sign apparatus for use in the method.

The invention is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, to traffic 10 signs. 2. Prior Art

Hitherto, traffic signs comprised a rectangular sign panel which was supported by a pair of leg assemblies which were attached to the sign at respective ends of a lower edge of the rectangular sign. Each leg assembly 15 included a shank and a bottom end which comprised a pair of oblique or angled legs attached to the shank. Alternatively traffic sign panels could also be supported on a sign post or by a frame having triangular ends and a top frame member and a pair of bottom frame members each in contact with the ground. Each of the top frame members and the pair of bottom frame 20 members were connected to opposed vertices of the triangular ends.

It is an essential requirement of traffic signage at a work site that under relevant regulatory authorities traffic signs in relation to work sites along the side of roads should be erected and displayed before work commences at the work site and that after completion of the work at the work 25 site, traffic signs must remain in place until all work, including loose stone removal and line marking following bituminous surfacing has been completed. The same procedures are applicable to signing of emergency road hazards.

Another problem with the conventional traffic signs as described 30 above was that the sign frames were often transported separately to the legs used for supporting the sign frames. Also the sign panels were also transported separately. This meant that when arrival at the work site took 2 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 place, it was then necessary to attach each leg to an adjacent sign frame and it was often the case that each leg was jammed in a supporting vertical track because of welding burrs or dags being present in each vertical track or bends being present in each vertical track or leg. This meant that installation 5 of the legs to each sign frame was labour intensive and time consuming and could also cause injury to the operator. A similar problem could also occur in regard to installation of each of the sign panels in horizontal tracks located in each sign frame.

It is also necessary when transporting conventional traffic signs as 10 described above that they be unloaded from the transport vehicle transporting the signs and subsequently, be erected manually as well as being manually dismantled and loaded onto the transport vehicle at the work site after work has been completed. This meant as described above that the sign panels, sign frames and legs were transported separately and each of 15 the components had to be attached to each other at the work site. For the above reasons, conventional transporting, erection and dismantling of traffic signs was labour intensive and time consuming. Fatigue issues could also apply to workers.

As there is a high level of OH & S risk at worksites, e.g., workers 20 being struck by passing vehicles, any delay in erecting the traffic signs multiplies the chances that the worker will be injured.

Furthermore, in strong or gusty winds, the signs are liable to be blown over or into the path of oncoming vehicles. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 25 It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a method of transportation and erection and/or dismantling of traffic or display signs that is safe, simple and efficient in operation as well as provide a sign assembly that is useful in the method.

Accordingly, the method of the invention in a first aspect may include 30 the following steps: (i) transporting a sign frame carrying one or more sign panels having indicia depicted thereon in an inverted state wherein 3 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 the sign frame is provided with one or more leg assemblies in a retracted orientation; and (ii) erecting the sign frame at a work site by moving the or each leg assembly to an extended or operational orientation and 5 moving the sign frame from the inverted state to an upright operational state whereby the indicia on the said one or more sign panels can be freely displayed.

The invention may also include the step of dismantling the sign frame from an erected state by moving each leg assembly from an extended to a 10 retracted position and inverting the sign before transportation from a work site.

Thus, in regard to step (i) preferably the sign frame has a plurality of sign panels which are initially installed in the sign frame suitably in supporting grooves or tracks located in horizontal frame members of the sign frame 15 although vertical frame members could be utilised if appropriate. The sign frame also has preferably a pair of leg assemblies suitably attached to the sign frame and more preferably to each bottom corner of the sign frame in the retracted position. Thus, each of the sign panels may be installed in the sign frame in an inverted position and each leg assembly placed in the 20 retracted position prior to transportation or loading of the sign frames on a transport vehicle.

At the work site each sign frame can be unloaded off the transport vehicle and each of the leg assemblies folded outwardly or moved to an extended position before orienting the sign frame to an upright operational 25 position with the leg assemblies contacting the ground or other suitable support surface.

Each sign panel is releasably retained within the sign frame by any suitable manner for example, by the sign frame having opposed tracks or guides wherein a top and bottom edge of each sign panel may slidably 30 engage. Each sign panel may be retained in its associate track or guide by a resilient retaining member such as a resilient sleeve. This also provides for loading a sign frame with multiple sign panels one behind the other so that 4 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 the sign panels may be changed at the work site in regard to variable or changing operational conditions. Thus, this facility overcomes a particular problem of conventional use of traffic signs being an inability to change or vary the sign panels at the work site in relation to different or variable or 5 changing work site conditions. Thus, if different sign panels must be used in place of the original sign panels, then it was necessary in regard to such conventional use to obtain such different sign panels from the base of operations or depot after initial setting up of the sign panels at the work site.

Various types of leg assemblies can be used in the method of the 10 invention and these can include folding legs forming part of a sawhorse base or “A” frame as described in US Patents 4,005,537,4,875,302 or 6,052,067 or a scissor type linkage as described in US Patent 4,817,318.

However, most preferably each leg assembly includes a pair of legs which in a retracted state are oriented parallel to each other and located 15 closely adjacent to each other or abutting each other. In the retracted state each pair of legs may be in abutment with the sign frame. However, it is preferred that each pair of legs be moveable from the sign frame so that they are spaced therefrom. This is because during step (ii), it is initially preferably necessary to pivot each pair of legs from an orientation coplanar with the 20 sign frame to an orientation normal to the plane of the sign frame.

It is also preferable that each leg assembly also incorporate a support member which may be releasably attached to the sign frame. Each support member may include a retaining socket for telescopic engagement with a movable inner shaft located in an adjacent end hollow upright of the sign 25 frame. Preferably each inner shaft is fixedly retained within the adjoining returning socket by welding or the like. Each support member may also include a pivot joint for attachment of one of the legs of the assembly with the other leg being fixedly attached to the support member, i.e. by use of a suitable fastener or by welding. Alternatively, if desired each other leg may 30 also be pivotally attached to an adjacent support member. This means that each leg assembly may be transported in an orientation parallel to an adjoining horizontal member of the sign frame. 5 2010201679 28 Apr 2010

In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a display or traffic sign assembly having: (i) a sign frame; (ii) a pair of leg assemblies which each incorporate a support member wherein each support member is releasably attached to the sign frame; 10 20 25 30 (iii) retaining means allowing each support member to be moved from a position abutting or closely adjacent to the sign frame to a position spaced from the sign frame, whereby each leg assembly may be pivotally moveable relative to the sign frame; and (iv) at least one leg of each leg assembly being pivotally mounted to an adjacent support member whereby after pivotal movement of each leg assembly relative to the sign frame the said at least one leg of each leg assembly is movable from a retracted position to an extended position.

In the second aspect of the invention, the sign frame may have a plurality of horizontal frame members and a pair of vertical frame members although other shapes (e.g. polygonal) are appropriate. Preferably there is provided a pair of end hollow vertical members or uprights. The sign frame may support or carry one or more sign panels preferably slidably attached in grooves or tracks of each horizontal frame member.

Each pair of leg assemblies suitably has two legs which correspond to the first and second leg described above.

In a preferred embodiment there is provided first and second legs of each leg assembly wherein each first leg corresponds to said at least one leg pivotally mounted to a respective support member and each second leg is rigidly attached to or integral with an adjoining support member or alternatively, may be pivotably attached thereto.

The retaining means which may be part of an associated leg assembly is preferably resilient in nature and suitably includes the inner shaft described above which may be resiliently mounted in an internal bore of a 6 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 respective end tubular vertical upright of the sign frame. The support member of each leg assembly is suitably fixedly or rigidly attached to an adjacent inner shaft.

Preferably each first leg of each leg assembly which is pivotally 5 attached to an adjacent support member may be oriented in an extended position so that each second leg is oriented on opposing sides of the support frame.

Preferably, a leg extension is hingedly mounted at the distal end of each first leg of each leg assembly to extend the “footprint” of the sign. 10 Preferably, each leg extension is rotatable between a first position lying adjacent the first leg; and a releasably lockable second position where the leg extension can lie on the supporting surface.

Preferably, each hinged connection between a leg extension and its associated leg includes releasable locking means to enable the leg extension 15 to be selectively locked in a range of pre-set angles relative to its leg.

Preferably, each support member has a profiled shaft telescopically mounted in a respective tubular vertical upright of the sign frame, where the profiles on the shaft may include screw-threads, notches, holes or the like.

Preferably, a releasable locking assembly is mounted on the vertical 20 member or upright and releasably engages the profile(s) on the shaft to enable the extension of the shaft from the tubular body to be selectively adjusted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to preferred embodiments of the 25 invention, as shown in the attached drawings, wherein: FIG 1 is a front elevational view of a first embodiment of the sign assembly; FIG 2 is a view of the sign assembly with the sign panels omitted from the frame for the purpose of convenience and showing in combination with 30 FIG 3 that the sign assembly is made up of a number of separable components for the sake of assembly purposes; FIG 3 is a detailed view of one of the leg assemblies releasably 7 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 attached to the frame as well as an internal mechanism of one of the uprights of the frame; FIG 4 is a detailed view of location “X” shown in FIG 2 prior to initial linear involvement of the leg assembly relative to the sign frame; 5 FIG 5 is a similar view to FIG 4 showing pivotal movement of the first leg assembly relative to the adjacent sign frame after the first leg assembly has been linearly moved relative to the sign frame;

FIG 6 shows initial movement of the first leg assembly when spaced from the frame to a final position in abutment with the frame as shown in FIG 10 7; FIG 7 shows pivotal movement of one of the legs of the first leg assembly shown in FIG 6 relative to the other leg; FIG 8 shows movement of one of the legs of the second leg assembly to an extended configuration; 15 FIG 9 shows the sign assembly in an inverted configuration with all legs of each leg assembly fully extended; FIG 10 shows the sign assembly in an operational configuration; FIG 11 shows how removal of the signs from the frame may be effected when the sign assembly is in an operational position; 20 FIG 12 is a rear view of the sign assembly shown in FIG 11 with each leg assembly removed for convenience; FIG 13 is a sectional view along line A-A of FIG 12; FIG 14 is a view, similar to FIG 1, of a second embodiment of the present invention; 25 FIG 15 is a side elevational view thereof; FIG 16 is a perspective view of one of the leg assemblies of the second embodiment; FIGS 17 and 18 are respective views, on a larger scale, of portions of the leg assembly of FIG 16; 30 FIG 19 is an “exploded” perspective view of a support assembly; FIG 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the support assembly; FIG 21 is a perspective view of the upper end of the support 8 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 assembly; FIGS 22 and 23 are schematic sectional side views showing the operation of the releasable locking member for the height adjustment assembly; 5 FIGS 24 and 25 are respective assembled and exploded views of the hinge member interconnecting each leg and its leg extension; FIGS 26 and 27; 28 and 29; 30 and 31 illustrate the steps of erecting the leg assemblies; and FIG 32 is a perspective view showing the traffic sign when erected 10 (but with the sign panels omitted).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the drawings and as shown in FIG 1, there is shown sign assembly 10, of the first embodiment, in an inverted configuration illustrating frame 11 and a pair of leg assemblies 12 and 13. There are also shown traffic sign 15 panels 14 contained in opposed horizontal frame members 15 and 16 of frame 11 and traffic sign panels 17 and 18 contained in opposed horizontal frame members 19 and 20 of frame 11. Each of sign panels 14,17 and 18 are shown in an inverted or upside down orientation. Each leg assembly 12 and 13 includes a pair of legs 12A and 13A and a stop 21. Each leg 13A 20 also includes a pair of opposed abutments 9 for maintaining each leg 12A and 13A in an opposed relationship. There are also shown support members 22 and 23 for each leg assemblies 12 and 13. Frame 11 also includes uprights 24 and 25.

In FIGS 2 and 3, the sign panels 14,17 and 18 have been omitted for 25 convenience to show that sign assembly 10 is fully demountable. Thus, each of leg assemblies 12 and 13 including their respective support members 22 and 23 are removable from frame 11 by initial movement upwardly of each support member 22 and 23 as shown by the arrow in full outline in FIG 3. In this regard, each support member 22 and 23 includes a 30 socket 26 which is fixedly engaged with a support shaft 27C which extends internally in hollow upright 24 as shown. Upper leg 12A and attached stop 21 of each leg assembly 12 and 13 are pivotally connected to pivot joints 9 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 27A and 27B by pivot pins 27. Each stop 21 may also include flange or gusset 21 A. The lower leg 13Aof each leg assembly 12 and 13 is welded to a socket 26 of support members 22 and 23 at 29 as shown in FIG 4. It will be appreciated that each leg assembly 12 and 13 and adjacent internal shaft 5 27C which is welded to an inner bore of each socket 26 is quickly and readily removed from frame 11, as described below. FIG 3 also shows the internal structure of hollow upright 24 and each leg assembly 12 and 13 which includes internal shaft 27C which is connected to a rubber spring or coil spring 30 at 31. Each spring 30 is then 10 connected by a cable 32 to a hook 33 which engages with an adjacent end 34 of upright 24 as shown with hook 33 extending around an edge or edges 35 of upright 24.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that each leg assembly 12 and 13 and then associated support members 22 and 23 are removable from 15 an associated upright 24 and 25 and indeed internal shaft 27C, spring 30, cable 32 and hook 33 are also removable from upright 24. FIG 2 also shows that frame 11 includes uprights 24 and 25 with horizontal frame member 15 welded to an uprights 24 and 25 at 36 as shown in FIG 4. Each of horizontal frame members 16,19 and 20 are also welded 20 to uprights 24 and 25 at 37, 38 and 39, as shown in FIG 2.

In FIG 4, there is shown a detailed view of location “X” shown in FIG 2 and support members 22 and 23 also include L-shaped plate 40 welded to each socket 26 at 41. Plate 40 has been omitted from FIG 3 for the sake of clarity. The presence of L-shaped plate 40 means that each support 25 member 22 or 23 can only retract into hollow upright 24 in the position shown in FIGS 4 or 7.

In FIG 5, support members 22 and 23 of leg assembly 12 may be pulled upwardly from top end 42 of upright 24 and subsequently, leg assembly 12 may be pivoted relative to upright 24 as shown in FIG 5 by the 30 arrow in full outline. Subsequently, leg assembly 12 may be moved downwardly to abut frame member 24 at 42 as shown in FIGS 6 and 7. Thereafter as shown in FIG 7, leg 12A may be pivoted relative to stationary 10 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 leg 13A so that each of legs 12A and 13A are in the extended state. Leg assembly 13 may subsequently be moved as shown in FIGS 4, 5 and 6 in a similar manner to leg assembly 12.

When legs 12A and 13A are in the state as shown in FIG 8, leg 12A of 5 leg assembly 13 may be pivoted as shown in FIG 8 by the arrow in full outline so that each leg 12A and 13A of leg assembly 13 are shown in the extended state as shown in FIG 9. It will be noted in FIG 9 that each stop 21 is located on opposing sides of sign frame 11. This facilitates stability of the erected sign 10 shown in FIG 10. 10 Subsequently as shown in FIG 10, sign assembly 10 may be moved from the inverted orientation shown in FIG 9 to an erect operational configuration as shown in FIG 10. FIG 11 shows that other sign panels 43, 44 and 45 may be used instead of signs 14, 17 and 18 shown in FIG 1. It will also be appreciated 15 that sign panels may be insertable in grooves or tracks 46 shown in FIGS 6 and 11 in relation to horizontal frame member 15. Similar tracks 46 are also shown in horizontal frame members 16, 19 and 20 in FIG 11. FIG 12 shows the presence of slots or gaps 48 for insertion of signs 43,44 and 45, which are then slidably moved on supporting tracks 46 before 20 being held in desired position by retaining members 49 as shown in FIG 13 with the resiliency of sleeve 51 keeping the adjacent sign 43 in desired position.

The resilient retaining member 49 is shown in FIG 13which is used to maintain each of the sign frames 14,17 and 18 or 43, 44 and 45 in adjacent 25 tracks 46. Resilient retaining member 49, as shown in FIG 13 includes a sleeve 51 made from rubber or other resilient or elastomeric material having a cord 52. Each retaining member 49 retains an adjacent sign 43 in the desired position as shown in FIG13. In FIG 12, there are shown gaps 48 for insertion of signs 43, 44 and 45, which are then held in position by retaining 30 members 49 as shown in FIG 13. FIG 13 also shows that adjacent sign panels 43A and 43B may be retained one behind the other if need be to vary the sign panel if necessary at the work site. 11 2010201679 28 Apr 2010

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the method of the invention is efficient and simple in execution and provides a method of transportation and erection and/or dismantling of traffic signs that is both quick and non labour intensive. 5 The sign assembly 10 of the invention is also designed primarily with the above method in mind and is also simple in structure and efficient in operation.

It will also be appreciated that the bottom ends of each leg 12A and 13A in contact with the ground when in the extended position may also 10 include an aperture (not shown) for insertion of a spike for retention in the ground for retaining the sign assembly 10 in the operational position as shown in FIG 10. This provides an additional advantage in that sandbags or other heavy weights do not have to be included in the transport vehicle to provide additional support for sign assembly 10 as was the case with 15 conventional sign assemblies as described above. This saves both in labour costs and capital costs.

When loading or unloading the display or traffic sign assembly from the transport vehicle at the work site, it is preferred that the following procedure be adopted, i.e.: 20 (·) select the sign panel(s) that is or are relevant to the operation to be carried out at the work site; (ii) move one of the leg assemblies 12 to an operational orientation while on the tray of the transport vehicle; (iii) place the sign assembly 10 on the ground on its side so that 25 the other of the leg assemblies 13 is moved to an operational position; and (iv) erect the sign assembly 10 at the work site in an erect or operational position.

Referring now to FIGS 14 to 32, a second embodiment of the sign 30 assembly 110 will now be described, with the sign frame 111, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the sign assembly 10 of the first embodiment. 12 2010201679 28 Apr 2010

To enable the sign assembly 110 to have a larger “footprint”, each leg assembly 120 has leg extensions 121,122 connected to respective leg 123, 124 by hinge mechanisms 180, to be hereinafter described in more detail with reference to FIGS 24 and 25. 5 Each leg assembly 120 has a support member 125 with a substantially (Inverted) U-shaped yoke 126, with spaced side-plates 127 interconnected by a top-plate 128. The side-plates 127 have two pairs of aligned holes 129, 130 which are vertically spaced. The inner end of the upper leg 123 is pivotally mounted (by pivot pins) in the first pair of aligned 10 holes 129, and the upper leg 123 is provided with a pair of spaced abutment plates 131 having inclined abutment facesl 32.

The inner end of the outer leg 124 is pivotally mounted (by pivot pins) in the second pair of aligned holes 130, and is provided with a pair of abutment blocks 133 arranged to engage the abutment faces 132 on the 15 abutment plates 131 on the upper leg 123. The engagement of the abutment blocks 133 with the abutment faces 132 sets the maximum included angle between the legs 123, 124 when the legs 123, 124 are in their operational positions.

It is preferable that the hinge assemblies 180 interconnecting the leg 20 extensions 121, 122 to the legs 123, 124 are spaced a small distance from the distal ends of the legs 123, 124, so that holes 136 may be provided through the legs 123,124 to enable anchoring spikes (not shown) to secure the legs 123, 124 to the support surface when permissible.

The leg extensions 121,122 are formed of the same (tubular) material 25 as the legs 123, 124; but are of reduced length, and are also provided with holes 137 adjacent their distal ends to receive the anchoring spikes, as hereinbefore described.

Referring to FIGS 24 and 25, each hinge assembly 180 has a substantially D-shaped mounting plate 181 fixed to one side face of the leg 30 123, 124 and a “guide pot” housing 182 fixed to the inner end of the leg extension 121, 122. Mirror-image adjustment plates 183, 184 are respectfully fixed to the mounting plate 181 and within the housing 182; and 13 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 a tapered coil spring 185 is interposed there- between. Each of the adjustment plates 183,184 has an inwardly-directed serrated periphery 186, 187 enabling the respective adjustment plates 183, 184 to be releasably locked at six degree (6°) intervals. 5 An eye screw 188 has an annular head 189 with a hole therethrough at right angles to the (partially screw- threaded) shank 190, where the shank 190 extends through aligned holes 191-193 in the housing 182 and the adjustment plates 183,184 and is anchored in the inner central hole 194 in the mounting plate 181. A cam member 195 is pivotally mounted on the 10 annular head 189 via a pivot stud 196, where the pivot stud 196 has a head 197 fixed to the cam member 195, and has a recess engagable by an Allen key (attached to the end of an operating lever) to enable the cam member 195 to be rotated to thereby enable the adjustment plates 183, 184 to be selectively released or engaged. 15 Referring to FIGS 19 to 22, each support member 125 has a solid shaft 140 surrounded by a collar 141 having a elongate slot 142 open at its upper end and connected to a secondary slot 143 extending approximately 94° around the shaft 140. The top wall of the top-plate 128 of the yoke 126 has a pair of aligned protrusions 144 engagable in complementary aligned 20 slots 145 in the bottom plate 146 of the insert 147 to be hereinafter described.

In this embodiment, the upper end of the shaft 140 is provided with a screw-threaded portion 148, to be releasably engaged by the height adjusting mechanism 149 to be hereinafter described with reference to FIGS 25 22 and 23, and is provided with a nut 150.

The shaft 140 and collar 141 are rotatably received in a bore 151 through the insert 147, which has external dimensions for a firm fit within one of the tubular uprights 112 of the sign frame 111, the bottom plate 146 engaging the lower end of the tubular upright 112. The slots 145 in the 30 bottom plate 146 receive the protrusions 144 to locate the legs assemblies 120 either parallel, or transverse, relative to the sign frame 111. A pin within the bore 151 engages the slot 142 to enable non-rotational height 14 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 adjustment of the leg assembly 120 when the legs are in their operating position; and can enter the secondary slot 143 to enable the leg assembly 120 to be rotated 90° between its operational and non-operational positions.

The height adjusting mechanism 149 has a body 152 with the same 5 external dimensions as the insert 147 and is located coaxially therewith by a tubular spacer 153, which receives an extension 154 on the insert 147 and is received within an enlarged bore 155 in the lower end of the body 152. The tubular spacer 153 provides a seat for a compression coil spring 156 which surrounds the shaft 140. The upper end of the spring 156 engages a washer 10 157, which is engaged by a concave lower face 158 on the releasable locking member 159 of the height adjustment mechanism149.

The locking member 159 has a tubular body 160 mounted in a recess 163 in the body 152 via pivot pins 161 received in aligned holes 162 in the body 152. An operating button 164 on the tubular body 160 extends through 15 a holel 13 in the wall of the tubular upright 112.

The engagement of the concave lower face 158 on the locking member 159 with the washer 157 urges the locking member 159 towards its locking position, to be hereinafter described.

As shown in more detail in Figs 22 and 23, the locking member 159 20 has an asymmetric bore 165 therethrough, where each end of the bore has a screw-threaded portion 166 aligned with the longitudinal axis of the locking member 159; and a plain, inclined portion 167, arranged so that when the operating button 164 is depressed to move the locking member 159 from the locking position in FIG 22 to the released position in FIG 23, the screw-25 threaded portion 148 of the shaft 140 may be moved relative to the locking member 159, and thereby the tubular upright 112, to enable the height of the leg assembly 120 to be adjusted. FIGS 26 to 32 illustrate the steps of erecting the sign assembly 110 of the second embodiment. 30 First, as shown in FIGS 26 and 27, the outer leg 124 (and its leg extension 122) is swung outwardly until the abutment blocks 133 engage the abutment faces 132 on the abutment plates 131 on the inner leg 123. 15 2010201679 28 Apr 2010

As illustrated in FIGS 28 and 29, by swinging the outer leg 124 downwardly, the inner leg 123 is swung upwardly towards its operational position. In addition, the operating button 164 is depressed to allow the support member 125 to be raised relative to the bottom plate 148 of the 5 insert 147 (and tubular upright 112) to release the protrusions 144 from the recesses 145.

Referring now to FIG 30, the support member 125, and thereby leg assembly 120, are rotated through 90°, so that the legs 123, 124 extend transversely to the sign frame 111. 10 The sign assembly 110 is removed from the transport vehicle; and the operation is repeated to extend the second of the leg assemblies 120.

Referring now to FIG 31, the sign assembly 110 is then inverted, so that the sign frame 111 (and the sign panels located therein) are in the upright / operation position. To increase the effective “footprint” of the sign 15 assembly 110, the cam member 195 of each hinge assembly 180 is operated (by engagement of an Allen key at the end of an operating lever in the recess in the head 197 of the pivot stud 196) to release the actuating plates 183, 184, to enable each leg extension 121, 122 to be swung outwardly and then locked at a selected included angle relative to its 20 adjacent leg 123, 124. Each cam member 195 is then rotated in the opposite direction to lock the respective leg extension 121, 122 in place.

The sign frame 111 is ready for use and can then be placed in its operational position, as illustrated in FIG 32.

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the inclusion of the leg 25 extensions 121, 122 increases the effective footprint of the sign assembly 110 considerably.

As both the legs 123, 124 and the leg assemblies 121, 122 are provided with holes 136,137, anchoring spikes may be driven therethrough when the supporting surface enables this to be made possible. 30 It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee that the sign assembly 110, may be assembled from components manufactured from e.g. steel, aluminium, injection-moulded plastics, extruded-plastics; rubber or the 16 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 like; where the plastics material(s) preferably incorporate UV-stabilisers; and the components may be provided with coatings / finishes e.g. paint or powder-coating, to increase visibility of the sign frame and/or provide corrosion resistance. Where to components are manufactured from plastics-5 or rubber materials, solid colours may be used so that the surfaces are not susceptible to scratching, chipping or flaking; and the pigments may be fluorescent or reflective.

Components produced from plastics- or rubber materials will be of reduced weight and corrosion-resistant; and are potentially “softer” than 10 metal components, reducing injuries to persons and animals and damage to vehicles or other property.

Battery (e.g. which may be solar-rechargeable) powered lights, e.g. LED’s, can be moulded or fitted into the sign frames; and RFID devices can also be incorporated to assist in stock control; ad even site setup 15 information and management if used in conjunction with GPS.

The sign panels may also be made of metal and/or plastics material(s); and may incorporate one or more holes therethrough to reduce their relative wind resistance when deployed.

As the sign assemblies 10,11 Ohave a very narrow cross-section, e.g. 20 no greater than 30mm-see FIG 15 - a large number of the sign assemblies can be transported in a given load area on the transport vehicle; and can be rapidly erected or dismantled.

The signs assemblies of the present invention have considerable advantages over the known traffic signs, where these advantages include: 25 a) the signs, including the sign panels, can be pre-assembled before transport on-site; b) with a preferred thickness no greater than 30mm, a maximum number of signs can be carried on a vehicle to and from the worksite; c) the provision of the rotatable leg assemblies enables one leg 30 assembly to be fully erected before the sign is removed from the vehicle; d) the quick method of erection of the legs minimises the time required to locate or remove a sign, thereby increasing production 2010201679 28 Apr 2010 17 efficiencies and reducing the periods at which the workmen are at risk; e) the very large increase in the “footprint” of the sign assemblies both: i) markedly reduces their likelihood to be blown over by strong 5 winds or gusts; and ii) may reduce or obviate the need for transport of sandbags or other / similar weighty devices to secure the signs in place, where fixing by stakes or other fastening means is not possible.

These advantages; together with the ability to manufacture the signs 10 frames and sign panels from a wide range of materials including metals, plastics and the like; results in reduced manufacturing costs and/or transport costs over existing signs.

Various changes and other modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present 15 invention.

Claims (14)

1. A traffic sign assembly having: a sign frame; a pair of leg assemblies which each incorporate a support member wherein each support member is releasably attached to the sign frame; retaining means allowing each support member to be moved from a position abutting or closely adjacent to the sign frame to a position spaced from the sign frame, whereby each leg assembly is pivotally moveable relative to the sign frame; and at least one leg of each leg assembly being pivotally mounted to an adjacent support member whereby, after pivotal movement of each leg assembly relative to the sign frame, the or each one leg of each leg assembly is movable from a retracted position to an extended position.

2. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the sign frame has a plurality of horizontal frame members and a pair of hollow vertical members or uprights; and the sign frame supports one or more sign panels slideably attached in grooves or tracks of each horizontal frame member.

3. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: each pair of leg assemblies has two legs wherein at least one leg is pivotally mounted to a respective support member and a second leg is rigidly or pivotally attached to the support member.

4. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein: each support member has a shaft rotatably journalled in a vertical upright of the sign frame; and a releasable locking means allows relative rotation of the support member to the vertical upright through substantially 90°

5. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the retaining means is resilient in nature and is connected to the shaft.

6. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein: the one leg of each leg assembly is pivotally attached to the support member and is oriented in an extended position so that the second leg is oriented to the opposed side of the sign frame.

7. A sign assembly as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: a leg extension is hingedly connected at the distal end of each leg of each leg assembly to extend the "footprint" of the sign, each leg extension being rotatable between a first position lying adjacent a respective leg; and a releasably-lockable second position, where the leg extension can lie on the supporting surface.

8. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein: each hinged connection between a leg extension and its associated leg includes releasable locking means to enable the leg extension to be selectively locked in a range of pre-set angles relative to its leg.

9. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein: the shaft of each support member has a profiled portion telescopically mounted in a body of a height adjustment mechanism provided within a respective tubular vertical upright of the sign frame, where the profiled portion incorporates screw-threads, notches, holes or the like; and a releasable locking member is pivotally mounted in the body, and releasably engages the profiled portion on the shaft to enable the extension of the shaft from the tubular upright, and thereby the height of the sign frame relative to the leg assembly, to be selectively adjusted.

10. A sign assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein: the locking member has an asymmetric bore therethrough which receives the profiled portion of the shaft; the asymmetric bore has a screw-threaded portion and a plain, inclined portion, at each end; an operating button on the locking member extends externally of the vertical upright; and spring means in the vertical upright urge the locking member towards an engaged position where the screw-threaded portions of the bore engage the profiled portion of the shaft; so arranged that depressing the operating button releases the screw-threaded portions of the bore from the profiled portion to allow selective extension or retraction of the shaft relative to the vertical upright.

11. A method of transport and erection and/or dismantling of a sign assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method including the steps of: i) transporting the sign assembly in an inverted state with the or each one leg of each leg assembly in a retracted position; and ii) erecting the sign frame at a worksite by moving the or each leg assembly to the extended position, and moving the sign assembly from the inverted state to an upright operational state.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 11, wherein: one of the leg assemblies is moved to the extended position while the sign assembly is at least partially supported by a vehicle used to transport the sign assembly; and the second of the leg assemblies is moved to an extended position for orienting the sign assembly to the upright operational state with the leg assemblies contacting the ground or other suitable support surface.

13. A method of erecting, or dismantling, a sign assembly as hereinbefore described, with reference to FIGS 1 to 13; or FIGS 14 to 32, of the accompanying drawings.

14. A sign assembly as hereinbefore described, with reference to FIGS 1 to 13; or FIGS 14 to 32, of the accompanying drawings.