AU2014100987A4

AU2014100987A4 - Signage connector

Info

Publication number: AU2014100987A4
Application number: AU2014100987A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert Anthony Bennett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-08-25
Filing date: 2014-08-25
Publication date: 2014-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2022-08-25

Abstract

A signage connector 10 for use with an elongate flexible tie 12 to connect a signage panel 14 to a support 16, the signage connector 10 including: a connector portion 18 for connecting to an edge 14a of a signage panel 14; and an anchoring portion 15 to which opposite ends of a flexible tie 12 can be anchored. <filename>

Description

1 SIGNAGE CONNECTOR Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a connector for a signage panel for the purpose of temporarily fixing signage to a display support, for example a post or a bollard. The invention has been developed to more conveniently display road traffic control signage at areas of road works or construction. However, the invention could be utilised in many other applications where temporary signage is required and therefore the invention is not restricted to use with road traffic signage. Background of Invention [0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. [0003] During periods of road works such as re-surfacing, lane widening or accessing underground pipes, it is often necessary to temporarily divert traffic away from sections of road which are under construction. For this reason, areas of road works are usually fitted with traffic control signage for various reasons, such as to direct vehicles and/or pedestrians in a safe path around the affected area of the road or to alert road users to the irregular road conditions caused by the work in progress. Due to the temporary nature of the work, signage is preferably capable of being displayed, relocated and removed quickly and conveniently and without the need for any specialised tooling. [0004] Traffic control signage is often formed from printed corrugated plastic panels that are connected to traffic bollards which are positioned to separate traffic flow from an area of road works. This connection can be achieved by making a pair of holes adjacent an upper edge of a signage panel and feeding a piece of wire or cord through each of the holes to create a loop and then placing the loop around the bollard. Although generally effective, this method is rudimentary and can be time consuming as it requires the formation of the holes as well as the wire or cord to be SPCN-1 006539 2 carefully threaded by hand though the pair of holes and thereafter secured thereto. Moreover, the dynamic nature of road work areas can require bollards and signs to be periodically relocated. In this regard, existing methods of signage connection as discussed above require this existing attachment process to be repeated every time it is necessary to replace one sign with another. [0005] In addition to being generally inconvenient, the above described method of signage connection requires the formation of holes through the corrugated plastic signage panel. This procedure represents a breach of safe work method statements which requires traffic control signage to be "clean and undamaged". [0006] In other existing methods, traffic control signage is fitted to folding A frames which are positioned around the work site. Due to the wide base of the A frame, these structures present a tripping hazard that is undesirable around areas of traffic flow. Additionally, this system requires workers to carry and erect both signage frames as well as separate traffic control bollards thereby contributing to the overall time spent preparing a site for road works. [0007] The present invention is therefore intended to be an advance over existing signage connection arrangements by increasing the ease and speed with which traffic control signage can be affixed for display, repositioned and removed. Summary of Invention [0008] According to the present invention, a signage connector is provided for use with an elongate flexible tie to connect a signage panel to a support, the signage connector including: a connector portion for connecting to an edge of a signage panel and an anchoring portion to which opposite ends of a flexible tie can be anchored. [0009] The signage connector of the present invention thus allows for a signage panel to be conveniently attached to a display support without the need for openings to be made in the signage panel. Advantageously, the present invention also allows for signage to be quickly released from the connector in order to remove signage from display or to change the sign on display. The present invention also allows for a connector and/or a sign to be conveniently relocated to a different area of a work site by unfastening the fastening tie from the anchoring portion and removing the SPCN-1 006539 3 connector and/or the sign for relocation. The present invention therefore does away with the tripping hazards presented by A-frame type signage frames. Moreover, the present invention does not require damaging holes to be made through the signage panel. [0010] By way of example, typical display supports suitable for use with the present invention could include traffic control bollards, traffic light or telephone poles, fencing (both temporary and permanent, barricading, star-pickets, or any upstanding bar or post. In instances where a sign is required to be connected to a post, a user can extend a flexible tie around the post and attach each end of the flexible tie to the anchor portion on the signage connector. Alternatively, the display support need not be a post-type support. For example, any support allowing for a flexible tie to be bound thereto such as a chain-link fence or a picket fence will be suitable for use with the present invention. [0011] After fastening to a suitable display support, a signage panel may then be connected to the connector portion where it is retained, such as by friction depending on the form of the connector portion, until a manual force is applied to the signage panel to disconnect the signage panel from the connector portion. In some forms of the invention, the connector portion comprises an elongate channel into which the edge of a signage panel can be inserted and retained. In those forms of the invention, the edge of the signage panel can be retained in the channel by friction and release of the edge of the signage panel from the channel is simply by pulling the edge out of the channel. [0012] The edge of the signage panel may be first inserted into the channel before the signage connector is attached to the display support or the signage connector can be first attached to the display support before the edge of the signage panel is inserted into the channel. Likewise, where the connector portion is formed differently to a channel, the order of the connection between the edge of the signage panel and the connector portion and the connection of the signage connector to a display support is not important. [0013] The connector portion can take the form of a channel as discussed above, but in other forms of the invention, the connector portion can comprise: SPCN-1 006539 4 e one or more recesses into which the edge of a signage panel can be inserted and retained * one or more clips that can clip onto the edge of a signage panel e an adhesive portion for adhesively connecting to the edge of a signage panel e including one or more projections for pushing through the edge of a signage panel. This example is appropriate in situations where a breach of the safe work method statements requiring signage to be "clean and undamaged" is not an issue to be considered. [0014] The above examples are not exhaustive and the connector portion could take other forms. [0015] The anchoring portion can also take various forms. In one form, the anchoring portion includes a pair of openings to which respective opposite ends of flexible tie can be secured. The openings can be closed, ie have a continuous circumference, or open, ie have a circumference that includes a break or opening. In one form of the invention, the anchoring portion includes a pair of openings, of which one is closed and one is open. [0016] Where an opening is a closed opening, the flexible tie can be passed through the opening and tied to the opening to fix the end of the flexible tie to the opening. Alternatively, the flexible tie can have an abutment formed on one end, or be knotted at one end so that the end cannot fit through the opening and by that arrangement, the end of the flexible tie is anchored at that end without otherwise being fixed to the opening. In still further alternatives, the present invention could be used with a flexible tie having a hook on one end and, in this instance, the opening could be used as a point on which the hook of the flexible tie could be attached. [0017] Where an opening is an open opening, the opening can be formed as a slot and the open part of the opening can be used as a form of hook to anchor one end of the flexible tie. The flexible tie could include a loop at one end to loop over the hook. Alternatively, the flexible tie could have a hook on one end for engaging the hook of the opening. SPCN-1 006539 5 [0018] Where the anchoring portion includes one or more openings, the anchoring portion can include a flange in which the or each opening is formed. The flange can project from the connector portion. Where the connector portion is formed as an elongate channel, the channel can be formed by a pair of spaced apart parallel walls extending from a base and the flange extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the parallel walls. The flange can have a concave edge for positioning against a convexly curved outer surface of a display support, such as a post, bar or bollard. [0019] In other forms of the present invention the signage connector includes an anchoring projection or post, or a pair of anchoring projections or posts which spaced apart from one another. An anchoring projection or post can provide one or a pair of respective anchoring points for respective attachment to opposite ends of the flexible tie. In this form of the invention, each end of the flexible tie is attached to the same or a different position on the signage connector depending on whether a single projection or post is provided or a pair of projections or posts are provided. [0020] In some applications, more than two projections or posts are provided and this form of the invention advantageously allows for the signage connector to be securely fastened to a variety of different sized and shaped display supports. This is due to multiple anchor points providing multiple fixing or connection points between the signage connector and the display support [0021] Forms of the present invention which include a pair of anchoring openings or projections are also advantageous in that the spaced defined between each anchoring opening or projection may be shaped to conform to the shape of the display support. For example, in a form of the invention intended for use with a curved display support, the spacing between the pair of anchoring openings or projections defines a curved face corresponding to the curved display support, such as the concave shape discussed above. The curved face in this form of the invention can advantageously increase the overall stability of the signage fastened to a display support. [0022] The present invention also extends to a signage connector for connecting a signage panel to a support, the signage connector including: SPCN-1 006539 6 e a connector portion for receiving and retaining an edge of a signage panel; e an elongate flexible tie; and * an anchoring portion to which opposite ends of the flexible tie can be anchored. [0023] In the forms of the invention discussed above, the signage connector may be used with any flexible tie, for example a string, a metal ribbon, a chain or a wire. However a particularly advantageous form of the flexible tie is an elastic band. In this form, the signage connector can be fitted and removed from a display support without the need for the tie to be knotted. An elastic band is therefore especially convenient due to the speed with which a connector according to the present invention can be fastened and removed from a display surface. In forms of the invention which include two anchoring openings in which one is formed open to have a hook member and the other being closed, one end of the elastic band could be attached to the closed opening by a simple knot and the free end of the elastic band could be then lashed around the display support before the other end is hooked onto the hook member of the other opening. It will be appreciated that the use of an elastic band with the present invention facilitates very convenient fitting and removal of the signage connecter to the display support. Moreover, elastic bands are low-cost and readily available such that they can be easily replaced if broken. Preferably, the elastic band used with the present invention is UV resistant in order to reduce UV damage caused from prolonged exposure to sunlight. [0024] It is noted that a signage connector according to the present invention is not limited to applications involving road traffic control as the advantages of the present invention can be realised in any application where temporary signage is required. By way of example, public events such as festivals, music concerts and Christmas or New Year's Eve celebrations will involve temporary signage being distributed around an event site for the purpose of pedestrian management. Brief Description of Drawings [0025] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which: SPCN-1 006539 7 [0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a signage connector according to one embodiment of the invention in use. [0027] Figure 2 is a view of a typical traffic bollard to which a signage panel may be connected using a signage connector according to an embodiment of the present invention [0028] Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views of the back and front, respectively of the signage connector illustrated in Figure 1. [0029] Figures 5, 6 and 7 are back, side and front views, respectively, of the signage connector illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4. [0030] Figure 8 is a front view of an alternative use of the present invention where two signage connectors are used in cooperation. [0031] Figure 9 is a rear view of the alternative system illustrated in Figure 8. Detailed Description [0032] Figure 1 shows a signage connector 10 according to the invention in use with a flexible elastic band 12 to connect a signage panel 14 to a support comprising a bollard 16. The signage connector 10 includes a connector portion 18 in connection with an edge 14a of a signage panel 14. The signage connector 10 further includes an anchoring portion formed by a flange 15 to which opposite ends 12a and 12b of the elastic band 12 are anchored. [0033] One such example of bollard 16 is shown in Figure 2 which illustrates a typical traffic bollard 116 onto which traffic management signage can be connected using the signage connector 10. Bollard 116 includes a weighted base 118 and a post 120 onto which a signage connector according to the present invention could be anchored. [0034] Referring again to Figure 1, connector portion 18 includes an elongate channel 22 into which the edge 14a of signage panel 14 has been inserted and is retained therein by frictional engagement with the inner walls of the elongate channel 22. Elongate channel 22 comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel walls 22a, 22b extending from a base 22c. Parallel walls 22a and 22b are spaced so as to SPCN-1 006539 8 correspond to the thickness of signage panel 14. In this regard, the elongate channel 22 is sized in order for the edge 14a of the signage panel 14 to fit snugly within the elongate channel 22 and to be retained therein. [0035] With reference to Figure 6, flange 15 extends generally perpendicularly from the plane defined by parallel walls 22a and 22b. As shown in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 7, flange 24 includes a concave edge 15a shaped to conform to a convex outer surface of bollard 16. This conformity between concave edge 15a and the convex outer surface of the bollard 16 allows the signage connector 10 to be stably seated when it is anchored onto the bollard 16. [0036] Flange 15 includes a pair of openings 20a and 20b to which opposite ends 12a and 12b of the elastic band are anchored respectively. As best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, opening 20a comprises a closed opening extending through flange 15. On the other side of flange 15 is side edge 15b which extends between concave edge 15a and the connector portion 18. An open opening 20b extends partially through side edge 15b of flange 15 thereby defines a lip 24. [0037] In use, an end 12b of elastic band 12 can be fed through open opening 20a and knotted thereto as illustrated in Figure 1. The opposite end 12a of elastic band 12 may then looped around bollard 16 and then pulled over lip 24 where it is retained in open opening 20b. The anchoring portion 15 is thereby anchored to bollard 16 by means of the bias imposed by elastic band 12. Having anchored the signage connector 10 in position on the bollard 16, the edge 14a of signage panel 14 may then be inserted into elongate channel 22 where it is retained and the signage panel 14 is thereby presented for display. [0038] It will be appreciated that signage panel 14 can be quickly removed from signage connector 10 by holding the signage connector 10 and applying a downwards force to signage panel 14. In this regard, signage panel 14 may therefore be removed and replaced with an alternative signage panel in a highly convenient and time efficient manner. Similarly, the signage connector 10 can be conveniently and quickly removed from the bollard 16 by unhooking the end 12a from lip 24 thereby unanchoring flange 15 from the bollard 16. SPCN-1 006539 9 [0039] Referring now to Figure 8, a pair of signage connectors 10 can be used in cooperation to connect a signage panel 114 to a bollard 116 with an increased level of security. In this arrangement, each of the signage connectors 10 is fitted to the upper edge 11 4a and the lower edge 11 4b of the signage panel 114 respectively. [0040] Figure 9 illustrates a rear view of the arrangement shown in Figure 8 where a pair of signage connectors 10 is used in combination to connect signage panel 114 to bollard 116. In each of the pair of signage connectors 10, thick rubber band 112 is attached each signage connector 10, at one end, by a knot 26 and, at the other end, by being hooked into the open opening of the signage connector (not shown). [0041] In the illustrated embodiments, signage connector 10 is formed integrally from resilient plastic however it is of course possible for other materials to be utilised. [0042] The invention described herein is susceptible to variations, modifications and/or additions other than those specifically described and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modifications and/or additions which fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. SPCN-1 006539

Claims

1. A signage connector for use with an elongate flexible tie to connect a signage panel to a support, the signage connector including: " a connector portion for connecting to an edge of a signage panel; and " an anchoring portion to which opposite ends of a flexible tie can be anchored.

2. A signage connector according to claim 1, the connector portion comprising an elongate channel into which the edge of a signage panel can be inserted and retained.

3. A signage connector according to claim 1, the connector portion defining one or more recesses into which the edge of a signage panel can be inserted and retained.

4. A signage connector according to claim 1, the connector portion including one or more clips that can clip onto the edge of a signage panel.

5. A signage connector according to claim 1, the connector portion including an adhesive portion for adhesively connecting to the edge of a signage panel.

6. A signage connector according to claim 1, the connector portion including one or more projections for pushing through the edge of a signage panel.

7. A signage connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the anchoring portion including a pair of openings to which respective opposite ends of flexible tie can be secured.

8. A signage connector according to claim 7, one of the openings being a closed opening and the other opening being an open opening.

9. A signage connector according to claim 7, the openings being closed openings.

10. A signage connector according to claim 7, the openings being open openings. <filename> 11

11. A signage connector according to any one of claims 7 to 10, the anchoring portion comprising a flange that projects from the connector portion and the openings being formed in the flange.

12. A signage connector according to claim to 11, the connector portion comprising an elongate channel formed by a pair of spaced apart parallel walls extending from a base and the flange extending substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the parallel walls.

13. A signage connector according to claim to 11 or 12, the flange having a concave edge for positioning against a convexly curved outer surface of a support.

14. A signage connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the anchoring portion comprising a post to which each of the opposite ends of flexible tie can be secured.

15. A signage connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the anchoring portion comprising a pair of spaced apart posts to which respective opposite ends of flexible tie can be secured.

16. A signage connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the anchoring portion comprising an opening to which each of the opposite ends of flexible tie can be secured.

17. A signage connector according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the anchoring portion comprising a hook to which each of the opposite ends of flexible tie can be secured.

18. A signage connector according to any one of claims 1 to 17, including a flexible tie connected to the anchoring portion.

19.A signage connector for connecting a signage panel to a support, the signage connector including: " a connector portion for receiving and retaining an edge of a signage panel; * an elongate flexible tie; and <filename> 12 * an anchoring portion to which opposite ends of the flexible tie can be anchored.

20. A signage connector according to claim 19, one of the opposite ends of the flexible tie being anchored to the anchoring portion and the other of the opposite ends being releasably connectible to the anchoring portion.

21.A kit including a signage connector according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and a flexible tie for connection to the anchoring portion. <filename>