AU673184B2 - Fabrication system - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT o

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Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: BRADLEY RUSSELL LOWER Bradley Russell Lower TREVOR DREDGE ASSOCIATES Patent Trade Mark Attorneys 13th Floor, 379 Queen Street BRISBANE, QLD, 4000 (GPO Box 1339, BRISBANE, 4001) "Fabrication System" os: Australian Patent Application No. PL4648 filed 10 September, 1992; and Australian Patent Application No. PL8320 filed April, 1993.

Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Applications N The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: r

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2 THIS INVENTION relates to a fabrication system and in particular but not limited to a fabrication system for the construction of signage.

Signage systems are known which employ panels having a surface carrying indicia. The panels are mounted onto walls or onto posts. The known systems employ posts, panels and extrusions from which custom signage is made raccording to individual client needs. The present systems are generally r' expensive. The applicant has devised a fabrication system especially suited to signage which provides, generally speaking, the same custom capabilities as the present signage systems but with less components. This reduces expense and also reduces the inventory of components required to support the system. Another problem with existing systems is that they are prone to tampering.

It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least to some degree the aforementioned problems of the prior art or at least to provide the public with nlol a useful choice.

In one aspect, the present invention resides in a panel and post assembly for signage comprising an upstanding elongate post, a panel assembly and a postto-panel coupling rail comprising a vertically disposed length of elongate rail material coupling the post and panel assembly together, the panel assembly having a panel including rail attachment means and a horizontally disposed length of said elongate rail material coupled to the rail attachment means and forming a supporting frame member for the panel.

In another aspect, the invention resides in a fabrication system suitable for construction of signage, the system having four basic components comprising a panel, a post having an outer surface, a post-to-panel coupling rail and a post in- I. l 4i 9 4 3 fill rail, the post having a longitudinally extending panel connection channel or protrusion, the post-to-panel coupling rail being a dual purpose rail adapted to fit in the channel or be coupled to the protrusion of said post and also having panel edge attachment means so that the coupling rail can be used as a supporting frame member for the panel, the post in-fill rail being adapted to fit in the channel ,,or over the protrusion of the post to support a post-to-panel coupling rail disposed *990 *in the channel above the in-fill rail.

In still another aspect, there is provided a signage assembly having an o o0 *0 04, upstanding post assembly and a panel extending from the post assembly and a concealed fastener means securing the assembly together. The concealed fastener4 means typically comprises co-acting first and second parts being manually i o operable for relative movement to reveal the concealed fastener. Typically, the 9000 first and second parts comprise a manually rotatable part and a slideable fastener 0 cover member, the rotatable part having a cover stop and release means so that when the rotatable part is moved to a release position, the cover member can be 0000 ooo moved to expose the concealed fastener. Typically, the post has a channel and o the cover member is a slideable in-fill rail disposed in the channel while the rotatable member includes a channel stop member disposed transverse to the channel so that it can open or close the channel to limit longitudinal movement of the rail.

In a further aspect, there is provided a lighting assembly for a sign or the like, the lighting assembly comprising a hollow post or frame member having a light source disposed inside or adjacent said frame member.

In a further aspect, the invention resides in an upstanding post assembly panel. A preferred panel assembly typically comprises a pair of opposed aligned panels forming a closed hollow structure with a pair of panel-to-post rails concealed between the panels, one rail being adjacent one edge of the panel assembly and the other rail being adjacent and opposite each of the panel assembly. In this embodiment, the coupling rails bridge between the panel assemblies and automatically hold them together.

the post, the post is typically equipped with a panel coupling channel or a coupling protrusion to which the rail can be secured. The channel or protrusion rail but allowing the rail to slide longitudinally relative to the post.

pos Where posts are used as pare tofa lt prrs a bihe lighte assemblyn L) awhichM hepoasi the other ra A^ b^itg a isu with earth or concrete.

f Tshe th emblisypicly c i an elongate snrall planrdi seet The rainl attcmtiens and atyically cori the together. Tpiret fan the fonel werr me poedetcoha lei coce r ail ca supar oe panls f aoinge i tpicls ed h longtuate wehall par sof etop rail aeml Aderre poter arsel epigadjalnt apsepsit ea h ofe algnel I ft 4 4 t. 5 typiall prvie su fce ilumntio or 4e ilu iain hr ufc iluinto is provded tw-ot r yial e akt-akwt hih G* 0t4 4 0 ataet mean in the for of a lniunayexndgpnlloan shule whic is typicall one.~ walo ltorpoeto.Whr lti 0 0 Tei-ilriistypically prvdssraeilmnthinr hdgte illuinti- on.liWheri surfc illumineation lso provided, tw posts archen ypiallysthiback-to-backabwiththelh soucen betwleent. hislter edgeoilminathionfil prvidee a sgecostais tIcl eoed wiatthe theenight sourcmepoediludingsthed post te postnt hravigali eittin apfeerue ailndw assocae pane ege hcousaning ortatwingts cluanie preted t edgment of the ane oadweri: &Fgr 1 is Th ps-opnlctoupalve ltaing rali typical an ne exruind havin apely 09049 S shcolderg whic is typically emonienal of ah pslot rnroection;hr lti employe th 3 4ae sloiccll ies enough thttw panel thicknet ssesbcanf F, -i .7 T~

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r I i 0#i a 4* .4 0* ft 0 or *044 Figure 1 illustrating the four basic components applicable to a fabrication system for signage according to a preferred form of the present invention; Figure 5 is a pictorial view illustrating wall signage using two of the components illustrated in Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a section through 6-6 of Figure Figures 7 and 8 are respective side views of two post caps suitable for use with the posts illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 9 is an inverted plan view of the caps of Figures 7 and 8; Figures 10 and 11 are pictorial views illustrating a preferred embodiment 10 of a post assembly having a preferred concealed fastener arrangement; Figure 12 is a sectional view illustrating another post illustrating use of the post as a frame member for an edge illumination light assembly; and Figure 13 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 12 except in this case, the light assembly employs surface illumination of a sign.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 to 4, there is illustrated a panel and post assembly 10 comprising a pair of upstanding elongate posts 11 and 12, two panel assemblies 13 and 14 and a post to panel coupling rail in the form of an extrusion 15 which in this case is a vertically disposed length of the extrusion 15 extending the width of the respective panels 13 and 14. Each panel assembly 13 and 14 includes a horizontally disposed length of the extrusion which is fastened to the vertically disposed length of the extrusion 15 in order to couple the panel assemblies 13 and 14 to the posts 11 and 12. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 4, the panel assembly 13 is formed using two panels 16 arranged in confronting relation as shown with two lengths of extrusion 15 bridging i 7 between the panels 16 as shown and then to complete a square frame structure, a vertical length of extrusion 15 is fastened to the ends of the horizontal lengths of extrusion at opposite ends of the panel. This forms a rectangular frame supporting the panel. The posts 11 and 12 both include channels 17 and once the panel assembly has been made, a protruding portion of the vertical lengths r'o of the extrusion can be slid vertically into the channel 17. A cap 18 can be used eo 0 .9 to secure the panels in place. In order to set the panels at the desired height relative to the posts 11 and 12, an in-fill rail in the form of an extrusion 19 So depicted in Figure 3 is used. This extrusion is cut to the desired length and is slid into the channel 17 before the panel assembly. As can be seen in Figure 1, the in-fill 19 and the post 11 have concealed lower portions 20 and 21 which are underground and a fastener 22 is used to secure the in-fill 19 in place prior to the Copt lower portions 20 and 21 being concealed during backfilling. Once the in-fill 19 00*9 0% is in place, the panel assembly comprising the panels 13 and 14 can be slid into 15 place and secured in place using the caps 18.

0 O 900 o 0u As can be seen in Figure 4, each panel 19 includes a flange 23 and a return flange 24 thereby forming channels 25 and these co-operate with slots 26 in the extrusions The extrusion 19 also has a dual purpose and this is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 where the components, namely the extrusion 19 and a wall panel 16 has been employed to mount the panel 16 to a wall 27. In Figure 5, two panels 16 have been mounted to the wall 27 and these can carry appropriate signage.

Plastic end caps 28 are employed to cover the ends of the extrusions 19. It will I be appreciated in relation to Figure 6 that the extrusions 19 can be simply iL -s j -1

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#10 900 .0 o o 00 0 099* O 00 *r 0 a. fastened to the wall 27 using suitable fasteners and the panels 16 slid into place.

To this end, the extrusions 19 include panel attachment means in the form of the locating shoulder 29.

Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, there is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 post cap 30 and a post cap 31 respectively both of which include a spigot 32 so that the caps are interchangeable in relation to the posts 11 and 12 and the spigot being formed to take into account the position and shape of the channels 17.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that although the present invention employs four basic components, the whole signage system could invariably include many other components such as variations on the caps illustrated in Figures 7 and 8. Likewise, while the panels and posts have been illustrated as specific applications of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the components can also be used to form other signage structures including larger panels or multiple panel structures and that the posts need not be secured in ground. Likewise, dual or multiple posts need not be employed but single sign post structures and the like can be used. Many alternative combinations are possible.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate such an alternative. In this case, there is illustrated a post assembly 33 comprising a cast foot 34 having a spigot 35 over which is position firstly, an annular plate 36 and then a hollow post 11, 12.

As the sign is fabricated, all fasteners can be progressively covered using a slideable in-fill as previously illustrated.

At some stage however, a fastener would normally be left exposed or the r I i' 9 embodiment of Figure 1 could be employed when the post extends underground; Figures 10 and 11 represent a useful alternative where a final fastener is used to secure an upper portion to the post 11, 12. As can be seen, two parts are used to finally conceal the fastener, these being the in-fill 19 and the rotatable plate 36.

In Figure 10, the plate 36 is shown in a release position where a stop 39 has been moved away from the in-fill 19 so the in-fill can slide down into the foot 9999 r*r 1 34 to expose the fastener 37.

S: In Figure 11, the in-fill has been moved up to cover the fastener (not a99o o shown) and the plate 36 has been rotated to the position shown so the stop prevents the in-fill from moving down. Externally the fastener and operation of the means for exposing it are not readily discernible. The plate 36 can be 9, 9o Sarranged eccentric so that some radial movement is required as well as rotation 6 99a before the in-fill is released. This further inhibits release.

ur Figures 12 and 13 illustrate light assemblies embodying an alternative post 40 wherein in Figure 12 a light source in the form of fluorescent light 41 is 0 0 disposed inside the post 40. The post 40 as for the previous embodiments ia includes a channel 17 which in the embodiment of Figure 12 includes apertures 42 so that light can pass into a reverse engraved acrylic panel 43 for edge illumination.

In the embodiment of Figure 13, the surface 44 of the panel 45 is illuminated using back-to-back posts 40 and a bridging piece 46 which supports a fluorescent light 41.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the posts 40 can be substituted in all the aforementioned embodiments for the posts 11, 12 and the t Figures 12 and 13 are merely illustrative of the many and varied variations afforded by the present invention.

For this reason, it will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art, the above has been given by way of illustrative example and that there are many variations and modifications which will be apparent to those skilled in the art which do no, depart from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

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Claims (7)

1. A signage assembly comprising a panel and post assembly comprising an upstanding elongate post, a panel assembly and a post-to-panel coupling rail comprising a vertically disposed length of elongate rail material coupling the post and panel assembly together, the panel assembly having a panel including rail attachment means and a horizontally disposed length of said elongate rail material coupled to the rail attachment means and forming a supporting frame member for the panel. lift

2. A signage fabrication system comprising a panel, a post having an outer surface, a post-to-panel coupling rail and a post in-fill rail, the post having a longitudinally extending panel connection channel or protrusion, the post-to-panel i *4 *t coupling rail being a dual purpose rail adapted to fit in the channel or be coupled to the protrusion of said post and also having panel edge attachment means so r" that the coupling rail can be used as a supporting frame member for the panel, the post in-fill rail being adapted to fit in the channel or over the protrusion of the ,ao0 post to support a post-to-panel coupling rail disposed in the channel above the 0oa in-fill rail.

3. A signage assembly having an upstanding post assembly and a panel extending from the post assembly and a concealed fastener means securing the *assembly together.

4. A signage assembly according to claim 3 wherein the concealed fastener means comprises co-acting first and second parts being manually operable for relative movement to reveal the concealed fastener.

A signage assembly according to claim 4 wherein the first and second parts il e 12 comprise a manually rotatable part and a slideable fastener cover member, the rotatable part having a cover stop and release means so that when the rotatable part is moved to a release position, the cover member can be moved to expose the concealed fastener.

6. A signage assembly according to claim 5 wherein the post has a channel and the cover member is a slideable in-fill rail disposed in the channel while the rotatable member includes a channel stop member disposed transverse to the channel so that it can open or close the channel to limit longitudinal movement of the rail. i

7. The signage assembly according to claim 3 wherein the post assembly comprises an elongate upstanding post having a longitudinally extending panel connection channel or protrusion, an in-fill rail disposed in the channel or attached to the protrusion and being captive against transverse removal therefrom, the post and in-fill rail having concealed lower end portions and a fastener securing the concealed lower end portions together. tIr4 04 108. A signage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the panel assembly comprises a pair of opposed aligned panels forming a closed hollow structure with a pair of panel-to-post rails concealed between the panels, one rail being adjacent one edge of the panel assembly and the other rail being adjacent and opposite each of the panel assembly, the coupling rails bridging between the Spanel assemblies and automatically holding them together. DATED this 10th day of September, 1993. BRADLEY RUSSELL LOWER By his Patent Attorneys TREVOR DREDGE ASSOCIATES U yhsPtn tony L 2n LCI ABSTRACT A panel and post assembly 10 comprising a pair of upstanding elongate posts 11 and 12, two panel assemblies 13 and 14 and a post to panel coupling rail in the form of an extrusion 15 which in this case is a vertically disposed length of the extrusion 15 extending the width of the respective panels 13 and 14. Each panel assembly 13 and 14 includes a horizontally disposed length of the 4: extrusion 15 which is fastened to the vertically disposed length of the extrusion "t'4 15 in order to couple the panel assemblies 13 and 14 to the posts 11 and 12. lt a L't 44 I I 4 1"