AU774631B2 - Inflatable signage means and related inflatable signage support means - Google Patents

Description

-1- Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT, 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for service in Australia: Invention Title: MARC JURGEN GERRITS and FRANK JOHANN

GERRITS

Marc Jurgen Gerrits and Frank Johann Gerrits A J PARK, Level 11, 60 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra ACT 2601 Inflatable Signage Means and Related Inflatable Signage Supporting Means The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us -2- The present invention relates to Inflatable Signage Means and Related Inflatable Signage Supporting Means and in particular although not solely to a signage supporting means for presenting a signage which is capable of being backlit.

In US5402591 there is described a sign consisting of an inflatable sign support consisting of a substantially inverted shaped cylinder which is capable of being inflated by a fan and a sign can span between the legs of the shape to be supported by the inflatable support.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide signage means and related inflatable signage supporting means which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in an inflatable signage support means comprising a tube (whether of circular or other cross section) capable of being air inflated and being substantially air impervious, said tube comprising or including two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections and a lateral section between said upright sections, the lower (when in an inflated in use condition) distal ends of each said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections are adapted to be supported whether directly or indirectly onto a supporting surface at least one opening to said tube for the inlet and outlet of air, wherein said tube is provided with securing provision securing two substantially planar signage substrates positioned between said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections in a conditions such that said two signage substrates are parallel and spaced apart and wherein a lighting means is provided between said two signage substrates.

Preferably said lateral section extends between said upright sections at substantially the upper distal ends of said uprights sections.

"25 Preferably said upright sections and said lateral section are in direct fluid .o communications with each other.

S: Preferably said tube is of a substantially inverted "U-shaped" configuration.

,"•Preferably at or towards at least one of the distal ends of said shaped tube there is provided an air connection for the provision of a pressure communication between the interior 30 of said "U-shaped" tube and ambient surrounding conditions.

Preferably said distal end of said shape are either directly or indirectly supported .:on solid ground.

Preferably said distal end of said shape are either directly or indirectly supported •go• on water.

Preferably said distal ends of said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections at their lower ends are connected to an inflatable base member which has an opening to at least one of the distal ends of said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections, said base capable of being supported on solid ground or water, said base having an opening to which either directly or indirectly air pressure providing means (such as an air pump, fan or blower) or the like can be connected to allow inflation of both the base member and said tube.

Preferably said lower distal ends of each of said upright sections are perimeter secured each to an opening of said inflatable base member.

Preferably said inflatable base member is of a substantially rectangular box shape having a lower skin defining a base region of said inflatable base member and an upper skin substantially parallel to said base skin from which said tube extends.

Preferably said substantially parallel upright sections and said lateral section is provided with securing means adapted for the securing of said signage substrates.

Preferably each said spaced apart substantially parallel upright sections and said lateral section and said base member has at least one securing means for each of said two substantially planer signage substrates said securing means being spaced apart to provide said desired parallel spacing of said two signage substrates sufficiently apart for a lighting means to be provided therebetween.

Preferably each said lateral section has at least one securing means on either side of the tubular lateral section for each of said substantially planar signage substrates said securing means being spaced apart to provide said desired parallel spacing of said two signage substrates sufficiently apart for a lighting means to be provided therebetween.

Preferably the distance between said distal ends of said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections along the base member is provided with securing means on either side adapted for the securing of said signage substrates. 99o9 25 Preferably said securing means extends from the lower distal end of each two spaced 9 9.3 .9 apart and substantially parallel upright sections to its upper distal end.

Preferably said securing means extends along the lateral means and between the distal ends along said base member.

Preferably said securing means is a zipper element.

Alternatively said securing means is a hook and lope fastening element.

Preferably said base skin is provided with signage support means securing points such as eyelets or rings or the like to said signage support means to be secured to solid ground (whether by tie-downs, pegs or the like).

Preferably said lighting means is supported by a support means positioned in the space provided by the said two upright members, said lateral section and said base member.

-4- Preferably said support means can be collapsed to a size which is sufficiently convenient to be transported to the degree that the deflated means of the present invention can be supported.

Preferably said support means includes attachments means for said lighting means.

Preferably said attachment means are a hook and eye or can include any other attachment means.

Preferably said support means is a frame.

Preferably said frame is constructed of aluminium.

In a further aspect the present invention consists in a signage support means as herein described with reference to anyone or more of the accompanying representations.

In yet a further aspect the present invention consists in an inflatable signage means as herein described with reference to anyone or more of the accompanying representations.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many Changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inflatable signage means of the present invention, Figure 2 is a partial view of a signage support means of the present invention, Figure 3 is a sectional view through section AA of Figure 2, 2 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a inflatable signage means of the present invention wherein the preferred base support is absent, Figure 5 is a sectional view at section BB of Figure 4, .o o S 0*V3

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o V V Va Figure 6 is a side view of the inflatable signage means of the preferred form of the present invention, Figure 7 is a sectional view through section CC of Figure 6, Figure 8 is a perspective view of part of the inflatable signage means of the present invention, Figure 9 is a sectional view through an alternative configuration at section CC of the inflatable signage means of the present invention, Figure 10 is another side view of the inflatable signage means of the present invention, Figure 11 is a perspective side view of the inflatable signage means of the preferred form of the present invention, Figure 12 is a side view of the inflatable signage means of the present invention wherein the preferred form of the support frame is present, Figure 13 is a side view of the signage support means of the present invention wherein "the support means is present and shows the lighting means in use, and 15 Figure 14 is a sectional view of part of the signage carrying substrate and signage carrying means showing an alternative means of securing the sign to the carrier by utilising an extrusion having tracks for engaging with beads to provide a suitable securing means.

In one of the preferred forms the present invention consists in an inflatable signage S support means as shown in Figure 1. The signage support means 1 is adapted to support a signage substrate such as a sheet of film or plastic material normally onto which graphics or media is presented. The signage substrate two is preferably as shown in Figure 4.

:The signage support means of the present invention is adapted to support two signage "substrates between which lighting means can be provided to provide a back lighting to the signage means. Back lighting is known in respect of other signage means (non inflatable :25 signage means) but has not been adapted to signage support means of a kind of the present S"invention.

In another preferred form of the present invention the invention consists in an inflatable signage means wherein the signage support means as herein described includes the signage substrate. It will be appreciated that the signage substrate is preferably detachable from the support means to allow different advertising to be displayed therefrom.

Furthermore in a less preferred but as an alternative example of the present invention the signage support means may consist of alternative configurations of tube members to define when the sign is inflated a vertical means of securing signage substrates in conditions where back lighting can be provided.

In the preferred form the signage support means 1 is provided with a base 3 wherein the base is adapted to be positioned on supporting ground or on water. The base member -6provides a suitable way of distributing the load of the present invention. The signage means of the present invention may be provided on roof tops or other supports which may have a limited load carrying capabilities or may be weak in carrying a load in certain areas. The provision of the base therefore enables for the load of the signage means to be distributed over a greater area hence thereby avoiding any possible problems where the load support surface is of a nature which may result in point loads from causing failure. In this preferred form as shown in Figure 1 the signage support means consists of a base 3 and an inflatable tube 4 which in the preferred form consists of two substantially parallel upright sections 5 and a transverse section 6. Preferably the transverse section extends between the distal ends of the upright members. It should at this stage be appreciated that reference to upright and transverse is in relation to the signage support of the invention being inflated. When the invention is deflated the entire signage support means can be collapsed into a small package for ease of transportation.

The inflatable tube 4 is preferably of an air impermeable material and has at least one 15 opening to allow air to enter into and out of the tube for inflation and deflation purposes. With *reference to Figure 1 it can be seen how the distal ends 7 of the uprights members are preferably secured to a base 3. The openings 4 for the purposes of inflation and deflation of the tube are preferably at the distal ends such that the openings are into the base 3. In the preferred form the base 3 is also of an inflatable and air impermeable material and through the S 20 connection between the tube 4 and the base, by the provision of an opening to the base 8 through which air can pass, the entire signage support means can be inflated. Preferably a fan, blower or air pump is provided or capable of being provided to the opening 8 for inflation and pressurization purposes.

In alternative configurations the lateral member 6 may be provided anywhere 25 extending between the upright members 5 and this may include the positioning of the lateral member anywhere between each distal end of each vertical member 5. It is also appreciated by the inventors that additional lateral members can be provided and this may be advantageous in order to establish a separation between the spacings of the signage substrate for the purpose of providing strength or different colored lighting and/or lighting control.

In an alternative form of the present invention the signage support means 1 may not consist of the base member 3. With reference to Figure 4 the tubes 4 may be adapted to be directly supported onto the ground. However in the preferred form the base is desirable in order to ensure increased stability.

The signage support means is preferably provided with securing means in order to secure the two signage substrates 2 between the substantially upright members 5 in a condition such that the substrate are substantially parallel and spaced apart. In the preferred form the -7signage substrates 2 are rectangular and each span from one vertical upright member to the other. With reference to Figure 4 such a substrate 2 is preferably secured at least to one of the sections of the tube. As can be seen in Figure 4 such securing is preferably at least along the vertically extending edges of the substrate and preferably may also include attachment along the top and bottom of the substrate as shown in Figure With reference to Figure 11 securing along the top and bottom can be either directly to the lateral member 6 or base member 3 with clips or ties or by an elongate securing means such as a zip or hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO T M or rope track thereto.

With reference to Figure 2 the securing of the substrate 2 to the signage support means is preferably by an elongate securing means such as a zip or hook and loop fasteners

(VELCRO

T M or rope track. Figure 14 illustrates an alternative fastening means which may be utilised in respect of securing the signage substrate to the signage support means.

The signage support means may be provided with a beaded line or beaded portions.

.These beaded portions are adapted to be received at least in part, by a track defining extrusion 20. The beaded portion 21 of the signage support mean is provided to allow the extrusion to slide with the beaded portion 21 of the signage carrier means.

The extrusion is preferably double ended and provides also a track with which, when the first track is engaged with the beaded portion 21, to engage with a beaded portion 22 of the signage substrate. This way a zipper less signage means can be provided with which a signage substrate can be conveniently connected. As zips are relatively expensive, this is a cheaper alternative to achieving a substantially similar effect. The extrusion 20 may be provided as discrete lengths and positioned between the signage substrate and the signage carrying means at appropriate intervals to ensure that the signage substrate is presented in an appropriate and desirable manner. Alternatively the extrusion may be a length continuous over 25 for example each of the three or more sides of the signage carrying means.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through section AA of Figure 2 and shows the securing means 9 presented from the upright members 5 in a manner such that two substrates can extend therefrom. Although the preferred elongate securing means 9 is preferred, a simple clip on fastening means or tie on fastening means can also be adopted. The provision of securing means from the signage support means 1 is such that when the two signage substrates are attached they are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart sufficiently to allow an illumination means to be provided therebetween. With reference to Figure 5 which is a sectional view through section BB of Figure 4 it can be seen how the signage substrates 2 are substantially parallel and an illumination means such as a fluorescent or incandescent lighting means 10 is provided therebetween. In the preferred form such lighting means is provided by the use of supports a frame) which can be suspended from either the lateral means 6 and/or the vertical support means 5 or alternatively can be supported on the ground or on the base member 3. With reference to Figure 12 in the preferred form such support means 15 for the illumination means is a frame which can be collapsed to a size which is sufficiently convenient to be transported to the degree that the deflated means of the present invention can be transported and can include attachment means for said lighting means.

Preferably said attachment means are a hook 16 and eye 17 or can include any other attachment means.

With reference to Figure 13 is a preferred form of the lighting means. The lighting means is provided by an illumination means such as the fluorescent or candescent lighting means which is placed in a clear plastic sheath which protects the lighting means from water, it is then attached to a flexible cord such as a bungee cord, at the one end the light is attached to a cord 18 which runs into a power box 19. The bungee cord has hooks on either end which can easily hook into the attachment means 16 and 17 on the frame 15. The power means 19 •can be placed anywhere on the inflatable signage means 1.

In an alternative form of the present invention the use of supports means a frame) can include a bar located in the middle of the support means 15 where the support means can be inserted between the space created by the upright members 5, the lateral member 6 and *999 base member 3. The use of the bar is to provide more strength to the overall support means as a frame. In this form such support means can provide rigidity to the upright members and S 20 the lateral member 6.

With reference to Figure 6 one preferred size of the signage means of the present "invention is such that a signage substrate of 6m by 3m (XxY) can be supported thereby.

With reference to Figure 10 another preferred size of the signage means of the present invention is such that a signage substrate of AxB can be supported thereby.

25 With reference to Figure 8 the signage means or signage support means of the present S"invention is provided with strengthening/securing features in order to ensure that where the signage means is exposed to conditions where its stability is under threat wind), the signage means can still be supported safely and remain functional.

Therefore in the preferred form where the invention is provided with the base member 3 there are provided securing points 12 to the base 3 at positions which are preferably around the perimeter such that pegs or spikes or the like (see Figure 7) can be located therewith to secure the device to the ground. In the version of the invention where the signage means may be adopted to float on water such securing points 12 will allow the signage means to be secured with lines and perhaps anchors to the bottom of the body of water or to the shore.

Alternatively and with reference to Figure 9 a water ballast provision 13 may be provided as part of the base which in the preferred form extends at least around part of the perimeter, such water ballast providing a mass to avoid the lifting and tipping of the signage means of the present invention.

Furthermore stays 14 may also be provided to the signage means of the present invention such stays providing horizontal support to the upright portions of the signage means of the present invention.

As mentioned in the preferred form the preferred rectangular shaped signage substrates are attached along four edges thereof to the signage support means of the present invention.

Such securing can achieve a near air impermeable containment region defined between the signage support means and the signage substrate. This can have the advantage of allowing a slight pressure increase to be provided within the region between the two substrates (compared to ambient conditions) which can tighten any creases or wrinkles which may be present in the substrate. This is as a result of a slight bellowing of the substrate as a result of this slight pressure difference.

It can hence be seen that the signage support means of the present invention can be 15 particularly useful in supporting signage substrates in the preferred configuration and allow .000 the provision of back lighting between the signage substrate such that the signage can be visible in all conditions of lighting. As a result of the inflatable nature of most of the components of the signage support means, it can be easily reduced in size for transportation convenience.

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Claims (26)

1. An inflatable signage support means comprising a tube (whether of circular or other cross section) capable of being air inflated and being substantially air impervious, said tube comprising or including two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections and a lateral section between said upright sections, the lower (when in an inflated in use condition) distal ends of each said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections are adapted to be supported whether directly or indirectly onto a supporting surface at least one opening to said tube for the inlet and outlet of air, wherein said tube is provided with securing provision securing two substantially planar signage substrates positioned between said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections in a conditions such that said two signage substrates are parallel and spaced apart and wherein a lighting means is provided between said two signage substrates.

2. An inflatable signage support means according to claim 1 wherein said lateral section extends between said upright sections at substantially the upper distal ends of said upright sections.

3. An inflatable signage support means according to either claim 1 or 2 wherein said upright sections and said lateral section are in direct fluid communications with each other.

4. An inflatable sigiage support means according to claims 1 to 3 wherein said tube is of a substantially inverted "U-shaped" configuration.

An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at or towards at least one of the distal ends of said shaped tube there is provided an air connection for the provision of a pressure communication between the interior of said "U- shaped" tube and ambient surrounding conditions. ••go 25

6. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said distal end of said shape are either directly or indirectly supported on solid ground.

S7. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said o. distal end of said shape are either directly or indirectly supported on water.

8. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said :i 30 distal ends of said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections at their lower Sends are connected to an inflatable base member which has an opening to at least one of the distal ends of said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections, said base capable of being supported on solid ground or water, said base having an opening to which either directly or indirectly air pressure providing means (such as an air pump, fan or blower) S: 35 or the like can be connected to allow inflation of both the base member and said tube. 0 -11-

9. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said lower distal ends of each of said upright sections are perimeter secured each to an opening of said inflatable base member.

An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said inflatable base member is of a substantially rectangular box shape having a lower skin defining a base region of said inflatable base member and an upper skin substantially parallel to said base skin from which said tube extends.

11. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein said substantially parallel upright sections and said lateral section is provided with securing means adapted for the securing of said signage substrates.

12. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein each said spaced apart substantially parallel upright sections and said lateral section and said base member has at least one securing means for each of said two substantially planer signage substrates said securing means being spaced apart to provide said desired parallel spacing of :15 said two signage substrates sufficiently apart for a lighting means to be provided therebetween.

13. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein S0* each said lateral section has at least one securing means on either side of the tubular lateral 9 9 0 section for each of said substantially planar signage substrates said securing means being spaced apart to provide said desired parallel spacing of said two signage substrates sufficiently S. o20 apart for a lighting means to be provided therebetween.

14. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the distance between said distal ends of said two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright V osections along the base member is provided with securing means on either side adapted for the 0 00 securing of said signage substrates.

15. An inflatable signage support means of claim 14 wherein said securing means extends from the lower distal end of each two spaced apart and substantially parallel upright sections to its upper distal end.

16. An inflatable signage support means according to claims 14 or 15 wherein said securing means extends along the lateral means and between the distal ends along said base member.

17. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein said securing means is a zipper element.

18. An inflatable signage support means according to claims 14 to 17 wherein as an alternative said securing means is a hook and lope fastening element.

19. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein said base skin is provided with signage support means securing points such as eyelets or rings -12- 19. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein said base skin is provided with signage support means securing points such as eyelets or rings or the like to said signage support means to be secured to solid ground (whether by tie-downs, pegs or the like).

20. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein said lighting means is supported by a support means positioned in the space provided by the said two upright members, said lateral section and said base member.

21. An inflatable signage support means according to claim 20 wherein said support means can be collapsed to a size which is sufficiently convenient to be transported to the degree that the deflated means of the present invention can be supported.

22. An inflatable signage support means according to either claims 20 or 21 wherein said support means includes attachments means for said lighting means.

23. An inflatable signage support means according to claim 22 wherein said attachments means are a hook and eye or can include any other attachment means.

24. An inflatable signage support means according to any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein said support means is a frame.

An inflatable signage support means according to claim 24 wherein said frame includes at least one elongate member or other structural member that is substantially located within the space created by said frame.

26. An inflatable signage support means according to either claims 24 or 25 wherein said frame is constructed of aluminium. o• *o a a.. coo• o oo •go• ooo