CA1208906A - Signs and signage systems - Google Patents

Abstract

C A N A D A

S P E C I F I C A T I O N
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Be it known that we, Letraset Limited, an English Company, of St. George's House, 195-203, Waterloo Road, London SE1 8XJ, England, are in possession of an invention entitled SIGNS AND
SIGNAGE SYSTEMS and the following disclosure contains a full description of the invention and of the best mode known to the inventors for taking advantage of same.

ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE

A sign unit is described which may be used in a variety of ways to make up signs. The unit consists of an extruded section having a flat central web (1, 30) and two flanges (27, 3, 32, 33). The outer surface of web(1) remote from the flanges can have a legend printed on it, Alternatively a sign plate (14, 15, 37, 38) may be inserted between flanges (2 and 3) and held against e.g. ribs (4) or in grooves (35, 36). The flanges or formations thereon may be dimensioned to cooperate with a holder on which the unit may be clipped. The sign unit is preferably made of aluminium alloy or rigid plastics material.

Description

~l210~9~6 Si~ns and si~na~e s~Tstems This lnvention relates to si~s and signage systems, particularly for indoor use~, A wide variety of signs and signage systems has been developed for use in buildings. Many such 5 systems are dif~icult to operate in prac-tice due to the wide variety of mechanical support and fixing means and o:E sign panels which need to be used. In additio~L, many known signage systems are inflexible and~ do not lend themselves easily to change to 10 reflect desired changes in signage, e.g, where it is desired to change one sign legend for another, Often the~entire sign must be renewed and this gives rise to difficulties in practice.
~ well-tried approach in interior signage is 15 to provide some sor-t o:E frame member into whlch sign indicia may be insertedO Examples o:E this type of signage are described inter alia in British Patent Specifications 937,188; 951,870; 966~55û;
969~500; ~72,369; 1,4049801 and United States 20 Specification 4,334,372.
~ n alternative approach which has been adopted is to provide flat panels which can be clipped to a base and which can receive sign legends. Systems of this type are described in British Patent 25 Specifications 1,532,995 and 2,034,391.
Many of these systems are dedicated to one `' ., C)6 ~ 2 --particular type of legend display and are inflexible We have now found that by careful design it is possible to produce signs and a signage system which is exceptionally versatile but which uses a relatively small number of basic components. The most fundamental componen~ which constitutes a first ~eature of -the present invention9is an extruded section which can be used either way round in signage applications,as will be described in more detail below.
Thus in accordance with a first feature of the present invention there is provided a multi-purpose sign unit consisting of an extruded section ~ormed of a ~lat centrai web and two flanges extending from the two edges thereof and both on the same side thereof, the extrusion having a generally elongated C-shape in cross section, and wherein the flat outer surface of the web on the side opposite the flanges is adapted to receive a legend and wherein the section is characterised by formations on the facing surfaces of the two flanges which formations are adapted to receive a sign plate and hold it in a position parallel to and spaced from the central web A length cut from such an extruded section may be used in one of two main ways: first,a sign legend may be applied directly -to the surface of the cen-tral web remote frorn the two flanges The mode o~
application may vary widely, for example by printing, adhesion of vinyl film letters thereto or adhesion thereto o~ translucent film carrying thereunder or having printed thereon one or more legible indicia.
Alternatively, a sign sheet may be inserted between the two flanges and supported on -the formations, the extrusion then constituting a frame for the sign sheet. Such a sign sheet may be for example a plastics sign sheet ha~ing a sign legend applied 3 ~ 8~6 thereto. The invention is of particular value with so-called sub-surface signs consisting of a sheet o~ transp&~ent or translucent plastics through which the legend is visible and right reading having the legend adhered thereto. A particularly preferred method of manufacturing such signs is claimed and described in Bri~ish Patent Specification

2,005,596.
In a particularly preferred embodiment the e~truded section comprises formations on the facing sur~aces of the two flanges which enable two plates to be inserted and held in positions parallel to and spaced ~rom the central web. The first may be a sign plate bearing a legend and the other, the more remote ~rom the central web, may be a transparent or translucent cover plate. Alternatively, an opaque cover plate ext~n~ing only part way, e.g, half way along~ the length of the piece of extrusion may be mounted in the channel more remote from the ~o cen-tral web and may be slidable in the channel to expose or cover a legend on the sign plate between it and the central web.
Extruded sign componen-ts according to the present invention may be used singly in either o~ -the two ways indicated above. They are also particularly well adapted for use in pairs. Thus for example two identical sec-tions may be assembIed with their flanges and accordingly hollow sides ~acing one another. Alternatively, the two ch~nnel sec-tions may be welded or otherwise secured back to bac~ and the same or different signs inserted into each of the frames thereby formed, In order to use the extruded sections to the best advantage, a number of accessories may be provided. For example base members may be provided having projections thereon over which the extruded ~2~

sec-tions may be clipped with the two flanges resiliently engaging formations on the base member in the fashion of a spring clipo In a particularly preferred embodiment, the outwardly facing surfaces 5 of the two flanges bear a key con~iguration groove, i.e. a groove of wider cross section more remote from the ex-ternal surface of the ~lange than nearer to it. The cross section may be a dovetail or other suitable key configuration. Preferably such configuration is located substan-tially hal~way across the ~lange in order that two such configurations lie the same distance apart when two extruded sections are placed back to back as when they are placed front to front. Simple extruded key pieces may be used in connection with such key con~igurations to link two extruded sections together.
A further way in which the sign unit may be used is as a receiving unit for a tile holder, into which tile holder tiles bearing 9 e.g. letters or numbers may be interchangeably inserted. This way of using the unit is useful where there is a need to vary sign information.
The extruded sign unit may be made of any suitable material, Aluminium alloy extrusions are preferred, though rigid plastics can be used also.
The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a cross section of an extruded component according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a cross section of the sign component according to the invention mounted on a wall in use as a first sur~ace sign;
Figure 3 is a similar view showing the component of the invention used as a sign frame with a sub~surface sign;
Figure 4 is a section through a flag sign formed 39Q~

usi.ng two components according to the invention, Figure- 5 is a cross section through an alternative form of flag sign;
Figure 6 is a cross section through a desk bar again using the component according to the invention, Figure 7 is a cross section t~rough an alternative form of desk bar;
Figure 8 is a cross section of an alternative embodiment showing its use as a component of a variable sign Figure 9 is a cross section through a third embodiment, Figures 10, 11 and 12 are cross sections through signs made using the third embodiment;
Figures 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 show in perspective part exploded view further types of sign made using the third embodiment and using a variety of accessory pieces;
Figure 18 shows how a sign made up using the extrusions shown in Figures 9 and 12 may be enclosed in an outer ~rame;
Figures 19 and 20 show in exploded view hanging sign configurations;
Figure 21 shows a flag sign configuration, and Figure 22 shows a desk bar.
Referring to Figures 1 to 8 o~ the drawings, each shows in cross section one or more extruded components, as shown in Figure 1 or 8. The extruded component consists o~ a central web 1 and two flanges 2, 3. Moulded integrally with ~langes 2, 3 are two upst~n~ing ribs. viz. an outer rib 4 and an inner rib 5. In the case of Figures 1 to 7, moulded integrally with central web 1 is a pair of ribs 6 defining the centre of the web and constituting a guide for attachment of the extruded section. ~n the case of Figure 8, a central groove 20 is formed on w~b 1, . J

6- ~LZ~9~6 Not all o~ the ribs 4, 5 and 6 are used in all sign applications. Thus for example Figure 2 shows the use of ribs 4 and 5 to clip the extruded section over a bracket 7 itself fixed -to a fixed structure 5 8 such as a wall or notice-board by means o~ a bolt 9. Component 7 may likewise be made from an extruded plastics section or it may be a moulded plastics unit. Ribs 4 and 5 clip resiliently on to beads 10 on component 7. As shown in Figure 2, two or more extruded sections may be loc~ted side b~ side.
Figure 3 shows the extruded section moun-ted on a wall 12 by means of a screw 13 the head of which fits between ribs 6. A sign plate 14 is spring-clipped between flanges 2 and 3 and held verticalby rîbs 4.
Figures 4 and 5 show dou~le sided sign units formed by two extrusions. In the case where webs 1 are adjacent9 each extrusion has a sign shee-t 15 clipped into it. In both cases a generally re&tangular plastics end cap may be used to unite the two extrusions and hold them together.
Figures 6 and 7 show desk bars, where two extrusions are held between two plastics end caps 16 each o~ which consists of a base o~ the shape of an equilateral triangle with its corners cut o~f and a side wall of hexagonal shape with three longer sides and three shorter. In the desk bar of Figure 7~ the legend is on its two clipped-in sign sheets 17, Figure 8 shows a sign consisting o~ three componen-ts, viæ. a sign unit according to the in.vention, a tile holder insert 21 and a set of tiles 22. The holder 21 fits in place between ribs 4 and web 1 and has a grooved face with grooves 23. Interchangeable tiles ~5 22 have rearward resilient ribs 24 on one face which .~ are dimensioned -to ~i-t into grooves 23 and bear ., . _ .. ... .

- 7 - ~ Z ~
against the flanks o~ grooves 2~ to hold tile 22 in place as illustrated. Two associated ribs 25 abut the sur~ace o~ holder 21 to ensure that the plane o~ tile 22 is parallel to the plane of web 1.
Le-tters, numbers or other symbols are e~g. printed on to the ~ace o~ each tile 22 opposite ribs 24 and 25.
Referring now to Figures 9 to 22, these show the use of an extruded section of di~ferent configuration. As is clear from Figure 9 the extruded con~iguration consists of a central web 30 having a centre groove 31 ~ormed on one side thereof and having two ~langes 32~ 33 extPn~;ng each side. Each ~lange has an external key con~iguration groove 34 and two internal ~acing grooves 35 closer to web 30 and 36 more remote therefrom. Plates such as sign panels 37 or translucent protective sheets 38 may be inserted into the pairs o~ grooves as shown in Figures 1Q and 11. Also a ribbed plate 48 may be inserted between grooves 35 which may receive letter-carrying tiles 39 each of which has a pair of resilient prongs 40 on its rear ~ace which is engaged in the groo~es in plate 48. To complete such a sign which is shown in detail in Figure 12 and in exploded ~orm in Figure 13 a transparent plate 41 may be fitted into grooves 36. The ends of such a sign may be finished by injection moulded plastics end members 42 which have a pair of prongs 43 moulded thereon which are a press-fit in grooves 34.
Fig~e 14 shows a simple ~orm of sign consisting o~` a single piece extrusion carrying a sign sheet 50 the sign being ~inished wi-th end plates 42. The sign may be a~ixed to e.g. a wall using screws 51 which pass through holes 52 drilled in the centre o~
the web 30. The groove 31 ensures that both holes are drilled centrally.
. .

~L2 Figure 15 shows an alternative,approach where the flat outer face o~ web 30 is used for the sign.
In this case, a mounting panel 52 having a pair of holes 53,through which screws paSS9is mounted on a wa~ or the like with suitable spacing means between plate 52 and the wall. The extrusion is then slid on with its flat face outwards and end caps 42 press fitted in the usual way, Figure 16 shows in expIoded view how an array of extruded sections may be placed on a wall fitted by means of simple bent flat metal clips 60 in~o sections 61 which are mounted e.g. on a wall and which ha~e apertures 62 into which the clips 60 are a spring fit.
15An alternative fixture system using clips 70 - which fit into grooves 34 is shown in Figure 17.
All the clips 70 are identical and are made of spring steel. They fit into successive slots in a section, ~or example, a metal se,tion 72, the edge of each clip 70 fitting into an edge of a rectangular aperture 73 punched in the central web of member 72 End caps 42 fit on to the ends of -the extrusions by means of prongs as described above.
Figure 18 shows a sign in accordance with Figure 17 and protected by an exterior frame consisting of top and bottom members 80,two end plates 81 and a transparent front panel 82 which fits in opposed grooves 83 on members 80. Members 80 contain holes 84 a~ their ends into which fixing screws 85 fit to hold panel 81 in place3 This sort of signage construction is of particular value in large directory signs, e,g. for use in the entrance lobbies of office blocks, Figure 19 shows how the sign consisting of a section of extrusion and a sigrn plate 90 can be suspended by means of a wire 91 which passes through -- 9 - ~z~

the interior of the section~ A small extruded link piece 92 fits in two grooves 34 to link two adjacent extruded sections together. Figure 20 shows a more substantial sign construction, again suspended by a wire 91 which hangs the sign up via a further extruded sectîon 93 which engages,in two grooves 34 of two side by side by side lying extruded sec-tions, the web 30 o~ each o~ which bears a'desired legend.
The ends of these hanging signs are closed as previously by end caps 42.
A flag sign is shown in Figure 21 consisting of two extrusion sections, an extrusion l;nk;ng section 9~, two end caps 42 and mounting bracket 95, e.g.
formed of plastics by impact moulding. The bracket 95 is placed on a wall and the section hung eOg. by means o~ a screw 96 which is driven into groove ~4 from the end and which fits into a slot 97 on clip 95.
Finally, Figure 22 shows the use of a further simple extruded section 98 which has a bead which, can slide into groove 34. A desk bar can simply be made out of an extruded section, two end caps 42 and a suitable legend-bearing sign plate. Extrusion 98 may have two holes~ 997 bored in it through which screws 100 may pass to attach a desk bar to a desk.

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Claims (9)

The embodiments of the invention, in which a exclusive privilege or property is claimed, are defined as follows:

1. A multi-purpose sign unit consisting of an extruded section formed of a flat central web and two flanges, the flanges extending from the two edges of the central web and lying both on the same side of the plane of the central web, the extrusion having a generally elongated C-shape in cross section, and a flat outer surface of the web on the side opposite the flanges which surface is adapted to receive a legend and formations on the facing surfaces of the two flanges which formations are adapted to receive a sign plate and hold it in a position parallel to and spaced from the central web.

2. The sign unit of claim 1 wherein at least one of the flanges and the formations thereon are sufficiently resilient to enable the sign unit to be spring clipped over a suitable base member.

3. The sign unit of claim 1 wherein the formations include two pairs of grooves, two in each flange, adapted to receive two sign plates such that both are held parallel to and spaced from the central web at differing distances therefrom.

4. The sign unit of claim 1 wherein the outwardly facing face of each of the flanges has a key configuration groove therein.

5. The sign unit of claim 4 wherein the grooves are located halfway up the unit when the flat outer surface of the unit is in a horizontal plane.

6. A sign comprising at least one sign unit according to claim 1 and having a sign legend applied to the surface of the central web remote from the flanges.

7. A sign consisting of at least one sign unit in accordance with claim 1 together with at least one sign plate held between the two flanges of the sign unit(s).

8. The sign of claim 7 and including end pieces press fitted into the ends of the sign unit(s).

9. The sign of claim 7 and including a plurality of sign units each resiliently clipped to at least one mounting rail.