EP0020046A1

EP0020046A1 - A method for the production of numerals and a comprehensive numeral convertible into other numerals

Info

Publication number: EP0020046A1
Application number: EP80301556A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Donald Robb
Original assignee: Reilor Ltd
Current assignee: Reilor Ltd
Priority date: 1979-05-17
Filing date: 1980-05-13
Publication date: 1980-12-10
Also published as: GB2050029A

Abstract

By means of a standard, comprehensive numeral, chosen numerals in the set 1 to 9 and 0 can be prepared therefrom, thus simplifying manufacturing tooling and overcoming the problem of stock shortages resulting from the greater demand for certain numerals.

The comprehensive numeral can be an 8 of stylised, rectilinear form which is traversed by an array of scores or lines of weakness (b), the lines being aligned with the internal edges defining the two openings in the numeral. By detaching selected portions (a, a¹, a²...d, d¹, d², d³) from the numeral 8, any of the numbers 0 to 7 and 9 can be produced.

The numerals can be used for signs such a house numbers.

Description

This invention relates to an improved method for the production of numerals and numerals produced in accordance with the method.
Numerals are used for a multifarious variety of purposes for numbering houses etc. Normally a stock of ten numerals have had to be kept by distributors, wholesalers and retailers. The demand for certain numerals may be greater than for other numerals and hence maintaining adequate stocks of numerals for customers is complicated. An object of the invention is to avoid the above drawbacks by reducing to one the number of numerals to be stocked.
According to the invention there is provided a method for the production of numerals characterised by selecting a basic numeral, marking the basic numeral (along b) for severance to produce other numerals within the set 1 to 9 and 0 and severing selected unrequired residue (a, _a ^l, _a ² _{... d}, _d ^l, _d ², d³) from the basic numeral to produce a remainder of the basic numeral which constitutes a chosen numeral.
Advantageously, the basic numeral is an 8 from which all the other numerals from 0 to 7 and 9 can be derived, An alternative to the 8 might be chosen but then fewer numerals could be derived by practising the present method.
The invention also provides a basic shape adapted to be converted into other numerals within the set 1 to 9 and.0, characterised in that the basic shape comprises the outline of a comprehensive number which is one numeral of the set, the shape possessing markings or lines (b) of weakness defining selected portions of the shape which are detachable selectively therefrom to leave a remnant of the shape constituting a chosen numeral. Again, the preferred severable shape has the outline of the numeral 8.
It will be appreciated that the unrequired residue severed from the basic numeral shape in producing a given numeral would constitute integral portions of other numerals which might instead be produced from the basic numeral shape.
The invention will be described now by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings:-

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a numeral 8;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of numeral 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 9 formed from the numeral 8 showing the discarded material by dotted lines;
Fig. 3 is a plan view from below of the numeral 8 showing markings or score lines indicating the material to be discarded to create any particular numeral from 0 - 7 and 9.

Fig. 1 shows a stylised numeral 8 and Fig. 2 shows the numerals produced by severing and discarding the material not required for any one of the numerals 0 - 7 and 9.
Fig. 3 shows the demarcation lines b on the numerals for the production of a particular number. As will be seen, the lines b traverse the stylised, rectilinear 8 and are aligned with its internal edges which border the upper and lower openings of the numeral.
In forming the numeral 0 the surplus material a is discarded.
Two numerals 1 are available by discarding the material a, a¹, a² _;. The numeral 2 is formed by discarding the material c, c¹ and d³ and for the numeral 3 by discarding the material c¹ and c³.
The numeral 4 is formed by discarding the material a¹, a², c³ and c4 and the numeral 5 by discarding the material c³ and d^l, or alternatively c³, d and d.
The numerals 6 and 9 are formed by discarding the material d and d¹ or alternatively only the material d³ and the numeral 7 by discarding the material a¹, a², c², c³, c⁴ and optionally the material _c ^l _.
The numerals may be produced by injection moulding from plastics material or by cutting from sheet plastics material formed of less thickness along the demarcation lines b to facilitate cutting or breaking along the lines for the required numeral.
Alternatively the numeral 8 may be of metal with grooves or partial shear, to form the demarcation lines b and which may be visible on the front or back of the numeral 8.
An impact adhesive with closed cell foam is applied to the back of the numeral, with a protective cover or liner for stripping off prior to applying the chosen numeral to a door or other surface or anchorage.
Attachment of the numeral to a substrate can be made by pins or screws instead of by means of an adhesive.
Alternatively other numerals than 8 may be selected as the basic number, but then it will not be possible to derive all the numbers from 1 to 9 and 0. For example, if the chosen basic numeral were 6 or 9, only the numerals other than 0, 2, 3 and 8 could be obtained.
It is envisaged that the comprehensive numerals convertible into other numerals could be educationally useful, and for use as an educational toy could be supplied without any anchoring means such as adhesive, pins or screws.
As will be recognised, adoption of a single comprehensive numeral, ready weakened, represents a significant advantage to the user, as well as simplifying manufacture and keeping expensive tooling costs to the very minimum.

Claims

1. A method for the production of numerals characterised by selecting a basic numeral, marking the basic numeral-(along b) for severance to produce other numerals within the set 1 to 9 and 0 and severing selected unrequired residue (a, a¹, a² ... d, d¹, d², d³) from the basic numeral to produce a remainder of the basic numeral which constitutes a chosen numeral.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised by selecting 8 as the basic numeral, marking the numeral 8 along lines (b) which traverse the 8 for severance to produce numerals from 0 - 7 arid 9 and then severing the unrequired residue to leave a remnant constituting the chosen numeral.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that the 8 is severable along lines crossing the 8 which are aligned with internal borders defining the upper and lower openings of the 8.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that anchoring means is applied to a surface of the basic numeral for use in securing the chosen.numerals prepared therefrom to a substrate.

5. A basic shape adapted to be converted into other numerals within the set 1 to 9 and 0, characterised in that the basic shape comprises the outline of a comprehensive number which is one numeral of the set, the shape possessing markings or lines (b) of weakness defining selected portions of the shape which are detachable selectively therefrom to leave a remnant of the shape constituting a chosen numeral.

6. A basic shape according to claim 5, characterised by being in the form of the number 8, the shape possessing markings or lines of weakness (b) defining selected portions of the shape detachable selectively therefrom to leave a remnant of the shape, the form of remnants producible from the shape being representative of all the numbers from 1 to 9 and 0.

7. A basic shape according to claim 6 which comprises the form of a stylised rectilinear numeral 8, characterised by the lines of weakness (b) traversing the shape in alignment with internal borders defining the upper and lower openings of the 8.