EP0675475B1 - Information panels which can be disassembled - Google Patents

Abstract

The sign is made from a supporting panel (10) and one or more indicator plates (12, 14) which are attached to it. The indicator plates are joined to the supporting panel by studs (30), each with a head (34) and neck (33), projecting from the back of the plates and engaging with holes (24) and adjoining slots (26) in the supporting panel. Once the indicator plates have been fitted into place on the supporting panel they can be locked with the aid of rods (45) inserted into grooves (40, 42) in the two components which align when they are fitted together. The supporting panel can be made up from a number of separate sections joined by hooks and slots. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to signboards used both inside buildings and outside to give directions to passers-by. Such panels are usually made of a solid and chemically inert material, such as aluminum or certain rigid plastics, to ensure both good mechanical strength and good presentation even in difficult environments.

The invention relates more particularly to such panels which are easily removable to allow rapid change of indications, when desired. The locking must then be effective and difficult to access by unauthorized persons.

The document GB 491 649 describes a panel used as a vehicle license plate comprising a support plate having on its upper and lower edge a series of holes in which can be inserted studs integral with metal figures or plates bearing a number or letter. A frame is threaded over the edges of the support plate to lock these numbers or plates once placed in position.

Document FR 2 308 151 describes a similar license plate in which the support plate is divided into two superimposed horizontal slides produced by an external frame and a central wall. One of the side edges of the frame can be pivoted around one of its ends to allow insertion by side sliding of number holder plates.

However, in these panels, the height of the plates is determined by construction, which makes them not applicable for multipurpose use. In addition, the frame required for locking is aesthetically very heavy.

Document EP 0 399 957 describes a sign comprising a support plate obtained by extrusion and having on its two faces longitudinal grooves in the form of a dovetail. The indicator plates are also extruded with one or more retaining profiles according to their height, which allows them to be engaged on the front face of the support plate. Lateral locking bars are screwed into the support plate and then covered by a decorative bar, which constitutes a heavy and complicated locking device. The support plate has, in its upper and lower edge respectively a groove and a connecting pin for a second support plate which can be brought back without having to disassemble the first.

The document CH 629 615 describes a similar signboard in which the locking is effected by an internal rod inserted in a transverse groove passing astride the grooves of the support plate and the profiles of the plates. The rod has a thick upper head allowing it to remain suspended in the groove.

If these signs already appear a little more elegant than the license plates, it should however be noted that the height of the support plates is limited by the dimensions of the manufacturing process. In addition, these support plates are necessarily produced in a significant thickness, of the order of 8 millimeters, to allow the correct execution of the grooves by the extrusion process. Furthermore, since a die is a very heavy installation, obtaining such extruded plates is limited to a few suppliers.

Finally, when installing such panels, each indicator plate must be slid along of its profiles. Either the dimensions of the retaining profiles are substantially equal to the dimensions of the grooves, and the sliding is done with more or less jamming points; or the dimensions are smaller and there is a risk of some flapping of the plates relative to the support plate. Above all, such panels must be installed at a minimum distance corresponding to once their width relative to a lateral obstacle, otherwise it is impossible to slide the plate in and out of its position.

An object of the present invention is a removable sign, comprising a support plate against which are attached one or more nameplates or signs, which is achievable in a range of heights and widths much larger to accommodate signs of shape and more varied sizes, an installed support plate which can, if desired, be enlarged by one or more additional modules. On the other hand, it is desirable that the panel can be made in a small thickness to present a certain elegance already in the form of easel on table, in suspension, in flag, on legs, on cable or in totem.

Another object is a sign that can be produced from material currently available on the market in standardized form, and this easily to reduce manufacturing costs accordingly.

Another object is a sign from which it is easy to remove, replace and lock the nameplates, and this reliably without sophisticated special tools.

These goals are achieved because the support plate has, in its thickness, at least one housing oriented substantially in the plane of the plate and opening into an opening in the front face, and the fact that the plate or plates have, in correspondence, a hook protruding from its front face, this hook being able to be introduced into the opening by a movement substantially orthogonal to the plane, then to be inserted into the housing by a movement in the plane; locking means preventing any further movement in this plane.

Preferably, the hook is in the form of a cylindrical pin surmounted by an inverted conical head, the support plate having, above the corresponding housing, a buttonhole formed by a circular opening of diameter greater than the base of the head, opening which is extended by a channel of width slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical pin.

Advantageously, the housing is vertical with its opening at its upper end. Then, the weight of the insert prevents it from coming out of itself. When the housing is horizontal with its opening at one of its ends, a locking means can be a pin or screw passing orthogonally through the plate and the support plate; or a vertical rod inserted in a groove partially formed in both the plate and the support plate. Advantageously, an upper plate with horizontal displacement can lock in position a lower plate with vertical displacement.

It is thus possible to produce hook and housing pairs at any point on a base plate, the dimensions of which are therefore no longer dependent on the method of fixing the plates. Since it is the dimensions of the housing relative to the dimensions of the hook which determine the firmness of the support, it is possible to provide openings which are sufficiently wide to facilitate the insertion of these hooks, the connection between the opening and the housing being made of gradually. The installation of a plate is then very easy.

Advantageously, the support plate can be produced in two plates: a posterior in which is machined the opening, and if desired a channel; and an anterior in which the housing is machined, these two plates being joined together by spot bonding, welding or crimping.

According to another embodiment, a series of superimposed parallel buttonholes is produced, the ends of the channels of which are aligned, in an intermediate plate which is attached to the base plate above a cavity forming a common housing. When the cavity opens into one of the edges of the plate, the locking means can consist of a bar inserted in the cavity at the level of the openings.

The cavity can be bordered on either side of a seat so that the installed intermediate plate is at the rear face of the plate.

Usefully, a lateral notch is provided in the lower part of the cavity intended to receive a hook from an additional support plate or from an underlying bar for holding the locking bar.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un panneau standard selon l'invention, et
• la figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective, partiellement éclatée, d'un panneau modulaire selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood from the study of embodiments taken without any limitation being implied and described by the following figures:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a standard panel according to the invention, and
• Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view, partially exploded, of a modular panel according to the invention.

In Figure 1 is illustrated a standard sign according to the invention, in disassembled form. By "standard" is meant a sign which the mode of use is known in advance, and which therefore includes a predetermined number of signs and signs, these signs and blades having a shape and arrangement pre-established for the given use. . For example, the panel shown in Figure 1 is more particularly intended to be fixed to an entrance door of an office, this panel indicating the part number, the acronym of the company or administration concerned, and the name and / or the functions of the people working in this office. If necessary, the length of this panel can be increased by adding additional underlying panels which can accommodate the same categories of signage plates, with a minor modification to the locking device.

As illustrated, this panel first comprises a base plate 10 provided with chamfered orifices 19 enabling this plate to be fixed to the door by means of conical head screws or double-sided adhesive.

This plate 10 then comprises, in its thickness, a plurality of horizontal buttonholes 20 and vertical buttonholes 22. Each buttonhole consists of a circular inlet opening 24 extended, horizontally or vertically, by a channel 26 partially closing an underlying housing 28. One end of the housing 28 corresponds to the inlet 24, the part of the housing underlying the channel being of width identical to the diameter of this inlet 24, and of length at least equal to that of the channel to which is added once the value of the radius of the input 24.

Each buttonhole can be easily machined directly, for example, by first milling in the front face of the plate 10, the housing 28 with a depth substantially equal to half the thickness of the plate; then by piercing the entrance 24; and finally by milling by a lateral displacement the channel 26 with a smaller tool.

As an alternative, the base plate 10 can be composed of two plates added against each other, and each having a thickness substantially equal to half of the desired final thickness. Then, the realization of the housing 28 consists of a drilling followed by a lateral milling at through the front plate, and the production of the buttonhole is carried out by drilling the inlet 24, then milling the channel 26 with a smaller tool. Maintaining the front and rear plates can be achieved by gluing over the entire contact face. Alternatively, these plates can be punctually welded together in a controlled manner, that is to say by capacitive discharge. As an alternative, these plates can be riveted together or crimped on either side of a connection crimping pin.

These support plates 10 are normally cut to the desired format according to their function from metal sheets, or from rigid plastic or resin reinforced with fibers, of large dimensions commonly obtained in commerce. The dimensions of each support plate are therefore limited only by the dimensions of the initial sheets available.

As illustrated on the right-hand side of this FIG. 1, each nameplate has, on its front face, several hooking pins 30 provided for being inserted into the corresponding buttonholes 20, 22 of the base plate 10. More precisely, each attachment pin 30 comprises a cylindrical pin 33 intended to be housed in the channel 26, which cylindrical pin is surmounted by an inverted conical head 34 intended to take place inside the housing 28.

Each pin 30 could be cut from the mass of the wafer. However, it turns out to be more practical to complete each pin of a base 32 which is then fixed, by gluing, spot welding or crimping, in a milled housing in the front face of each plate.

As illustrated, the front face of the plate 12 is brought against the rear face of the base plate 10 until the conical heads 34 pass through the buttonhole inlets 24 in a movement perpendicular to the plane of the plate 10; then this plate 12 is offset laterally, in this case to the right, so as to engage these conical heads 34 in the housings 28, thus achieving a firm and very discreet attachment of the plate against the base plate.

The base plate 10 illustrated in this FIG. 1 is designed to receive two lower sign plates 16 which engage in an up and down movement and in its upper part, a substantially square upper right sign plate as well as an upper sign plate substantially rectangular left, these last two plates being horizontally engaged. As can be seen, the installation of the upper plates prevents the lower blades from rising, which are therefore locked in place. It therefore suffices to lock the left upper plate 14 to also lock the right upper plate 12 in place.

To lock the last plate, a groove 40 is cut in the rear surface of the base plate 10 and, in correspondence, a groove 42 in the front face of the plate 14. Once the plate 14 is in place, the grooves 40 and 42 facing each other constitute a housing in which a rod 45 can be inserted preventing any later lateral translation of this latter plate 14.

In the example illustrated, the lower blade 16 has no grooves so that the lower end of the rod 45 comes to rest on the upper edge of this blade 16. When desired, it is always possible to insert a thin rod, for example an open paper clip, in the lower part of the base groove 40 to lift the locking rod 45 until its upper end emerges from the upper edge of the plate 10. This rod can then be grasped manually by the high to be removed. The plate 14 can be removed, we can then successively dismantle the plate 12, then the lower identification plates 16 for change, when necessary.

In the particular case where the sign does not include any lower blade with vertical displacement, such as for example, a panel having only one large sign "Meeting room" or "Photocopy room", we close the end lower of the groove 40 by a stopper 49 housed in a transverse groove 48.

If we lengthen the initial panel by adding an underlying complementary panel, we simply change the initial rod 45 for a longer one.

As we could see from reading the previous presentation, the method of fixing the plates on the support plate is independent of their shape. The shape of this base plate can therefore be free: square, rectangular, but also triangular or hexagonal. At the same time, the nameplates are also cut from large initial sheets, for example, aluminum sheets and can even, if desired, have dimensions that extend beyond those of the base plate 10 or vice versa.

The nameplates are either painted, anodized or brushed. The indications 18 can be either painted, or printed by screen printing, or engraved, or simply formed by an adhesive sheet. As an alternative, it is also possible to envisage providing, in the thickness of a wafer, a window closed on the front face by a transparent plastic window, which makes it possible to install without further a card decorated by the user.

In Figure 2 is illustrated a second embodiment of a so-called "modular" sign allowing installation, as required, of the blades signage 160 carrying indications 168 in any of the vertical positions, the base plate 100 being able to be supplemented at any time with complementary plates 105 to increase the number of possible signs. Although slightly more expensive to realize, this panel finds its application more particularly in companies or administrations having to constantly revise their organization as and when economic developments.

As illustrated, the particularity of this panel is that the base plate 100 has two vertical series of parallel buttonholes whose ends of the channels are aligned. To reduce as much as possible the vertical pitch between two buttonholes, alternating buttonholes 120 with long channel and buttonholes 122 with short channel so that the inlet orifices are staggered. It is thus possible to reduce the pitch between each buttonhole to a value only of the order of 5 millimeters. Thus, the height of the sign plates 160 is free as long as it is a multiple of this step.

The production of these series of buttonholes is carried out using a pair of intermediate plates 102, also called "racks", in which only the series of buttonholes are drilled. These racks are also pierced with several pairs of orifices 136 provided for their fixing against the base plate 100.

In the base plate 100 is milled a pair of vertical cavities 114 which will constitute, once the racks 102 are installed, the housings 128 for the heads of latching pins 162. The vertical lateral edges of these cavities 114 are milled to mid height in rack seats 112 making it possible to bring the front face of these racks level with the front face of the base plate 100.

These intermediate plates or racks 102 can be fixed to the base plate 100 by gluing along the seats 112. As an alternative, and as illustrated, these racks 102 can be fixed by riveting or crimping by means of rivets or fixing pins symbolized by the parts 135, these parts coming to be housed in fixing seats 116, specially fitted in the rack seats 112.

Usefully, provision is made for notches 170 in the lower part of one of the seats 112, therefore lateral notches with respect to the cavity 114. These notches 170 can receive hooks 175 completing the upper edge of a plate complementary 105 furnished with a pair of complementary racks 140 in alignment with the pair of racks 102 of the base plate 100. The lower part of the housing 128 of this complementary modular plate 105 also includes a notch 170 so as to receive a finishing strip 109.

When all the sign plates 160 are installed against the base plate 100 (and optionally the complementary plate 105), all the hooking pins 162 are found along the same alignment corresponding to the end of the buttonhole channels 120, 122. It is then possible to insert a locking bar 177 in one of the housings 114/128 behind these latching pins 162 to prevent any lateral translation of the blades 160 liable to cause them to come out of their buttonholes.

The underlying final bar 109 is then installed by engaging its hooks 175 in the notches 170 of the last plate 105. Finally, the locking bar 177 is pushed back down using a thin rod, or a paper clip unfolded and inserted from top to bottom through the hole 179. The locking bar 177 thus simultaneously blocks the hooks 175 of the final bar 109. The first disassembly step consists in lifting the bar 177 with a paper clip inserted through orifice 178 of the final strip 109.

As we have seen on reading this presentation, the signboards according to the invention can be produced in any size, the maximum being those of the sheets of material: aluminum or plastic or rigid resin, available on the market. The hooking mode by simple penetration, then translation, and locking by simple insertion of a rod or bar can be easily carried out by any person. This locking being discreet, it cannot, however, be immediately guessed by a malicious passer-by.

Many modifications and improvements can be made to this panel within the scope of the claims.

Claims (10)

1. Information panel which can be disassembled, comprising a supporting plate (10) against which are attached one or more small information plates or strips (12, 14, 16), characterized in that the supporting plate (10) has, in its thickness, at least one housing (28) positioned substantially in the plane of the plate and emerging in an opening (24) in the front face, and in that the small plate or plates (12, 14, 16) have a corresponding hook (30) protruding from its or their front face, this hook being capable of being inserted into the opening (24) by a movement essentially perpendicular to the plane of the support, and then of being inserted in the housing (28) by a movement substantially in the plane of the support; locking means (40, 42, 45) preventing any subsequent movement of the small plate in this plane.
2. Information panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook (30) is in the form of a cylindrical peg (33) surmounted by an inverted conical head (34), the supporting plate (10) having, above the corresponding housing (28), a buttonhole (20) formed of a circular opening (24) having a diameter larger than the base of the head (34), an opening which is extended by a channel (26) having a width slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical peg (33).
3. Information panel according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that a housing (28) is vertical with its opening (24) at its upper end.
4. Information panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a housing (28) is horizontal and in that the means of locking are a pin or screw passing at right angles through the small plate and the supporting plate; or a vertical rod (45) inserted in a groove (40, 42) provided partially in the small plate (14) and at the same time in the supporting plate (10).
5. Information panel according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that an upper small plate with a horizontal movement (14) locks in place a lower small plate (16) with a vertical movement.
6. Information panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting plate (10) is made of two plates : a rear plate in which the opening (24) is machined, and if desired a channel (26); and a front plate in which the housing (28) is machined, these two plates being joined by spot gluing, welding or crimping.
7. Information panel according to claim 1, characterized in that a series of superimposed parallel buttonholes (120, 122), with the ends of their channels aligned, are made in an intermediate plate (102) which is connected to the base plate (100) above a cavity (114) forming a common housing.
8. Information panel according to claim 7, characterized in that when the cavity (114) emerges on one of the edges of the plate (100), the locking means comprise a bar (117) inserted into the cavity (114) at the level of the buttonholes (120, 122).
9. Information panel according to claim 7, characterized in that the cavity (114) is bordered either side by a seating (112) so that the intermediate plate (102) when fitted is at the level of the rear face of the supporting plate (100).
10. Information panel according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that a lateral recess (170) is provided in the lower part of the cavity (114) to receive a hook (175) of a supplementary supporting plate (105), or a small subjacent bar (109) for holding the locking bar (177).

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