GB2109607A

GB2109607A - Display sign

Info

Publication number: GB2109607A
Application number: GB08134293A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nigel Howard Stocks
Original assignee: OLDHAM SIGN SERVICES Ltd
Current assignee: OLDHAM SIGN SERVICES Ltd
Priority date: 1981-11-13
Filing date: 1981-11-13
Publication date: 1983-06-02
Also published as: GB2109607B

Abstract

A display sign Figs. 1 & 3 for a garage forecourt is made up of display panels 46 mounted behind screens 30, one or more of the panels being slidable downwardly by means of a handle 74 so that the material displayed can be changed. Each panel has bent-over tongues (54, 56, 58) at its upper edge to form spring clips to hold display material and is slid into position up guide channels 50 until an aperture (52) registers with a key- operated lock 66. In order to change the display in the embodiment of Fig. 13, the panel is unlocked, the screen 112 is swung outwardly, and then the display panel 120 is lifted up to clear a ledge 130, swung outwards at the bottom end and then slid downwardly guided by pins slidably-engaging channels (126). The sign may be illuminated by tubes (110). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Display signs This invention relates to display signs and suitably relates to a display sign which can be used for example in the forecourt of a garage.

As is well known, the forecourt of a garage may well have a multiplicity of signs carrying advertising posters showing prices, type of petrol available, whether credit cards are accepted and so on. These signs are, for reasons of space utilisation and viewability, usually mounted at or above eye level, and consequently when the displayed material has to be changed, it is usually necessary for a staff member to climb a ladder or steps to attain proper access to the sign. Display signs are required to be changed frequently and therefore the existing signs cause considerable inconvenience and danger when they have to be changed.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a display sign comprises at least one display panel adapted for mounting on a support means at a height suitable for display and preferably within reach of an average sized human being, said display panel comprising a protective front screen behind which is a support panel mounted for vertical sliding movement, said display panel carrying the display material which is to be changed, and being slidable downwardly and clear of the protective screen for changing of the display material. Preferably, the display sign also has a lock for locking the sliding support panel in the display position.

The said lock is preferably key operated, so that it can be released only by authorised personnel.

There may be two of said display panels arranged back to back on a support stanchion and each having a sliding frame, or the sign may in fact comprise four panels arranged in a square array, the said display panels having the sliding panels being arranged opposite, and being connected at the sides by permanent display panels, for advertising, for example, permanent display material. Each of said permanent display panels may comprise a screen carrying the display material.

It will be understood that the material displayed by the sliding panels can be changed easily by unlocking the locks, sliding the slidable panels downwardly, altering the display material, and sliding the panels back upwardly into position behind the respective protective screens. It should be noted that it is preferred that the sliding panels be so constructed and mounted so as not to be detachable from the sign.

In a modification, the protective screen is pivotable about its top edge so that the bottom edge can be swung outwardly. It can be held in this position by positioning support struts appropriately. The sliding panel carrying the display material as well as being slidable downwardly, can also be pivoted about its upper end as it slides downwardly thereby to present the sliding panel in a convenient manner for changing the material displayed. Suitably, in order to slide the sliding panel downwardly, it is first of all raised so that the bottom edge clears a retaining plate, the bottom edge is swung outwardly, and then the sliding panel is allowed to slide downwardly.To this end the sliding panel may have pins carrying rollers which engage in channels or grooves of the corresponding framework to facilitate the sliding of the sliding panel and also to prevent the panel from being removed from the sign.

The lock may serve to lock the protective screen in position in this embodiment so that only by unlocking the protective screen can the displayed material be changed.

The said protective screens may be held by a framework formed of metal or plastics extrusions, which extrusions are shaped to hold the protective and permanent screens (which may be of glass or plastics material) resiliently by means of a sealing strip held by a portion of the extrusion. The frame members may be jointed at the corners and fixed together by means of fixing brackets and fixing bolts.

The display sign according to the first aspect of the invention may be provided with its own stanchion or pedestal, but the invention in its preferred form as will become clear from the description of the embodiments, also provides another aspect which is a display sign designed for mounting on, for example, existing stanchions of garage forecourts.

According to the second aspect of the invention, a display sign is for mounting on existing stanchions of garage forecourts, and comprises display panels arranged edge to edge with the free edge of the first panel adjacent the free edge of the last panel so that a closed loop of panels is formed and inside the loop is means for fixing the sign to for example, an existing stanchion of a garage forecourt so that the panels extend round the stanchion.

Preferably, there are four such panels in the sign.

Any one or each of the panels may have a sliding panel as aforesaid.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display sign according to one embodiment of the invention, when mounted on the stanchion; Fig. 1 A is a plan view of the sign of Fig. 1, showing its mounting on the stanchion; Fig. 1 B is a side view of the sign, looking in the direction of arrow X in Fig. 1 A; Fig. 2 is a side view of one of the changeable display panels of the sign; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a detail of the sign; Fig. 4 is a side view, from the inside of the sign of one of the changeable display panels; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing in detail; Fig. 6 is a rear view of one of the sliding panels of the sign;; Figs. 7 and 8 are detailed sectional views respectively taken on lines A-A and B-B of Fig.

6; Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the sliding panel in the "up" position, also illustrating the lock for the sliding panel; Fig. 10 is a view of the lock of a sliding panel illustrated in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the lock of Fig. 10 the section being taken on the line B-B of Fig.

10; Fig. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a sign according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 1 3 is a sectional side elevation showing a detail of the sign of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 is a front view showing a detail of the sign of Fig. 12; and Fig. 1 5 is a perspective view of the sign of Fig.

12, showing how the sliding panel is positioned for changing the display.

Referring to the drawings and firstly to Fig. 1, in this figure there is shown a display sign according to the invention and the sign will be seen to comprise a stanchion 10, and a display box 12. The display box 12 has four faces 14, 16, 18, and 20 which can be used for display material. In this embodiment of the invention, only two of the display faces 14 and 18 are adapted for easy changing of the display.

Referring to Figs. 1A and 1 B, it will be seen that the four panels defining the four faces 14, 16, 18 and 20, are joined edge to edge so as to define a square hollow box arrangement of which the top and bottom are open. The stanchion 10 passes through the centre of the box arrangement, and the box is mounted on the stanchion by virtue of two clamp rails 11 and 13 which are held clamped to the stanchion 10 by means of tension bolts 15 and 17. The clamp members 13 are adjustable as indicated by the arrows 1 9 together and apart so that the sign can be mounted on stanchions of different cross-sectional dimension. There are clamp bars 11 and 13 and bolts 15 and 17 at the top and bottom of the sign as indicated by the centre markings 21 in Fig. 1 B, which indicates the centre lines of the bolts 15 and 17.The panels 14 to 20 do in fact form a closed loop, with a fixing arrangement 11, 13, 1 5 and 1 7 inside the hollow section, and this is one aspect of the invention which is applicable in the circumstances where the display panels 14 to 20 are not in fact changeable, but in this embodiment of the invention two of the said display panels 14 to 20 are changeable as will now be explained.

Referring to Fig. 2, the display face 14 is shown and will be seen to comprise four frame members 22, 24, 26 and 28 defining a rectangular configuration with the longer axis upright. The frame sections 22 to 28 are of extruded profile as shown in Fig. 3, in which the section,26 is illustrated. Fig. 3 also shows that the frame 22 to 28 holds a protective screen 30 of glass or other transparent material such as plastics by means of a resilient seal 32 and the profiling of the section 26.

The sections 22 to 28 are of the same profile, and the sections 22 and 26 are connected to angle brackets 34 by means of tongues 36 engaging in the profiling of the bars 22 and 26.

The brackets 34 are L-shaped and have tongues on the outer surfaces of each of the limbs, and the tongues 38 engage in the adjacent framework for supporting the screen 40 of the base 1 6.

Fig. 4 is a view of the framework 22 to 28 from the inside, and shows how the bars 22 to 28 are interconnected and are mitred at the corners to provide mitred joints.

Fig. 4 also shows the brackets 34. Fig. 5 shows a corner fixture in detail, and an L-shaped bracket 42 engages in the adjacent bars, in this case 22 and 28, and fixing screws are connected to the bracket 42 at points 44, whereby the edges of the respective bars 22 and 28 become firmly connected. The brackets 42 engage in the same channel of the profiled section as do the tongues 36 and 38.

To the inside of each of the frames defining display faces 14 and 18, is provided a slidable panel 46 which is made up of a metal plate of generally the same size as the screen 30 and the upright edges of the metal plate are provided with runners 48 which slide in H guide rails 50 as shown in Fig. 3. The runners 48 and rails 50 occur at each side of the panel 46.

If reference is made to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, it will be seen that the panel 46 is provided at its lower end with a locking slot 52, and at its upper end with bent over tongues 54, 56 and 58 which are bent over on to one face of the panel 46, and bent over tongues 60 and 62 which are bent on to the other face of the panel 46. As shown in Fig. 7, the tongues 60 and 62 are bent so as to lie flat on the face of panel 46, whilst the tongues 54, 56 and 58 form spring clips.

The panel 46 serves to carry the printed material which is to be displayed and when the printed material has been applied to the surface of the panel 46 on to which the tongues 60 and 62 are bent, tongues 60 and 62 serving to hold the printed material, the panel is slid upwards into the guide rails 50, as indicated in Figure 9 by arrow 64 until the aperture 52 registers with a lock 66, as shown in Fig. 9 and as shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11, when a locking tongue 68 of the lock can be turned by turning of a key so that the tongue 68 engages in an aperture 70 46 in the display position. The lock is key operated, and is shown in fact as being carried by an angle bracket 72 secured to the panel 46.

The panel 46 is provided with a plate 74 the purpose of which is to enable the panel to be raised and lowered by hand for change of a display.

The display box 12 as shown in Fig. 1 is preferably at such a level as to enable changing of the display manually without use of elevating devices such as ladders, chairs or the like.

Although only two of the faces 14 and 18 have interchangeable panels 46, it is to be appreciated that all display faces can be provided with these panels, or indeed only one may have such a display panel.

Changing of the display, is extremely simple and straight-forward, which is a considerable improvement over the prior art arrangement.

If reference is now made to Figs. 12 to 15, which show another form of changeable display sign according to the invention.

As shown in Fig. 12, the sign is mounted on a circular sectioned stanchion 100, and the sign is made up of a pair of housings 102, 104 arranged back to back so that display surfaces 106 and 108 thereof face in opposite directions. The rear of the housings 102 and 104 is in each case open and light tubes 110 contained within the enclosure are defined jointly by the casings 102 and 104 serve to eliminate the material displayed in the faces 106 and 108.

Each of the faces is defined by a pivotable frame 112 which is pivotally mounted on pivot pins 114 at the top edge of the framework 112 so that the framework can pivot as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12 so that the axis is defined by pins 114. The lower edge 116 of the frame 112 can therefore be moved upwardly as shown.

Framework 112 carries a transparent protective screen and is provided with a lock 11 8 which is key operated and which, when locked maintains the frame 112 in the full line position as shown in Fig. 12, to prevent unauthorised opening of the frame 112.

As best shown in Fig.13, the frame 112 covers a sliding panel 120, to the upper outer edges of which are guide pins 122. These pins do in fact have rollers which run in grooves 124 (Fig. 1 5), in guide channels 126 which are vertical and parallel. At the lower end, the slidable panel rests on a channel member 130, as shown in Fig. 13, and in Fig. 14, and an upwardly projecting and overlapping tongue 132, prevents the sliding panel 120 from falling out of the sign when the frame 112 is pivoted to the open position.

Hingeable struts 134 serve to maintain the framework 112 in the open position as shown in Fig. 13, and when the framework is so held in this position, the sliding panel 120 can be manipulated for the change of the display carried by the slidable panel, by raising the panel 120 slightly as indicated by arrow 1 36 until the lower edge of the panel 120 clears the tongue 132. The lower edge of panel 1 20 can now be lifted outwards clear of tongue 1 32, as indicated by arrow 138 in Fig. 13, and then the panel 120 can slide downwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13, the pins 122 remaining in guide channels 126 during this downward movement, and the pins also serving to prevent the panel 120 from being removed from the sign.

The panel 120 may be designed in any suitable fashion for permitting interchange of the material displayed, and in one example the panel 120 has a framework on which is mounted a rigid plastics sheet with grooves for receiving individual plastic plates carrying numerals for indicating petrol prices.

When any particular display has been changed, the panel 120 is raised until the lower edge can be positioned over and behind the tongue 132.

The framework 122 is supported, the struts 1 54 are folded inwardly as indicated by arrows 140 in Fig.15, the framework 122 is pivoted to the. full length position shown in Fig. 12, and the lock 118 is operated so as to lock the framework 122 in position. The material displayed at each side of the sign can be altered in this fashion.

The embodiment of Figs. 12 to 15 it can be seen is an advantageous variant of the arrangement shown in the other figures in that the panel 120 as well as sliding downwards, also pivots slightly whereby the panel 120 will be presented at a slightly better angle for facilitating the change of material displayed.

Claims (Filed on 28/10/82) 1. A display sign comprising at least one display panel adapted for mounting on a support means at a height suitable for display and preferably within reach of an average sized human being, said display panel comprising a protective front screen behind which is a support panel mounted for vertical sliding movement, said display panel carrying the display material which is to be changed, and being slidable downwardly and clear of the protective screen for changing of the display material.

2. A display sign according to claim 1, wherein the display sign also has a lock for locking the sliding support in the display position.

3. A display sign according to claim 1, wherein the said lock is key operated, so that it can be released only by authorised personnel.

4. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein there are two of said display panels arranged back to back on a support stanchion and each has a sliding frame.

5. A display sign according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sign comprises four panels arranged in a square array, the said display panels having the sliding panels arranged opposite, and being connected at the sides by permanent display panels, for advertising, for example, permanent display material.

6. A display sign according to claim 5, wherein each of said permanent display panels comprises a screen carrying display material.

7. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding panels are so constructed and mounted so as not to be detachable from the sign.

8. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each protective screen is pivotable about its top edge so that the bottom edge can be swung outwardly.

9. A display sign according to claim 8, wherein the or each protective screen can be held in the outward position this position by appropriate positioning of support struts.

1 0. A display sign according to claim 8,

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

interchangeable panels 46, it is to be appreciated that all display faces can be provided with these panels, or indeed only one may have such a display panel.

Changing of the display, is extremely simple and straight-forward, which is a considerable improvement over the prior art arrangement.

If reference is now made to Figs. 12 to 15, which show another form of changeable display sign according to the invention.

As shown in Fig. 12, the sign is mounted on a circular sectioned stanchion 100, and the sign is made up of a pair of housings 102, 104 arranged back to back so that display surfaces 106 and

108 thereof face in opposite directions. The rear of the housings 102 and 104 is in each case open and light tubes 110 contained within the enclosure are defined jointly by the casings 102 and 104 serve to eliminate the material displayed in the faces 106 and 108.

Each of the faces is defined by a pivotable frame 112 which is pivotally mounted on pivot pins 114 at the top edge of the framework 112 so that the framework can pivot as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 12 so that the axis is defined by pins 114. The lower edge 116 of the frame

112 can therefore be moved upwardly as shown.

Framework 112 carries a transparent protective screen and is provided with a lock 11 8 which is key operated and which, when locked maintains the frame 112 in the full line position as shown in Fig. 12, to prevent unauthorised opening of the frame 112.

As best shown in Fig.13, the frame 112 covers a sliding panel 120, to the upper outer edges of which are guide pins 122. These pins do in fact have rollers which run in grooves 124 (Fig. 1 5), in guide channels 126 which are vertical and parallel. At the lower end, the slidable panel rests on a channel member 130, as shown in Fig. 13, and in Fig. 14, and an upwardly projecting and overlapping tongue 132, prevents the sliding panel 120 from falling out of the sign when the frame 112 is pivoted to the open position.

Hingeable struts 134 serve to maintain the framework 112 in the open position as shown in Fig. 13, and when the framework is so held in this position, the sliding panel 120 can be manipulated for the change of the display carried by the slidable panel, by raising the panel 120 slightly as indicated by arrow 1 36 until the lower edge of the panel 120 clears the tongue 132. The lower edge of panel 1 20 can now be lifted outwards clear of tongue 1 32, as indicated by arrow 138 in Fig. 13, and then the panel 120 can slide downwardly as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 13, the pins 122 remaining in guide channels 126 during this downward movement, and the pins also serving to prevent the panel 120 from being removed from the sign.

The panel 120 may be designed in any suitable fashion for permitting interchange of the material displayed, and in one example the panel 120 has a framework on which is mounted a rigid plastics sheet with grooves for receiving individual plastic plates carrying numerals for indicating petrol prices.

When any particular display has been changed, the panel 120 is raised until the lower edge can be positioned over and behind the tongue 132.

The framework 122 is supported, the struts 1 54 are folded inwardly as indicated by arrows 140 in Fig.15, the framework 122 is pivoted to the. full length position shown in Fig. 12, and the lock 118 is operated so as to lock the framework 122 in position. The material displayed at each side of the sign can be altered in this fashion.

The embodiment of Figs. 12 to 15 it can be seen is an advantageous variant of the arrangement shown in the other figures in that the panel 120 as well as sliding downwards, also pivots slightly whereby the panel 120 will be presented at a slightly better angle for facilitating the change of material displayed.

Claims (Filed on 28/10/82) 1. A display sign comprising at least one display panel adapted for mounting on a support means at a height suitable for display and preferably within reach of an average sized human being, said display panel comprising a protective front screen behind which is a support panel mounted for vertical sliding movement, said display panel carrying the display material which is to be changed, and being slidable downwardly and clear of the protective screen for changing of the display material.
2. A display sign according to claim 1, wherein the display sign also has a lock for locking the sliding support in the display position.
3. A display sign according to claim 1, wherein the said lock is key operated, so that it can be released only by authorised personnel.
4. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein there are two of said display panels arranged back to back on a support stanchion and each has a sliding frame.
5. A display sign according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sign comprises four panels arranged in a square array, the said display panels having the sliding panels arranged opposite, and being connected at the sides by permanent display panels, for advertising, for example, permanent display material.
6. A display sign according to claim 5, wherein each of said permanent display panels comprises a screen carrying display material.
7. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the sliding panels are so constructed and mounted so as not to be detachable from the sign.
8. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each protective screen is pivotable about its top edge so that the bottom edge can be swung outwardly.
9. A display sign according to claim 8, wherein the or each protective screen can be held in the outward position this position by appropriate positioning of support struts.
1 0. A display sign according to claim 8,

wherein each sliding panel carrying the display material as well as being slidable downwardly, can also be pivoted about its upper end as it slides downwardly thereby to present the sliding panel in a convenient manner for changing the material displayed.
11. A display sign according to claim 10, wherein the sliding panel is constructed so that in order to slide the sliding panel downwardly, it is first of all raised so that the bottom edge clears a retaining plate, the bottom edge is swung outwardly, and then the sliding panel is allowed to slide downwardly.
12. A display sign according to claim 11, wherein the sliding panel has pins carrying rollers which engage in channels or grooves of the corresponding framework to facilitate the sliding of the sliding panel and also to prevent the panel from being removed from the sign.
13. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the lock serves to ensure that only by unlocking the lock can the displayed material be changed.
14. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the said protective screens held by a framework formed of metal or plastics extrusions, which extrusions are shaped to hold the protective and permanent screens (which may be of glass or plastics material) resiliently by means of a sealing strip held by a portion of the extrusion.
1 5. A display sign according to claim 14, wherein the frame members are jointed at the corners and are fixed together by means of fixing brackets and fixing bolts.
1 6. A display sign according to any preceding claim, wherein the display sign is provided with its own stanchion or pedestal.
1 7. A display sign according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the display sign is designed for mounting on, for example, existing stanchions of garage forecourts.
1 8. A display sign adapted for mounting on existing stanchions of garage forecourts, comprising display panels arranged edge to edge with the free edge of the first panel adjacent the free edge of the last panel so that a closed loop of panels is formed and inside the loop is means for fixing the sign to, for example, an existing stanchion of a garage forecourt so that the panels extend round the stanchion.
19. A display sign according to claim 18, wherein there are four said panels in the sign.
20. A display sign substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings.