GB2137795A

GB2137795A - Sign posts

Info

Publication number: GB2137795A
Application number: GB08408844A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Peter Gifford Hull
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-04-06
Filing date: 1984-04-05
Publication date: 1984-10-10
Also published as: GB8408844D0; GB2137795B

Abstract

This invention relates to sign posts and parts and fittings therefor. In one embodiment a sign post 10 comprises a hollow generally cylindrical aluminium extrusion having four longitudinal channels 12 to 15 extending over its full length. The channels are designed to receive a sign carrier and a sign may be erected between a pair of posts. Channels 12 and 14 are of larger cross-section than channels 13 and 15 so that the post can receive carriers of different dimensions. Alternative embodiments are described which provide a more positive engagement with the sign carrier. The extrusion may be square or rectangular. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sign post The present invention relates to sign posts and to parts and fittings for sign posts.

According to the present invention in a first aspect, there is provided a post for a sign or a longitudinal portion thereof, comprising a post portion having at least one longitudinally extending channel for slidably receiving a sign carrier.

There may be a plurality of longitudinally extending channels which may be symmetrically disposed around the periphery of the post portion.

The channels may have different dimensions.

The or each channel may have a narrowed mouth. In another aspect, the invention provides a sign post or longitudinal portion thereof as just described in combination with at least one sign carrier having at an inner edge region a projection which can be inserted into a said narrowed mouthed channel longitudinally, so that the carrier is retained.

The post portion and the sign carrier may be produced as extrusions, e.g. of aluminium. The extrusions can be produced of any length, and required lengths can be cut off. In further aspects the invention provides such extrusions.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sign post according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a sign post according to a second embodiment; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a sign carrier; and Figs. 4 and 5 are axial sections of coupling pieces for connecting posts.

The sign post 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a hollow aluminium extrusion. It is of generally circular section, but with four channels 12, 13, 14, 15 extending over its full length. The channels are symmetrically angularly disposed, so that there are two diametrically opposed pairs. It will be seen that the channels 13, 1 5 of one pair are of smaller width and depth than the channels 12, 14 of the other pair. In use, a sign carrier (which may consist simply of a piece of board or the like) is secured by passing an edge region into one of the channels 12-1 5, preferably one in which it fits snugly. This type of sign post 10 is particularly useful for use with large sign carriers which are to be supported at either side. Thus, two posts 10 are erected with the correct spacing and with like channels (13 or 14) of the right size mutually opposed.A sign carrier can then be pushed in from above, its edge portions engaging channels in the two posts. If the carrier is not to reach to the bottom of the posts 10, stops can be inserted in the channels at an appropriate height.

This simple type of post is also particularly useful when it is desired to display both sides of a sign carrier, for plainly the assembly is symmetrical, and there is no obscuring of a rear face.

It will be appreciated that a post analogous to the post 10 could be produced with a different number of channels, and/or offering a different range of channel sizes.

The post 20 shown in Fig. 2 is also an aluminium extrusion, but of somewhat more complex shape. Once again there are longitudinal channels 22, but here their mouths are narrowed by projecting flanges 24. (Only two of the channels 22 are shown fully in Fig. 2, but it will be appreciated that the pattern is repeated around the whole circumference.) A sign carrier 30 for use with the post 20 is shown in Fig. 3. This too is an aluminium extrusion. At its outer side, it has a pair of parallel arms 32 between which is defined a sign carrier channel 34. Adjacent the base of the arms 32 there are lateral projections 36 whose inner surfaces 38 are curved to conform to the cylindrical outer surface of the post 20. A central neck portion 40 extends inwardly to a laterally projecting head portion 42. In its inner end face, this has a V-shaped groove 44.

The carrier 30 and post 20 are mutually dimensioned so that the head portion 42 of a length of carrier 30 can be fed into a channel 22. It is retained against outward movement by abutment of the flanges 24 of the post with the outer surface of the head portion 42. The inner surfaces 38 of the carrier contact the outer surface of the post 20 between adjacent channels 22.

Thus the carrier is held firmly.

A sign board, e.g. in the form of a finger post, can be located in the channel 34 between the arms 32 of the carrier.

To lock the assembly together, self-tapping screws may be used. To facilitate this, there are grooves 46 on the outer surfaces of the projections 36, and grooves 48 on the outer surfaces of the arms 32. Screws can be driven from the former into the post 20, and from the latter into the sign board.

For a relatively long sign board, it may not be necessary for it to be supported for its whole length. For example, there may be just a short length of carrier 30 at each end region.

A sign post may consist of a unitary channelled post as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2. But this is likely to be extravagant for many purposes, when only a relatively short length of post is intended to bear carriers. It may therefore be preferred to mount a short length of post as shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 onto a different type of post. Where the two post types are of the same diameter, this can be done simply by placing one on top of the other and securing them together by means of a clamp which embraces portions of both posts.

If a post portion 10 or 20 is of smaller diameter than a tubular post on which it is to be mounted, such that it can be passed within it, then a small length of the posts can be overlapped in this way, and self-tapping screws can be passed through the overlapped portion.

A preferable alternative occurs when a post portion 20 of the second type is to be supported by a post which fits snugly within the post 20. It will be noted that the inner faces of the channels 22 are curved to define a cylinder, and this may be of a diameter which is conventional for posts.

Thus a supporting post can be passed all or part way into (or even right through) a post portion 20.

To facilitate this, the extrusion may be sawn through along its length, preferably along a wall portion between channels 22 as indicated at 25 in Fig. 2. Once the post portion has been slid over the support post, it can be locked in place, suitably by means of self-tapping screws. These may be passed through the floors of one or more of the channels 22. It will be recalled that the carriers 30 have grooves 44 in their head portions 42. These allow them to be slid into channels 22 even when there are such screws present.

A means applicable to posts of similar diameters (but not restricted thereto) is illustrated in Fig. 4. The lower post 50 has a simple tubular shell 52, whereas the upper post portion 54 is as shown in Fig. 2. Thus although the outer diameters are similar, the effective inside diameter of the upper portion 54 is substantially iess than that of the lower post 50.A coupling piece 56 has two concentric cylindrical portions: an upper portion 58 dimensioned to fit within the upper post portion 54, and a lower portion 60 dimensioned to fit within the post 50. (There may be a radial flange between the cylindrical portions, having an external diameter equal to the external diameter of the posts 50, 54. In use this is sandwiched between the posts 50, 54.) The piece 56 may be secured to the post portion 54 generally as described for an inserted post in the preceding paragraph. It may be secured to the lower post 50 by self-tapping screws.

A more sophisticated variant 1 56 is shown in Fig. 5. Again there are respective portions 158, 1 60 for fitting within the upper and lower posts 54, 50, and there is an intermediate radial flange 170. The lower portion 1 60 is expandable by means of a wedge member 1 72. This has a threaded axial aperture 1 74. A screw bolt 1 76 extends through this, and through the coupling piece 1 56. The head of the bolt 176 abuts a washer 1 78 on top of the piece 1 56. For use, the lower portion 160 is inserted into the power post 1 50 until the flange 170 abuts it. The bolt 1 76 is turned to draw up the wedge member 172 until the lower portion 1 60 is expanded against the inside of the lower post. (The lower portion 160 may have axial cuts to facilitate such expansion.) It will be appreciated that the above embodiments are given by way of example only.

Much variation is possible. For example, the sign posts need not be round in section but could be polygonal, e.g. square or rectangular.

Claims

1. A post for a sign or a longitudinal portion thereof, comprising a post portion having at least one longitudinally extending channel for slidably receiving a sign carrier.

2. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in Claim 1 wherein there is a plurality of longitudinally extending channels.

3. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in Claim 2 wherein channels are disposed symmetrically around the periphery of the post portion.

4. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein there are channels of different dimensions.

5. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one channel has a narrowed mouth.

6. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in Claim 5 in combination with at least one sign carrier having at an inner edge region a projection which can be inserted longitudinally into said narrow mouth channel so that the carrier is retained on the post portion.

7. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the projection is formed with a longitudinal recess to enable the carrier to pass over fixing screws or other raised portions in the channel.

8. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the carrier is further provided with a lateral projection on either side for engaging the outer surface of the post.

9. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in any one of Claims 6 to 8 wherein the sign carrier is formed as an extrusion.

10. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the post portion is formed aa:an extrusion.

11. A post or portion thereof, as claimed in Claim 2 or any one of Claims 3 to 9 as dependent on Claim 2, wherein the surface of the base of each channel which is directed into the post is curved, so that the surfaces together define a cylindrical space for receiving a support post.

12. An adaptor for connecting two hollow posts together end to end, comprising a body having a first portion which is substantially a friction fit in one post and a second portion which is substantially a friction fit in the other post.

13. An adaptor as claimed in Claim 12 further including means for laterally distorted or displacing the walls on at least one portion to vary its effective cross-sectional area.

14. A sign post comprising a post for a sign or a portion thereof, as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 11 connected to supporting a post by means of an adaptor as claimed in Claim 12 or Claim 13.

15. A method of forming a sign post comprising extruding a stock length of post formed to support a sign carrier, extruding a stock length of sign carrier, cutting a post and the carrier from the stock and mounting the carrier on the post.

1 6. A post for a sign or portion thereof, as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

17. An adaptor for connecting two hollow posts end to end substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 or 5 of the accompanying drawings.