GB2203882A - Sign mounting - Google Patents

Abstract

A display panel 6 is mounted on a post 1 by means of a connector 2 having a first surface 12 complementary to the post and a second surface 4 to engage the panel, and a bolt threaded into a nut 16 for securing the connector to the post and tensioning a cover 8. A tool is used in a socket 14 to turn the bolt and a wedge (21 Fig 3 not shown) is inserted in the gap (24) formed between the post and connector. The fixing elements are concealed by use of two panels 6, the cover 8 and the closing of an access aperture 13 in the cover. <IMAGE>

Description

SZGN SYSTEM rield of the Invention The invention relates to sign construction end in particular signs of the free standing type.

Background of the Invention Free standing signs are signs not usually attached to building walls and are commonly used for vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The most common form of such signs comprises a pair of upright elongated members, each affixed to the ground at one end thereof, with sign information panel communicating approximately horiontally between the two members. Whilst wooden post. have been previously used as the upright members, there has been a growing acceptance of the use of metal extrusions and facia panels instead.

Nevertheless with both these construction material, as well as plastics material, the aesthetic appeal of such signs has been marred by the appearance of the fixing elements. These fixing elements are usually bolts, rivets, screws and nails and if easily discernible, tend to give the sign g cheapened appearance.

Accordingly, sign constructions have been developed to minimi:e the external projection of these fixing elements. In one of these forms the upright members are metal hollow extrusions and in the area where the sign information panel is to meet each of the extrusions, a clamp is provided. The clamp encircles each hollow extrusion and comprises two complementary parts bolted together at their .eopect've inside sections. The clamp lo fixed to each extrusion by tightening the bolt which causes a compression fit. The bolt is located in a channel and the information panel is fitted so as to substantially cover the channel.

Whilst this construction gives an aesthetically pleasing appearance it is complicated to install as the complementary parts must be precisely located, Furthermore as the complementary parts of the clamp encircle the hollow post and rely upon the clamping on one side only, they must be cast or extruded to fine tolerances. In use, it has become apparent that even in a short period of time the clamp tends to slip as it deforms easily from its initial shape under the clamping forces exerted by the fixing element.

Therefore, investigation of alternate fixing means has taken place and it has become apparent that & clamp does not give the long term security needed for free standing signs especially those used outside and prone to vandalism and weather.

Description of the Invention A mounting system is therefore proposed for affixing a -display panel to an exterior surface of an upright member comprising (i) a mounting means having a first surface which is partially complementary to the exterior surface of the upright member and a second surface to engage the display panel; (ti) fixing means for securing the mounting means to the upright member; and (iii)cover means to substantially span the upright member and engage a third and a fourth surface of the mounting means.

Description of preferred embodiment Preferably when the upright member is not to be intermediate other upright member, the cover may substantially encircle the upright member. Where a number of signs are proposed utilizing an intermediate upright member it is desirable to use a pair of oppoitely disposed mounting means about the intermediate member. The cover means will span on each side of the upright member between the mounting means.

rn a further preferred embodiment the system additionally includes tensioning means to urge the mounting means away from the cover means to tension the cover means.

Typically this may be an adjustable threaded spacer to pass through the upright member and bear at one end against the cover means and at the other end engage in complementary threads in the mounting means.

in another preferred embodiment the mounting system additionally comprises locating means to urge the mounting means away from the upright member. To allow firm location of the locating means it may be partially received within passageway in the mounting means. Typically the locating means is a wedge.

in another preferred embodiment the complementary nature of the first surface on the mounting means may be discontinuous and include a series of first sub surfaces complementary to the exterior surface of the upright member.

As it is nor to have a plurality of vertically displaced but parallel display panel surfaces, the mounting means can be located in the cavity formed therebetween and thus substantially concealed from view. The mpunting means is secured positively to the upright. Typically the fixing means includes an externally threaded member to pass through the upright member and engage an internally threaded aperture in the mounting means. Altrr,nstivcly a separate internally threaded member such as a nut can be used.

The cover means, by extending around the upright can conceal or minimize the visual appearance of any fixing member passing thErethrough, riving an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The cover means may be typically affixed to the third and fburth surfaces ofthe member by clipping. More particularly by characterizing the edges of the panel with protrusions it is possible to snap fit the edges of the cover in complementary undercuts in the member.

To this end Lt is preferred for the third and fourth surfaces to include an undercut to engage the cover means.

Any type of concealed fixing arrangement can be used as the cover is not supporting any of the sign load.

Thus a positive fixing sign system is provided which permits simple construction with a facia substantially minimizing the appearance of any of fixing elements from view.

Description of the Drawings The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the attached drawings in which: rig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the sign system of the present invention.

rig. 2 is across-sectional view of an alternate form of sign system according to the invention.

rig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the sign system of Fig. 2.

In these drawings like figures are designated the same reference numerals.

In rig. 1 two upright hollow posts 1 are positioned in the ground spaced apart. Connector member 2 is affixed by bolts (not shown) to respective posts against their opposite external faces 3. The connector member 2 has a surface 4 which engages with edge S of a sign panel 6. A similar panel may be attached to surface 7 of connector member 2 to substantially conceal connector member 2 between the panels 6.

Cover e extends about and substantially encircles post 1 and is provided with a protrusion 9 along each of its opposite edges 10. Connector member 2 has complementary undercuts 11, To construct the free standing sign, connector members 2 are bolted to the posts 1 and sign panels 6 are fitted between the spaced posts 1 by engaging edges 5 of panels 6 with surfaces 4 and 7 respectively. Cover 8 is then installed by locatlng one protrusion 9 in one undercut 11 and bending the cover about post 1. Cover 8 is placed in tension to permit the second protrusion 9 to be located in the second undercut 11.

Zn Figures 2 and 3 an alternate form is shown.

Connector member 2 is of reduced cross-ection and projects surfaces 12 towards the external face 3 of post 1. Surfaces 12 substantially complement the curve of external face 3.

Cover 8 has arms 19 at each end to engage surfaces 20 of the connector member 2. An apperture 13 is formed in the cover 8 allowing access to an AllenLscrew head 14 of bolt 15. The aperture 13 can be substantially closed by any convenient means capable of being withdrawn for service.

The end of bolt 15 distant from aperture 13 is threaded and engages the threaded member iS. That member 1B is passed through connector member 2 and is limited in axial movement by flange 17. This nut assembly is designated 16 and is preferably fixed against rotational movement, Of course member 18 could be substituted by thread formed in connector member 2. Bolt 15 is free to move through complementary and opposite holes in post 1 and ir surrounded by sleeve 24.

Rotation of screw head causes bolt 15 to rotate in threaded member 18. By rotating the bolt 15 into threaded member 18 Allen screw head 14 engages sleeve 24 forcing external àce 3 of post 1 against surfaces 12 of connector member 2. Whilst ensuring arms 19 are engaged with surfaces 20, the bolt 15 can be screwed partially out of threaded member 18 thereby forcing Allen head screw 14 against cover 8 to place cover 8 in tension.

As shown in Figure 3 connector member 2 is provided with a passageway 24 which can receive location pin 21.

Location pin 21 has tapered surfaces 22 to allow it to be wedged in passageway 24 and engage external face 3 and locate the connector member 2 relative to post 1.

To assemble a sign according to this embodiment connector members 2 are fitted to panels 6 so that panels 6 engage surfaces 4 and 7 on connector members 2. The connector members are then located on the post 1. Bolt is is passed through the post 1 and sleeve 24 and engages the threaded member IS. Bolts 15 are rotated in threaded member 18 to draw the post 1 towards and into contact with surfaces 12 of connector member 2. Cover 8 is fitted so that its arms 19 engage surfaces 20 and the Allen screw head 14 abuts the cover 8 internally about the aperture 13. The Allen screw head 14 is rotated so that bolt 15 extends relative to threaded member 18 causing Allen screw head 14 to force the cover S outward about aperture 13 putting cover 8 into tension.

To locate post 1 relative to connector member 2, location pin 21 is forced into passageway 24 end held into position by rotation of screw 23 which causes the sides of location pin to be forced against passageway 24.

A cap may be attached atop or nesting neatly within cover 8 and affixed by vandal proof screws.

Claims (14)

1. A mounting system for affixing a display panel to an exterior surface of an uptight member comprising (i) a mounting means having g first surface which is partially complementary to the exterior surface of the upright member and a second surface to engage the display panel; (ii) fixing means for securing the mounting means to the upright member; and ( cover means to substantially span the upright member and engage a third and a fourth surface of the mounting means.

2. A mounting system according to claim 1 wherein the cover means substantially encircle. the upright member.

3. A mounting system according to claim I additionally including tensioning means to urge the mounting means away from the cover means to tension the cover mean.

4. A mounting system according to claim 3 wherein the tensioning means includes an adjustable threaded spacer to pass through the upright member and bear at one end against the cover means and at the other end engage in complementary threads in the mounting means.

5. A mounting system according to claim 1 additionally includes locating means to urge the mounting means away from the upright member.

6. A mounting system according to claim 5 wherein the locating means is partially receivable within a passageway in the mounting means.

7. A mounting system according to either claims S or 6 wherein the locating means comprises a wedge.

8. A mounting system according to claim 1 wherein the first surface is discontinuous and include a series Of first sub surfaces complementary to the exterior surface of the upright member.

9. A mounting system according to claim 1 wherein the fixing means includes an externally threaded member to pass through the upright member and engage internally threaded apperture in the mounting means.

10. A mounting system according to claim 1 wherein the fixing means includes an externally threaded member to pass through the upright member and the mounting means to engage an internally threaded member.

tl. A mounting system according to claim 1 wherein the second surface and the third or fourth surface define a channel therebetween to receive a ridged edge of the display panel.

12. A mounting system according to claim 1 wherein the third surface and/or fourth surface includes an undercut to engage the cover means.

13. A mounting system according to claim 1 additionally including means to urge the mounting means towards the exterior surface of the upright member thereby permitting the cover means to engage the third and fourth surface of the mounting means1

14. A mounting system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.