GB2216705A

GB2216705A - House identification device

Info

Publication number: GB2216705A
Application number: GB8906668A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Austen Joseph Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-20
Filing date: 1989-03-22
Publication date: 1989-10-11
Anticipated expiration: 2009-03-22
Also published as: GB8906668D0; GB2216705B

Abstract

A device 10 is for use in displaying a house number or name. A plurality of faces 12 are positioned at respective angles and each displays the house number. A third portion 16 allows the device to be attached to a gatepost or wall so that the two faces 12 are visible to motorists approaching in either direction. The device may be square or triangular in section with the angles being adjustable. The characters may be reflective or fluorescent and formed of tiles or adhesive tape. <IMAGE>

Description

House Identification Device The present invention relates to house identification such as house names and numbers and to their display. In the following specification, "house number" is used to refer to any type of house identification, including house numbers and house names.

Difficulty is often experienced in locating houses because house numbers are not displayed sufficiently prominently and in some cases are not displayed at all.

House numbers are commonly located at positions which make them extremely difficult to view from a passing vehicle. The difficulty is especially severe at night when vehicle headlamps may be the only light source available. Difficulty in correctly identifying houses is frequently experienced by doctors and other emergency services who are required to make urgent visits at night to properties which are not familiar to them. It is a source of potentially serious delay and considerable frustration that house number displays are often not readily visible, and that once they have been located, they may be difficult to read.

The present invention arises from an appreciation of these difficulties.

According to the present invention there is provided a house number display device comprising a plurality of faces oriented at respective angles and each displaying the house number, whereby the device may be installed near a road adjacent the house to have at least one face visible to an observer approaching from either direction along the road.

Preferably the house number is formed on the display faces by means of areas of reflective or fluorescent material and areas of non-reflective or non-fluorescent material, respectively. The house number may be formed by strips of adhesive reflective or fluorescent tape attached to a non-reflective or non-fluorescent background, repsectively.

The house number may be formed by means of tiles, each bearing a single character, the tiles being so arranged and attached to the device as to display the number. Each tile may have a transparent sheet with a character formed on one face thereof, the said one face being covered by material which contrasts with the character. The character may be formed by printing in opague material. The covering material may be reflective or fluorescent.

The display may provide two faces. The two faces may be separated by an angle of 600.

The faces may be surfaces of a cylindrical structure having a polygonal cross-section. The crosssection of the cylindrical structure may be triangular or square.

Mounting means may be provided on one face of the cylindrical structure, for use in mounting the device on a fixed structure.

The mounting means may comprise a mounting member rotatably attached to the device and movable from a position in which it provides a mounting point for mounting the device on a horizontal surface, and a position in which it provides a mounting point for mounting the device on a vertical surface. The mounting member may have two portions which extend away from each other at right angles, the mounting member being attached to the device part way along one of the members.

The device may be so formed as to allow the relative orientations of the faces to be changed.

The device may comprise a strip of material on which the house number is displayed at a plurality of locations along its length, the strip being bent between the said locations to form the faces.

The device may comprise a plurality of sections arranged to be installed together to provide faces as aforesaid.

Three embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention; and Figs. 3A, B, C, and D illustrate a blank for forming a third embodiment, and three alternative modes of employment of the embodiment.

Fig. 4 illustrates a mounting arrangement.

Fig. 1 shows a house number display device 10 comprising a plurality of faces 12 oriented at respective angles and each displaying the house number, which is illustrated as 32 to provide an example. The device may be installed on the roadside to h'ave at least one face 12 visible to an observer approaching from either direction along the road.

The device 10 consists of a strip of metal, such as aluminium which is bent to form a short cylinder of generally triangular cross-section, two surfaces of which provide the faces for displaying the house number. The display faces 12 are at the ends of the aluminium strip which is bent or folded at two vertical fold lines 14. A web 16 of aluminium extends between the fold lines and provides a mounting aperture 18 to allow a screw to be used to mount the device on a fixed structure.

The faces 12 are of equal size and the aluminium strip is bent sufficiently at 14 to allow the free ends of the faces 12 to touch, or be slightly separated.

The aluminium behind each face 12 supports the necessary means for providing a visible image of the house number to be displayed. In a simple form, the aluminium strip may simply be painted with a nonreflective paint, such as a matt black paint, to which strips of reflective material are attached to form the numerals of the house number. Alternatively, the aluminium could be painted with a reflective paint or coated with a self-adhesive sheet of reflective material, before strips of non-reflective material are attached to form non-reflective numerals on a reflective background.

In a further alternative, fluorescent or non-fluorescent material could be attached to a non-fluorescent or fluorescent background, respectively. The use of fluorescent material will enhance the visibility of the house number during daylight, while the use of reflective material will enhance the visibility of the house number during darkness. Fluorescent and reflective materials could both be used to provide for maximum visibility during daylight and darkness.

The numerals could be formed by a structure similar to that used in motor vehicle registration plates. In this structure, highly reflective material is attached to the back of a clear plastics sheet after non-reflective numerals have been located therebetween. Non-reflective numerals are then clearly visible through the plastics sheet, against a highly reflective background. A small display formed in this way could be attached to the aluminium strip at each face 12.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment which differs in that the aluminium backing sheet is bent differently. The two faces 12 are contiguous but are not at the ends of the aluminium strip. Instead, the ends of the strip form two tabs 20 which are folded together and may be overlapped. The tabs may be permanently attached.

Again, an aperture in one or both tabs is preferably provided to allow for attachment to a fixed structure such as a gatepost.

A further alternative differs from that shown in Fig. 2 in that one tab 20 is omitted and the other is extended towards the face 12 next to the omitted tab.

The two faces 12 and the remaining tab are approximately equal in size, so that a triangular prism is formed, with a gap along one edge, between the tab 20 and a face 12.

In both of the embodiments described, the two faces are approximately 600 apart. They are preferably installed with the web 16 or the tabs 20 running generally parallel to the road at the front of the house, so that the faces 12 face diagonally across the road.

The device may be attached to a doorpost, gatepost or other suitable structure. The diagonal orientation and the highly reflective nature of the faces 12 makes them visible at a distance, when illuminated by the headlamps of a vehicle approaching along the road. It is believed that the diagonal positioning is important. It allows light from the headlamps to be reflected back to the driver while the driver is close enough (within about 30m) to the device to read the displayed house number.

It is believed that if the faces 12 were perpendicular to the road, the face may cease to reflect light back to the driver before the driver has approached sufficiently closely to be able to read the displayed house number.

Conversely, if the faces 12 are parallel to the road, it is believed that the visibility of the house numbers would be reduced. When the driver is parallel with the face 12, so as to be in a position to read the face, the vehicle headlamps would not be shining upon it and so the face 12 may not be adequately lit.

A further advantage of the diagonal positioning of the face is expected to be that they will reflect to a driver from some considerable distance, thereby drawing the driver's attention to the display device, even before he is sufficiently close to be able to read it.

However, additional faces at other angles might be provided, for instance for use on properties near road junctions, where drivers may approach from a variety of angles. Faces at other angles may help pedestrians to read the house number. In particular, faces perpendicular to and parallel to the road may be of use to pedestrians.

A third embodiment is shown in Figs. 3A, B, C and D. Fig. 3A shows an aluminium blank comprising two square display regions 30 connected by a square web section 32, to form a generally L-shaped piece. The square display portions 30 and the square web 32 are of equal size. The blank is preferably formed of aluminium or a similar pliable material. The boundaries 34 between the web and the display portions form two potential bending lines for forming a display device from the blank. A third potential bending line 36 extends diagonally across the web 32 between the ends of the boundaries 34.

The blank may be bent along the lines 34 to form a three-sided cubic structure. This may be placed over a post, to form a cap, with the display portions 30 depending from the web 32. A screw through the web portion 32 into the post holds the device in position.

Alternatively, the device may be inverted as shown in Fig. 3C and attached to the top of the post with the display portion 30 extending upwardly from the web 32 which is again attached to the post by means of a screw.

The proposed orientation of the device must be determined before numerals are applied to the display portions 30.

Fig. 3D shows a device formed by bending the blank of Fig. 3A along the boundaries 34 and also along the line 36. This results in a triangular upper surface 38 from which the display portions 30 depend, and a triangular, downwardly-extending rear tab 40 by means of which the device may be attached to a vertical surface such as a wall.

Different colouring of the display may be used according to whether the house number is even or odd, to provide an early indication to a driver as to whether a particular display device is of potential interest to him. Colour coding will be of particular interest in locations where many or all of the houses are using display devices according to the invention. A standard colour coding could be adopted by national or local civic authorities, as they have already done in respect of vehicle registration plates.

Fig. 4 shows schematically an arrangement for mounting the devices of Figs 1 and 2 either to a horizontal surface such as the top of a gate post, or a vertical surface such as a wall.

A disc 100 is rotatably attached at its centre 102 near the bottom edge 104 of the web 16. The disc 100 is formed of sheet metal folded at a cord 106 approximately coincident with the edge 104. A mounting aperture 108 for receiving a screw is formed in the folded portion 110. A second mounting aperture 112 is formed in the unfolded portion 114.

In the position shown, the portion 110 projects horizontally and the apperture 108 allows the device to be mounted on a horizontal surface such as a gate post.

If the disc 100 is rotated through 1800 about its centre 102, the portion 110 moves away from the edge 104 and the portion 114 projects vertically below the edge 104. This allows the apperture 112 to be used to mount the device to a vertical surface such as a wall.

Modifications and variations to the embodiments described can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In particular, a very wide choice of materials can be used both for forming the image on the faces 12 and also for forming a supporting structure.

The devices described could be formed from two or more sections. For instance, the device of Fig. 2 could be separated at the edge between the faces 12 to form two halves which are installed together: This arrangement facilitates individual setting of the positions and orientations of the faces. Alternatively, each face 12 could be provided with a tab at its lower edge, to allow the device to be attached to the top of a post or pillar, or could be provided with a tab at its top edge to allow the device to be attached as a cap over the top of the post or pillar.

A further alternative has two leaves of clear plastics material connected together or integrally formed along one edge to provide a sleeve in which a sheet bearing the house number can be received and lightly gripped by the leaves. The sheet can be reflective and/or fluorescent as required.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A house number display device comprising a plurality of faces oriented at respective angles and each displaying the house number, whereby the device may be installed near a road adjacent the house to have at least one face visible to an observer approaching from either direction along the road.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the house number is formed on the display faces by means of areas of reflective or fluorescent material and areas of non-reflective or non-fluorescent material, respectively.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the house number is formed by strips of adhesive reflective or fluorescent tape attached to a non-reflective or non-fluorescent background, respectively.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the house number is formed by means of tiles, each bearing a single character, the tiles being so arranged and attached to the device as to display the number.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein each tile has a transparent sheet with a character formed on one face thereof, the said one face being covered by material which contrasts with the character.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the character is formed by printing in opaque material. The covering material is reflective or fluorescent.

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the covering material is reflective or fluorescent.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, and providing two faces.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the two faces are separated by an angle of 60 .

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the faces are surfaces of a cylindrical structure having a polygonal cross-section.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the cross-section of the cylindrical structure is trianglular or square.

12. A device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein mounting means are provided on one face of the cylindrical structure, for use in mounting the device on a fixed structure.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the mounting means comprise a mounting member rotatably attached to the device and movable from a position in which it provides a mounting point for mounting the device on a horizontal surface, and a position in which it provides a mounting point for mounting the device on a vertical surface.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the mounting member has two portions which extend away from each other at right angles, the mounting member being attached to the device part way along one of the members.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device is so formed as to allow the relative orientations of the faces to be changed.

16. A device according to any preceding claim, and comprising a strip of material on which the house number is displayed at a plurality of locations along its length, the strip being bent between the said locations to form the faces.

17. A device according to any preceding claim, and comprising a plurality of sections which may be installed together to provide faces as aforesaid.

18. A house number display device substantially as described above with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.

19. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter herein disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.