GB2244841A - Plank sign system - Google Patents

Abstract

A plank sign system includes first and second plank members 10, 30 having edge channels (16, 17, 22 Figures 1, 3) for mutually connecting to each other by snap-engaging with connectors 32 located wholly within the channel structures. The connected plank members can support each other to form an edge-to-edge array so that not every plank member has to be supported by external supports. The array is made neater and more secure by screwing a pair of edge trims 50 to the lateral sides of the array. The first plank members have structures (28 Figure 1) providing rearwardly open narrow-mouthed channels for connecting external supports. Top and bottom cap members 40, 60 snap-engage with the top and bottom channel structures of the array. <IMAGE>

Description

PLANK SIGN SYSTEM The present invention relates to a plank sign system. In one aspect it relates to a kit of parts for use in producing a plank sign; and in another aspect it relates to a plank sign thus produced.

A plank sign is a sign having a display surface substantially provided by an array of plank members disposed edge to edge to define a composite surface. In conventional plank signs, all of the plank members have to be individually mounted to a support such as a post.

The result is inconvenient and tends not to be neat.

Mounting and connection means may still be visible, and particularly the top, bottom and sides of the display tend to be untidy and to invite vandalism.

The present invention provides means for producing a plank sign array including a plurality of plank members (or one or more plank member extrusions from which plank members of desired lengths can be cut or otherwise separated), and means for connecting plank members to one another in edge-to-edge array so that a plank member can be supported by an adjacent plank member and does not itself need to be connected to a separate support. There may therefore be two classes of plank member: first members which are adapted to be connected to external supports; and second members which are not.The plank members may have outwardly facing channels at their edges, so that a pair of panels in edge-to-edge array has a pair of opposed channels; and wherein connecter members are provided, each connecter member being adapted to engage positively within the channels of two adjacent plank members whereby they are mutually connectable.

Preferably the engagement is by snap-engagement.

Preferably the connecter is completely receivable within two opposed channels, so that it is invisible and the planks form a substantially flush, continuous display surface. The end plank members will have channels not connected to other plank members; and these may receive trims to preserve a neat finish and conceal the channels.

The side edges of the display are preferably provided with edge concealment means.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a first plank member Fig. 2 is a detail of an end region of the first plank member on a larger scale; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a second plank member; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a plank connecter; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a top and bottom member; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of an edge trim on a large scale; Fig. 7 is a top plan view of'a side trim cap; Fig. 8 is a view showing an edge trim engaged with a side cap; Fig. 9 is an exploded view showing one arrangement in which the components can be fitted together; and Fig. 10 is a view like Fig. 9 but showing a second embodiment.

The illustrated sign assemblies consist principally of extrusions (generally of aluminium or plastics) which can be cut to desired lengths. The main area of the sign is provided by plank members. Figs. 1 and 2 show a first plank member 10, which is an extrusion having a planar front face portion 12. At top and bottom there are generally L-shaped flanges 14 extending rearwardly to define upwardly and downwardly facing channels 16,17.

The base of one of the channels 17 has a pair of arcuate ribs 18, defining a bore 20 for receiving a self-tapping screw. The sides of the channels have, near the base, detent formations 22. In the middle of the face portion 12, there is a further rearwardly extending flange 24 which branches so as to define a narrow mouthed mounting channel 26 open to the rear. A second plank member 30 shown in Fig. 3, is substantially the same as the first plank member 10 except that it does not have the intermediate flange 24.

Fig. 4 shows a snap-in plank connecter 32. This is an H-section extrusion. The limbs of the HH" have small detents 34 near their ends on the outer sides. The material and/or the thickness of the limbs is such that they have a certain resilience. Furthermore they are dimensioned so that (as can be deduced from Fig. 9) the upper half of a connecter 32 can be pushed into the end channel 16 of one plank member (10 or 30), while the lower half is pushed into a channel 16 of another plank member, until the detents 34 of the connecter snap-engage behind the detents 22 within the plank member's channel.

The relative dimensions of the components are such that, when two plank members thus engage the same connecter, their front surface members 12 are substantially in contact, and present a substantially flush front display surface 12. Whereas Fig. 9 shows only two plank members, it will be appreciated that there is no limit to the number that can be snap-engaged together to produce a large composite sign by means of connecters 32.

Once the desired array of plank members 10, 30 has been assembled with connecters 32 between adjacent plank members, top and bottom cap members 40 are engaged in the remaining top and bottom channels 16. Such a member 40 is shown in Fig. 5. It has a C-shaped cap portion 42 and a pair of parallel limbs 44 with detents 46. These limbs and detents are equivalent to the limbs and detents of the top or bottom half of a connecter 32. That is, they are adapted to snap-engage in a channel 16 of a plank member 10, 30. There is an outward step 48 where the limbs 44 join the cap portion 42 and this, in use, overlies the end faces of the portions of the plank member 10,30 defining the side walls of the channel 16, so that there is a smooth transition between the front face of the sign and the external face of the top or bottom member 40.

Fig. 6 shows an edge trim 50. This is a channel member whose external width corresponds to the external width of the end channels 16 of the plank members 10,30.

The channel sides 52 are short, and have inwardly facing detent formations 54 at their ends. In use, a pair of edge trims 50 are secured to the sides of an array of plank members 10,30 by self-tapping screws (not shown) which are passed through the base of the channel from the interior, and engage in the bores 20 defined by the arcuate ribs 18 within the plank member end channels 16.

Finally, side caps 60 are snap-engaged with the edge trims 50. As can be seen from Figs. 7 and 8, the side caps have approximately C-shaped cap portions 62. A cap portion 62 has a flat base portion 64 from which a pair of limbs 66 extend at an angle. Adjacent the connection of the limbs to the base, a pair of parallel thin flanges 68 extend outwardly. Their outward extent is similar to that of the side limbs 66. Adjacent their ends they bear outwardly facing detent formations 70. As shown in Fig.

8, the edge trims 50 and side caps 60 are mutually dimensioned so as to be snap-engageable. Furthermore, the side limbs 66 are dimensioned and arranged so that in the assembled array, one will terminate flush with the composite front face of the display. Thus the overall effect is a sign having a smooth uniform front face, at which only the front faces of the plank members are visible (the connecters 32 being entirely concealed within the plank member end channels 16). At top and bottom and at the side edges, the array has a pleasing form, with a smooth outline initially flush with the display surface and carried rearwardly, by the top and bottom members 40 and the side caps 60. All of the means by which the components are held together are invisible from the front. At the rear, there are one or more mounting channels 26 provided by a corresponding number of first plank members 10, by which the sign may be mounted to a post or other support in a generally conventional way. (Mounting may involve insertion of a headed member within the mounting channel, before the edge trim 50 is mounted at one side. Once the edge trim has been screwed into place, the sign is securely mounted and cannot easily be tampered with).

It is possible to provide a range of plank members 10, 30 differing in vertical extent, to enable different standard heights of sign to be achieved. In fact, for most purposes it is quite sufficient to have members of heights 300mm and 200mm available. Thus, we may provide plank members 10, 30 as shown, each of height 300mm, and also provide alternative first plank members which are identical to that shown in Fig. 1 except that the height is 200mm.

In conventional sign systems made of arrays of plank members, each individual plank has to be clamped to the support. But with this arrangement, plank members positively engage adjacent plank members (via the plank connecters 32), and it is therefore only necessary for a proportion of the plank members to be connectable to a support. For example, alternate plank members may be first plank members, having the mounting channel 26.

Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of the plank sign system according to the present invention. It is very similar to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, and many corresponding components are labelled with corresponding numerals. It differs firstly in having alternative top and/or bottom plank members 110 for providing shaped, e.g. rounded, corners; and secondly, in having corner trims 70 for connecting the side caps 60 to the top and/or bottom cap members 40. The illustrated top plank member 100 has an arcuate corner region 111. The side and top cap members 60, 40, terminate before the curvature begins. The corner trim has an arcuate main body portion 72 and end spigots 74. In use, the spigots 74 engage in the cap members 60, 40, and the body portion 72 provides a flush continuation of the line of the cap members 60,40, in contact with the corner region 111.

Claims (12)

1. A plank sign system comprising a plurality of plank members mountable in edge-to-edge array to define a composite sign, and means for connecting the longitudinal edges of adjacent plank members to one another.

2. A plank sign system according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means is concealed by the edge connection of the plank members and is invisible from the display surface of the plank sign.

3. A plank sign system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the plank members include at least one first plank member having means for connection to an external support and at least one second plank member which lacks such external support connection means and is intended to be supported by connection to a first plank member.

4. A plank sign system according to any preceding claim wherein each of the plank members has means defining an outwardly facing channel at at least one of its longitudinal edges so that the adjacent plank members in the edge-to-edge array have a pair of opposed channels; the system further including at least one connector means having portions receivable in the pair of opposed channels for connedting the plank members.

5. A plank sign system according to claim 4 wherein the or each connector means and channel defining means are adapted for snap-engagement of the connector means in the channels.

6. A plank sign system according to claim 4 or 5 wherein all of the plank members have means defining outwardly facing channels at both longitudinal edges; the system further including end members for engagement in the free channels at the ends of the array.

7. A plank sign system according to any of claims 4 to 6 wherein each plank member has a main web that provides a front display face and adjacent at least one longitudinal edge thereof, a flange extending rearwardly and defining a said channel with a marginal edge portion of the main web.

8. A plank sign system according to any of preceding claims, further comprising edge trim members adapted to be engaged with the lateral edges of the array.

9. A plank sign system according to any preceding claim wherein at least one plank member has a longitudinally extending formation providing a narrowmouthed rearwardly open channel for use in mounting the sign.

10. A plank sign system according to claim 9 as appendant on claim 8 wherein engaging the edge trim members obstructs the lateral edges of the channel.

11. A plank sign system according to any preceding claim wherein one or more of the plank members, connecting means, edge trims, and edge concealment members are extrusions which are cut to the desired lengths.

12. A plank sign system substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.