GB2248960A

GB2248960A - Improvements in and relating to display signs

Info

Publication number: GB2248960A
Application number: GB9022880A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Andre Drapans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-10-20
Filing date: 1990-10-20
Publication date: 1992-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-20
Also published as: GB9022880D0; GB2248960B

Abstract

A display sign includes a display panel 1 upstanding from and pivotably mounted relative to a base 6. A connection is provided between the base and one or a pair of downwardly extending legs 4 of the display panel at a position below the paint of pivotable fixing of the leg or legs to the base. Means is provided to enable the or each leg to move about its paint of fixing to the base and of causing the leg to return to a predetermined position after such pivotable movement. This means is preferably resilient, e.g. one or several coil springs 9, but it may take the form of a weight (12, Figure 4) carried by the or each leg. <IMAGE>

Description

ImProvements in and Relatina to Display Signs This invention relates to display signs and more especially, but not exclusively, to free standing pavement signs used, for example, to advertise products and services available for sale or hire in shops or premises close to where the signs are displayed.

One disadvantage of many pavement signs is a tendancy to overturn when subjected to high winds due to the way in which the display panels are rigidly connected to the sign base. To overcome this problem, pavement signs have been produced which have a display panel suspended by z pair of hooks from brackets mounted on a horizontal arm of a tubular frame. When subjected to high winds, the panel merely swings within the frame. A sign is also known in which a display panel is supported on two or more relatively stiff upstanding springs secured to the base.

These and other known display signs tend to suffer from several disadvantages, these including being expensive to produce, unattractive to the eye, and over-complicated havíns regard to their intended purpose.

The present invention sets out to provide a display sign which overcomes, or at least alleviates, the problems and disadvantages discussed above.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a display sign comprising a display panel or frame therefor which includes, or is supported by, a structure comprising at least one downwardly extending leg mounted for pivotable movement relative to a base by which the panel is supported, and means connected to or carried by the at least one leg operable to return the at least one leg and, consequently, the display panel to its original position after pivotable movement thereof.

In one arrangement, the base is formed with a slot through which the leg(s) pass, the or each leg being supported on a pivot positioned below the slot and in the confines of the base.

In an alternative arrangement, the or each leg is supported on a pivot carried by an upstanding surface of the base. In each case, the means for causing the or each leg to return to its original position may comprise resilient means connected between the base and the at least one leg at a position below the pivot on which the or each leg is supported.

In an alternative arrangement, the means for causing the or each leg to return to its original position comprises a weight carried by the or each leg and positioned below the pivot on which the or each le is supported.

According to the present invention in another aspect, there is provided a display sign having a display panel upstanding from and pivotably mounted relative to a base, and means connected between the base and a downwardly extending leg of the display panel at a position below the point of pivotable fixing of the at least one leg to the base, the means being capable of enabling the at least one leg to move about its point of fixing to the base and of causing the leg to return to a predetermined position after such pivotable movement.

The means capable of causing the leg to return to its predetermined position is preferably resilient. The leg may be supported on a generally horizontal pivot carried by the base and may pass through a slot formed in the base.

The resilient means may comprise a coil spring connected at one end to an internal surface of the base and at its other end to the lower end of the at least one leg. Two such coil springs may be provided, one connected to each side of the lower end of the at least one leg and to a respective internal surface of the base.

The display panel may be releasably mounted within a support frame from which the at least one leg extends.

The support frame may include two such legs, each leg extending downwardly through a slot or aperture formed in the base te be supported on a generally hcrizontall.

extending pivot and each resiliently connected to opposite sides of the base.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a partial view is perspective of a display sign in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view in section of the sign illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of an alternative display sign in accordance with the invention; and Figure 4 is an end view in section of a further alternative display sign in accordance with the invention.

The display sign illustrated comprises a double sided display panel 1 secured by screws 2 or other conventional means to a support structure including a cross piece 3 and a pair of legs 4 (only one of which is illustrated). Each leg 4 passes through a slot 5 formed in the zipper surface of a base 6 and is mounted on a pivot 7 supported within a bracket s secured to the base 6 for pivotable movement relative to the base. Coil springs 9 extend between brackets 10 secured to the internal front and rear faces of the base 6 and the lower ends of the legs 4 at positions below the pivot 7. The length and tension of the springs 9 are such that under normal conditions the display panel stands generally vertically.In inclement weather, the panel is free to move about the rivot 7 against the action of the springs 9, the springs ensuring that the panel returns to its original upright position in due course.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings (in which like integers to those illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 have been given the same reference numerals), the base 6 includes two upstanding wings 11 to which the pivots 7 are connected, the coil springs 9 extending between the lower ends of the legs 4 to fixing brackets on the upper surface of the base. This embodiment enables a solid base to be used.

In the display sign illustrated in Figure 4, the springs 9 (or their resilient equivalents) are replaced b a mass 12 carried between the lower ends of the legs 4.

The mass 12 is of sufficient weight to cause the legs and the display panel 11 to return under gravity to their original upright stance after any pivotable movement of the panel caused, for example, by high winds.

The display panel and support structure may be produced from any suitable material, these including plastics, sheet rubber and metals, e.g. aluminium. Also the base may be produced from any suitable material these including cast iron, plastics, rubber and aluminium.

Although the support structure has been shown as including two legs, one, three or more legs may be employed. Thus, the support structure may comprise a single leg positioned generally centrally of, or extending across the full width of, the display panel. Also, the support structure may form an integral part of the display sign, that is to say the panel and the legs may be cut from a single sheet of material. Alternatively, the panel may seat within a relatively narrow slot formed in the cross piece 3.

Furthermore, the style and configuration of the panel and the base may differ from that illustrated. Also, the slings 9 may be replaced by any suitable resilient material, e.g. rubber, having the required characteristics of maintaining the display panel normally in a preferred attitude (which may be vertical or inclined to the vertical) and returning the display sign to the preferred attitude following pivotable movement caused for example by high winds.

It will be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of one particular embodiment of a display sign in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention. Thus, the slots 5 may be formed in the sides of the base.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display sign comprising a display panel or frame therefor which includes, or is supported by, a structure comprising at least one downwardly extending leg mounted for pivotable movement relative to a base by which the panel is supported, and means connected to or carried by the at least one leg operable to return the at least one leg and, consequently, the display panel to its original position after pivotable movement thereof.

2. A display sign as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the base is formed with a slot through which the leg(s) pass, the or each leg being supported on a pivot positioned below the slot and in the confines of the base.

3. A display sign as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the or each leg is supported on a pivot carried by an upstanding surface of the base.

4. A display sign as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for causing the or each leg to return to its original position comprises resilient means connected between the base and the at least one leg at a position below the pivot on which the or each leg is supported.

5. A display sign as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the resilient means comprises springs.

6. A display sign as claimed in Claims 1 to 3, wherein the means for causing the or each leg to return to its original position comprises a weight carried by the or each leg and positioned below the pivot on which the or each leg is supported.

7. A display sign having a display panel upstanding from and pivotably mounted relative to a base, and means connected between the base and a downwardly extending leg of the display panel at a position below the point of pivotable fixing of the at least one leg to the base, the means being capable of enabling the at least one leg to move about its point of fixing to the base and of causing the leg to return to a predetermined position after such pivotable movement.

8. A display sign as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the means capable of causing the leg to return to its predetermined position is resilient.

9. A display sign as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the leg is supported on a generally horizontal pivot carried by the base and passing through a slot formed in the base.

10. A display sign as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the resilient means comprises a coil spring connected at one end to an internal surface of the base and at its other end to the lower end of the at least one leg.

11. A display sign as claimed in Claim 10, wherein two coil springs are provided, one connected to each side of the lower end of the at least one leg and to a respective internal surface of the base.

12. A display sign as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the display panel is releasably mounted within a support frame from which the at least one leg extends.

13. A display sign as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the support frame includes two legs, each leg extending downwardly through a slot or aperture formed in the base to be supported on a generally horizontally extending pivot and each resiliently connected to opposite sides of the base.

14. A display sign substantially as herein described and as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2; or Figure 3; or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.