GB2251512A

GB2251512A - Sign

Info

Publication number: GB2251512A
Application number: GB9127507A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Mark Whitchurch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-01-04
Filing date: 1991-12-31
Publication date: 1992-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2011-12-31
Also published as: GB9100122D0; GB9127507D0; GB2251512B

Abstract

A sign comprises a sign board 5 suspended by an elongate frame component 1 comprising a slot 2 extending over the length thereof and having in cross-section a portion whose width is greater than that of the entrance to the slot. An edge of the sign board 5 is suspended from the slot by means of a support member 6 extending outwardly from each face of the board and to a width greater than that of the entrance to the slot. <IMAGE>

Description

SIGN This invention relates to a sign comprising a sign board supported in a frame, and to an elongate component for use in forming such a frame.

Many signs are formed from a plastics board supported in a frame formed from aluminium extrusions. Typically, such extrusions are formed with a slot for receiving the edge of the board, the uppermost edge of the board being secured in its slot so that the board hangs from the uppermost frame member with the other edges simply constrained by the respective slots, without being secured in them. The upper edge of the board is typically held in its respective slot by attaching a strip of material, for example a strip of the board material, to the upper edge of the board. The strip is then engaged on a surface within the slot to suspend the board.

If the board is bowed, for example by wind pressure, it is possible for the strip to disengage from the slot, resulting in the board slipping in the frame and resting on the lower frame member. Additionally, the process for securing the upper edge in the slot is labour intensive and slow, substantially increasing production costs for the sign. The present invention seeks to reduce the work required in the manufacture of a sign.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a sign comprising a sign board supported in a frame, at least one side of the frame consisting of an elongate component comprising a slot extending over the length thereof and having, in cross-section, at least one portion thereof whose width is greater than that of the entrance to the slot, wherein an edge of the sign board extends into the slot and is retained in the slot by means of at least one support member extending outwardly from each face of the board, the or each support member being located within said wider portion of the slot, the width of the support member being greater than that of the entrance to the slot, so as to engage the interior of the slot at both sides of the entrance, whereby the sign board is suspended from said component.

The support member is conveniently in the form of an elongate channel having a flange extending outwardly from each side of the mouth of the channel. The support member may extend for the full width of the sign board, or a number of shorter support members may be spaced along the edge of the board. The support member is located on the sign board with the upper edge of the sign board extending into the channel, and may be secured in place by rivets or bolts, preferably formed of a plastics material and secured in such a manner as to allow for thermal expansion of the sign board at a different rate to the support member.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the support member is in the--form of a cylinder having a radial slot extending along its length. The upper edge of the sign board engages in the slot, while the cylinder is located within the slot in the elongate frame component, the interior of the slot being shaped to conform with the cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the elongate component is formed with opposed grooves defining the entrance to the slot, with the support member having outwardly-extending flanges which engage in the grooves to hold the support member (or members) in the elongate component.

In an alternative preferred embodiment of the invention, holes are drilled in the upper edge of the sign board at intervals therealong, and short lengths of rod, for example of a plastics material, are inserted in the holes. The diameter of the rods is such that they are freely rotatable in the holes. The rods are then positioned within the slot in the upper elongate frame component and serve as rollers to assist in insertion in the slot, as well as suspending the sign board within the component. Preferably, the rods locate in the opposed grooves of the elongate component according to the previously-described preferred embodiment.

The sign board is typically formed of a plastics -material, for example a poly(methyl methacrylate) material such as that sold under the Registered Trade Mark "Perspex".

The elongate component and the support member are both suitably formed as aluminium extrusions, although it may alternatively be desirable to form the support member from a plastics material having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the sign board.

As an alternative to the channel form of the support member, a plurality of discrete support members may be positioned along the said edge at intervals from one another, the intervals being chosen according to the size of the sign board.

The sign will conveniently be assembled by attaching the support member or members to the upper edge of the sign board, for example by locating it or them in position on the said edge, drilling through the or each support member and through the upper edge of the sign board located therein, and then passing a fixing member such as a plastics bolt therethrough. If required, the holes may be of slightly larger diameter than the fixing members to allow for differential thermal expansion between the support member and the board. The sign board is then located in the upper frame member by sliding the support member or members into the wider portion of the slot in the frame member from one end thereof.The other sides of the frame are then positioned over the other edges of the sign board such that the edges lie within the slot and the frame components are then secured together in conventional manner.

Another aspect of the invention provides an elongate component for use in forming a support frame for a sign board, comprising a slot extending over the length of the component and having, in cross-section, at least a portion thereof whose width is greater than that of the entrance to the slot.

Reference is made to the drawings, which show in cross section the upper edge of signs according to three exemplary embodiments of the invention, and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invent ion; Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 illustrates a frame member according to another embodiment of the invention.

The upper frame member 1 consists of an aluminium extruded section formed such that two spaced opposing webs la and ib thereof define the entrance to a slot or hollow portion 2 within the extrusion. An upper portion 3 of the frame member 1 is closed and has a pair of webs lc and ld which are used in conventional manner for receiving a clip for attaching two portions of the extrusion together, for example at a mitred corner. At the lower most part of the frame member 1 is provided a leg le having a flange lf directed towards the front face of the frame member and serving in use as a back support stop for the sign board, as hereinafter described. The leg le is also provided with a locating groove 4 therealong which serves to locate a drill for drilling fixing holes whereby the frame member may be screwed to a vertical surface, for example.

The sign board 5, for example, of a plastics material, has a support member in the form of an elongate extruded aluminium channel 6 attached to the upper edge thereof by means of spaced plastics fixings 7, for example formed with an enlarged head 7a and a shaft 7b whose diameter is smaller than the holes formed through the channel member and the board 5, with a spring washer clip 8 of conventional form pushed onto the end of the shaft 7b to hold the fixing in position. The positions for drilling the holes through the channel 6 is also determined by a locating groove (not shown).

The channel member 6 has an outwardly extending flange 6a and 6b extending from each side of the entrance thereto, by a distance such that the overall width of the channel member is greater than the space between the webs la and ib. Thus, when the channel member 6 on the upper edge of the sign board 5 is slid into the slot 2, it is retained therein by the flanges 6a and 6b engaging the webs la and ib respectively. In this way, the sign board is suspended within the upper frame member. The flange if serves to restrain the board, limiting flexing thereof.

The same extrusion 1 may be used for forming the other sides of the frame, in each case without the use of the support member, the edge of the board 5 extending into the slot 2 and being constrained between the flange if and the web ib.

Referring to Figure 2, the upper frame member 10 again consists of an aluminium extruded section formed with a pair of inwardly-extending opposed ribs iOa and lOb defining the mouth of a slot contained within the body of the extrusion.

A second pair of inwardly-extending opposed ribs lOc and lOd are located within the slot adjacent to the ribs lOa and lOb respectively so as to define between adjacent ribs a groove lOe and lOf. At the lowermost part of the frame member 10 is a leg lOg having a flange lOh directed towards the front face of the frame member and serving as a back support stop for the sign board, as in the first embodiment.

The sign board 11 has attached to the upper edge thereof, by means, for example, of plastics nuts and bolts 12, an elongate extruded aluminium channel 13 having outwardly-extending flanges 13a and 13b, again in a similar manner to that described with reference to Figure 1. In use, the flanges 13a and 13b are slid into the grooves lOe and lOf respectively to retain the upper edge of the sign board in the upper frame member. Other sides of the frame may be formed from the same extruded section, but without the use of the channel 13, joining the frame members together by means of right-angled jointing members, for example of ribbed plastics, forced into the upper portion of the extruded section defined therein by opposed inwardly-extending ribs lOi and lOj.Additional bracing may be achieved by right-angled bracing members having one arm slotted into the channel defined between members lOa and lOh of one frame member and with the other arm slotted into the corresponding channel on the next adjacent frame member.

As an alternative to the plastics nuts and bolts 12, plastics fixings which are a simple push fit in the holes may be used, these fixings being split longitudinally to provide for some relative movement between components due -to thermal expansion.

The use of the channel 13 is particularly advantageous for signs using more than one board. The boards may be joined by rebating adjacent edges so that they fit together, and securing the edges together, for example by adhesive between the rebated surfaces. The channel 13 serves as further security against separation at the joint, the two boards both being attached to the channel.

Another alternative form of the frame member 10 is shown in Figure 3. This is essentially the same as in Figure 2 but includes a web 30 between the front and rear members 31 and 32 to provide additional bracing where a wider frame member is required.

Claims

1. A sign, comprising a sign board supported in a frame, at least one side of the frame consisting of an elongate component comprising a slot extending over the length thereof and having, in cross-section, at least one portion thereof whose width is greater than that of the entrance to the slot, wherein an edge of the sign board extends into the slot and is retained in the slot by means of at least one support member extending outwardly from each face of the board, the or each support member being located within said wider portion of the slot, the width of the support member being greater than that of the entrance to the slot, so as to engage the interior of the slot at both sides of the entrance, wherein the sign board is suspended from said component.

2. A sign according to Claim 1, wherein the support member is in the form of an elongate channel having a flange extending outwardly from each side of the mouth of the channel.

3. A sign according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the support member extends for the full width of the sign board.

4. A sign according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of short support members are spaced along the edge of the sign board.

5. A sign according to any of Claims 2, 3 and 4, wherein the or each support member is secured in place on the edge of the sign board by means of rivets, bolts or screws.

6. A sign according to Claim 5, wherein the rivets, bolts or screws are formed of a plastics material.

7. A sign according to Claim 1, wherein the support member is in the form of a cylinder having a radial slot extending along its length.

8. A sign according to Claim 7, wherein the slot in the elongate frame compoiieiiL iuiiliapedLoconform With the cylinder.

9. A sign according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the elongate component is formed with opposed grooves defining the entrance to the slot, flanges on the support member or members engaging in the grooves.

10. A sign according to Claim 1, wherein the board has holes drilled therethrough at intervals therealong adjacent to the upper edge thereof, and the support members comprise short lengths of rod inserted in and freely rotatable in the holes.

11. An elongate component for use in forming a supporting frame for a sign board, comprising, in cross-section, a front portion and a rear portion whose length is greater than that of the front portion, at least one web joining the front and rear portions, a first flange extending from the front-portion at a position adjacent to or at an edge thereof, and a second flange extending from the rear portion at a position intermediate the ends thereof towards the first flange so as to define a slot extending along the length of the component, with the first and second flanges forming the entrance to the slot with a support surface along each side thereof within the slot, and a third flange extending from a position adjacent to or at the free end of the rear portion and in the same general direction as the second flange.

12. An elongate component according to Claim 11, in the form of an extrusion of aluminium or an alloy thereof.

13. A method of fixing a sign board in a frame at least the upper member whereof comprises a longitudinal slot whose entrance is narrower than the remainder of the slot, the method comprising attaching to the upper edge of the board at least one supporting member having a channel for receiving the edge of the board and a pair of opposed outwardly directed flanges thereon, inserting the supporting member or members into the slot of the upper member from one end thereof so that the flanges retain the member within the slot, and assembling the other components of the frame with the upper member.

14. A sign comprising a frame having the upper member thereof comprises a longitudinal slot whose entrance is narrower than a body portion thereof, and a sign board held by the frame and supported by at least one supporting member engaging the upper end thereof and extending from each side of the board so that the width thereof is greater than that of the entrance to the slot, the supporting member or members being received in the body portion of the slot.

15. A sign, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

16. An elongate component for a sign, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

17. A method of fixing a sign board in a frame, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.