GB2256520A - Portable sign. - Google Patents

Abstract

A sign includes a plastics backing panel 1 and a number of different display panels 2 for releasable attachment thereto. The display panels may include a write-on, wipe-off panel and possibly a panel to which a set of character elements 9 can be releasably attached to build up individual messages. Different mountings such as a handle, desk mount or floor stand can also be releasably attached to the backing panel. The sign may include a rearwardly projecting leg for floor support. Alternatively, the sign may be suspended from a suitable support. The display panels may be attached to the backing panel by means of engaging hooks and loops, or magnetic means may be utilised. These means may be used in mounting the sign on to desk mount or floor stand. <IMAGE>

Description

SIGNS TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to signs.

BACKGROUND It is already known from GB 162 721 for example to provide a vehicle identification plate in which the various characters can be changed by the user.

An aim of the present invention may be viewed as being to provide a form of sign which is capable of a wide variety of uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a portable sign comprising, in combination, a backing panel, a plurality of different display panels, attachment means for releasably attaching the display panels to the backing panel so that different messages can be displayed by the sign, a plurality of different mounting devices by which the sign is supported in use, and fixing means for releasably securing the mounting devices to the display panel to provide the user with a choice of different support means.

In a preferred arrangement the mounting devices include handle means by which the sign can be held and carried in the hand. The fixing means is preferably arranged to allow the handle means to be secured to the backing panel in a plurality of different positions.

One of the mounting devices preferably includes a support leg which projects rearwardly from the rear of the backing panel for supporting the sign, e.g. on a desk top.

The sign may be provided with a magnetic mounting for magnetically securing the sign to a motor vehicle or any other magnetically attractable article.

The sign could also be provided with a floor stand.

A plurality of similar signs may be secured together to form a larger sign.

In one form, the display panel may comprise a display surface which can be written on by the user and which allows the written material to be wiped off after use.

The means for detachably mounting the display panels on the backing panel may, for example, comprise a multiplicity of hooks which engage a multiplicity of loops. A piece of adhesive-backed hook material may be adhesively secured to the backing panel and a piece of adhesive-backed loop material may be adhesively secured to each display panel, or vice versa. Magnetic attachment means can also be used to detachably mount the display panels on the backing panel.

Similar hook-and-loop fixings can be used to secure the mounting devices to the backing panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a sign of the invention, Figure 2 is section II-II of Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a perspective front view of a mount adaptor for use with the sign, Figure 4 is a rear view of the mount adaptor of Fig. 4, Figure 5 is a suspension device for use with the sign, Figures 6 and 7 are similar views to Fig.s 1 and 2 but showing a different form of the sign, and Figures 8 and 9 are rear views of the sign of Fig.s 6 and 7 showing two different forms of mounting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to Fig.s 1 and 2, the sign includes a generally rectangular plastics backing panel 1 and a metal display panel 2.

The backing panel 1 is vacuum formed and includes a flat area 3 which is surrounded on all four sides by a continuous, forwardly projecting U-section frame portion 4. The frame has top and bottom sections 5 and 6 respectively and shorter end sections 7 and 8.

The display panel 2 is formed by an aluminium sheet having a layer of nickel deposited on its front surface by a plating process. The sheet is thus lightweight whilst the nickel layer renders the sheet magnetically attractable so that a number of discreet magnetic character elements 9 may be removably secured to the sheet 2. The display panel 2 is detachably secured to the backing panel 1 by bolts 10 which are provided with generally cylindrical finger nuts 11 having axial ribs for gripping purposes.The character elements 9 can be of lightweight plastics material and may either contain magnetic particles or have magnetic tape affixed to their rear surfaces. (The elements 9 could also be secured by hook and loop material.) Some of the character elements 9 each carry a letter of the alphabet enabling words to be constructed on the display panel 2, whilst others carry blank spaces numbers, punctuation marks or other symbols.

The top, bottom and end portions of the frame 4 are each provided with a pair of attachment holes 12 to which a generally U-shaped handle 14 can be releasably secured by bolts inserted through the frame into the handle. These handles may alternatively be attached by various means. For example, the frame may be provided with a track into which parts of the handles can be slid. Another possibility is female connectors for snap-fit engagement with male connectors provided on the handles, or vice versa. By thus providing a choice of fixing positions for the handles the user can decide where to attach the handles, and how many handles to attach, to best suit the way in which he/she intends to use the sign. For example, a single handle can be is attached to the bottom section 6 of the frame 4 so that the sign can be held in a high position.The handle could also be attached to an end section, 7 or 8, so that the sign can be held in an extended position.

The sign is provided with various mounting devices which are secured to the sign via a mount adaptor 20, shown in Fig.s 3 and 4. The mount adaptor comprises a bottom wall 21 from which are upstanding a rear wall 22 and end walls 23 and 24. Inwardly directed flanges 25 and 26 are secured to the upper edges of the end walls 23 and 24 and rear wall 22, and these flanges contain apertures 27 by which the mounting device can be secured to the attachment holes 12 by further bolts 28 and finger nuts 29 of the kind described above. The mount adaptor may include additional fixing apertures such as aperture 30 in the bottom wall 21. In addition, a tubular socket 31 is secured to the external surface of the rear wall 22, a fixing screw 32 being inserted through the wall of the socket. The socket 31 may be secured to the mount device 20 in various positions and orientations.

Also shown in Fig. 3 is a magnetic mounting disc 33 having an axially projecting threaded stud 34 for reception in the aperture 31. A wing nut 35 (or its equivalent) is screwed onto the stud 34 to secure the disc 33 to the mount device. The disc 33 can be used to securely mount the sign on the roof of a motor vehicle or to any other magnetically attractable metal article.

Other forms of mounting could be attached to the sign via the mount adaptor 20. For example, a tripodal support having an upwardly projecting spigot could be inserted into the socket 31 and secured by tightening the screw 32.

By removing the handle 14 from the upper section of the frame 4 a flexible element 41 (Fig. 5) can be inserted through the fixing holes. The ends of the element 41 are provided with toggles 42 to abut the frame 4. The sign can thus be suspended from the element 41.

The sign is suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and provided rustproof fasteners are used the sign can be completely weatherproof.

By unscrewing the nuts 11 from the bolts 10 the display panel can be removed and replaced by any one of a number of alternative display panels each bearing a different predetermined notice or the like. In another modification (not shown) a further display panel 2 can be provided for attachment to the backing panel 1, having a surface which can be written on using a marker pen which can be wiped off after use.

It will be appreciated that the front and rear faces of the backing panel 1 could be provided with display panels 2.

A transparent lens may be removably mounted over the characters to protect them and enhance their visibility.

A further, low cost version of the sign is shown in Fig.s 6 and 7. In this version a plastics backing panel 1 is provided with a number of display panels 2 carrying different predetermined messages. A selected display panel can be releasably secured to the backing panel 1 by means of complementary hook-and-loop type pads 50 secured to the opposed faces of the two panels 1, 2, conveniently in their four corners. The rear face of the backing panel 1 is again provided with one or more pads 51 of hook-and-loop type material to which a mounting device can be secured.

One form of the mounting device is shown in Fig. 8.

The mounting device 52 is generally E-shaped with complementary pads of hook-and-loop material being secured to the two outer limbs 53 and 54 of the device for attachment to the pads 51 of the backing panel.

The connecting cross-piece 55 projects to one side of the backing panel for use as a handle. The centre limb 56 is pivotally engaged with the cross-piece 55 with a frictional engagement so that it can be pivoted out of the plane of the device to act as a support leg enabling the sign to be stood on a table or other generally horizontal surface.

Another form of mounting device shown in Fig. 9 comprises two inverted T-shaped legs 57 and 58 which can be secured to the pads 51 of the backing panel 1 to act as a floor stand. By using one leg only only, inverting it and securing it to the pads 51 by means of complementary connecting pads on the cross-piece 59 of the T, a single leg can thereby be formed for supporting the sign (Fig. 10). Again, magnetic mounts can be provided. The display panel 2 could also be replaced by a panel which is adapted for the attachment of separate character elements or for use with a wipeoff marker pen.

Examples of the various uses to which the sign of the invention can be put include: * Destination signs for hitchhikers.

* In-store signs for retail shops.

* Portable warning signs for use with motor vehicles.

* Temporary number plates or "on tow" signs for motor vehicles or trailers.

* A "for sale" sign for use with motor vehicles.

* Advertising on a motor vehicle or elsewhere.

* Identification signs for company representatives or other people making a rendezvous.

* For conveying greetings or other messages.

* At exhibitions, shows, concerts or other events.

* Signs for use by the emergency services.

* To convey messages to people taking part in games or other recreational activities.

Claims (11)

1. A portable sign comprising, in combination, a backing panel, a plurality of different display panels, attachment means for releasably attaching the display panels to the backing panel so that different messages can be displayed by the sign, a plurality of different mounting devices by which the sign is supported in use, and fixing means for releasably securing the mounting devices to the display panel to provide the user with a choice of different support means.

2. A sign according to Claim 1, in which the mounting devices include handle means by which the sign may be held and carried in the hand.

3. A sign according to Claim 2, in which the fixing means is arranged to allow the handle means to be secured to the backing panel in a plurality of different positions.

4. A sign according to any preceding claim, in which the mounting devices include a device which has a support leg which projects rearwardly from the rear of the backing panel for supporting the sign.

5. A sign according to any preceding claim, in which the mounting devices include a magnetic mounting device for magnetically securing the sign to a magnetically attractable article.

6. A sign according to any preceding claim, in which the mounting devices include a floor stand for supporting the backing panel on leg means above a floor.

7. A sign according to any preceding claim, in which the fixing means for the mounting devices utilises hook-and-loop engagement.

8. A sign according to any preceding claim, in which the display panels include a panel having a display surface which can be written on by the user and which allows the written material to be wiped off after use.

9. A sign according to any preceding claim, in which the display panels include a panel having a display surface on which a plurality of separate character elements can be removably secured, in combination which a plurality of said character elements for attachment thereto to create different messages.

10. A sign according to any preceding claim, in which the attachment means for the display panels utilises hook-and-loop engagement.

11. A portable sign substantially as described herein.