GB2260842A - Sign assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

A sign assembly 10 comprises a sign 11 and a post 12. The post has channels 13 to 15 each having a restricted mouth and being directed in a different direction. The sign 11 is mounted on the post 12 by a locating member 18 comprising a base (19 Figure 2) and an elongate element 20, which extends beyond and projects below the base 19. The element 20 has an enlarged head (22 Figure 3) which has been slidingly received in the channel 14. Once inserted. the member 18. and hence the sign 11. can be fixed to post 12 by a fastener extending through the projecting portion 24 of element 20. <IMAGE>

Description

Sign Assemblies This invention relates to sign assemblies and to elements thereof.

With the development of out of town retail sites external signing, such as in car parks, has become a significant factor in corporate thinking and there is a demand for high quality sign assemblies which are flexible in the sense that signs can be readily changed in accordance with changing needs and/or corporate image. Many of these signs are located in areas which are relatively remote and so they are susceptible to vandalism.

From one aspect the invention consists in a sign assembly comprising a sign element of generally rectangular form, a post having a channel extending along at least part of its length and open at one end, the channel having inturned lips to define a restricted mouth, and an elongate element, having an enlarged head, mounted at or adjacent an end of the sign element and extending beyond the sign element to provide a fixing location for fixing the sign element to the base when the head is slid into the channel through an open end thereof.

The sign element may be formed in two portions, each bearing a sign display face, and in that case the elongate element could be mounted on and extend beyond the base, which may be connected to the respective portions to hold them together.

The elongate element and the base may be extruded as a single unit, in which case the base will be partially cut away to expose a length of the elongate element before the base is attached to the sign portions. Preferably the base extends on either side of the elongate element to define fixing locations for the portions.

The sign portions may be generally in the form of open boxes and may, for example, be made of sheet metal. The portions may together define a recess for receiving the post and the base may be mounted within the recess. A cap may be provided for location at the top of the post to prevent withdrawal of the longitudinal element from the channel and a screw fastening or the like may be provided for fixing the elongate element to the post within the channel.

It will be readily understood that the assembly provides a strong structure which can be readily assembled and dismantled, because there are only a few fastening points, but which is difficult for a vandal to damage because the fastening points are either covered or well hidden. The combination of the elongate element and base provide a particularly cost effective and simple way of assembling and locating the sign portions.

The invention also includes a mounting for a sign comprising a base connectable to a sign or sign portions and an elongate element mounted along the base and projecting therefrom, the elongate element having an enlarged head so that it can be retained within a channel having a restricted mouth.

mouth.

Although the invention has been defined above it is to be understood that it includes any inventive combination of the features set out above or in the following description.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a specific embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of one end of a sign assembly, Figure 2 is an end view of the sign of the assembly of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a view from below of the sign of Figure 2.

A sign assembly generally indicated at 10 comprises a sign 11 and a post 12. The post has elongate channels 13 to 15 each having a restricted mouth and being directed in different directions.

A sign 10 comprises a pair of box-like sign portions 16 which are joined at their ends by a locating member 18 which comprises a base 19 and an elongate element 20. The latter extends beyond and projects below the base 19. The base 19 is secured to the respective sign portions 16,17 by welds or rivets 21 and serves to connect the sign portions 16,17 together. Normally the opposite end of the sign 10 would correspond and indeed would be mounted on a further post 12.

As can be seen in Figure 3 the elongate element 20 has an enlarged head 22 so that it can be slid into a channel 14 through the open end thereof, but cannot be withdrawn through the mouth of the channel.

In use the sign is mounted on the post or posts 12 by inserting the elongate element or elements 20 in the channel or channels 14 and sliding the sign down the post until it reaches the desired height. The sign is then secured in that position by inserting a fastener through aperture 23 in the projecting portion 24 of element 20 and securing it to the floor of the channel 14. A cap 25 can then be secured on the post by a fastener 26 and this will serve to prevent withdrawal of the sign 11. A further cap portion 27 may be then attached to the sign. Coloured inserts may be inserted into channels 13 and 15 prior to the capping operation to provide a distinct corporate image. Alternatively they may retain further signs although the ends of the sign portions 16,17 would need to be flush rather than providing the base receiving recess 28.

It will be understood that the concept of a base for connecting the sign portions and the projecting elongate member which provides a fastening location may be applied to a whole variety of signs.

Claims (10)

Claims

1. A sign assembly comprising a sign element of generally rectangular form, a post having a channel extending along at least part of its length and open at one end, the channel having inturned lips to define a restricted mouth, and an elongate element, having an enlarged head, mounted at or adjacent an end of the sign element and extending beyond the sign element to provide a fixing location for fixing the sign element to the post when the head is slid into the channel through the open end thereof.

2. A sign assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the sign element is formed in two portions, each bearing a sign display face and wherein the elongate element is mounted on and extends beyond a base, which is connected to the respective portion to hold them together.

3. A sign assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the elongate element and base are extruded as a single unit and wherein the base is cut away to expose a length of the elongate element.

4. A sign assembly as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the base extends on either side of the elongate element.

5. A sign assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the portions are generally in the form of open boxes.

6. A sign assembly as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the portions together define a recess for receiving the post.

7. A sign assembly as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the base is mounted in the recess.

8. A sign assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims further including a cap for location at the top of the post to prevent withdrawal of the longitudinal element the channel and/or a screw fastening or the like for fixing the elongate element to the post within the channel.

9. A sign assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

10. A mounting for a sign comprising a base connectable to a sign or sign portions and an elongate element mounted along the base and projecting therefrom, the elongate element having an enlarged head so that it can be retained within a channel having a restricted mouth.