GB2274011A - Display signs. - Google Patents

Abstract

A display sign comprises a frame 2 for mounting a banner type display sign 20, the frame having a pair of vertical posts 4, a transverse member 6 removably connectable to the posts, the banner type display sign being attachable by means including the transverse member, and the vertical posts being detachably mounted in sockets formed in foot members 10 located on the roof of a vehicle. A stabilising rod 26 may be housed in a hem formed on the lower edge of the banner. A webbing 12 may extend between lower portion of the posts 4, and be removably connected to extension straps 18 which pass through the open windows of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

DISPLAY SIGNS This invention relates to display signs and is particularly concerned with advertising signs which are intended to be removably mounted on the saleable goods.

A particular, although not exclusive use is in an advertising sign which may be mounted on the roof or other part of a motor car or other vehicle in a showroom or forecourt.

It is known to provide a rigid frame having four feet which are located towards the side of the roof of a vehicle, and within the frame is mounted a rigid or flexible display board or sheet on which is printed relevant advertising matter, eg the price of the vehicle. The frame includes two upright members at its transverse ends and these are joined together by transverse members.

The complete assembly is comparatively rigid and whilst it is adequate for its intended use, it is found to be awkward and space-consuming in storage and its construction does not lend itself readily to transport and delivery in supply.

It is an object of this invention to provide such a display sign that offers improvements in relation to the above-mentioned drawbacks, and/or to provide improvements generally.

According to the invention there is provided a display sign as claimed in the accompanying claims.

Further independent aspects of the invention include firstly a display sign in which upright posts are detachably mountable in sockets associated with foot members adapted to be located on the roof of a vehicle or the like. Secondly, there is provided a display sign for vehicles or the like wherein a display banner adapted to be rolled-up for storage or transport is attachable to an upright support framework.

A third aspect of the invention provides a display sign for vehicles or the like wherein a roof-mounted support for the sign comprises foot or base-member interconnected by a flexible tension member to support the sign and having extension straps or strips adapted to be secured by cooperation with a vehicle window.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a frame for mounting a display sign, comprising a pair of substantially vertical posts, a transverse rod member removably connectable to the vertical posts by connecting means, a banner attachable to the frame by means which includes the transverse member, and where the vertical posts are removably mounted in sockets formed in or on foot members which are adapted to be located on the roof of a vehicle.

A flexible strap may extend between the lowermost portions of the vertical posts and may be provided with extensions beyond those posts for the purpose of securing the display sign to the vehicle.

The above and other features of the invention will come to light from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a display sign according to the invention in a typical form of use; Fig 2 is a front elevation with some parts shown to a larger scale; Fig 3 is an exploded view.

Fig 4 is a scrap view of part of an alternative embodiment.

Fig 5 is a scrap view of part of a second alternative embodiment.

Fig 6 is a front elevation of a third alternative embodiment.

As seen in the drawings, a display sign comprises a frame 2 having vertical posts 4 and a transverse member 6 connected to the posts. The transverse member 6 may be connected to the vertical posts 4 by sleeves 8 as seen in Figs 2 and 3.

Alternatively the member 6 may fit within a bell-mouthed portion 4A of the post 4 as illustrated in Fig 4. In a further alternative arrangement seen in Fig 5, part of the inturned portion of the post 4 may fit within a bell-mouthed portion 6A of the member 6.

The posts 4 are removably mounted in sockets 9 formed midway along the lengths of horizontal feet 10 which are provided with resilient pads 11.

A strap 12 of webbing material extends transversely between the lower portions of the posts 4 and the posts pass through grommets 14 before entering the sockets in the feet 10. The end portions of the straps are removably secured by connectors 16 to extension straps 18.

A banner 20 is formed with a hem 22 along its topmost edge and the transverse member 6 passes through that hem. A further hem 24 is formed along the lowermost edge of the banner and receives and locates a rod 26 the weight of which assists in stablizing the banner.

In use, the feet are placed in position on the roof R of eg a vehicle V for sale, and the extension straps 18 are passed through the open windows of the vehicle which are then closed to trap the straps between the window and its frame as seen in Fig 1.

In an alternative arrangement, not shown, the extension straps 18 may be replaced by hook members which may either hook on to the underside of gutters on the vehicle roof, or may themselves be held in place by being trapped between the window and its frame.

In a further alternative arrangement seen in Fig 6, instead of the member 6 passing through a hem as described, the top edge of the banner is provided with two or more resilient hooks 7 which are flexed to snap over the transverse member 6. Preferably the outermost two of those hooks are positioned adjacent the sleeves 8 and thus retain the banner centrally within the frame 2.

For storage, despatch or transport, the sign is dismantled by withdrawing the posts 4 from their sockets in the feet 10. The transverse member 6 is then withdrawn from the sleeves 8 or the bell-mouthed connections 4A and 6A and may remain in position in the hem 22 as may the stabilising rod 26. Webbing strap 12 with connectors 16 and extension straps 18 are then removed from the posts 4.

The components of the sign may then be readily stored or transported for delivery to a required destination within a conventional mailing tube having a diameter of approximately five centimetres. For this purpose, the banner 20 may be rolled up using one of the rods 6 or 26 as a core after which the vertical rods and the feet are laid parallel to the rolled banner and the webbing straps pass round the thus assembled components.

The posts 4 and transverse members 6 and 26 are preferably formed from steel rod or tube, but may equally well be of aluminium alloy or of plastics rod or tube.

The banner 12 is preferably made from flexible sheet plastics material, or any other flexible material may be chosen.

Although the display sign is illustrated as being used in conjunction with a motor car, it may of course, be used with any other vehicle, including a boat or caravan.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS :

1 A display sign comprising a frame for mounting a banner type display sign, the frame having a pair of substantially vertical posts, a transverse member removably connectable to the vertical posts by connecting means, the banner type display sign being attachable by means which includes the transverse member, and wherein the vertical posts are detachably mounted in sockets formed in or on foot members which are adapted to be located on the roof of a vehicle.

2 A display sign according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means by which the transverse member is connectable to the substantially vertical posts comprises sleeve members adapted to fit over end members of the posts and the transverse member.

3 A display sign according to claim 1 wherein the connecting means by which the transverse member is connectable to the substantially vertical posts comprises bell-mouthed portions of end parts of the post adapted to fit over end portions of the transverse member, or bell-mouthed portions of the transverse member adapted to fit over end portions of the substantially vertical posts.

4 A display sign according to claims 1 to 3 above wherein the transverse member is located along within a hem formed on the upper edge portion of the banner.

5 A display sign according to claims 1 to 3 above wherein the banner is provided along its top edge with a plurality of clip members adapted to be snapped on to the transverse member in order to secure the banner to the frame.

6 A display sign according to all or any of the above claims wherein a stabilizing rod is housed within a hem formed on the lower edge of the banner.

7 A display sign according to all or any of the above claims wherein the lower end portions of the substantially vertical posts are inter-connected by a transverse member.

8 A display sign according to claim 7 wherein said transverse member extends beyond the substantially vertical posts and is provided with means for attachment to the vehicle on which the display sign is being displayed.

9 A display sign according to claim 8 wherein the means for attachment to the vehicle include extensions of the transverse member which are adapted to be trapped between a window of the vehicle and the window frame.

10 A display sign according to claim 8 wherein the means for attachment to the vehicle include hook-shaped members adapted to be hooked on to the underside of gutters on the roof of the vehicle, or on to the window frame.

11 A display sign according to claims 7 to 10 above wherein the transverse member comprises a flexible strap of webbing material.

12 A display sign according to claims 7 to 11 above wherein the transverse member is provided with grommets through which the substantially vertical posts pass before entering the sockets formed in the foot members.

13 A display sign substantially as herein described with reference to Figs 1 to 3.

14 A display sign substantially as herein described with reference to Figs 1 to 4 or 1 to 5.

15 A display sign substantially as herein described with reference to Fig 6.