GB2286708A

GB2286708A - Sign mounting arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2286708A
Application number: GB9501163A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Raymond Rich
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-01-21
Filing date: 1995-01-20
Publication date: 1995-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2015-01-20
Also published as: GB9501163D0; GB2286708B

Abstract

A sign mounting arrangement comprises a suction device 10, 12 for attaching to a flat surface (e.g. the window of a building) by suction, and a mount 50 which defines a slot to receive an edge portion of a sign 61. Preferably the mount 50 is formed of resiliently flexible material to allow the sign to flex in the wind. The arrangement also includes lever arms (18, Fig. 4), rotation of which creates a vacuum betvveen the suction pad 12 and the flat surface. <IMAGE>

Description

SIGN MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to an arrangement for mounting a sign.

It is often necessary for a sign to be temporarily secured to a building or other structure such that no damage is done to that structure when the sign is mounted or removed.

Typical examples are 'For Sale' signs for buildings or price indicators for motor vehicles. At present, 'For Sale' signs are often screwed to the side of a building, thus leaving holes in the building when the sign is removed. Metal frames having signs mounted to them are often mounted to motor vehicles in order to indicate their sale price. However, such arrangements can scratch the paintwork of the vehicle.

The present invention seeks to overcome the problems outlined above and provides an arrangement which enables signs to be securely but temporarily mounted to a surface without damaging it.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sign mounting arrangement comprising a suction device for attaching to a surface, said suction device carrying a mounting means which defines a slot for receiving an edge portion of a sign.

Preferably the mounting means is formed of a resiliently flexible material, for example pvc. The flexible nature of the mounting means allows the sign to flex in the wind. Alternatively the mounting means may be rigid and the sign flexible. Apertures may be formed through opposite side walls of the mounting means in order to enable a securing pin or bolt to pass therethrough and through corresponding apertures in the edge portion of the sign: alternative means may be provided for securing the sign in position within the slot in the mounting means.

The sign mounting arrangement may be mounted by suction to a flat surface, for example the window of a building or the roof of a car, such that the mounting slot can receive a flat sign or display board to mount the latter in a plane generally perpendicular to the mounting surface. It will be appreciated that the sign mounting arrangement can be easily removed (e.g.

at the end of the day) and quickly replaced (e.g. at the start of the next day).

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a suction device used in a sign mounting arrangement according to the present invention; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a lever arm for operating the suction device of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the suction device, shown with the outer chassis member removed; FIGURE 4 is a schematic side view to show the operation of the suction device; FIGURE 5 is a front view of a sign mounting arrangement according to the present invention and incorporating the suction device of Figures 1 to 4; and FIGURE 6 is a sectional view of the sign mounting arrangement on line VI - VI of Figure 5.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a suction device used in a sign mounting arrangement in accordance with the present invention. The suction device comprises a moulded chassis member 10 having a generally inverted cup shape, and a suction pad 12 which is provided across the open base of the chassis member 10. A flange 14 is formed around the upper surface of the chassis member 10, a small portion of the flange being formed as a generally straight edge 15. The ends of the straight-edged portion 15 are extended downwards at right-angles and hooked stops 16 are formed at the lower ends thereof.

A lever arm 18, which extends through and spans the chassis member 10, is mounted for rotation and projects from apertures 20 formed on opposite sides of the chassis member.

One end of the lever arm 18 comprises a cranked portion 22, the suction device being assembled such that the lever arm 18 is prevented from rotating by more than about 1800 by the hooked stops 16 which provide end stops for the cranked portion 2 of the lever arm 18. The upper surface of the chassis member 10 is formed with studs 57.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, the lever arm 18 comprises a rod of generally circular cross-section having the cranked portion 22 formed at one end thereof. The lever arm 18 is formed with a curved section 23 at a generally central position between the cranked portion 22 and the opposite end of the lever arm 18. Mounting members 26 having apertures 24 are mounted at the centre of the suction pad (not shown), and the lever arm 18 is mounted for rotation within the chassis member by inserting it through the apertures 24 in the mounting members 26, such that the curved section 23 of the lever arm 18 is at a generally central position between the two mounting members 26.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, the suction pad 12 has a peripheral ridge 28 formed therein, in which the open base of the chassis member 10 is retained when the suction device is assembled. The lever arm 18 is inserted through apertures 20 and 24 (see Figures 2 and 3), thus coupling the chassis member 10 and the suction pad 12 together.

The inside of the chassis member 10 is formed with retaining means 30 for engaging with the mounting members 26, as shown in Figure 5. In use, the suction device is placed on a surface and the lever arm 18 is rotated by 1800 until the cranked portion 22 comes to rest on the opposite hooked stop 16 (see Figure 2). This action results in the curved section 23 of the lever arm 18 engaging the tops of the apertures 24 of the mounting members 26 and raising them, thus raising the central portion 32 of the suction pad 12 relative to its periphery and creating a vacuum in the resulting space between the surface and the suction pad 12. The suction device remains affixed to the flat surface until the lever arm 18 is rotated back to its original position, thereby destroying the vacuum and releasing the device.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings, the sign mounting arrangement in accordance with this invention comprises a mounting member 50 secured to the upper surface of the chassis member 10 in a generally central position. The mounting member 50 is formed from a resiliently flexible material, for example, pvc, and comprises a base flange 52 and a pair of walls 54 having a space 56 therebetween so as to define a slot. Apertures (not shown) are formed in the lower surface of the base flange 52 in order to enable the mounting member to be mounted on the upper surface of the chassis member 10 by positioning the apertures over the corresponding studs 57 (Figure 1) formed thereon. A holding cover 58 is formed from a rigid material and has a central generally rectangular aperture 60 which, when the sign mounting arrangement is assembled, passes over the walls 54 of the mounting member 50 and clamps the base flange 52 of the mounting member 50 to the upper surface of the chassis member 10. The holding cover 58 is secured to the chassis member by means of, for example, screws, bolts or rivets.

In use, the sign mounting arrangement is placed on a surface, for example, the roof of a car or a window of a building, and the lever arm 18 is rotated such that a vacuum is created between the suction pad 12 and the surface, thereby securing the arrangement to the surface. A sign 61, which may be flexible or rigid, is inserted in the slot formed between the walls 54 of the mounting member 50 such that a small portion of the edge of the sign 61 is received and held therein.

Apertures 62 may be formed in the walls 54 of the mounting member 50, and the sign 60 may have a corresponding aperture formed therein, such that a securing pin or screw 64 may pass through the walls 54 and the sign 60, thereby retaining the sign relative to the base flange 52. The flexible nature of the mounting member allows the sign to flex in the wind relative to the upper surface of chassis member 10 to which it is mounted.

Claims

1) A sign mounting arrangement, comprising a suction device for attaching to a surface, said suction device carrying a mounting means which defines a slot for receiving an edge portion of a sign.

2) A sign mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which said mounting means is formed of a resiliently flexible material.

3) A sign mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which one or more apertures are formed through opposite side walls of said mounting means, for passing a fixing pin or bolt therethrough.

4) A sign mounting arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said suction device includes a lever arm mounted for rotation to selectively create or destroy a vacuum between a suction pad of said device and said surface.

5) A sign mounting arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.