GB2287119A

GB2287119A - Display signs

Info

Publication number: GB2287119A
Application number: GB9403972A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Andre Drapans
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-03-02
Filing date: 1994-03-02
Publication date: 1995-09-06
Also published as: GB9403972D0

Abstract

A display sign is disclosed, comprising a display panel or frame therefor supported from a base by at least one pair of inclined elongate struts 3 by which each side of the panel or frame is secured to the base, each strut being capable of flexing lengthwise to allow the sign or frame to pivot relative to the base and to return to its original position after such pivotal movement. There is also disclosed a display sign comprising a display panel or frame therefor supported from a base by two pairs of support struts 3 of equal length, the support struts of each pair extending upwardly from the base at a common angle for attachment to the panel or frame at the same or closely adjacent positions on the front and rear faces of the panel or frame, and each strut being produced as a strip whose longitudinal axis is normally straight but which can flex to adopt a curvilinear shape. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO DISPLAY SIGNS This invention relates to display signs and more especially, but not exclusively, to free standing pavement signs used, for example, to advertise products and services available for sale or hire in shops or premises close to where the signs are displayed.

One disadvantage of many pavement signs is a tendency to overturn when subjected to high winds because inter alia of the way in which the display panels are connected to the base of the sign and an inability to flex to reduce the effects of high winds. To overcome this problem, pavement signs have been produced which have a display panel suspended by a pair of hooks from brackets mounted on a horizontal arm of a tubular frame. When subjected to high winds, the panel merely swings within the frame. A sign is also known in which a display panel is supported on two or more relatively stiff upstanding springs secured to the base. These and other known display signs tend to suffer from several disadvantages, these including a tendency for the sign to move rapidly between generally horizontal and vertical positions thereby rendering the sign unstable, and being expensive to produce, unattractive to the eye, and overcomplicated having regard to their intended purpose.

My co-pending patent application 9022880.0 (publication number 2248960) discloses a display sign which comprises a display panel supported by a structure comprising a pair of downwardly extending legs mounted for pivotable movement relative to a base by which the panel is supported. Each leg is connected to a pair of generally horizontal coil springs which co-operate to return the display panel to its original position after pivotable movement thereof.

Whilst this early display sign operates efficiently, it is relatively expensive to produce and suffers aesthetically because the base from which the sign is supported needs to be relatively substantial to provide the required degree of support thereby possibly detracting from the sign itself.

The present invention sets out to provide a display sign which is an improvement over our earlier display sign and which overcomes, or at least alleviates, disadvantages to be found in other display signs.

According to the present invention in one aspect, there is provided a display sign comprising a display panel or frame therefor supported from a base by at least one pair of inclined elongate struts by which each side of the panel or frame is secured to the base, each strut being capable of flexing lengthwise to allow the sign or frame to pivot relative to the base and to return to its original position after such pivotal movement.

In another aspect, there is provided a display sign comprising a display panel or frame therefor supported from a base by two pairs of support struts of equal length, the support struts of each pair extending upwardly from the base at a common angle for attachment to the panel or frame at the same or closely adjacent positions on the front and rear faces of the panel or frame, and each strut being produced as a strip whose longitudinal axis is normally straight but which can flex to adopt a curvilinear shape.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display sign in accordance with the invention; Figures 2 and 3 are respectively side views of the sign illustrated in Figure 1 in upright and inclined positions; and Figure 4 is a plan view from above of the display sign illustrated in Figure 1.

The display sign illustrated comprises a double sided display panel 1 secured by welding, screws, bolts, studs or other conventional fixing means 2 to one free end of each of four support struts 3, the struts 3 being secured at their other free ends to each corner of a base 4. As will be seen from Figures 2 and 3, each strut 3 can flex longitudinally between an initial straight configuration as shown in Figure 2 to a curved configuration as shown in Figure 3 in which the display panel 1 adopts an attitude which approaches the horizontal. The struts 3 are preferably produced from spring steel although any material having the required characteristics of strength and ability to flex longitudinally can be employed.

Each strut 3 is connected securely to the base by welding, screws, bolts, studs or other conventional fixings 5 and is inclined upwardly from the base to its point of securement to the sign. The angle of inclination of each strut is the same. Also, the length of each strut is the same, this length being selected to ensure that the display panel or frame is positioned at a required height above ground level. Each pair of struts 3 is so positioned that one strut of that pair is secured to the panel at a location immediately opposed to the point of securement of the other strut of that pair to the other side of the panel. By so doing, the struts of each pair co-operate to the extent that as one strut 3' flexes to define a concave outline, so the opposite strut 3" flexes to define a complementary convex outline. This is illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

In an alternative unillustrated embodiment, the struts to one side of the display panel are secured to the panel at locations which are offset with respect to the positions at which the struts to the other side of the panel are secured. Also, a single generally centrally located strut may be secured to one panel side, a pair of struts being secured to the other panel side generally as illustrated. The height of the panel above ground level can readily be varied depending on the display required with the added benefit that the lower margin of the sign can be set at a relatively low height to bring the flexing line of the sign close to ground level.

As will be seen from Figure 4, as well as being inclined upwardly, the struts 3 incline inwardly towards the panel centre to provide additional support. The base 4 comprises an open frame supported by feet 6.

The display panel 1 may be produced from any suitable material, these including plastics, sheet rubber and metals, e.g. aluminium. Also the base 4 may be produced by an injection moulding or vacuum forming process from any suitable material these including cast iron, plastics, rubber and aluminium.

Although the support structure has been shown as including two pairs of struts 3, three struts or more than two pairs of struts may be employed.

Furthermore, the style and configuration of the panel and the base may differ from that illustrated. Also, the elongate struts may be replaced by other elongate members having the required characteristics of maintaining the display panel normally in a preferred attitude (which may be vertical or inclined to the vertical) and returning the display sign to the preferred attitude following pivotable movement caused for example by high winds.

An advantage of the display signs described is the small number of parts to be assembled. Thus, the signs described are essentially produced from three items, namely the panel, the base and the struts. An additional advantage is that the flexible struts 3 which support the display panel 1 enable the sign to remain stable during high winds principally because of the ability of the panel to move towards a generally horizontal attitude thereby significantly reducing the forces imposed on the sign by high winds. Thus, the signs are inherently stable and, consequently, safe in the sense that they do not fly or move during high winds to the potential harm of pedestrians, vehicles and property. Also, because the materials from which the sign can be produced are preferably plastics and/or rubber, if the sign is struck by a vehicle or thrown by, say, a vandal, the resultant damage is unlikely to be significant.

Further advantages of signs in accordance with the invention include enhanced longevity because of their inherent stability, an ability to raise a display panel closer to eye level (that is to say a higher and smaller sign can be employed), and a pleasantly aesthetic appearance.

It will be understood that the foregoing is merely exemplary of one particular embodiment of a display sign in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A display sign comprising a display panel or frame therefor supported from a base by at least one pair of inclined elongate struts by which each side of the panel or frame is secured to the base, each strut being capable of flexing lengthwise to allow the sign or frame to pivot relative to the base and to return to its original position after such pivotal movement.

2. A display sign comprising a display panel or frame therefor supported from a base by two pairs of support struts of substantially equal length, the support struts of each pair extending upwardly from the base at a common angle for attachment to the panel or frame at the same or closely adjacent positions on the front and rear faces of the panel or frame, and each strut being produced as a strip whose longitudinal axis is normally straight but which can flex to adopt a curvilinear shape.

3. A display sign substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.