GB2308913A

GB2308913A - Advertising sign

Info

Publication number: GB2308913A
Application number: GB9600020A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kenneth Johnson
Original assignee: VENTURE PROJECTS
Current assignee: VENTURE PROJECTS
Priority date: 1996-01-03
Filing date: 1996-01-03
Publication date: 1997-07-09
Anticipated expiration: 2016-01-03
Also published as: GB9600020D0; GB2308913B

Abstract

The invention is a surface mounted portable advertising sign comprising an upright display panel (13) fastened to a base with at least one hand carrying slot (27). The base (14) is configured to rock and absorb the energy of the wind exerting pressure on the display panel and thus prevent the sign from toppling over in high winds. The underside of the base has flat area (22) to prevent slight rocking when there is little or not wind.

Description

PORTABLE SURFACE MOUNTED ADVERTISING SIGN Portable surface mounted advertising signs of various types are widely known.

One advantageous feature of such signs is that they should not topple over in windy conditions.

(Fig 1) and (Fig 2) illustrate two known designs that enable the force of the wind to be absorbed without toppling the sign over.

In the first known design (Fig 1) the double sided panel (1) imprinted with the advertising message swings freely from two (2) U' straps fastened at the top of the frame (3) thus allowing the panel to swing freely away from and absorb the force of the prevailing wind (4) to take up a position approximated by the broken line outline of the panel at (5) for a light wind and at (6) in a stronger wind.

In the second known design (Fig 2) the advertising panel (7) is located in a slot (8) in a base (9) that allows the sheet metal panel in windy conditions to progressively bend away from the prevailing wind (10) and take up a position depending on the wind strength in the manner and as approximated by the broken line outline of the panel at (11) for a light wind and at (12) for a stronger wind.

Significantly this design relies importantly on the weight and stability of the base (9).

The invention provides a means by which a portable surface mounted sign illustrated at (Fig 5) with a sideways view at (Fig 3) will withstand windy conditions by virtue of having its vertical advertising panel (13) fastened to a base (14) which is configured to progressively rock away from any significant wind (Fig 3) (15) exerting pressure on the advertising panel (13) and take up a position approximated as illustrated at (Fig 3) (16) in a light wind and (17) in a strong wind.

Advantageously as the wind abates the base progressively rocks back to its original position (14) returning the panel upright.

A working example of the invention was produced using uPVC (Unplasticised PVC) for both the advertising panel and base.

It was found that the interrelation of dimensions and weight apart from the configuration of the components was important if the sign was not to topple over in strong winds and automatically return to its vertical position as the wind subsided.

By experiment the dimensions and weights of components for a suitably sized advertising sign were determined and comprises a base (14) (Fig 3,5,6 & ) weighing 7 Kilograms fabricated from 12mm thick uPVC sheet material.

The base dimensions on the side marked (18) (Fig 5) is 550mm and on the side marked (19) is 500mm with a height of 90mm (20). A satisfactory arc for the rocker base was described by a 560mm radius (21) (Fig 3).

The Poster Holding variety of advertising panel often have one side heavier than the other. This would in the no wind condition cause the base to take up a slightly rocked position and cause the panel to lean ungainly.

To overcome this problem the base was provided with narrow flat band across its width approximately 80mm wide in the position indicated at (Fig 3,5,6, & 7)(22) at the bottom of the arc. This facilitated the panel to remain vertical even though the panel itself was not evenly balanced.

The flat area clearly acts to resist the premature rocking action of the base which will await such times as the wind pressure increases to a level where the wind absorbing action of the base is required.

The flat area indicated at the bottom of the base (22) (Fig 3,5,6 & 7) is only approximately 15% of the total length of the large radius (21)(Fig 3) describing the arc portion of the base and is therefore hardly perceptible.

Advantageously the upper surface of the base indicated at (29) (Fig 5 & 7) is sloped away from the panel retaining slot a matter of approximately 5 degrees to allow rain to freely drain away.

The panel used in the example was a sheet of 4mm thick uPVC measuring 550mm wide x 880mm high. Clearly the panel may be made from any one of the several other sheet materials used for sign manufacture.

The underside of the base of an example of the invention is illustrated at (Fig 6 ). The base was fabricated from 12mm thick uPVC sheet and is webbed (23) to add weight and strengthen.

Production examples of the base may be produced any one of a number of means and in various materials including injection or pressure moulded plastic or as a plastic blow moulding which would require a filler such as sand to give the base the necessary weight or be cast in metal or other material.

(Fig 7) is a cross section through A-A in (Fig 5) and shows the method of bolting (24) (Fig 6 & 7) the panel in the example to the base.

It will be noted that the slot (25) (Fig 5,6 & 7) through which the panel is introduced to the base that it will accommodate panels of various thicknesses limited only by the width of the slot provided.

Location of the panel for fixing is assisted by resting stops (26)(Fig 6 & 7) formed by the webs in the base.

The example sign was subjected to a wind speeds up to 70 KPH.

The base progressively rocked over as illustrated at (16 & 17 Fig 3) as the wind speed increased. When the wind speed reduced the base of the sign rocked back exactly to its original position.

As such signs are usually put outside the users premises upon opening and taken in when closing it is advantageous that the sign should incorporate a means of being easily carried.

A means of carrying is provided by two slotted hand holes (27) (Fig 5 & 6) enabling the sign to be carried suitcase fashion using one hand and hole only or in wash bowl fashion using both hands.

In the example described the advertising display panel is a flat sheet of material. It will be apparent that the principle of the rocking base could be applied to any panel configuration that can be mounted upon such a base.

One such adaptable shape of panel would be the traditional 'A' Board type sign an example of which is mounted on a rocker base and illustrated at (Fig 4).

The principle of the rocking base is adaptable to signs of virtually any size.

Where the sign is much larger than the example described the base would be proportionally larger and heavier.

In these circumstances the base could be produced in two or more identical or otherwise pieces to keep the size of mouldings within practical manufacturing limits.

Clearly assembling by bolting or otherwise fastening the components of a multiple piece base together would present no practical problem.

In the case of a two piece base each half would be identical if split along the line indicated at (28) (Fig 5).

Such a two piece base as described would if required allow a panel of any thickness to be clamped between the two halves.

Claims

1. A portable floor mounted advertising sign comprising an upright advertising panel fastened to a base with a arced profile bottom that permits it to absorb the transfer of energy created by the pressure of wind exerted on the display panel by rocking away from the prevailing wind which may otherwise toppled the sign over.

2. A sign according to Claim 1 incorporating a rocking base which will return a sign panel fastened to the base to an upright position when the wind subsides.

3. A sign according to Claim 1 incorporating a rocking base with a flat area at the bottom of the arc describing the bottom profile of the base thus preventing an unevenly balanced sign panel slightly rocking the base to a position where the panel takes up an ungainly lean when there is little or no wind.

4. A portable floor-mounted advertising sign substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 3-7 of the accompanying drawings.

4. A sign according to Claim 1 incorporating at least one slotted hole for a hand enabling the sign to be carried in the manner of a suitcase.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A portable floor-mounted advertising sign comprising an upright display panel fastened to a base, the base having an arced profile bottom that permits the base to absorb the transfer of energy created by the pressure of wind exerted on the display panel by rocking away from the prevailing wind which may otherwise topple the sign over, and the base having a flat area at the bottom of the arc for preventing an unevenly balanced display panel slightly rocking the base to a position where the display panel takes up an ungainly lean when there is little or no wind.

2. A sign according to claim 1 in which the base is such that it causes the display panel to be in an upright position when there is no wind.

3. A sign according to claim 1 or claim 2 and including at least one slotted hole in the base, the slotted hole being in order to enable the sign to be carried in the manner of a suitcase.