GB2326508A

GB2326508A - Sign holder

Info

Publication number: GB2326508A
Application number: GB9712923A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Herbert Knight
Original assignee: HADDONWAY Ltd
Current assignee: HADDONWAY Ltd
Priority date: 1997-06-20
Filing date: 1997-06-20
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Also published as: GB9712923D0

Description

SIGN HOLDER This invention relates to a sign holder for mounting on a vehicle for carrying signs, for example signs of the type commonly used in car sales outlets and garage forecourts, such as signs displaying the prices of vehicles for sale, or other information about the vehicle.

It is well known in connection with car sales outlets to advertise the price of a car or other vehicle or other information about the vehicle by means of a display sign which typically sits on the roof of the vehicle. Such display signs are usually provided with a cushioning layer or cap formed from a rubber or plastics material to prevent damage to the vehicle, but such display signs nevertheless frequently give rise to scratches and other marks on the roofs of vehicles.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problem by providing a sign holder which can be attached to the windows of the vehicle, and in particular the upper edges of he windows, and which does not need to come into contact with the vehicle roof.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides a sign holder for mounting on a vehicle, the sign holder comprising a pair of attachment members for attachment to the upper edges of windows on either side ot the vehicle; a sign support connected to the two attachment members; the sign support being shaped so as to be capable of extending over the roof of a vehicle to which it is attached without contacting the vehicle, the sign support having means for supporting a sign.

The sign support is preferably of adjustable length to enable the sign holder to be used in conjunction with cars and vehicles of differing widths.

The sign support may, for example, be telescopic.

The sign support typically comprises a pair of generally upwardly extending portions attached at the lower ends thereof to the attachment members, and a generally horizontally extending portion connecting the upwardly extending portions.

In one embodiment, the sign support comprises a pair of sign support members, each having an upwardly extending portion and a horizontally extending portion; means being provided for connecting the two horizontally extending portions.

The means for connecting the two horizontally extending portions can take the form of a first connecting means on one of the horizontally extending portions which engages a second connecting means on the other horizontally extending portion. For example, one of the horizontally extending portions can be provided with a spigot portion which engages a socket portion on the other horizontally extending portion.

In one embodiment, the means for connecting the two horizontally extending portions comprises a tubular connecting member which can, for example, form a spigot and socket joint at each end thereof with the two horizontally extending portions. One of the spigot and socket joints can be a fixed joint, and the other spigot and socket joint can be configured such that the spigot is telescopicaily movable within the socket so as to enable the length of the sign support to be varied according to the width of the vehicle.

The attachment members can be integral with the sign support or can be separately formed. The attachment members preferably have hook means for hooking over the tops of windows. The hook means are preferably resiliently linked to the sign support to enable the sign holder to be fitted to a range of vehicles having windows sloping at different angles.

The attachment member can comprise a hook portion for engaging an upper edge of a vehicle window; and a connector portion having either a spigot or socket formation for engaging a complementary socket or spigot formation on a lower end of the sign support. Preferably the connector portion is provided with a socket formation to receive an end of the sign support.

The connector portion and hook portion are preferably resiliently linked, for example by means of a resilient spacer portion.

The means for supporting a sign can simply take the form of one or more holes or fastening elements such as screws and bolts, for fastening to a sign. in one alternative, however, the means for supporting the sign can comprise a cover or "wallet" which is at least partially transparent and within which a sign can be retained.

In a further aspect, the invention provides the combination of a sign holder as hereinbefore defined having a sign mounted thereon or therein.

In a still further aspect, there is provided a vehicle having a sign holder and optionally a sign mounted thereon, the sign holder being as hereinbefore defined, and wherein the sign holder and sign are configured such that there is a vertical clearance between an upper surface (e.g. roof) of the vehicle and a lower edge of the sign.

The invention will now be illustrated, but not limited, by reference to the specific embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a view from the front end of a car illustrating schematically the attachment thereto of a sign holder according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a view from one direction showing the sign holder of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a view of a sign holder according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a partial sectional elevation of the region marked A in Figure 3; Figure 6 is an isometric view of an attachment member used in the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5; and Figure 7 is a sectional elevation through the attachment member shown in Figure 6.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the attachment of a sign holder 2 according to one embodiment of the invention to the windows of a car. Sign holder 2 comprises attachment members 4, 6, a sign support 8 and a wallet or cover 10 attached to the sign support 8 and containing a sign (not shown), for example a sign displaying the price of the vehicle.

The sign holder 2 is shown in greater detail in Figure 3, and the attachment member (4 or 6) is shown in more detail in Figures 6 and 7.

Thus, the sign support 8 comprises a pair of sign support members 12, 1 4 and a connector tube 16, which can be formed from a suitable tubular plastics material or metal tubing. The ends 16a, 1 6b of the connector tube are received within the socket ends 12a, 14a of the two support members 12, 14. One end, e.g. 16b, of the connector tube 16 is fixedly received (e.g. by means of welding or adhesive) in the socket end 1 4a of one sign support member 12, and the other end 1 6a of the connector 1 6 is slidably received in the socket end 1 2a of the other support member.

The connector tube 1 6 is provided with mounting points 18, 20 to which transparent plastics wallet 10 is secured by means of bolts, cord or other fastening means.

Each of the sign support members 12, 14 has a generally horizontal portion 1 2b, 1 4b and a generally upwardly extending portion 1 2c, 1 4c. The lower end of the upwardly extending portion 12c, 1 4c forms a spigot 12d, 1 4d which can be slotted into socket portion 22 of the attachment member 4. The socket formation 22 of attachment member 4 has a 450 chamfer 23 on its radially inner edge to provide a lead-in for the spigot portion 1 2d, 1 4d and is usually constructed so as to form a secure and preferably tight friction fit with the spigot portion 12d, 14d. In addition to the socket portion 22, the attachment member 4 has a hook portion 24 which is configured so as to be attachable to the top edge of a window of a vehicle. A spacer portion 26 links the lower end 24a of hook portion 24 and the socket portion 22.

The attachment member 4 is formed from a material which has at least some resilience, and typically is formed from a plastics material.

Particular plastics materials are polyolefins such as polypropylene. The resilience of the material allows the angle between the upright surface 24b of the hook portion 24 and the axis 22a of the cylindrical portion 22 to be varied to accommodate vehicles having windows which slope at different angles. In addition, the resilience of the material provides a means of maintaining a compression loading between the components of the sign support so as to hold them together more securely.

The sign support is adjustable in length as a result of the telescopic connection formed between spigot end 1 6a of the connector tube 16 and the socket end 1 2a of the sign support member 1 2. The end 1 2e is flared outwardly to form a recess in which an O-ring 28 sits. The O-ring 28 is tight about the spigot end 1 6a and serves to limit movement of the spigot end into the socket end. It will be appreciated that instead of the O-ring, a clamping collar could be used to hold the spigot and socket in place, or simply a bolt threaded through the wall of the socket end so as to engage and tighten down onto the spigot end.

In order to assemble the sign holder, the attachment member 4 is clipped to the upper surface of a window such that the socket portion 22 and upright surface 24b of the hook portion 24 are initially substantially parallel. Support member 12 is then attached to the attachment member 4 and, in its rest position, is at an inclined angle with respect to the vehicle roof, as shown in outline (reference numeral 12') in Figure 3. The other support member 14 and the connector tube 1 6 fixedly attached thereto, are then connected to attachment member 6 in a similar fashion, care being taken to ensure that the end 1 6a of the connector tube does not come into contact with the vehicle roof. Support member 1 2 is then tilted away from the vehicle roof and connected to the spigot end 1 6a of the connector tube 1 6 as shown. It will be appreciated that with both of the attachment members 4 and 6, the assembly process will involve bending the attachment member about the resilient spacer portion 26. The restoring force due to the resilience of the material from which the spacer portion 26 is formed serves to place the spigot and socket joints between the support members and connector tube under compression thereby holding them together more firmly.

Once the sign support members 12, 14, connecting member 1 6 and attachment members 4, 6 are in place, a transparent plastics wallet 10 is secured to the fastening means 18, 20 on the connector tube 16 and a suitable sign (for example a sign illustrating the price of the car) inserted into the wallet. The wallet is of a size such that after attachment to the sign support, there remains a vertical clearance V between the roof R of the vehicle and the bottom edge of the sign-containing wallet. In this way, contact between the roof of the vehicle and the sign holder is avoided thereby preventing possible damage to the paintwork on the vehicle roof.

A simplified embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the sign support 30 is constituted by two pieces of plastics tubular material 32, 34 which fit together in a simple spigot and socket joint, the spigot 36 being made long enough to allow for variation in the length of the sign support to accommodate vehicles of differing widths.

The invention has been illustrated by reference to, for example, signs indicating the sale price of a vehicle. It will be appreciated however, that such signs represent only one of many different types of sign that can be affixed to a vehicle by means of a signholder according to the invention.

Thus, by way of further example, the signholders can be used to carry signs advertising events, goods or services, or can be used for the temporary or semi-permanent mounting of signs indicating the status of the vehicle as a taxi cab or a driving school car or a delivery vehicle.

It will also readily be apparent that numerous modifications and alterations can be made to the structure of the sign holder shown in the accompanying drawings without departing from the principles underlying this invention. For example, the support members need not be formed from metal tubing but could be in the form of flat or solid plastics or metal bar. Rather than being telescopic, the support members can be connected together by means of a slider mechanism secured by means of, for example, a butterfly nut or nuts.

Moreover, the attachment members, although shown as comprising a socket portion for engaging a spigot end of the tubing, could equally be provided with a spigot portion for engaging a socket end on the support member. Alternatively, the support member and attachment member could be formed integrally from a suitable moulded plastics material.

All such modifications and all alterations are intended to be embraced by this Application.

Claims

1. A sign holder for mounting on a vehicle, the sign holder comprising a pair of attachment members for attachment to the upper edges of windows on either side of the vehicle; a sign support connected to the two attachment members; the sign support being shaped so as to be capable of extending over the roof of a vehicle to which it is attached without contacting the vehicle, the sign support having means for supporting a sign.

2. A sign holder according to claim 1 which is of adjustable length to enable the sign holder to be used in conjunction with cars and vehicles of differing widths.

3. A sign holder according to claim 2 which is telescopic.

4. A sign holder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sign support comprises a pair of generally upwardly extending portions attached at the lower ends thereof to the attachment members, and a generally horizontally extending portion connecting the upwardly extending portions.

5. A sign holder according to claim 4 wherein the sign support comprises a pair of sign support members, each having an upwardly extending portion and a horizontally extending portion; means being provided for connecting the two horizontally extending portions.

6. A sign holder according to claim 5 wherein the means for connecting the two horizontally extending portions takes the form of a first connecting means on one of the horizontally extending portions which engages a second connecting means on the other horizontally extending portion.

7. A sign holder according to claim 6 wherein one of the horizontally extending portions is provided with a spigot portion which engages a socket portion on the other horizontally extending portion.

8. A sign holder according to claim 5 wherein the means for connecting the two horizontally extending portions comprises a tubular connecting member which forms a spigot and socket joint at each end thereof with the two horizontally extending portions.

9. A sign holder according to claim 8 wherein one of the spigot and socket joints is a fixed joint, and the other spigot and socket joint is configured such that the spigot is telescopically movable within the socket so as to enable the length of the sign support to be varied according to the width of the vehicle.

10. A sign holder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the attachment members are formed integrally with the sign support.

11. A sign holder according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the sign support and attachment members are formed separately.

1 2. A sign holder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the attachment members have hook means for hooking over the tops of windows.

13. A sign holder according to claim 12 wherein the hook means are resiliently linked to the sign support.

1 4. A sign holder according to claim 1 2 or claim 1 3 wherein the attachment member comprises a hook portion for engaging an upper edge of a vehicle window; and a connector portion having either a spigot or socket formation for engaging a complementary socket or spigot formation on a lower end of the sign support.

1 5. A sign holder according to claim 14 wherein the connector portion is provided with a socket formation to receive an end of the sign support.

16. A sign holder according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the connector portion and hook portion are resiliently linked.

17. A sign holder according to claim 16 wherein the connector portion and hook portion are resiliently linked by means of a resilient spacer portion.

18. A sign holder according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means for supporting a sign takes the form of one or more holes or fastening elements for fastening to a sign.

1 9. A sign holder according to any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the means for supporting the sign comprises a cover or "wallet" which is at least partially transparent and within which a sign can be retained.

20. A sign holder substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. The combination of a sign holder as defined in any one of the preceding claims having a sign mounted thereon or therein.

22. A vehicle having a sign holder and optionally a sign mounted thereon, the sign holder being as defined in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the sign holder and sign are configured such that there is a vertical clearance between an upper surface of the vehicle and a lower edge of the sign.