GB2342211A

GB2342211A - Sign assembly with releasable display panels and locking means

Info

Publication number: GB2342211A
Application number: GB9819619A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Hull
Original assignee: Nathaniel Oliver & Associates
Current assignee: Nathaniel Oliver & Associates
Priority date: 1998-09-10
Filing date: 1998-09-10
Publication date: 2000-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2018-09-10
Also published as: GB2342211B; GB9819619D0

Abstract

A sign assembly comprising a mounting member 11 and one or more display panels 10 with engagement means to releasably secure the panel(s) to the mounting member and locking means moveable between a first position in which the engagement means are in an unlocked disposition whereby the panels can be installed on, or removed from, the mounting member and a second position in which the engagement means are in a locked disposition whereby the panels are locked to the mounting member. The engagement means may be a projection accommodated in a channel or recess. A preferred embodiment has a projection 10.4 on a panel accommodated in a channel 11.3 in the mounting member and locking means 12 comprising an elongate member housed in the channel. The sign assembly may be securable to a wall or like surface.

Description

2342211 1 1 SIGN ASSEMBLIES This invention relates to sign assemblies and

in particular, though not exclusively, to sign assemblies having a plurality of interchangeable display panels or other display members.

The present invention provides an improved sign assembly, for example one having a plurality of display panels, having a most effective and convenient means of securing its display panels to a mounting member. In a preferred form of the invention the securement is effected in such a way that a display panel can be removed from the sign assembly without the need to remove other panels.

Accordingly, the invention in a first aspect provides a sign assembly comprising:

a mounting member; one or more display panels adapted to be releasably secured to the mounting member, the mounting member and the display panels having engagement means for inter-engagement of the mounting member with the panels; and locking means moveable between a first position in which the engagement means are in an unlocked disposition whereby the 2 panels can be installed on, or removed from, the mounting member and a second position in which the engagement means are in a locked disposition whereby the panels are locked to the mounting member.

The mounting member can, for example, be one that is suitable for securement to a wall or like surface, or it can be one that is suitable for suspension from a ceiling or other overhead support.

The display panels are preferably such that they are a spring-fit with respect to the mounting member. Where the display panel engagement means comprises one or more projections, the display panel, for example, comprises a body portion carrying the sign indicia and wing portions having the projection engagement means; and either the body portion or the wings (or both) are such that they provide necessary resilience to effect said spring-fit.

In a preferred form of the sign assembly one of said engagement means is a channel (or other recess) and the other of said engagement means is a projection which can be accommodated in said channel. For example, a channel or channels can be the engagement means of the mounting member and a projection or projections can be the engagement means of the panel or panels.

The mounting member is conveniently an elongate member having elongate channels disposed longitudinally, and the display panels have projections adapted to be accommodated in the channel or 3 channels.

The locking means is conveniently a rod, tube or other elongate member in cam form housed in, or adjacent, the channel, conveniently extending the length of the mounting member and adapted for rotation along a longitudinal axis.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a sign assembly including a plurality of display panels mounted substantially parallel to one another, which comprises:

a mounting member suitable for securement to a wall or like surface, the mounting means being an elongate plate or board having a first face which, in use, faces said surface and a second face which, in use, faces outwardly, said second surface having formed therein two spaced apart, elongate recesses disposed longitudinally of the mounting member; each of the plurality of display panels includes two, spaced apart, projection members for engagement, respectively, with said elongate recesses; and locking means comprising two elongate members adapted to be housed, respectively, in the elongate recesses and adapted to rotate about their longitudinal axes, whereby in a first position of the locking means the projection members can be disengaged from the respective recesses, thereby allowing at least one panel to be removed from the sign assembly, and in a second position 4 of the locking means the locking means releasably engage the projection members of the display panels and lock the panels in position.

In a preferred form of the sign assembly of the present invention at least one of the display panels can be removed from the assembly without the need to remove other display panels.

In this preferred form the sign assembly has at least one display panel which is flexibly resilient, whereby the panel can be disengaged from the mounting member and removed from the sign assembly without the need to remove other panel or panels from the assembly. A suitably resilient display panel is one of a composite structure comprising an outer sheet of aluminium or other suitable material on which the sign letters, figures or other indicia are displayed and an inner sheet of a resilient material, for example a polyester (or other suitable plastics or other material) to provide the required degree of resilient in the panel. In a preferred form the outer and inner layers closely conform to each other and, preferably, are secured together (either by virtue of their shape or otherwise) so that they do not readily come apart. A polyester that has proved very successful in this regard is that sold under the Trade Mark VIVAK.

Where the display panels have the resilience referred to above, they can be removed from the mounting member simply by being flexed, for example by hand. But they can, if desired, also be such that they are a sliding fit with respect to the mounting member. However, where the display panels do not have the resilience referred to above, it is desirable for them to be a sliding fit with respect to the mounting member so as to permit or facilitate incorporation in, or removal from, the sign assembly.

There are now described, by way of example and with reference to tne accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the sign assembly of the present invention.

FIGS. 1 to 6B relate to a sign assembly according to said first aspect of the invention and suitable for use on a wall or like surface and FIG. 7 relates to a sign assembly according to a further aspect of the invention and suitable for suspension from a ceiling or other overhead support.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the sign assembly; 20 FIG. 2 is a plan of the sign assembly of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a section on the line III - III of FIG. 1; FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrammatic views of a portion of the sign assembly showing locked and unlocked modes of the sign assembly; 6 FIG. 5 is a lateral section of a channel member of the sign assembly portion shown in FIG. 4A; FIG. 6A is an end view, in diagrammatic form, of a locking member of the sign assembly; and FIG. 6B illustrates, in diagrammatic form, the periphery of a locking member of the sign assembly; and FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a mounting member edge portion for use in a double-sided sign assembly suitable, for example, for suspension from a ceiling or other overhead support.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the sign assembly is includes a plurality of display panels (10) carried by a vertical, elongate, rectangular mounting member (11) which comprises a central portion (11.1) of medium density fibreboard having secured thereto at its opposed vertical edges two edge portions (11.2) in the form of aluminium extrusions.

Apart from the uppermost display panel (10.1) being of a width greater than the other panels, the panels are oflike construction. Each panel comprises a curved, outwardly facing portion (10.2) and two opposed return portions (10.3) each terminating in a flange (10.4) which constitutes spring protrusion or projection engagement means.

Each display panel conveniently has a composite structure 7 comprising an outer sheet (10.5) of aluminium or other suitable material, on which the sign letters, f igures or other indicia are displayed, and an inner sheet (10.6) closely conforming to the outer sheet, of a resilient material, for example a polyester (or other suitable plastics or other material) to provide the required amount of resilience in the panel. A polyester that has proved very successful is that sold under the Trade Mark lIVIVAKII.

If desired, the display panel can be of a unitary structure (for example, a sheet of aluminium) if the sign assembly is one in which resilience in the panels is not a significant feature.

The mounting member edge portions (11.2) each has in its outer face an obliquely directed channel (11.3) of rectangular cross-section which extends the whole length of the edge portion and in which the respective flange (10.4) is accommodated. Owing to the resilient nature of the display panel the flanges (10.4) are each a spring-fit in the respective channels (11.3). Each channel has formed along its length an elongate housing (11.4 FIG. 5) of arcuate cross-section in which is rotatably located a locking means (12) in the f orm of an elongate rod (or tube) having a protrusion, (for example a rib, ridge, flange or lug) (12.1) to bear against the inwardly facing surface (10.5) of the flange (10.4). The rod (12) is rotatable in the housing about a longitudinal axis from a first position (FIG. 4A and FIG. 4C) in which the protrusion (12.1) does not press against flange (10.4), either at all or to only a limited extent, whereby the two engagement means (channel and f lange) are in an unlocked 1\ 8 disposition and the panel (10.1) can be removed by flexing it so that the f langes (10. 4) disengage f rom channels (11. 3) to a second position in which the protrusion (12.1) presses firmly against flange (10.4) whereby said two engagement means are in a locked disposition and the panel is firmly secured in place.

The combination of rod (12) and rib (12.1) is also referred to herein as a "locking cam".

Rotation of the rod (12) is conveniently effected by providing it, for example at one or both ends, with rotation means by which it can be engaged with a turning tool. Thus, for example, said rotation means can be a recess (12.2) which can engage a hexagonal cross- section (Allen) key or screwdriver, or a protrusion which can engage a spanner.

The portion of the periphery of rod (12) adapted to engage housing (11.4) is conveniently of a generally circular crosssection, and the housing is normally of the same cross-sectional shape though of slightly greater diameter to allow the rod to turn therein. In one form, given by way of example, the shape and dimensions of the rod and housing are such that the rod is captured in the housing and cannot escape in a radial direction. Instead, the rod is introduced into, or removed from, the housing by sliding in a longitudinal direction.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show an enlargement of the mounting member edge portion (11.2). In FIG. 4A the locking means is in its 9 locked position and in FIG. 4B in its unlocked position. FIGS.

4C and 4D are similar to FIGS. 4A and 4B but as the flange (10.4) is of 1.2mm thickness compared with 2mm in FIGS. 4A and 4B (the channel width being the same), the position of rib (12. 1) is more advanced (in an anti-clockwise direction) in FIG. 4C than in FIG.

4A.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section of the mounting member edge portion (11.2) shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, and shows in greater detail the cross-section shape of the rod and the relative shape and dimensions of the housing in which it is captured.

FIG. 6A gives, by way of example, dimensions of a suitable rod locking means (12) including its rib (12.1).

is FIG. 6B is an enlarged portion of the locking member of FIG. 6A, showing a relationship between several linear and angular positions of points P1 to P16 on the periphery of the rib of the locking member. This identifies, by way of example, a particular curve of a preferred rib. The abbreviation 11I.D.11 stands for "position number" and the distances are in millimetres.

With reference to FIG. 7 the channel member (20) is, for example, an aluminium extrusion and has a function similar to that of each of the mounting member edge portions (11.2) of FIG. 2 in that it is for use as a mounting member edge portion. However, it is for use in a double-face sign assembly instead of the single-face sign assembly of FIGS. 1 to 6B.

The mounting member edge portion (20) has two side faces (21, 22) and each of those faces has an obliquely directed channel (23, 24) of substantially rectangular cross-section which extends the whole length of the edge portion and in which a flange or other suitable protrusion of a display panel (not shown) can be accommodated. The display panel can be like that described above with reference to FIGS. I to 6B. Mounting member edge portion (20) has formed thereon a channel (25) by means of which it can be secured to one of two parallel edges of a board, plate or other mounting member (not shown), the other of said two edges being secured in like manner to a second mounting member edge portion identical or similar to edge portion (20) and having a channel identical or similar to channel (23), preferably disposed parallel to edge portion (20). In this arrangement channel (23) and the channel of the second mounting member edge portion together engage the same display panel. Preferably, the display panel has a resilient nature whereby its flanges are each a spring-fit in the respective channels. Each channel (23, 24) has formed along its length an elongate housing (26, 27) of arcuate cross-section in which can be rotatably located a locking means (not shown), for example in the form of an elongate rod (or tube) having a protrusion, (for example a rib, ridge, flange or lug) to bear against an inwardly facing surface of the respective flange. The locking means are rotatable in the respective housings about longitudinal axes, from a first position in which the protrusions do not press against respective flanges either at all or to only a limited extent, whereby the engagement means (channel and flange) are in an unlocked disposition and a panel can be removed from the sign assembly by flexing it so that its flanges disengage from channels, to a second position in which the protrusions press firmly against respective flanges whereby said engagement means are in a locked disposition and the panel is firmly secured in place.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7 there can also be provided means (not shown) to suspend or otherwise attach the sign assembly to a ceiling or other overhead support. This means can, for example, be flexible or rigid and can be one or more of hooks, chains, cords, rods or straps.

A1303spec.9se

Claims

CLAIMS A sign assembly comprising: a mounting member; one or more display

panels adapted to be releasably secured to the mounting member, the mounting member and the display panels having engagement means for inter-engagement of the mounting member with the panels; and locking means moveable between a first position in which the engagement means are in an unlocked disposition whereby the panels can be installed on, or removed from, the mounting member and a second position in which the engagement means are in a locked disposition whereby the panels are locked to the mounting member.
2. A sign assembly according to Claim 1, wherein said engagement means comprises a channel or other recess and a projection which can be accommodated in said recess.
3. A sign assembly according to Claim 2, wherein said recess is an engagement means of the mounting member and said projection is an engagement means of the panel.
4. A sign assembly according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein said projection has biassing means to urge said projection against the recess, thereby to retain the projection in sliding contact with said recess.

13-
5. A sign assembly according to Claim 4, wherein said display panel has resilience and said resilience comprises the biasing means.
6. A sign assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the sign assembly has first and second engagement means, and the mounting member is an elongate member, said first engagement means comprises an elongate channel disposed longitudinally of the mounting member and said second engagement means comprises a projection adapted to be accommodated in said channel.
7. A sign assembly according to any of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the locking means comprises an elongate member housed in said channel.
8. A sign assembly including a plurality of display panels mounted substantially parallel to one another, which comprises:

a mounting means suitable for securement to a wall or like surface, the mounting means being an elongate plate or board having a first face which, in use, faces said surface and a second face which, in use, faces outwardly, said second face having formed therein two spaced apart, elongate recesses disposed longitudinally of the mounting member; each of the plurality of display panels includes two, spaced apart, projection members for engagement, respectively, with said elongate recesses; and locking means comprising'two elongate members adapted to be housed, respectively, in the elongate recesses and adapted to rotate about their longitudinal axes, whereby in a first position of the locking means the projection members can be disengaged from the respective recesses, thereby allowing at least one panel to be removed from the sign assembly, and in a second position of the locking means the locking means releasably engage the projection members of the display panels and lock the panels in position.
9. A sign assembly according to Claim 8, wherein at least one of the display panels is of an elongate shape and is flexibly resilient, whereby said at least one of the panels can be disengaged from the mounting means and removed from the sign assembly without the need to remove others of said panels from the assembly.