IE64435B1

IE64435B1 - A fingerpost sign

Info

Publication number: IE64435B1
Application number: IE48889A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Robin Rennicks; Limited Fairacre
Original assignee: Fingerpost Sign A
Priority date: 1989-02-15
Filing date: 1989-02-15
Publication date: 1995-08-09
Also published as: GB8923666D0; GB2228355B; ZA898121B; GB2228355A

Abstract

A display sign is described of the kind comprising a signplate (11 Figure 1) mounted generally radially with respect to a post (12), the signplate being fixed to the post by two brackets (13) secured at the upper and lower corners respectively of that edge (26) of the signplate adjacent the post, and the brackets engaging respective clamps (16) fixed to the post at axially spaced locations. In the present case each bracket has a flange 17 which extends in the axial direction of the post, and each clamp closely encircles the post around a major part of its circumference but has a flange-retaining portion 18 spaced outwardly of the post which accommodates between itself and the post the flange 17 of a respective bracket. Behind each flange and bearing thereon the respective clamp has a pair of spurs 19 facing generally towards one another and extending respectively from opposite sides of the clamp behind the flange-retaining portion 18.

Description

This invention relates to a display sign of the kind comprising a slgnplate mounted generally radially with respect to a post, and is particularly but not exclusively concerned with so-called directional fingerpost1* signs.

According to the present invention there is provided a display sign of the kind comprising a slgnplate mounted generally radially with respect to a post, the slgnplate being fixed to the post by two brackets secured at the upper and lower comers respectively of that edge of the slgnplate adjacent the post, and the brackets engaging respective clamps fixed to the post at axially spaced locations, wherein each bracket has a flange which extends in the axial direction of the post, wherein each clamp closely encircles the post around a major part of its circumference but has a flange-retaining portion spaced outwardly of the post which accommodates between itself and the post the flange of a respective bracket, and wherein behind each flange and bearing on the rear surface thereof the respective clamp Includes a pair of spurs facing generally towards one another and extending respectively from opposite sides of the clamp behind the flange-retaining portion.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display sign according to an embodiment of the Invention, Figure 2 is a side view of the part of the display sign in the region of the upper bracket and clamp but omitting the signplate, and Figure 3 is a plan view of the part of the display * sign in the region of the lower bracket and clamp but 5 omitting the post.

» Referring to the drawings, a display sign 10 comprises a signplate 11 mounted generally radially with respect to a hollow circular post 12, the signplate being fixed to the post by two brackets 13 secured at the upper and lower corners 14, 15 respectively of that edge 26 of the signplate 11 adjacent and parallel to the axis of the post 12.

The brackets 13 engage respective clamps 16 fixed to the post 12 at axially spaced locations. Zn particular, each bracket has a flange 17 which extends in the axial direction of the post 12, and each clamp 16 closely encircles the post 12 around a major part of its circumference but has a flange-retaining portion 18 spaced outwardly of the post which accommodates between itself and the post the flange 17 of a respect bracket 13.

Behind each flange 17 and bearing on the rear surface thereof the respective clamp includes a pair of spurs 19, Figure 3, facing generally towards one another and extending respectively from opposite sides of the clamp behind the flange-retaining portion 18.

As seen in Figure 3, the major part of the circumference of each clamp 16 is generally circular, and the spurs 19 are continuations of the circular part of the clamp within the flange-retaining portion 18.

In particular, each clamp 16 comprises two generally semi-circular halves 16' and 16 bolted * together at 20.

The signplate 11 has substantially parallel top and bottom edges, and each bracket 13 is right-angled with a first portion 21 extending along the top or bottom of the signplate, as the case may be, and a second portion constituting the said flange 17.

Further, the signplate 11 has a frame 22 extending continuously around the edge thereof from the upper corner 14 to the lower corner 15, and the portions 21 of the brackets 16 are secured to the frame by rivets.

The frame 22 has a so-called double-tee” section with the edge of the signplate engaging in the legs 23 of the tee. The edges of the sign may be rl vetted to the double tee legs 23, but this is not strictly necessary due to the complete surrounding of the edges of the signplate 11 by the frame.

The frame 22 is coldformed to the shape of the signplate 11. The frame 22 Is preferable formed from HE 30 TF extruded aluminium section and it is coldformed to the shape of the signplate 11 in order to ensure that in use it retains the strength characteristics of this known HE 30 TF alloy. It is Important in the construction of the frame/slgnplate that no joints are formed which require welding. It is known that welding destroys the strength characteristics of suitable frame materials.

As best seen in Figure 2, at its free end each flange 17 has a shallow lip 24 facing away from the post 12 and engaging the edge of the respective flangeretaining portion 18.

In each clamp 16, prior to assembling the display sign and before the two semicircular halves 16' and 16 of the clamp are bolted together, the gap between the free ends of the spurs 19 and the rear surface of the postion 18 is slightly greater than the thickness of the flange 17, thereby permitting insertion of the lip 24 through the gap.

Then, when the clamp 16 is tightened around the post by the bolts, there is a slight deformation of the clamp half 16” which narrows the gap between the free ends of the spurs 19 and the rear surfaqe of the portion 18.

This takes up the slack so that, as previously described, the free ends of the spurs 19 bear against the rear surface of the flange 17 which is thereby clamped between the spurs and the portion 18. At the same time the lip 24 engages over the edge of the portion 18 further locking the flange 17 in position.

The advantages of the construction described are: (a) The spurs give the clamp 16 a better grip on the post 12 by providing a greater area of grip and also gives a good locking action on the rear of the flange 17. (b) By extending fully around the edge of the sigplate 11, the frame 22 provides good protection against the elements, it being appreciated that the edge of the signpost is the most vulnerable to weather attack. However, the frame 22 does not extend down the edge 26 of the signplate adjacent to the post 12, although this is possible.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A display sign of the kind comprising a slgnplate mounted generally radially with respect to a post, the slgnplate being fixed to the post by two brackets secured at the upper and lower corners respectively of that edge of the slgnplate adjacent the post, and the brackets engaging respective clamps fixed to the post at axially spaced locations, wherein each bracket has a flange which extends in the axial direction of the post, wherein each clamp closely encircles the post around a major part of its circumference but has a flange-retaining portion spaced outwardly of the post which accommodates between Itself and the post the flange of a respective bracket, and wherein behind each flange and bearing on the rear surface thereof the respective clamp includes a pair of spurs facing generally towards one another.and extending respectively from opposite sides of the clamp behind the flange-retaining portion.

2. A display sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the major part of the circumference of each clamp is generally circular, and the spurs are continuations of the circular part of the clamp within the flangeretaining portion.'

3. A display sign as claimed in claim 2, wherein each clamp comprises two generally semi-circular halves bolted together.

4. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the slgnplate has substantially parallel top and bottom edges, and each bracket is right-angled with a first portion extending along the top or bottom of the slgnplate, as the case may be, and a second portion constituting the said flange.

5. A display sign as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slgnplate has a frame extending continuously around the edge thereof from the upper corner to the lower corner, and the brackets are secured to the frame.

6. A display sign as claimed in claim 5, wherein the frame has a double-tee section with the edge of the 5 signplate engaging in the legs of the tee.

7. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at its free end each flange has a shallow lip facing away from the post and engaging the respective flange-retaining portion.

8. 10 8. A display sign substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.