NZ246510A - Portable sign; hinged plastics panels with integral weights - Google Patents

Description

2 4 6 5 10 New Zealand No. 246510 International No. PCT/AU93/00002 TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION Priority dates: International fifing date: iv-| v 3 Ci2ssincau'on: VPc(©\ GcciF-l/o©\ <So9 ^\Sfo<=> Publication date: 2 5 JUN1996 Journal Noj {tfo S.

NIW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECFICATION Title of invention: Portable sign Name, address and nationality of applicants) as in international application form: GLACO-BRICKS PROPRIETARY LIMITED, 15 Kenwyn Drive Campbellton, South Australia 5074, Australia. 24JJUJ) PORTABLE SIGN This invention relates to a sign, more particularly to a portable sign which can be readily handled and placed in position as desired.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

Portable signs are often used, for example, by shop-keepers where they are placed on the footpath in front of their store, and by estate agents to direct potential customers to premises which are for sale. Most of these signs are constructed from wood which makes them relatively heavy and they are also prone to deterioration due to exposure to the elements. Metal signs are also 1 0 known, but again these are heavy to handle, particularly by estate agents where the signs have to be folded and placed in the boot or trunk of a vehicle.

Patent AU 8933222 describes a road sign having a cross bar with legs pivoted to the cross bar so that the sign can be folded. Different road signs can be fitted to the cross bar member.

US 4248001 also discloses a road traffic sign having pivoted legs, the legs being retained in position by elastic ties so that the sign can pivot under the forces of wind without the necessity of providing ballast in the legs.

Also US 4038769 is directed to a portable sign having pivoted legs for swinging about a horizontal axis. 2 0 Thus it is an object of this invention which will overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the prior art signs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sign which is not limited to one use, but can be adapted to a variety of uses.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sign which^0isable, light in 2 5 weight, and yet is weighted to be stable in its erected positiofi.'* '-4 l9 10 APR isss 'r a .*s BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION There is provided according to the invention a portable sign comprising a pair of leaves hinged to each other along their adjacent edges, characterised in that each leaf is formed of a relatively rigid plastics material, a pair of support members spaced from each other on each panel along the edges opposite to the edges having the hinges, and weights positioned in each of the said support members to assist in stably positioning the sign when in the erected position with the leaves spread with the support members in contact with the surface on which the sign is positioned.

Preferably the two leaves are hinged together so that the leaves may be folded so that they are adjacent each other in the folded position for handling and transport, or may be pivoted so that the leaves are at an angle to each other in the position for use of the sign, said hinge means being clipped into recesses in the leaves, and means for holding the leaves in the angled position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to more fully describe the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of one form of the sign in the open position, FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a further form of the invention, FIGS. 3 (a) and (b) show a still further example of the invention, FIG. 4 illustrates the male and female hinges for adding further leaves to the sign to increase the height thereof. 1 !* ( f :■ ' V t ♦ * ' V y s99o ' ; 24 6 51 FIG. 5 illustrates a still further form of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a form of hinge which can be used, FIG. 7 shows a still further form of the invention, FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view of another form of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a side panel of a still further form of the invention, FIG. 10 shows the hinge arrangement of FIG. 8, and FIG. 11 illustrates a still further form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring firstly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the sign 1 comprises a pair of leaves 2 joined by a hinge 3 positioned at one end of each leaf. Each leaf is preferably formed or moulded of a suitable plastics material, suitable for use in outdoor positions and thus is desirably UV resistant. Each leaf is moulded . 15 with a notched recess 4 within which the hinge 3 is clipped. As shown in FIG. 6 each hinge 3 has a pair of wings 5 having a pair of spaced lugs 6 through which a pivot pin passes to join the wings to form the hinge. Also each wing 5 has an upstanding tapered catch 7 to engage in a corresponding notch 8 in the recess 4, so that when the wings 5 are inserted into the corresponding 20 recess 4 the catches engage in the notches to securely retain the hinge in position-: The hinge has upstanding lumps 6(a) so that the hinge has limited movement so preventing the sign from opening beyond the desired amount.

Each leaf 2 has a further recess 9 at the lower end and also a larger recess 9(a) adjacent the recess 9. Each recess 9(a) is adapted to receive a lead 25 weight 10 which provide sufficient weight and .stability to the sign when erected and in use. / V /ifiSij i. W A.J \ FIG. 2 illustrates a further form of the invention where the leaves 2 are joined by what may be termed an external hinge 11. The hinge 11 has two wings 12 which has at its end a hook 13 having a portion 14 to engage in the recess 4 5 of each leaf, the portion and the recess having the interengaging catch and recess as above described. In this instance the leaves can be folded flat against each other by rotating as indicated. The leaves cannot collapse against each other due to the interference of the two hooks 13 as illustrated.

The sign as above described can also be modified to become a larger sign of 10 greater height. Thus as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, to the lower end of each leaf 2 a further leaf 2(a) can be attached by a hinge 15 which as shown in FIG. 4 has two parts, a male part 16 and a female part 17. The hinge has portions 18 and 19 which are clipped into recess 9 of the lower edge of leaf 2 and the upper recess 4 of the lower leaf 2(a) so that the two leaves are joined together.

The hinge 15 has a pair of hooks 20 onto which a stay 21 is attached so that the spacing of the two is fixed so that the leaves cannot collapse either toward or away from each other. When it is desired to fold up the sign the stay is removed and the two lower leaves are folded outwardly and upwardly so that the outer faces of the leaves 2 and 2(a) of each side lie against each other, 20 and the leaves 2 are then folded towards each other. One or both of the leaves has a clip or the like so that the stay when removed can be clipped onto the clips so that the stay is always available for use whenever required. Thus the stay strengthens the sign and can be used on both signs, the smaller one previously described or as shown the larger sign. This stay can be 25 moulded from a suitable plastics material, and if desired can be made to have a bright or iridescent colour adding to the safety of the sign.

Turning now to FIG. 5 there is shown a further form of the invention wherein the sign is formed from a plurality of open frames. The frames 23 are hinged to each other in a manner as above described, and the lower frames 24 are nf 10 APR 1336 2 hinged to the upper frames 23. The sign is stabilised by the stays similar to the stay above described. The sign is provided with a plurality of facing channels 25 so that sheet material (not shown) bearing the information to be 5 display can be inserted in the channels. This sheet material would then assist in strengthening the frames.

In a preferred form of the invention this sheet material can be a corrugated sheet material having planar sides such as that sold by the trade name "corflute" and the display material can be on both sides so that the display can 10 be changed by simply reversing the sheet material. If desired the channels 25 can be dimensioned so that two, three or more sheets can be positioned in the channels. In this way a large variety of different displays can be available merely by selecting the desired sheet and placing it outermost in the channels.

There is proposed a further embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in which the open 15 frames 23 and 24 are provided with strengthening members 26 extending diagonally across each frame from comer to corner. These members stiffen and strengthen the frames and provide support for the panels of corflute or other material inserted into the channels. The frames are moulded from a suitable plastics material and the provision of the cross members, as well as 20 providing stability and rigidity to the final produce, also reduce the in-built moulding stresses and distribute these stresses so that distortion is less likely to occur. In the sake of clarity, only one frame with cross members has been shown.

Referring to FIG. 8 of the drawings the sign 31 consists of two side panels 32 25 and 33..- These side panels 32 and 33 are identical and so only one of these will be described in detail. Each side panel is made from ABS plastics material and is formed in a die, and has a front panel face 34 with a surrounding flange 35 extending away from the front face 34. On the rear side 36 of the side panel there are provided strengthening ribs 37 which extend /f"'' 2'. O 3 1 U from the centre of the rear side 36 to the corners of the panel. These ribs while being strengthening ribs also act as runners during the injection moulding of the material, and so the thickness of the panel can be kept to a minimum.

Each panel is provided with members 38 along one edge, in this embodiment being along the bottom edge to thus form feet. In the area of the feet on the rear side of the panel, there are provided heavy weights, such as lead weights 39. In the flange across each foot there are two holes, the lead weight being cast with a small spigot to engage one hole and a screw sold by the trade name PK is passed through the other hole to engage a hole in the lead weight to fasten the lead weight in the foot. In this way it will be seen that there is provided a relatively light weight sign but with added weight in the four corners of the lowest portion of the sign. This provides great stability to the sign due to the very low centre of gravity of the sign.

The panels 32 and 33 can be hinged to each other in at least two different ways. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10 the hinge 40 has two wings 41 each of which has an in-tumed flange 42 which is thus bolted to the flange 35 of the respective panel. This sign is particularly suitable for use by estate agents where the face 34 has the advertising matter thereon, and to protect this information the panels can be folded so that the two faces 34 are adjacent each other. In this way the faces 34 are fully protected during handling and transportation from site to site. The faces 34 may be prevented from contacting each other by the provision of one or more small dimples 43 adjacent the area of the feet.

FIG. 11 shows a further form of the invention in which the panels 32 and 33 are hinged together by a conventional form of hinge 44 which is bolted to the inside of the flange 35 of the respective panels. To fold the sign of FIG. 11 the rear faces of the panels are thus moved to be in contact with each other.

V-••. 9. 7 *10 APjf ]536 '• ?A B ^ 1 0 Bsa t! <iJf u 'v..' If desired the panels can be prevented from spreading too far by the provision of a chain or the like (not shown) extending from a hole 45 in the flange 35 between the feet 38, but with the arrangement as shown in FIG. 11 the hinge 5 position can be such that the abutting edges of the flanges 35 will prevent the spreading of the side panels of the sign.

If a larger sign is required, each side of the sign can be formed of two panels 46 and 47 bolted to each other as shown in FIG. 9. In this way the feet 38 of the upper panel 47 are positioned at the top of the sign. The two sides of the 10 sign are joined by hinges attached to the holes through the feet which holes would normally be used for the weights if that panel were used as the lower panel. The form of hinge can be either of the above two described hinges. Where a large sign is constructed, the weights for attachment in the feet can be of larger size to thus provide adequate stability of the sign.

Also with the present invention, there may be provided a wire frame to be hung, clipped or otherwise supported on the sign on one or both panels or frames.

Preferably the wire frame can be supported in the channels or recesses that support the corflute sheets and the wire frame can be used to support sheets 20 of paper or like material in the form of paper posters, newspaper headlines and the like.

As noted previously the hinges can be of differing types, and preferably the hinges 15 for joining the panels are provided in recesses in the edges of the panels so that the hinges do not protrude from the surface of the panels and 25 the two panels which are so hinged together present a smooth outer surface. However in the alternative construction a piano type hinge could be used if desired. § 0 3 8 If it is desired to join a plurality of signs together end to end, then there is provided a hook or clip on generally U-shape which is positioned over the adjacent stays 21 of adjacent signs, In this way the signs while being securely 5 joined together can be readily separated if and when desired.

While the sign has been designed to rest on the ground or other surface, it is also within the concept of the invention to mount the sign on a pole or other elevated structure. Thus the sign can be provided with a supporting frame so that it can be attached to a pole or the like.

Thus it will be seen that with the present invention the sign can be assembled without the need for nuts and bolts merely by clipping the hinges into the leaves of the sign. As described there are two forms of hinges for the hinging of the panels, the internal hinge and the external hinge, and the larger sign can easily fold into a stack of 4.

If desired the channels can be added to the sign having the solid leaves so that the display information can be placed on the leaves and and/or onto the sheets inserted into the channels. As noted above there are further hinges to allow the folding of the larger sign.

The lead weights to give stability to the sign are preferably covered with 20 polyethylene to add to the appearance of the sign and to prevent any contamination by the lead material itself. The sign and the sheet material can be used for any desired type and style of displaying information, the sides being for example used as a white board, a black board, silk screened, painted.or being able to receive vinyl cut out letters or other shapes as 25 desired. It is noted that the solid form of the leaves gives support to the corflute, and also the solid form gives support to flexible sheets such as paper. Additionally, the paper sheets can be covered by a sheet of clear material such as an acrylic resin for example sold under the trade name Perspex. Also polycarbonate sheets may be used. // v f! C 10 APR 1396 9 In order to prevent the folded sign from rattling and to hold the sign in the folded condition there can be provided an elastic ring attached to the sign to pass over and around a portion of the sign in the folded position to hold the leaves in secured relationship. The sign can also incorporate other articles to be attached or clipped to the sign such as a document holder for give-away promotional material.

Although various forms of the invention have been described in some detail the invention is not to be limited thereto but can include variations and modifications falling within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (10)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: OLA1M3-

1. A portable sign comprising a pair of leaves hinged to each other along a pair of their adjacent edges, characterised in that each leaf is formed of a 5 relatively rigid plastics material, a pair of support members spaced from each other along the edges opposite the edges having the hinges, and weights positioned in each of said support members to assist in stably positioning the sign when in the erected position with the leaves being spread with the support members in contact with the surface on which the sign is positioned. 10

2. A portable sign as defined in claim 1, wherein the leaves may be folded so that they are adjacent each other in the folded position for handling and transport, or may be pivoted so that the leaves are at an angle to each other in the position for use of the sign, hinge means for joining the leaves together, said hinge means being clipped into recesses in the leaves, and means for 15 holding the leaves in the angled position.

3. A portable sign as defined in claim 2 characterised in that the hinge means comprises a pair of mating members each to be clipped to a corresponding recess in the respective leaf, said mating members having engaging means to prevent undue opening of the leaves with the leaves 20 pivoting to spread the adjacent faces of the leaves to the spread position.

4. A portable sign as defined in claim 2 characterised in that the hinge means each has an extended arm to clip into the respective recesses so that the hinge means extends externally of the adjacent leaves, with the leaves being pivotable to bring the sign faces adjacent each other for handling and 25 transport purposes.

5. A portable sign as defined in claim 2 further comprising a further pair of leaves pivoted to the lower ends of said first defined leaves, whereby said leaves may be folded in concertina fashion. 'I'L J* J;/■ V (Q ■;*'• -J"'',;. zi ' • p j I J /I 11

6. A portable sign as defined in claim 2 or 5 characterised by a strut releasably clipped to the respective leaves to prevent relative rotation of the leaves.

7. A portable sign as defined in claim 2 wherein each leaf is a solid panel.

8. A portable sign as defined in claim 2 wherein each leaf is an open frame, holding means being provided to retain signage material on each frame.

9. A portable sign as defined in claim 8 wherein each open frame is cross braced.

10. A portable sign substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.