WO1994029836A1

WO1994029836A1 - A quick-fit poster sign mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO1994029836A1
Application number: PCT/GB1993/001268
Authority: WO
Inventors: Noel Leonard Tweedie
Original assignee: Noel Leonard Tweedie
Priority date: 1993-06-15
Filing date: 1993-06-15
Publication date: 1994-12-22
Also published as: AU4347193A

Abstract

A quick fit poster sign system has a telescopic runner or runners (12) which is or are fitted within a poster sign box (15) in front of a lighting source (16). Between the telescopic runner/s is fitted a poster loading panel (13). When in its normal display position the poster loading panel (13) and/or the poster attached to the poster loading panel can be seen through the clear window (11) within the over-frame (10). To change the poster message the poster loading panel (13) is pulled from within the sign box (15) courtesy of the telescopic runner/s (12) to a distance greater than the height of the sign itself. After a replacement poster has been fitted to the poster loading panel (13) it is returned to inside the sign box courtesy of the telescopic runner/s (12) until it reaches its normal display position (11) inside the sign box (15).

Description

A quick-fit poster sign mechanism

Technical Field

Signs which are fitted above head height usually require the use of a ladder or suchlike by the person fitting a new poster. The other alternative is to detach the sign from its fixed position, bring it to ground level, fit the new poster, and reposition the sign.

Signs using various apparatus to place a poster into a sign when the sign and the poster fitter are at the same level are already in existence. Also in existence are signs which allow a poster panel to be lowered from inside a sign box but these have limitations in how far they can drop the loading panel in addition to the difficulty in keeping the loading panel semi-rigid in order to fit a poster.

Background Art The prior art, US Patent No 4566211 is a modular display unit which includes key hole slots which carry display panels. This panel loading device is designed for indoor use. The panel/s fit inside the frame/s holder/s by lowering the panel from top to bottom along key-hole slots. GB Patent No 2160347 A is an interchangeable print frame with one removeable frame section which allows a poster to be changed inside the frame without moving the frame from the backwall. This poster fitting can only take place if the frame is at the same level as the poster fitter or if the operator has a ladder or suchlike.

GB Patent No 2131215 A Display Sign. This system although addressing a similar requirement has the disadvantage that when the inner panel is lowered by the pulley system below the main body of the sign the inner panel is not held in a rigid or semi- rigid manner to allow the easy fitting of a paper poster on a windy day. The chain and sprocket alternative will not allow the moving panel to be lowered further than the height of the sign box in a manner that provides a rigid or semi-rigid panel. With these systems any attempt to increase the distance the inner loading panel will drop in a rigid or semi-rigid form will necessitate increasing the height of the sign box to create a longer loading panel which is often undesireable. GB Patent No 1215468 Improvements in Display Devices. This system of using an endless band of material with one or more display panels fitted to the band has the same restriction (as per the last prior art referred to) in how far a loading panel can be lowered and still retain a rigid or semi-rigid panel on which to fix a paper poster in windy conditions.

Disclosure of Invention It is an object of the present invention to find a sign loading system which allows an elevated sign box to remain in a fixed position whilst the poster loading panel is lowered a distance greater then the height of the sign box yet retain semi-rigidity.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a quick fit poster sign system comprising of one or more telescopic runner/s or channel/s between which is fitted a poster loading panel. This system allows the poster loading panel to be withdrawn from the body of the sign box, courtesy of the telescopic runner/s or channel/s, to a position the distance of which is greater than the debth of the sign box itself and after a replacement poster has been fitted to be returned, courtesy of the telescopic runner/s or channel/s, inside the body of the sign.

A special embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-

Figure 1 shows the front view of the sign complete with over- frame

Figure 2 shows the poster loading panel fixed between the telescopic runners in their extended position.

Figure 3 shows a flexible cover fitted to the poster loading panel under which a poster is fitted and held flat in place.

Figure 4 shows in perspective the sign box complete with over-frame and the poster loading panel fully extended. Figure 5 shows in perspective an exploded view of the sign box with the over frame removed to expose the back wall of the sign box containing the back-lighting source.

Referring to the drawing the quick fit poster sign system comprises a sign box 15 on the face of which is an over-frame 10 containing a transparent window panel 11. fitted to the backwall of the sign box 15 is a lighting source 16. Fitted within the sign box 15 is telescopic runner/s or channel/s 12 which carry a poster loading panel 13.

Claims

1/ A quick fit poster sign system comprising of one or more telescopic runner/s or channel/s on which is fitted a poster loading panel. This system allows the poster loading panel to be withdrawn from the body of the sign to a distance greater than the height of the sign box or with sideways loading greater than the width of the sign box and after a replacement poster has been fitted to the poster loading panel to be returned inside the body of the sign.

2/ A quick fit poster sign system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement of the telescopic runner/s or channel/s which carry the poster loading panel is assisted by means of a spring loaded roller blind or electrically operated roller blind which is attached to the inside of the sign box with the end of the blind attached to the poster loading panel. 3/ A quick fit poster sign system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement of the telescopic runner/s or channel/s which carry the poster loading panel is assisted by means of a mechanical device involving a sprocket and/or ratchet system.

4/ A quick fit poster sign system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the movement of the telescopic runner/s or channel/s which carry the poster loading panel is assisted by means of an electrical device with or without remote control.

5/ A quick fit poster sign system as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 and claim 3 and claim 4 wherein the sign box has display windows on each side of the box and contains two sets of telescopic runner/s or channel/s and poster loading panels.

6/ A quick fit poster sign system as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 and claim 3 and claim 4 and claim 5 wherein the poster loading panel is made of transparent, semi-transparent or opaque material. 7/ A quick fit poster sign system as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 and claim 3 and claim 4 and claim 5 and claim 6 wherein the poster loading panel is removeable from a frame surround which is attached to the telescopic runner/s or channel/s.

8/ A quick fit poster sign system substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1, 2, 3, 4 , 5 of the accompanying drawings.