WO2004055749A1

WO2004055749A1 - Signs comprising tamper detection switch means

Info

Publication number: WO2004055749A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/005446
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard Ivor Taffinder
Original assignee: Hills Numberplates Limited
Priority date: 2002-12-13
Filing date: 2003-12-15
Publication date: 2004-07-01
Also published as: AU2003295108A1; GB0229124D0

Abstract

A sign (1) comprises a body (2) having a major surface carrying indicia (4) and switch means (5) actuated or actuatable when the sign (1) is removed from its intended location S. The switch means (5) may actuate a signal generator (7) which may transmit a signal corresponding to information held on an information register (6).

Description

SIGNS COMPRISING TAMPER DETECTION SWITCH MEANS

This application relates to signs and, in particular, to signs which are able to indicate their removal from an intended site of use.

It is known that many signs are stolen or defaced by thieves and vandals. For certain signs, for example, vehicle registration plates, safety signs, signs which identify the contents of lorries and so on, it is essential that they remain located in or on their proper and intended location or, in addition or as an alternative, that are identifiable as being improperly or illegally located.

It is an object of this invention to provide signs which can indicate when they have been removed from their intended location and/or signs which can indicate that they are improperly or illegally located.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the invention provides a sign comprising a body having a major surface carrying indicia and switch means actuated or actuatable when the sign is removed from its intended location.

Said switch means may be mounted on or located in the body.

The sign may further comprise an information register, preferably holding information pertaining to the sign and/or the indicia carried by the sign and/or the intended location of the sign. The information register may hold the information electrically or electronically, as visually readable code or otherwise.

Said switch means may trigger a signal generator to indicate removal of the sign from its intended location.

The signal generator may be located on or in the body or may be remote therefrom.

Said switch means may comprise a switch which may be arranged to actuate upon a sudden or sharp movement of the sign.

The switch may be a mechanically or electronically actuated switch.

Suitable mechanical switches are trip switches, mercury or like switches or other switches which, upon actuation, are arranged to make an electrical contact.

Electronic switches may include electronic trip switches and the like.

Said switch means may be arranged to actuate when the sign is moved in a particular direction. For example, if the sign is to be located on a static, say vertical, site such as a wall or the like, said switch means may be arranged to actuate when the sign is moved away, say horizontally, from the wall.

If the sign is to be located on a site which is arranged to move, say a vehicle, said switch means may be arranged to actuate not during normal motion of the vehicle but only when the sign is, say, violently removed from the vehicle. The sign may be attached to a substrate using attachment means. Preferred attachment means comprises a strip, at least a portion of which is magnetic, the strip may be attached or attachable to a sign and substrate. Preferably, the strip is attached to the sign and substrate using adhesives of relatively different strength such that, when installed, the strip is preferentially adhered to the substrate rather than the sign.

The strip is preferably locatable on a desired location on the sign such that said switch means is tripped when said attachment means is not within a pre-determined distance therefrom.

The signal generator may broadcast a signal, prior to removal, corresponding say, to information held in the information register. In a second embodiment the signal generator may only generate a signal when the sign is located in its intended location, removal therefrom, causing said switch means to actuate, arresting a signal generated by the signal generator.

The signal generated by the signal generator is preferably a radio signal.

The sign may be a vehicle identification plate, an information sign or the like.

A second aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a sign, the method comprising forming a body having a cavity, locating switch means in the cavity and applying indicia to the body.

A third aspect of the invention provides a method of manufacturing a sign, the method comprising encapsulating switch means in a body and applying indicia to the body. The body may be formed from a plastics or metal material.

A plastics material may be moulded to form the body.

In an embodiment, a moulded body may have the cavity formed on the intended application' side of the sign in which said switch means may be located, so as to be non-visible when viewing the sign when it is located at its intended site.

The indicia may be carried on a plastics sheet which is applied to the body, say by laminating.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be explained, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a section through a first embodiment of sign according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a section through a second embodiment of sign according to the invention; and

Figure 3 is a section through the sign of Figure 1 attached to a substrate.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a sign 1 comprising a body 2 to which is attached a plastics sheet 3 carrying indicia 4. The body 2 is moulded from a plastics material such as ABS, Nylon, polyethylene etc.

The body 2 has a switch 5 located therein as well as an electronic information register 6, such as an electronic memory chip. Also located therein is a signal generator 7. To form the sign 1 , the switch 5, memory chip 6 and signal generator 7, which are operatively connected, are placed in a mould and plastics material is injected into the mould to form the body and encapsulate the above-identified components 5, 6, 7.

The plastics sheet 3 is laminated to the moulded body 2.

Referring now to Figure 2, in which identical components are indicated by the same number shown with a prime ('), the body 20 is moulded with a cavity 8 in which the switch 5', memory chip 6' and signal generator 7' are located, rather than being encapsulated as in the first embodiment.

In use, either sign 1 , 1 ' is located at its intended site of use, say on a wall or on a vehicle. The sign 1 ,1 ' is securely adhered at its site.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a preferred means of attaching the plate 1 to a substrate S using an attachment device 30. The attachment device 30 is a flat, thin sheet material 31 , say 2-3mm thick, at least a portion of which is magnetic. The. sheet material 31 carries a relatively strong adhesive 32 (i.e. an adhesive which creates a relatively stronger bond between sheet material 31 and substrate S) on the face to contact the substrate S and a relatively weaker adhesive 33 (i.e. an adhesive which creates a relatively weaker bond between the sheet material 31 and the sign 1 ) on the face to contact the sign 1.

Thus to install a sign 1 , the attachment device 30 is attached to the rear of the sign 1 by removing a release paper (not shown) which covers the relatively weak adhesive 33 and pressing the sheet material 31 onto the sign 1 in a desired location. A release paper (also not shown) is then removed from the relatively strong adhesive 32 and the sign 1 is pushed onto the substrate S. Other conventional attachment means, such as screws, rivets etc., may be used to secure the sign 1 to the substrate S. Thus, the attachment device 30 is hidden from view when the sigri 1 is secured to a substrate S.

The attachment device 30 is secured to the sign 1 in a desired location so that the presence (or absence) of the attachment device 30 is registered by the switch 5.

When an unscrupulous person attempts to remove the sign 1 , 1 ', say by pulling the sign 1 , 1 ' from its intended site, the relatively strong adhesive 32 ensures that the sheet material 31 remains attached to the substrate S because of the greater adhesion of the strong adhesive 32 that the weak adhesive 31. The removal of the magnetic sheet material 31 from the sign 1 causes the switch 5, 5' to be tripped which, in turn, causes a signal to be sent to the signal generator 7, 7'. Upon receiving the signal, the generator 7,7' generates a warning signal or stops generating the signal it has been continually generating whilst properly located.

The signal may be transmitted from the generator 7, 7' to be picked up by a receiver (not shown).

The signal generator 7, 7' may generate a continuous signal corresponding to data held on the memory chip 6, 6'. The data may indicate the proper location of the sign 1, 1', information pertaining to the indicia 4, 4' and so on. If the sign 1 , 1' is removed from its intended located and placed at another location, the signal emitted from the signal generator 7, 7' or the lack of generated signal may be read to allow someone to know that the sign 1 , 1 ' is improperly or illegally located.

The components 5, 6, 7; 5", 6', 7' may be located on a single board or chip. The attachment device 30 need not comprise a magnetic portion, the presence (or absence) of the device 30 in proximity to the switch 5, 5' may be detected through inductance or any other suitable property which is detectable by the switch 5, 5'.

In some embodiments, the attachment device 30 need not be present. The switch 5, 5' may be a physical switch, say a trip switch which is actuated when the sign 1 , 1 ' is moved (useful for signs 1 , 1' intended to be located on a static substrate). In one embodiment, the switch 5, 5' may comprise a movable switch member (not shown) which, when the sign 1 , 1' is located on a substrate is depressed but, when the sign 1 , V is removed from the substrate, extends under resilient urging, thereby tripping the switch 5, 5'.

A sign 1 , 1 ' comprising a signal generator 7, 7' may be termed an 'active' sign. The sign 1 , 1 ' may also be formed without a signal generator 7, 7' in which case it may be termed a 'dumb' sign which may be interrogated by suitable reading means (not shown) to read the information register 6.

The indicia may be reverse printed on to the plastics sheet 3, 3' or may be applied to the body 2, 20 and the plastics sheet 3, 3' applied over the indicia 4, 4' to provide protection.

The signs 1 , 1 ' may find particular utility as numberplates for vehicles, safety signs and the like. As a numberplate for a vehicle, the information register 6, 6' may hold information such as Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, colour, age and registration details of the vehicle, the name of the owner or other information.

If a person were to remove the numberplate, thereby actuating switch means 5, 5', the signal generator 7, 7' may send an alarm signal to a remote site, which may be located on the vehicle or elsewhere. The alarm signal would be readable to indicate that the numberplate 1 , 1' had been removed.

In a further embodiment, removal of the numberplate 1 , V may cause the signal generator 7, 7' to cease emitting a signal, thereby providing an indication of plate 1 , 1 ' removal.

In a yet further embodiment, upon actuation of said switch means 5, 5' the signal generator may transmit a signal along with information held on the register 6, 6', the further signal indicating that the plate 1 , 1 ' has been removed.

It has been proposed that vehicles be fitted with transponders for automatic charging when travelling on toll roads.

The information register 6, 6' may form the memory of the transponder, the signal generator, 7, 7' generating the signal therefor.

If the plate 1 , 1' has been removed from its intended site and placed on another vehicle, the alarm signal emitted from the signal generator 7, 7' will be picked up as the vehicle crosses a toll road. The reading of the signal will allow tracking of a vehicle and an alarm that a plate 1 , 1' is fitted illegally or improperly. If the vehicle has its own on board transponder, as well as the one in the illegally or improperly sited plate, the two conflicting signals for one car will provide further information to say, law enforcement agencies.

Claims

1. A sign (1 ; 1 ') comprising a body (2; 2') having a major surface carrying indicia (4; 4') and switch means (5; 5') actuated or actuatable when the sign (1 ; 1') is removed from its intended location (S).

2. A sign (1 ') according to Claim 1 , wherein said switch means (5') is mounted in a cavity (8) located on the body (2').

3. A sign (1 ) according to Claim 1 , wherein said switch means (5) is located in the body (2).

4. A sign (1 ; 1') according to Claim 1 , 2 or 3, further comprising an information register (6; 6').

5. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to Claim 4, wherein the information register (6; 6') holds information pertaining to the sign and/or the indicia carried by the sign and/or the intended location of the sign.

6. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the information register (6; 6') holds the information electrically or electronically, as visually readable code or otherwise.

7. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to any preceding Claim, wherein said switch means (5; 5') comprises a mechanically or electronically actuated switch.

8. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to any preceding Claim, wherein said switch means (5; 5') comprises a switch which actuates or is actuatable upon a sudden or sharp movement of the sign (1 ; 1 ').

9. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to any of Claims 1 to 7, wherein said switch means (5; 5') is arranged to actuate when the sign (1 ; 1 ') is moved in a particular direction.

10. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to any preceding Claim, further comprising attachment means (30) to attach the sign (1 ; 1 ') to a substrate (S).

11. A sign (1; 1') according to Claim 10, wherein said attachment means (30) comprises a strip of material (31 ) which carries an adhesive on each major face thereof, the adhesive (33) on the face attached or attachable to the sign (1 ; 1 ') being of relatively weaker strength than that (32) attached or attachable to the substrate (S).

12. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to Claim 10 or 11 , wherein at least a portion of said attachment means (30) is formed from a material having a property which may be sensed by said switch means (5; 5').

13. A sign (1 ; 1') according to Claim 12, wherein at least a portion of said attachment means (30) .is magnetic and said switch means (5, 5') comprises a magnetically actuated or actuatable switch.

14. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to any preceding Claim, further comprising a signal generator (7; 7') operable by said switch means (5; 5') to indicate removal of the sign (1 ; 1 ') from its intended location (S).

15. A sign (1 ; 1') according to Claim 14, wherein the signal generator (7; 7') is located on or in the body.

16. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to Claim 14 or 15, wherein the signal generator (7; 7') is arranged to transmit a signal, prior to removal, corresponding say, to information held in the information register (6; 6').

17. A sign (1 ; 1') according to Claim 16, wherein the signal generator (7; 7') is arranged to transmit an altered signal subsequent to removal of the sign (1 ; 1') from its intended location (S).

18. A sign (1 ; 1') according to Claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the signal generator (7; 7') is arranged transmit a signal when the sign (1 ; 1 ') is located at its intended location (S), removal therefrom causing said switch means (5; 5') to actuate thereby arresting a signal transmitted by the signal generator (7; 7').

19. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to any of Claims 14 to 18, wherein the signal generator (7; 7') is arranged to transmit a radio signal.

20. A sign (1 ; 1 ') according to any preceding Claim, formed as a vehicle identification plate.

21. A method of manufacturing a sign, the method comprising forming a body having a cavity, locating switch means in the cavity and applying indicia to the body.

2. A method of manufacturing a sign, the method comprising encapsulating switch means in a body and applying indicia to the body.