WO2006006823A1

WO2006006823A1 - Fixation member and letter sign comprising the same

Info

Publication number: WO2006006823A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002246
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tae Seok Gong
Original assignee: Tae Seok Gong
Priority date: 2004-07-15
Filing date: 2005-07-13
Publication date: 2006-01-19

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fixation member for a letter sign and a letter sign comprising the same. The fixation member for a letter sign according to the present invention comprises a) a first fixation element comprising a head, a first leg longitudinally extended from the head, and a projection tap latitudinally extended from the first leg; and b) a second fixation element comprising a fixation semi-loop and a second leg longitudinally extended from the fixation semi-loop; wherein c) at a binding of the first fixation element to the second fixation element, the first fixation element is inserted into the second fixation element, and the head of the first fixation element is complementarity inserted into the fixation semi-loop of the second fixation element, and an exterior side of the first leg of the first fixation element contacts to an interior side of the second leg of the second fixation element; d) to a corner formed at an in¬ tersection between the first latitudinally-extended projection tap and the first longitudinally extended leg, a cover of a letter sign is accommodated in a contact of a side surface of the cover and at least one surface selected from an upper surface and an lower surface of the cover with the comer; and e) in parallel to the first longitudinally extended leg, a side plate of the letter sign is fixed.

Description

FIXATION MEMBER AND LETTER SIGN COMPRISING THE

SAME

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a fixation member for a letter sign. More specifically, the present invention relates to a fixation member capable of easy fixation of a cover to a side plate of a frame and easy detachment of the cover from the side plate. The present invention also relates to a letter sign comprising the same. Background Art

[2] For the purpose of advertising goods or services of corporations, letter signs are positioned at sides of buildings. In order to bring into relief, a lightening implement is installed within the letter sign. Such a letter sign comprises a frame designed into a suitable letter, a cover fixed onto the frame, a fixation member which fixes the cover onto the cover, and a lightening implement installed within the frame.

[3]

[4] FIG. 1 is an exemplary drawing showing a production process of a typical letter sign. As shown in FIG. 1, a side plate 102 is vertically connected to a bottom plate 101 designed into a suitable letter, which forms a frame 100. Within the frame 100, a lightening implement (not shown) is installed. Thereafter, a plastic cover 200 (for example, acrylic plate) cut into the letter to be designed is fixed to the side plate 102 of the frame 100 to provide a letter sign 1. Herein, the lightening implement installed within the frame 100 has a life cycle of several months. As thus, the cover 200 should be detachably fixed. In addition, because the letter sign 1 is positioned, typically at outsides of the buildings, the fixation of the cover 200 to the frame 100 should be durable against, for example, wild wind. Conventional fixation members require time- consuming binding with an adhesive. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[5] In order to avoid the problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixation member for a letter sign capable of easy fixation of a cover to a side plate of a frame and easy detachment of the cover from the side plate.

[6] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixation member for a letter sign capable of strong fixation of the cover to the side plate of the frame. Technical Solution

[7] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fixation member for a letter sign comprising: [8] a) a first fixation element comprising a head, a first leg longitudinally extended from the head, a projection tap latitudinally extended from the first leg; and

[9] b) a second fixation element comprising a fixation semi-loop and a second leg lon¬ gitudinally extended from the fixation semi-loop; wherein,

[10] c) at a binding of the first fixation element to the second fixation element, the first fixation element is inserted into the second fixation element, and the head of the first fixation element is complementarily inserted into the fixation semi-loop of the second fixation element, and an exterior side of the first leg of the first fixation element contacts with an interior side of the second leg of the second fixation element;

[11] d) to a corner formed at an intersection between the first latitudinally extended projection tap and the first longitudinally extended leg, a cover of the letter sign is ac¬ commodated in a contact of a side surface of the cover and at least one surface selected from an upper surface and an lower surface of the cover with the corner; and

[12] e) in parallel to the first longitudinally extended leg, a side plate of the letter sign is fixed.

[13] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member further comprising a second projection tap outwardly projected at an end of the fixation semi-loop of the second fixation element.

[14] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member further comprising a second projection tap outwardly projected at a middle of the fixation semi-loop of the second fixation element.

[15] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member in which the first projection tap of the first fixation element is adjacently positioned to the head of the first fixation element, and the cover is accommodated to the corner formed at an intersection between a lower surface of the first projection tap and an interior side of the first longitudinally extended leg.

[16] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member in which the first projection tap of the first fixation element has a slant upper surface, and the upper surface of the first projection tap has a complementary contact with a lower surface of the second projection tap.

[17] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member in which the head has a groove which facilitates complementary binding between the head and the fixation semi-loop.

[18] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member further comprising a bottom tap latitudinally-extended at a lower end of the second leg of the second fixation element in which one end of the bottom tap is connected to the second leg and the other end of the bottom tap has a curled structure in order to support a lower end of the first leg of the first fixation element at a binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element.

[19] According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member further comprising a third fixation element comprised of a latitudinally elongated contact surface which contacts with a lower surface of the cover, a longi¬ tudinally elongated contact surface which contacts with an interior side of the first leg of the first fixation element, and an another longitudinally elongated contact surface which contacts with the side plate of the letter sign.

[20] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the fixation member in which the first projection tap of the first fixation element is positioned in a manner that between the head and the first projection tap, a space into which a side of the cover can be inserted is formed, and the cover is accommodated to the corner formed at an intersection between an upper surface of the first projection tap and an interior side of the first longitudinally extended leg.

[21] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a letter sign comprising:

[22] a frame comprised of a bottom plate designed to a suitable letter and a side plate vertically connected to the bottom plate;

[23] a lightening implement installed within the frame;

[24] a cover fixed onto the frame; and

[25] a fixation member which fixes the cover to the frame;

[26] wherein the fixation member is the one mentioned in the above.

Advantageous Effects

[27] The fixation member according to the present invention enables easy and fast fixation of the cover to the frame which simplifies fixation works. In addition, al¬ ternation of the lightening implement can be performed by simple steps comprising by removing a connection member which fixes the fixation member to the side plate of the frame, followed by separating the cover from the side plate. Further, the fixation member according to the present invention provides high fixation ability, and the com¬ plementary interaction between the head and the fixation semi-loop facilitates fabrication of curved letters. Brief Description of the Drawings

[28] FIG. 1 is an exemplary drawing showing a production process of a typical letter sign.

[29] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element.

[30] FlG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing more preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element, which is assisted by the third fixation element.

[31] FlG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, (C) is a cross-sectional view of a third fixation element, and (D) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element.

[32] FlG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing further another preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element.

[33] FlG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another more preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element.

[34] FlG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific embodiment of a letter sign using the fixation member according to the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[35] Referring accompanied drawings, the present invention will be more fully il¬ lustrated.

[36] FlG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element. As shown in FlG. 2, a fixation member 300 of the present invention comprises a first fixation element 31 and a second fixation element 32. The first fixation element 31 is comprised of a head 311, a first leg 313 longitudinally extended from the head 311, and a projection tap 312 lati- tudinally extended from the first leg 313. The second fixation element 32 is comprised of a fixation semi-loop 321 and a second leg 323 longitudinally extended from the fixation semi-loop 321.

[37]

[38] When the first fixation element 31 binds to the second fixation element 32, the first fixation element 31 is inserted into the second fixation element 32 in which the head 311 of the first fixation element 31 is complementarily inserted into the fixation semi- loop 321 of the second fixation element 32, and an exterior side 313b of the first leg 313 of the first fixation element 31 contacts with an interior side 323a of the second leg 323 of the second fixation element 32. Herein, the insertion of the head 311 into an inner space of the fixation semi-loop 321 of the second fixation element 32 enables easy fabrication of curved letters. Specifically, if there is no insertion of the head 311 into the inner space of the fixation semi-loop 321, bending of the second fixation element 32 is not easy, and smoothly curved letter is not obtainable. This deteriorates appearance and reduces fixation ability to a cover 200. This deteriorates the quality of a letter sign. Complementarily insertion of the head 311 of the first fixation element 31 into the fixation semi-loop 321 of the second fixation element 32 makes it possible to fabricate a well-curved letter and increases a fixation ability of the letter sign.

[39]

[40] Preferably, a groove 311a is formed in the head 311 of the first fixation element 31.

An empty space formed by the groove 311a facilitates complementary binding between the head 311 and the fixation semi-loop 321. In order words, the empty space formed by the groove 311a increases flexibility of the head 311, and the increased flexibility of the head 311 provides smooth insertion of the head 311 into the fixation semi-loop 321.

[41]

[42] The first latitudinally extended projection tap 312 may be positioned in an adjoining manner to the head 311 (which is exemplified in FlG. 2) or in a manner that a space into which a side of the cover 200 can be inserted is formed (which is exemplified in FlG. 5). In a case that the first latitudinally extended projection tap 312 is adjacent to the head 311, the cover 200 is accommodated to a corner C formed at an intersection between a lower surface 312b of the first projection tap 312 and an interior side 313a of the first longitudinally extended leg 313. A side plate 102 of a letter sign is fixed in parallel to the interior side 313a of the first longitudinally extended leg 313. Herein the cover 200 binds to the corner C with aid of an adhesive. Therefore, the lower surface 312b of the first projection tap 312 and the interior side 313a of the first leg 313 are attached to the upper surface and the side of the cover 200, respectively, to fix the cover 200. To the contrary, use of the adhesive in the fixation of the side plate 102 should be avoided as much as possible. The reason is that the cover 200 should be separated from the side plate 102 when alternation of a lightening implement is required. The use of the adhesive makes trouble in the separation. Therefore, the side plate 102 is fixed by the aid of a connection member (not shown) such as a screw or a staple.

[43]

[44] The second fixation element 32 is preferably made of a metal such as aluminum or iron, and the first fixation element 31 is of a plastic. The metallic second fixation element 32 endows durability against various impacts. The plastic first fixation element 31 saves costs and increases the fixation ability by avoiding unengaged fixation.

[45]

[46] FlG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing more preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element. As shown in FlG. 3, according to more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second fixation element 32 further comprises a second projection tap 322 outwardly projected at an end of the fixation semi-loop 321. The second projection tap 322 of the second fixation element 32 has a complementary contact with the first projection tap 312 of the first fixation element 31. Preferably, the first projection tap 312 of the first fixation element 31 has a slant upper surface, and the upper surface of the first projection tap 312 has a complementary contact with a lower surface of the second projection tap 322. This provides more intimate interaction between the first fixation element 31 and the second fixation element 32. More preferably, the second fixation element 32 further comprises a bottom tap 324 latitudinally extended at a lower end of the second leg 323 of the second fixation element 32. The bottom tap 324 supports the lower end of the first leg 313 of the first fixation element 31, at a binding of between the first fixation element 31 and the second fixation element 32. Even more preferably, the other end of the bottom tap 324 has a curled structure in order to enhance complementary interaction with the first leg 313 of the first fixation element 31.

[47]

[48] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, (C) is a cross-sectional view of a third fixation element, and (D) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element, which is assisted by the third fixation element. As shown in FlG. 4, according to more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fixation member 300 further comprises a third fixation element 33 in addition to the first fixation element 31 and the second fixation element 32. The third fixation element 33 is comprised of a latitudinally elongated contact surface 33a which contacts with a lower surface of the cover 200, a longitudinally elongated contact surface 33b which contacts with an interior side 313a of the first leg 313 of the first fixation element 31, and an another longitudinally elongated contact surface 33c which contacts with the side plate 102 of the letter sign. In order words, the third fixation element 33 is a fixation auxiliary element having at least three contact sides 33a, 33b and 33c. More preferably, the third fixation element 33 consists essentially of a latitudinally elongated auxiliary plate 331 and a longitudinally elongated auxiliary plate 332 which are inter¬ connected each other to form "-| " type. The contact surface 33a of the third fixation element 33 binds to the cover 200 with aid of an adhesive, and the contact surface 33b is also binds, with aid of the adhesive, to an interior side 313a of the first leg 313 of the first fixation element 31. The contact surface 33c does bind to the side plate 102 of the letter sign with aid of not an adhesive but a detachable connection member such as a screw or a staple. With aid of the third fixation element 33, the contact area between the cover 200 and the fixation member 300 is increased, and strong fixation can be achievable. The third fixation element 33 can be made of a metal or a plastic. Preferable is the plastic. Explanation to the first fixation element 31 and the second fixation element 32 was already suggested in the Figures 2 and 3, thus specific ex¬ planations are omitted.

[49]

[50] FlG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing further another preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element. As shown in FlG. 5, a space into which a side of the cover 200 can be inserted is formed between the head 311 and the first projection tap 312. In this case, the cover 200 is accommodated to a corner C formed at an intersection between an upper surface 312a of the first projection tap 312 and an interior side 313a of the first longitudinally extended leg 313. The side plate 102 of the letter sign is fixed in parallel to the interior side 313a of the first longi¬ tudinally extended leg 313. The second projection tap 322 contacts with the upper surface of the cover 200, which provides strong fixation.

[51]

[52] FlG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing further another preferred embodiment of a fixation member for a letter sign in accordance with the present invention, wherein (A) is a cross-sectional view of a first fixation element, (B) is a cross-sectional view of a second fixation element, and (C) is a cross-sectional view of the binding of between the first fixation element and the second fixation element. Compared to the fixation member shown in FlG. 3, the fixation member 300 of FlG. 6 comprises a second projection tap 322 outwardly projected at a middle of the fixation semi-loop 321 of the second fixation element 32. Unexplained reference numerals are the same with those of Figures 3 and 4.

[53]

[54] FlG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific embodiment of a letter sign using the fixation member according to the present invention. In FlG. 7, the fixation member 300 used is the same with that of FlG. 4. The letter sign 1 comprises a frame 100, a cover 200 fixed to the frame 100, and a fixation member 300 which fixes the cover 200 to the frame 100. The frame 100 of the letter sign 1 comprises a bottom plate 101 and a side plate 102 vertically connected to the bottom plate 101. Within the frame 100, a lightening implement 400 is suitably installed. Typically, the lightening implement 400 is comprised of a shop-board 401 and a neon light 402, but is not limited thereto. The glow emitted from the neon light 402 penetrates through the plastic cover 200 (typically, acryl plate) and the letter encrypted into the letter sign 1 is visually recognized. The bottom plate 101 and the side plate 102 which constitute the frame 100 can be made of a metal such as iron, stainless steel or aluminum. Onto the frame 100, the plastic cover 200 is fixed in order to protect the lightening implement 400 and to prohibit visual exposure of electrical connection lines. The cover 200 and the frame 100 are interconnected with aid of the fixation member 300, to provide the letter sign 1. The fixation member 300 provides simple, robust and detachable fixation of the cover 200 to the frame 100, by complementary action of the two fixation elements, the first fixation element 31 and the second fixation element 32. Further, by the action of the third fixation element 33, the fixation ability is further enhanced.

[55]

[56] As described, it should be evident that the present invention can be implemented through a variety of configurations in the aforementioned technical field without affecting, influencing or changing its spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the examples and applications illustrated herein is intended to be in the nature of description rather than of limitation. It should be clear that the scope of the present invention extends far beyond the specific descriptions mentioned above to encompass a far more comprehensive range that will be continually defined by imple¬ mentation. For example, the arrangement of the lightening implement 400 is an ex- emplarily one such that various modification can be made.

Claims

[1] A fixation member for a letter sign comprising: a) a first fixation element comprising a head, a first leg longitudinally extended from the head, and a projection tap latitudinally extended from the first leg; and b) a second fixation element comprising a fixation semi-loop and a second leg longitudinally extended from the fixation semi-loop; wherein, c) at a binding of the first fixation element to the second fixation element, the first fixation element is inserted into the second fixation element, and the head of the first fixation element is complementarity inserted into the fixation semi-loop of the second fixation element, and an exterior side of the first leg of the first fixation element contacts with an interior side of the second leg of the second fixation element; d) to a comer formed at an intersection between the first latitudinally-extended projection tap and the first longitudinally extended leg, a cover of the letter sign is accommodated in a contact of a side surface of the cover and at least one surface selected from an upper surface and an lower surface of the cover with the corner; and e) in parallel to the first longitudinally extended leg, a side plate of the letter sign is fixed.

[2] The fixation member as set forth in claim 1, wherein the head has a groove which facilitates complementary binding between the head and the fixation semi- loop.

[3] The fixation member as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second fixation element further comprises a second projection tap outwardly projected at an end of the fixation semi-loop of the second fixation element.

[4] The fixation member as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second fixation element further comprises a second projection tap outwardly projected at a middle of the fixation semi-loop of the second fixation element.

[5] The fixation member as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first projection tap of the first fixation element is adjacently positioned to the head of the first fixation element, and the cover is accommodated to the corner formed at an intersection between a lower surface of the first projection tap and an interior side of the first longitudinally extended leg.

[6] The fixation member as set forth in claim 5, wherein the first projection tap of the first fixation element has a slant upper surface, and the upper surface of the first projection tap has a complementary contact with a lower surface of the second projection tap.

[7] The fixation member as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a third fixation element comprised of a latitudinally elongated contact surface which contacts with a lower surface of the cover, a longitudinally elongated contact surface which contacts with an interior side of the first leg of the first fixation element, and an another longitudinally elongated contact surface which contacts with the side plate of the letter sign.

[8] The fixation member as set forth in claim 7, wherein the third fixation element has a "-| " type.

[9] The fixation member as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first projection tap of the first fixation element is positioned in a manner that between the head and the first projection tap, a space into which a side of the cover can be inserted is formed, and the cover is accommodated to the corner formed at an intersection between an upper surface of the first projection tap and an interior side of the first longitudinally extended leg.

[10] The fixation member as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second fixation element further comprises a bottom tap latitudinally extended at a lower end of the second leg of the second fixation element to support a lower end of the first leg of the first fixation element.

[11] The fixation member as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first fixation element is made of a plastic and the second fixation member is made of a metal.

[12] A letter sign comprising a frame comprised of a bottom plate designed to a suitable letter and a side plate vertically connected to the bottom plate, a lightening implement installed within the frame, a cover fixed onto the frame, and a fixation member which fixes the cover to the frame, characterized in that the the fixation member is the fixation member according to any one of claims 1 to ll.