AU602517B2 - Sign construction - Google Patents

Description

211-5 ll~ 1 .6 ZAXMAns.jbdouwrpiq 519p~qrD ZAXMAns80doNW1NrH0A30Dq 'Id OL 1.25 II14 jIf1.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA ACT 1952-69 C,-.OMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Application Number.

Lodged: Form I nt. Class 602' Complete Specification Lodged; Accepted: Published: Priority: 000

I,

Related Art: Name of Applicant: ~Address of Applicant SActual Inventor; Address fcor Servi~e: LETTERGEAPHICS (AUSTRALIA) PTY, LTD.

6-12 Trenerry Crescent, Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067, Australia,

N

j) -EDWD. WATERS SONS 1 -50 QUEEN STREET, IMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, 3000.

9-aQox 0-0o 06 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "SIGN CONSTRUCTION" oI The following statement Is a full description of this Invention, Including the best method of performing it known to us 2 SIGN CONSTRUCTION The present invention relates to the construction of signs of the directory type.

Sign constructions are usually utilized in buildings and outside locations where multiple pieces of information are to be presented in a readily readable form.

i such signs are susceptible to interference by Sunauthorized third parties, it is desirable to provide a sign construction which can be easily and securely mounted without complicated and expensive concealed locks. As the information displayed upon sign constructions, especially those of the directory type, may need to be changed or varied regularly, it is also desirable for a sign construction to permit easy and inexpensive alteration to the information. There have been many attempts at achieving simple but inexpensive and secure signs, however, the known forms of directory sign construction fail to optimize these desirable features.

One form of known directory sign is generally known as the "Infonorm" (registered trade mark) system described in Swiss patent no. 548080. This system comprises the use of a base plate of varying heights, depending upon the number of name plates to be displayed thereon. The base plate comprises a plurality of profiled channels which 2 permits corresponding name plate channels to be slid thereover into position. A locking insert is located in the end cavity formed between the base plate and name plate to minimize the possibility of vandalisim. With this system, the backing board is affixed to the wall and the signs slid onto the channel sections. Alternatively the board can be made up prior to installation and then affixed to the walls.

Whilst it is possible %o readily change the information, nevertheless this also means that the directory is easy to vandalize, It other versions of the Infonorm system, the side edges are sealed and thus to change the information, dismantling of the surround must take place.

-3- In Australian patent [44692 a modified version of the Infonorm system is presented. In particular this patent addresses the failing of the Infonorm system to provide tight interlocking engagement between the components making up the name plate. It seeks to remedy this by providing a mouldable name plate for affixing to a wall and a cover plate to slidingly engage the base plate. The cover plate carries the directory information and is locked into the base plate by locking bars at the end of the base plate. A resilient retainer insert is included adjacent each end to improve the tamper-proof characteristic of the locking bars.

Again characteristic of this system is the inability of the i display board to be readily changed in size depending on the amount of information which needs to be presented. Fturther whilst the resilient retainer insert improves the tamperproof ability of the system, it nevertheless relies on complicated mouldings which are still presented openly for intrusion.

In Australian patent 537220 a fi!rther information display board is provided. Again this system is simple and provides a backing plate and vertically displaced support members for the name plates. An intermediate vertical Ipartition slat is arranged between the two vertical supports j to assist ready modification of the information presented.

The name plates are held in position under the force of magnets located on the back plate° This display system fails to adequately secure the name plates against unauthorized movement and even if covered by some type of y transparent facia it would be still open to tampering. Also because of the finite dimension of the base plate the directory sign is not readily and inexpensively changed in its dimensions.

One further attempt at meeting the aforementioned desirable characteristics of a directory sign is disclosed in Australian patent 547621. Therein a plurality of spaced mounting bars is provided, the mounting bars having a -4generally L-shaped cross section with two channels disposed approximately parallel to each other. The mounting bars can be affixed to a wall and sign carrying elements slid into one of the channels. With such arrangement, the name plate is a snap press fit over the sign carrying elements and the entire directory board capped by a facia engaging the second channels on each support. Whilit this board can change in its length by appropriate sizing of the mounting bars, nevertheless the name plates are not safe from tampering and are easily removed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system which can be easily constructed with a minimum of operative elements.

It is a further object to provide a sign construction which may be readily changed to accommod~ate varying information to be presented as well as varying amounts of information to be presented.

It is also an object to provide a sign construction which is not easily tampered with.

With the above objects in mind there is provided a sign construction comprising two or more elongate men, :s in p 1 substantially parallel alignment, at least one of the members having a sign carrying front face, the elongate members having a rear surface, ,portion of which slidingly receives cohnector means, the connector means comprising fastening means attaching a bracing member traversely of the elongate members to hold same in predetermined relative positions.

The elongate member is typically rectangular, having a width relatively small compared with the length of the member. it can be fabricated of any suitable material such as metal or wood. The sign carrying front face is usually flat which permits printing or other application of indicia thereon to be displayed. Alternatively the sign 3 5 carrying front surface may provide a profile to enable ly -Q'1 e pre-printed name plates to be inserted therein and be 0

'I

_I_

5 captured securely by the front surface. As will be described hereinafter, where separate name plates need to be secure from unauthorized widthdrawal from the sign carrying front surface, a capping means is incorporated along the ends of the elongate member, sealing off the channel receiving the name plate.

The rear surface of the elongate member may be channelled thereby defining a plurality of adjacent parallel arms along the elongate member. These arms directed towards one another define a cavity. The profile of the cavity and thus the section is not critical other than to permit the connector means to slidingly engage therein thus preventing the connector means from disengaging the channel other than by sliding movement. Alternatively, the bracing means instead of defining a cavity may be defined by a pair of oppositely orientated arms thereby forming a pair of open recesses. In this alternate construction the connector means would typically have a channel profile which would engage the two open channels and not be capable of disengagement other than by sliding.

In a particularly preferred emobodiment of the invention the mounting means is a generally C-shaped cross section channel running the length of the elongate member.

The connector means in this embodiment is inserted within the channel and does not substantially protrude from the channel. A fastening means is located on the connector means and is typically either a threaded aperture or a threaded protrusion. In either case a corresponding threaded protrusion or aperture is provided on the bracing member to enable the bracing memter to be fastened to the connector means traversely of the elongate member. Other types of fastening means may be provided and these will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

Further, tension of the fastening between the support member and connecting means can be assisted by the use of spring steel such as Rydel steel interposed between 6 the bracing member and connector means. This operates in a similar fashion to a spring washer in inhibiting possible unfastening of the two members during manipulation of the sign construction by increasing the tensile force on the fastening means.

The bracing member is normally an elongated bar and has a profile which complements that formed in the rear surface of the elongate member. As the bracing member is usually located along the outer edges of the elongate member 10 a capping profile may be incorporated into the side portion 1.

of the support member. This capping profile seals the sign carrying front surface from tampering where it has name plates inserted therein.

Where the sign is to display a number of different types of information, for example title, name and floor number, it is advantageous to use an additional support member intermediate of the side support members. This allows a number of elongate members to be adopted within a single level. In this case further connector means would also be required.

The following is a description of the assembly of a sign construction according to the invention.

The size of the display area and the relative orientations of the indicia are pre-planned. Usually the appropriate width elongate members are selected according to V the size of the indicia to be displayed. The elongate members are placed edge to edge with the front surface down and the rear surface facing upward. The rear surface is channelled and connectors are inserted within each channel adjacent each end of the elongate member. The connector means has a threaded aperture in its upper surface. When the bracing members are placed along the ends of the elongate members, it has apertures which are in alignment with the apertures of the connectors and receives through the bracing member a bolt. By turning the bolt the bracing members are affixed to the connectors. As the connectors I 7 are captured and engage the elongate members, a fully rigid sign construction results.

The invention will be further illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a component assembly view of a sign construction according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a rear view of the sign construction of Figure 1 in assembled form.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the sign construction of Figure 2.

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, "E and 4F are cross sectional views of the sizes of an elongate member usable in the sign construction according to the invention.

Figures 5A and 5B are cross sectional views of sizes of an elongate member with a name plate channel, usable in the sign construction according to the invention.

Figures 6A, 6B and 6C are cross sectional views of various forms of a bracing member usable in the sign construction according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of an alternate form of an intermediate bracing member usable in the sign construction according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional component assembly view of the mounting of a sign construction according to the invention upon a wall.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the sign construction 1 includes an elongate member 2 of generally rectangular shape. Member 2 has a front face (not shown) which either carries indicia printed directly thereon or is capable of retaining name plates. The rear face 3 of member 2 is formed into a channel by arms 4a and 4b which reduce in width towards the substantive part 6 of member 2.

A connector 7 has a flat bo.tom surface 8 as has part 6 so that they mqr side parallel one another.

Similarly connector 7 has upper and lower surfaces 9a and 9b which compliment inner surfaces 10a and 10b of arms 4.

8 Rear face channel 3 is discontinuous in part lla, 11B and ends 12a and 12b. Connector 7 sliding within rear face channel 3 is of a length corresponding to the distance between discontinuities 11 and 12. Connector 7 also has a threaded aperture 13 located on top surface 14. Bracing member 15 has a cross sectional shape 16 complimentary to the discontinuous channel 3. Channel sections 17a and 17b are of a width to be located in channel 18 of bracing member In channel 18 is located a resilient member 19. As more clearly shown in Figures 1 an 3, connector 7 is slid into channel 3 and located between channel portions l7a and 17b. Bracing member 15 is then placed into engagement with elongate member 2 so that portions 17a and 17b are urged o into channel 18 and resilient member 19 compressed. A bolt is passed through aperture 20 and engages threaded aperture 13. By turning bolt 20 the support member 15 is affixed #ado traversely of elongate member 2 as shown in Figure 3. A 0o00 similar arrangement is incorporated at the other end of a° elongate member 2 (not shown).

Fixing of sign construction 1 to a wall 21 is shown in Figure 8. Before sign 1 is placed on the wall, brackets 22 are affixed on the wall adjacent the upper and lower oI level of sign 1. Sign 1 is then brought towards the wall and the upstanding surface 23 on brackets 22 are brought 25 into registry with the upper part of channel 3 of elongate members 2. To safeguard against unauthorized interference with the sign construction 1 an allen screw 24 is located in 0* the lower bottom surface 25 of sign 1 through aperture 26.

Figures 4A through 4F show the cross sectional shapes and sizes which can be adopted for elongate member 1.

The use of any of the sizes shown depends upon the size of the indicia to be placed on the front surface of elongate member 2. As previously described the indicia could be printed on the front surface or be a card or name plate applied by adhesive. Where the permanency of the information is not expected the elongate member 2 could haie 9 a front face of the type shown in Figures 5A and 5B which permit the insertion of a name plate into the channel ways 27.

As shown in Figures 6A, 6B and 6C, the bracing member 15 may take on a number of different cross sectional shapes. The shape shown in Figure 6A is preferred where it is also to provide a capping to the outer edge of support member 2. It is for this reason that protrusion 28 is provided covering the end of elongate member 2. Figure 6C is an extended version of the cross sectional shape of support member 15 shown in Figure 6A. The end part 29 not only forms a capping of the ends of elongate member 2 but also provides a display surface 30 which may carry additional information such as floor numbers.

Figure 7 displays yet another alternate cross sectional shape of bracing member 15. This is used as an intermediate member for location between the two bracing 4 members 15 when they are located at the ends of elongate Smembers 2. Such intermediate member permits shorter elongate members 2 to be adopted. By removal of this intermediate support member it is possible to change portions of the display surface without interrupting other information. For instance, it would be typical to use an intermediate member where one side of the display board shows titles whilst the other side displays names. By removing the intermediate member it is possible to displace one or more of the titles and rearrange same according to the change in title or name which has occurred and needs to be reflected on the sign display.

With the sign construction according to the present invention it is possible to carry out fabrication of and changes to any section on the display with a minimum of cost. Unlike conventional systems which rely on a special base element attached to the wall and changes to the system without removal of the base element from the wall, the present invention whilst requiring removal of the board from i lu~ -ra~u 10 the wall, presents easy means to quickly and efficiently form and change information as well as the size of the sign construction.

Further by affixing of two of the sign construction back to back it is possible by use of common bracing members to allow a two side sign capable of ready positioning by for example suspension wires.

The sign construction may further present a capping to the display information which minimizes unauthorized interference therewith by adoption of appropriate support member profiles. A simple fixing means for wall positioning also is provided.

Claims (7)

1. A sign construction comprising two or more elongate members in substantially parallel alignment, at least one of the members having a sign carrying front face, the elongate members having a rear surface, a prino hc ldnl receives connector means~ the connector means comprising fastening means attaching a bracing member traversely of the elongate members to hold same in predetermined relative positions.

2. A sign construction according to 'ilaim 1 wherein the portion of rear surface includes indents to receive projection extending from the bracing member.

3. A sign construction according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the rear surface includes projections located -in indents of the bracing member.

4. A sign const7"'uction according to claim 1 wherein the portion of the rear surface and the bracing member are engaged together by complementary projections and recesses.

A sign construction according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the bracing member is attached to the elongate members proximate the ends of the elongate members.

6. A sign construction according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the portion of the rear surface is a recessed channel and the connector moans has a complementary configjuration to slidingly ozigage the channel. P'l 12

7. A sign construction substantially aj hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 5th day of June, 1987. LETTEPGRAPHICS PTY. LTD. 9/13 :va Q) t C e" -FRDWD.. WATERS, SONS PATENT ATTORNEYS 5Q QUEEN STREE~T -XMZLBOURNEr VICTORIA -AUSTRALIA.