AU7253291A - Roll-up sign with stretchable attachment straps - Google Patents

Description

ROLL-UP SIGN WITH STRETCHABLE ATTACHMENT STRAPS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable, temporary use type sign panel assembly generally adapted for use with a portable, foldable type sign stand device and used as a display or warning device. The invention more particularly relates to means for securely holding a roll-up and flexible sign in place without such sign becoming detached from its supporting structures in high winds.

Numerous sign assemblies are known or in use today for displaying various messages and other informa¬ tion to the public. Many are for temporary use as at construction sites, for example. Such signs are typi¬ cally positioned on sign stand-type devices that allow them to bend or deflect generally along a predetermined plane, without tipping over, under high wind forces. Typical spring-mounted sign stands which can be used for this purpose are shown in United States Patent Nos. 3,646,696; 3,662,482; 4,033,536; 4,265,040; 4,288,053; 4,507,887 and 4,592,158. These patents are all assigned to the same assignee as the invention herein, and their disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Such deflectable sign stands, although unanchored and lightweight, prevent tipping over or sliding of the units in virtually all weather and wind conditions.

As stated in aforementioned U.S. Patent Nos.

4,507,887 and 4,592,158, the flexible roll-up type sign panels shown and described therein are being used more and more frequently today. These flexible sign panels, typically square, rectangular or diamond-shaped, are made out of a heavy-duty flexible and foldable material, such as vinyl, or reinforced cloth or plastic. Such sign panels are lighter and easier to handle than the conventional metal or wood sign panels and are typically adapted to be rolled-up or folded for ease of trans¬ portation and storage. Further, flexible sign panels are safe to motorists and construction crews.

The above-discussed roll-up sign panels typically have one or more relatively rigid cross-braces or support members to hold them in their fully extended configurations, with mounting means for mounting the sign panels to the support members and brackets or other means on sign stands for holding the sign assemblies on their stands. The cross-braces or supporting members are typically elongated members made of wood, fiberglass or a similar strong material, and are pivotally con¬ nected to one another in the middle so that they can be rotated relative to one another to a generally aligned position for storage.

The flexible sign panels disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,507,887 and 4,592,158 represent a substan¬ tial improvement in the industry in that they include an improved attachments means for (i) preventing the sign panel from becoming detached from its support members and (ii) accommodating the sign panel being set up and made operational quickly and with little difficulty, as is so important for emergency use of signs bearing warnings or emergency instructions.

The present invention represents a further improvement by providing a sign panel that has the particular capability of quick and easy mounting or attachment to a support member.

The present invention also contemplates a flexible type sign panel assembly having an attachment means which will maintain a fairly constant tension on the sign panel should it (i) grow or elongate at ele¬ vated ambient temperatures so common around a construc¬ tion site or (ii) be blown or stretched in the wind.

In accordance with the present invention, a sign assembly includes a generally planar sign panel, which is preferably flexible and capable of being rolled-up for storage, and at least one support member for supporting the sign panel in its generally planar configuration. Mounting means is provided for releasably mounting or attaching the sign panel to the support member, including at least one preferably elastic strap member fixedly secured to the sign panel and releasable fastener means for releasably attaching the strap member to the support member.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the elastic strap member is a unitary rubber member having two relatively inflexible end portions and a midsection of substantial length and reduced cross- section, capable of elastic stretching approximately twice its length. The midsection is designed to stretch around the end of the support member from one side to the other.

In the same preferred embodiment, the elastic strap member includes a releasable fastener means at one end portion. The releasable fastener means includes a two-piece snap-type fastener assembly having a male portion that is adapted to be interlockingly, but releasably, engaged with a female portion. One of such portions of the snap-type fastener is secured to the strap member and the other portion is secured to the associated support member. The fastener portions are preferably mutually engaged between the strap and support members on an opposite side of the support member from the sign panel. By such a construction, the snap-type fastener is subjected primarily to a generally shear-type loading when the sign panel is subjected to wind forces in a general direction tending to separate the sign panel from the support member. The snap-type fastener thus resists separation and effectively retains the sign panel on its support member during such wind loads.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a front view of a construction- type sign stand generally known to the industry prior to the subject invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial rear perspective view of the sign shown in Figure 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side view of a cross-brace member in accordance with the invention for supporting the sign as shown in Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a plan view in partial cross- section of the flexible attachment strap assembly at one corner of the sign and stand taken along the plane of section line 4-4 of Figure 2;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the flexible attachment strap assembly at one corner of the sign in accordance with the invention and prior to the sign being assembled to a supporting brace structure or stand;

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the flexible attachment strap assembly shown in Figure 5, including a partial section taken along section line 6-6 of Figure 5;

FIGURE 7 is a rear view of the sign depicted in Figure 2 prior to being secured to a supporting brace structure or stand and showing a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 8 is a rear view of the sign depicted in Figure 7 after the same has been secured to a sup- porting brace structure and prior to being mounted on a stand; and

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged view of the encircled area depicted by the reference numeral 21 in Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figures 1 and 2 show a general overall view of a construction sign and support frame assembly generally adapted for use with the subject invention. For full details of its construction, reference is made to U.S. Patent No. 4,592,158. The sign assembly generally designated 9 is attached to an upright sign frame or pole 12.

While the frame and base assemblies generally designated 12 and 17, respectively, are part of the prior art, a brief description is given below to provide a clear explanation of the manner in which the sign assembly 9 of the present invention is to be used.

The upright frame 12 is supported on the ground, preferably by a plurality of ground-engaging telescoping legs 14 and a pair of coil springs 16 which allow the sign assembly 9 and frame 12 to deflect relative to the base assembly 17 in a downward direction when subjected to wind forces and then resiliently return to their normal upright position shown in Fig¬ ure 1.

The ground-engaging legs 14 are preferably four in number, each equally circumferentially separated from the other for good balance, and each adjustable in length. Each leg includes an outer tube section 14' telescopically received within an inner tube section 14". Means, such as a pin or the like, are provided for holding each tube section 14' ,14" fixed relative to the other at a predetermined variable length. Preferably also, each leg is pivotally attached to the base assem¬ bly 17 in order to be extended and folded downwardly to a ground-engaging position generally perpendicular to the frame 12 or retracted and folded upwardly to a folded position generally adjacent and parallel to the frame 12. The sign assembly 9 preferably has a large flexible and foldable sign panel 10 with a warning, message or symbol on one side and a pair of support members or cross-braces 11 and 13 pivotally attached to one another at their respective midpoints (see Figure 2) on the other side.

The flexible sign panel 10 is preferably composed of a heavy-duty material such as vinyl or reinforced cloth or plastic, for example. The support members or cross-braces 11 and 13 are made of a rela¬ tively rigid material (such as fiberglass, metal or wood) and serve to brace and support the flexible sign panel in its fully extended position, and yet are sufficiently flexible to be twisted or bended slightly to allow movement of the sign as discussed hereinafter.

Looking at Figure 2, the cross-brace 11 is adapted to be pivoted about a pivot pin 15 from an initial stored or folded position in alignment with vertically arranged cross brace 13 to a set-up horizon- tal position when the sign is mounted or attached to the frame 12 and put to use. Cross-brace 13 is vertically situated when in use.

An attaching mechanism 20, in accordance with the present invention as described below is used to retain the corners of the sign panel 10 at both ends of the cross-brace 11 and the top end of cross-brace 13 in order to erect the sign to its display configuration. The bottom corner of sign panel 10 can be secured in any conventional manner to the lower end of the cross-brace 13, for example, by a simple post-type fastener secured to the cross-brace and having a turnbuckle which is inserted through a metal eyelet in the sign panel and rotated ninety degrees to a locked position. When the sign assembly 9 is removed from the frame member 12 and is to be taken down, at least the two corners of the flexible sign panel 10 are detached from the ends of cross-brace 11, and the cross-braces are pivoted to a generally parallel, mutually-aligned relationship. The flexible sign panel material 10, which remains attached to cross-brace 13, may then be folded or rolled up around the mutually-aligned cross-braces for compact, convenient storage. It is also possible to release the sign panel from either or both of the ends of the vertical cross-brace 13 for storage and transport.

To attach the sign panel assembly to stand 12, the lower end of cross-brace 13 is slidingly inserted into a vertically extending channel (not numbered) running the length of frame 12. Preferably, cross-brace 13 is sized to be in interference fit with the internal sides of the channel. Further details are disclosed in the afore-mentioned U.S. Patent No. 4,592,158.

In Figures 3-6, there is illustrated in greater detail the fastening assembly in accordance with the subject invention. Figure 3 shows the cross-brace member 11 which is seen to comprise at each end the male member 54 of a snap type fastener 50 (to be explained below) and an end cap 70. The end cap 70 is made of rubber or other soft, yet sufficiently wear resistant material. It comprises an internal pocket for receiving in interfering fit an end of brace member 11,13. At its outermost end, it also includes a pair of oppositely disposed flanges 72 which define a channel 74 between them. The channel is adapted to receive the strap-like fastening member 22 described below.

In Figures 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the fastening system includes a strap member 22 secured to a sign panel 10 at a fixed end portion 24. Fixed end portion 24 is round as viewed in the plane of the sign panel 10. Also, it is relatively thick such that it has a predetermined height h so as to make it relatively inflexible, and provide sufficient material that there can be provided a recessed circular pocket for receiving and retaining a portion of the fastener member 26 used to fix the strap member 22 to the sign panel 10. More specifically, the fastener 26 is seen to comprise a rivet having a head 28 and a stem 30 extending from the head to the opposite side of the sign panel 10, and upon • which there is secured a locking collar 32. Interposed between the rivet head 28 and the fixed end portion 22 on one side and between the fixed end portion 22 and the locking collar 32 on the other side are a pair of metal washers 34. The clamping force exerted by the washers 34 is predetermined so as to be sufficient to assure the sign panel 10 being held to the strap member with a minimal amount of movement, if any at all, between the sign panel and the strap member during even the most severe wind conditions. To assist in maintaining this possible relative movement to a minimum, the circular recess 36 formed in the fixed end portion is of a diameter just marginally greater than that of washer 34.

Recess 36 is preferably of sufficient depth that the top of fastener head 28 will lie below the top

38 of the rubber end portion. This keeps the metal fastener out of contact with the brace 11 or 13 and eli inates any tapping noise between the fastener and brace when the sign panel flaps or billows in the wind.

For additional holding strength and to inhibit the possibility of any undue wear between the sign panel and the plane washer 34 on the side opposite the strap, there may be provided a thin wafer 40 of flexible material such as rubber or vinyl.

As seen in Figure 4, there may also be clamped between the fixed end portion and the sign panel 10, a strip of velcro cloth material 42 to be used as a means of securing the sign in a rolled-up, folded condition, or for purposes of providing an additional means by which the sign panel 10 can be secured to a cross-brace member.

Leading from the fixed end portion 24, there is a mid-section or flex-section 44, and beyond that, a free end portion 46. Free end portion 46 is also of substantial thickness, comparable to that of the fixed end portion 24. Further, it includes a recessed portion 48 on one side - namely the side opposite the brace member 11 - for purposes of seating the female portion 52 of a fastener member 50. The rear portion 54 of the free end portion is of sufficient length that it can be grasped readily by the user for purposes of installing or releasing the strap from the cross brace. It .will be noted that the mid flex-section 44 is of substantially reduced cross sectional thickness compared with the two end portions 24, 46.

An important feature of the strap is that i be sufficiently flexible that it can accommodate a wide range of wind velocities. At zero wind velocity, th straps 22 will hold the sign panel 10 taut in a flat plane paralleling the cross-braces 11,13. Given sudden gusts of wind, particularly in the direction transverse to the sign panel and outwardly from the brace members 11,13, the straps 22 will act to minimize whatever air pocket may be formed at the backside of the sign panel 10. This minimization of the air pocket improves the sign's wind performance by maintaining to a minimum the fluctuations of the sign, particularly those about the axis of the frame member 12.

The preferred strap is made of UV stabilized rubber having a durometer of approximately 55. Such a strap will allow 100% stretch along the longitudinal axis of the flex section 44 from one end portion 24 to the other end portion 46.

The fastener 50 is seen to comprise a bayonet type male member 53 having a locking groove 56 about its circumference at a lead end. Male member 50 includes a locking stem portion 58 fitted within a bore within brace member 11 and protruding outwardly therefrom and upon which is swaged or otherwise fitted a locking collar 60 or nut member. The female portion 52 of the fastener 50 includes a locking washer member 62 and a backup washer 64 on the other side of the free end portion. The two washer members are clamped one to the other by means of bayonet members 66 which pierce the free end portion and are crimped over washer member 64 at their free end. The fixed- end member 46 is thereby securely fixed to the locking female portion 52 of fastener 50. The preferred type of fastener 50 as described above is known in the trade as a Dot fastener made by United-Carr Fastener Corporation of TRW, Inc.

In order to improve the ability of the elastic strap mid-section 44 to stretch around the channel 74 of brace tip member 70, the elbow 75 itself is preferably arcuately formed. Further, the mid-section 44 is secured to the end portions 24,46 at the respective face farthest from the brace member 11 (or 13) as shown at attachment points 25,45, respectively. This has the effect of increasing the ability of the stretch section to travel across the channel 74 in response to the changes in wind condition across the sign panel 10.

While the elastic strap member 22 as above described is preferably rubber, other designs fall within the purview of my invention. For example, the strap member could be a flat mechanical spring member equivalent in design to some watchbands. It could also be a coil spring or series of coil springs.

Looking at Figure 7, there is shown the preferred arrangement for laying out the strap member assemblies 20 on the back of the sign panel 10. This includes locating a strap assembly at corners A, B and C. For purposes of one person initially mounting the flexible sign panel to the cross-brace members 11,13, it has been found easier to provide the brace member 13 with a simple mechanical wing nut type assembly to be inserted in eyelet 80 at corner D for quickly securing the sign panel to the brace member, as described earli- er. Thereafter, it is an easy matter to stretch the sign panel and secure it at the opposite corner from the mechanical wing nut fastener (corner B) , and then one at a time, secure the remaining corners A and C.

Optionally, the back of the sign panel may be equipped with velcro type straps 82 and 84 generally equally spaced along an imaginary line drawn between corners B and D. The straps are useful in binding the brace member 13 in the manner shown in Figure 8. These additional fasteners help keep the sign from bellowing out or flapping in high winds. Further, as shown in Figures 8 and 9 at corner C, the attachment strap member 42 discussed earlier can be wrapped around the free end portion 46 of the strap member 22 to help assure that the strap member will not be inadvertently pulled off of the brace member 11. Additional "secondary" cross-over straps can be provided at the other corners A and possibly B, if desired.

The foregoing discussion discloses and de¬ scribes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Several alternate embodiments could be utilized. For example, the tip end 70 of brace members 11 and 13 could be constructed in such a manner that the channel 74 is a rolling cylinder, thereby increasing the ability of the flex-section 44 to travel across its circumference. Likewise, the fastener member 50 for the strap member could be a simple wire hook. Further, at least certain advantages of the present invention would be realized if the elastic strap member were used as the means of attaching the sign panel to the brace member at just one end of each respective brace member. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion that other various changes, modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims (11)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. In a sign assembly including a generally planar flexible sign panel and at least one support member for supporting said panel in said generally planar configuration, the improvement comprising mount¬ ing means for releasably mounting said sign panel on said support member, said mounting means including an elastic strap member secured at one end to said sign panel at a generally peripheral portion thereof and generally disposed on a first side of said support member, and being secured at its other end on a second side of said support member, said strap member including a midsection extending from said one end to said other end, said strap member being positionable over at. least a portion of said support member from said first side to said second side of said support member, fastener means for releasably attaching said strap member to said support member, said fastener means including a male portion and a cooperating female fastener portion, one fastener portion being affixed to said strap member at said other end, and the other fastener portion being affixed to said support member, said fastener means being subjected primarily to shear loading when said sign panel is subjected to generally transversely directed wind forces tending to separate said sign panel from said support member, said midsection of said strap member being loaded in tension as affixed to said support member thereby holding said sign panel in tension across said support member, and being adapted to stretch and maintain tension on said sign panel through¬ out a range of wind forces tending to separate said sign panel from said support member.

2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said midsection of said elastic strap member may be elastically stretched to twice its length.

3. The improvement according to claim l wherein said elastic strap member is rubber.

4. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein said elastic strap member includes a fixed end portion at said one end and a free end portion at said other end, each said end portion having a predetermined, substantially fixed cross-sectional thickness, the cross-sectional thickness of said mid-section being substantially less than that of either said end portion, and means on each said end portion for holding said mid- section outwardly of said support member thereby facili- tating the ability of said mid-section to stretch from one side of said support member to the other side.

5. The improvement according to claim 4 further comprising second releasable fastening means positioned on said sign panel and releasably attaching • said sign panel to said support member.

6. The improvement according to claim 5 wherein said second releasable fastener means comprises a single strip having a hook fastener portion on one side of said strip, and a loop fastener portion on the opposing side of said strip and each being mutually releasably engageable with one another upon wrapping said strip about said first strap member and said support member.

7. The improvement according to claim 6 further comprising third releasable fastening means positioned on said sign panel and releasably attaching said sign panel to said support member.

8. The improvement according to claim 7 wherein said third releasable fastener means comprises hook-and-loop fastener means, said hook and loop fasten¬ er means including a hook fastener portion and a loop fastener portion mutually releasably engageable with one another, said fastener portions being secured to said side panel and wrapped about said support member.

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9. A sign assembly having a generally flexible sign panel and supporting cross-members secured to the rear side of the sign panel, the improvement com- prising first fastening means for releasably securing the cross-member to the sign panel, said fastening means comprising a pair of elastic strap members attached to the sign panel at opposite corners and each extending around a respective end of the cross-member and being secured to the rear face of the cross-member by a releasable type fastener.

10. A sign assembly for display on a sign stand, the sign assembly having a generally diamond- shaped flexible sign panel . and a pair of elongated supporting cross-members secured to the rear side of the sign panel, the cross-members forming a generally "T" shaped configuration and being secured to the sign panel at each of their two ends, the improvement comprising first fastening means for releasably securing the ends of at least one cross-member to the sign panel, said fastening means comprising a pair of elastic strap members attached to the sign panel at opposite corners and each extending around a respective end of the cross- member and being secured to the rear face of the cross- member by a releasable type fastener.

11. A sign assembly as set forth in claim 10 further comprising second fastening means similar to said first fastening means for releasably securing at least one end of the second cross-member to the sign panel.