WO2000016298A1

WO2000016298A1 - Device for holding a sign

Info

Publication number: WO2000016298A1
Application number: PCT/SE1999/001513
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claes Nordenstam
Original assignee: WHITE DESIGN AB
Current assignee: WHITE DESIGN AB
Priority date: 1998-09-10
Filing date: 1999-09-02
Publication date: 2000-03-23
Anticipated expiration: 2001-03-10
Also published as: SE9803087L; SE512865C2; SE9803087D0; EP1119843A1; AU6376399A

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement (1) for the detachable attachment of signs (2) to a post (3). An upright (5) capable of being accommodated along the extend (4) of the surface of the respective sign (2) is so arranged as to be capable of being accommodated with a part (5A) in the top (6) of a post at the extreme end (3A) of the post (3). The aforementioned sign attachment upright (5) is capable of attachment to the aforementioned post (3).

Description

Device for holding a sign

The present invention relates to an arrangement for the detachable attachment of a number of signs to a post with an upright capable of being accommodated along the extent of the surface of the respective sign, which upright is so arranged as to be capable of being accommodated with one part in the top of a post at the extreme end of the post, whereby the aforementioned sign attachment upright is capable of attachment to the aforementioned post, in conjunction with which an accommodating channel for the sign attachment upright is adapted to fit the sign attachment upright and extends through the sign in question along its centre. Previously disclosed arrangements for the attachment of road signs and other sign holders which contain information of a kind intended for people who travel past the signs in question normally comprise strap-shaped attachments on the rear surfaces of the signs, by means of which the signs are clamped securely around the posts intended to support the signs. The signs are not suitable, among other things due to the presence of the aforementioned attachments on the rear surfaces of the signs, to carry information on these surfaces, too, and it is necessary in this case to set up more signs facing in the aforementioned directions. It is also not possible to set up a number of signs in a line one above the other or side by side without first replacing the original post with a new, longer post if the risk of people striking the signs with their heads, or of the post being insufficient for several signs, is to be avoided.

An arrangement previously disclosed in US 18,187 E and US 1,292,137 A is intended for the attachment of a number of separate road signs to an erected post with the help of a detachable upright capable of being connected to the aforementioned post.

In accordance with the first patent, a number of signs is so arranged as to be capable of being attached tc an upright which exhibits attachment surfaces facing in different directions through being clamped securely by means of bolts. This arrangement means that the person who secures the signs must work high above the upper end of the post, which is difficult and dangerous, especially at locations with a high traffic density.

In accordance with the second patent, a road sign containing a transcurrent circular hole is so arranged as to be capable of being accommodated therein and anchored to a post with the help of a transcurrent round bar. The sign is attached to the post by means of an anchoring part situated internally inside the post. This sign is easily caused tc rotate, however, in the event of side impact by a vehicle or by some other influence.

The principal object of the present invention is thus, in the first instance, to solve the aforementioned problem by simple and efficient means.

The aforementioned object is achieved by means of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention, which is characterized essentially in that the sign attachment upright exhibits a cross-sectional form which, in combination with the accommodating part of the aforementioned sign, permits the upright and the sign to be displaced relative to one another, but which prevents rotation relative to one another, and in that the upright exhibits a thickening extending across its longitudinal extent which is capable of being accommodated in a matching recess in one peripheral part of the aforementioned sign and which stops further penetration by the upright into the sign.

The procedure involved in installing signs is similar to threading pearls onto a string which exhibits an end stop, or wild strawberries onto a blade of grass, without locking them in position, and then simply pushing the end that is free of a sign or signs down into the intended pest. This work can be performed at ground level, which makes t e task much easier for the person who is responsible for setting up the signs.

In accordance with the invention, this problem is solved by the cross-sectional form of the sign attachment upright and its combination with the internal transcurrent accommodating channel of the respective sign with the upper thickening of the upright, which prevents the upright frcrr. passing all the way through the sign and the post.

The invention is described below as a number of preferred illustrative embodiments, in conjunction with which reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the invention it- conjunction with an illustrated road sign;

Fig. 2 shows a part of a sign in section along the extent of its surface; Fig. 3 shows a sectioned view along the line III-

III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 shows a sectioned view along the line VI-VI in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 shows a sectioned view along the bottom part of a sign and the top part of a post;

Fig. 6 shows a sectioned view along the line VI-VI in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 shows a sectioned view along the aforementioned post at right angles to the sectioned view in Fig. 5 and along the line VII-VII in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows a sectioned view along the line VIII- VIII in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 shows a post supporting one sign; Fig. 10 shows a post supporting three signs. The present invention is intended primarily for use in conjunction with road signs, although it can naturally also be applied in other contexts in which the circumstances are similar and in which it is wished to set up signs of some kind on posts which extent in both a vertical and a horizontal direction.

The following are the principal advantages of the invention:

A. The sign is attached to the post without any visible fittings;

B. The arrangement of the sign/signs is symmetrical, so that the front side and the rear side of the sign are of identical appearance;

C. Several signs can be set up on one and the same post without any need for the post to be lengthened;

D. The signs are easily replaced by authorized persons.

An arrangement 1 in accordance with the present invention, which is suitable for the detachable attachment of signs 2 of an intended kind to a post 3, comprises an upright 5 capable of being accommodated along the extent 4 of the surface of the respective sign 2. The aforementioned upright 5 is so arranged as to be capable of being accommodated with a front part 5A in the top 6 of a post' at the extreme end 3A of the aforementioned post 3. The aforementioned sign attachment upright 5 is so arranged as to be capable of attachment to the aforementioned post 3.

An accommodating channel 7 for the sign attachment upright 5 in question is so arranged for that purpose as to extend fully through the signs 2, 2¹, 2² in question. Attachment uprights 5 of varying length L are so arranged for that purpose as to be capable of accommodating one or more signs 2, 2¹, 2² threaded in a row one after the other along the uprights 5 in question.

The form of the accommodating channel 7 is appropriately adapted for this purpose as to fit the sign attachment upright 5 and to extend through the sign 2, 2", 2² along its centre 2A from its one edge 8 to its other edge 9. The front and rear sides 10, 11 of the sign 2 can be executed for this purpose so that they are essentially smooth, and are also suitable for displaying information on both sides 10, 11 of the sign, e.g. road signs and text, etc.

The sign attachment upright 5 exhibits a cross- sectional form, e.g. square and preferably rectangular, such that, in combination with the accommodating part of the aforementioned sign 2, 2¹, 2^, i.e. the accommodating channel 7, it permits the upright 5 and the sign 2, 2¹, 2² to be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal extent 13 of the post 3, but prevents rotation relative to one another in the direction of rotation 14. The upright 5 exhibits at its rear outer free end

5B a thickening 17 extending across 15 its longitudinal extent 16. The aforementioned thickening 17 is so arranged as to be capable of being accommodated in a matching recess 15 in one peripheral edge part 8 of the aforementioned sign 2, 2¹, 2², and is also so arranged as to prevent continued penetration 19 by the upright into the sign 2, 2^", 2', so that the rear end 5B of the upright 5 does not pass totally through the channel 7.

As can be appreciated from Figs. 1 and 2, the thickening 17 can be arranged and adapted to the channel and the upright 5 so that it is capable of detachable attachment to the outer free end 5B of the upright 5.

The aforementioned post top is preferably formed by a separate part 6, which is capable of being connected to the outer end 3A of the post and exhibits an accommodating opening 20, the shape of which is adapted to the cross- sectional form of the upright and extends as a continuing passage 21 through the top part 6 of the post. The post and the top of the post can also be executed as a common part in a single piece. The separate detached top 6 of the post exhibits an insert part 22, which is adapted for accommodation in the inner cavity 23 of the outer free hollow profile of the post, and a thickened outer end 24. The insert part 22 in this case is arranged divided in its longitudinal direction, and its form is adapted to the internal hollow profile 23 of the post with its outer part and to the upright 5 with its inner shaped channel-formed passage 21. By means of a stop screw 25, for example, which is accommodated in a threaded hole 26 in the top 6 of the post, the displacement of the upright 5 in the top 6 of the post is easily locked by screwing in the screw 25 so that the upright 5 cannot be drawn up unintentionally together with the attached sign 2.

The top 6 of the post is locked securely to the post 3 by means of a further stop screw 27, for example, which is inserted in an opening 28 in the outer end 3A of the post 3 and is screwed into a matching hole 29 or groove in the top 6 of the post. Other means of attachment are naturally possible, for example gluing or tapping into place through unevennesses which are clamped together, etc.

A cover 30, the outer shape of which can be adapted to the peripheral form of the sign concerned, for example convex, is so arranged as to close an opening 31 in the internal channel 7 of the sign, for example by the introduction of a shaped insert part 30A into the opening 31.

The thickening part 17 can be formed by a plate with a number of projections 32 extending in a common direction, which projections are so arranged as to be inserted into matching recesses 33 in the upright 5 and are screwed in place, for example by means of a number of screws 34, before the upright is introduced into the sign 2. Permanent thickening of the upright 5 is also possible. It is possible in this way, thanks to the present invention, for signs to be erected easily by persons who may perhaps not be so experienced, and for the signs to assume an aesthetically appealing appearance. Briefly, the invention comprises the following special features:

The post 3 can be an ordinary standard post, i.e. a round steel tube with an external diameter of about 60 mm, although other dimensions and tube forms are conceivable. The length of the post is adapted for the height above the ground at which it is wished to position the sign or for the distance out from a wall, for example in the case of horizontal posts.

The sign 2 can be hollow and can be provided with a transcurrent channel, etc., 7 executed to fit the sign holder upright 5 precisely.

The sign holder upright 5 is not circular, but has a cross-section which prevents the sign 2 from being caused to rotate laterally. It runs freely in the sign's channel, but it is provided at the top with a thickening 17 functioning as a stop, which thickening locks the topmost sign to the end of the sign holder upright. The cross-section of the sign holder upright can be adapted to the internal dimensions of the post, so that the post also plays a part in ensuring that the sign holder upright 5 faces in the direction of the post, i.e. their respective forms are adapted one to the other for effective guidance. The length of the sign holder upright 5 is adapted for this purpose. It may also be of different lengths in order to match different numbers and sizes of signs.

The post 3 is provided with a post top 6. This can then be rotated to face in the desired direction of the sign 2 and can be securely attached to the post. The attachment can be made with a screwed or riveted connection, or by deformation of the material, gluing or similar. Present at the top 6 of the post is a channel, as in the sign, which fits the sign holder upright.

Once the sign 2 or the signs 2^:, 2² have been threaded onto the sign holder upright 5, this is then moved down in the channel on the top of the post and is securely locked in place there with a locking screw. The sign or the signs are now fixed to the post both in the rotational sense and in the vertical sense.

When it is wished to replace the signs, all that is necessary is to release the locking screw at the top of the post .

The invention is not restricted to the illustrative embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, but may be varied within the scope of the Patent Claims without departing from the idea of invention.

Claims

W60 P1PCT LG/KOEP a t e n t C la i m s

1. Arrangement (1) for the detachable attachment of a number of signs (2) to a post (3) with an upright (5) capable of being accommodated along the extent (4) of the surface of the respective sign (2), which upright is so arranged as to be capable of being accommodated with one part (5A) in the top (6) of a post at the extreme end (3A) of the post (3), whereby the aforementioned sign attachment upright (5) is capable of attachment to the aforementioned post (3), in conjunction with which an accommodating channel (7) for the sign attachment upright (5) is adapted to fit the post attachment upright (5) and extends through the sign (2, 2", 2²) in question along its centre (2A) , characterized in that the sign attachment upright (5) exhibits a cross-sectional form which, in combination with the accommodating part of the aforementioned sign, permits the upright (5) and the sign (2, 2¹, 2²) to be displaced relative to one another, but which prevents rotation relative to one another, and in that the upright (5) exhibits a thickening (17) extending across (15) its longitudinal extent (16) which is capable of being accommodated in a matching recess (18) in one peripheral part of the aforementioned sign and which stops further penetration (19) by the upright into the sign.

2. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 1, characterized in that a cover (30) is so arranged as to close an opening (31) in the sign (2, 2¹, 2²) on the channel (7) and its thickened part (18) .

3. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the cross- sectional form of the upright (5) is square.

4. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the thickening (17) is capable of detachable attachment to the outer free end (5B) of the upright (5) .

5. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the top of the post is formed by a separate part (6), which is capable of being connected to the outer end (3A) of the post (3) and exhibits an accommodating opening (20), the shape of which is adapted to the cross-sectional form of the upright.

6. Arrangement in accordance with Patent Claim 5, characterized in that the top (6) of the post exhibits an insert part (22) adapted for accommodation in the outer free hollow profile of the post and a thickened outer end (24), in conjunction with which the insert part (22) is divided and its form is adapted to the internal hollow profile (23) of the post.

7. Arrangement in accordance with one of Patent Claims 1-4, characterized in that the post and the top of the post are executed as a common part.

8. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that sign attachment uprights (5) of varying length (L) are so arranged as to fit one or more signs (2, 2¹, 2²) and to be accommodated in a row along the uprights (5) .

9. Arrangement in accordance with one or other of the above Patent Claims, characterized in that the cross-section of the sign holder upright (5) is executed to match the internal hollow profile of the post (3) so that the post (3) guides the upright (5) .