AU2002100142A4 - A signage system - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR AN INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant(s) Actual Inventor(s) Address for Service: Invention Title: John Dillon John Dillon CULLEN CO Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 239 George Street Brisbane QIld 4000 Australian A Signage System The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it, known to me: A SIGNAGE SYSTEM TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a signage system. In particular, the invention concerns a signage system for use within the real estate industry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A common practice in the real estate industry is to affix a corflute sign panel to a wooden stake and to drive the stake into the ground of the property being marketed. Such a sign panel typically displays the name of the real estate agency marketing the property as well as perhaps contact details for the agent in charge of the property. After a property has sold, it is usual to attach a "sold" banner or sticker to the sign panel. A disadvantage with this system, however, is that the stake is not specifically designed to support additional sign panels, nor can sign panels be detached from the stake without being damaged.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a signage system that overcomes or at least minimises the disadvantages referred to above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a signage system comprising: a ground stake; an upright member that is supportable by the ground stake; a first transverse member that is attachable or attached to an upper region of the upright member; and fastening means for detachably attaching a first sign panel or a pair of first sign panels to the first transverse member and the upright member, and a second sign panel or a pair of second sign panels to the upright member.

Preferably, the system further comprises a second transverse member that is attachable or attached to the upright member below the first transverse member, and the fastening means can detachably attach a third sign panel or a pair of third sign panels to the second transverse member and the upright member.

Preferably, the first transverse member, the second transverse member, the upright member and the ground stake are pipes of rectangular cross-section and the upright member is slidable over the ground stake. The transverse and upright members can comprise plastic pipes. The ground stake can have a pointed lower end. The ground stake can comprise a galvanised metal pipe.

The transverse members and the upright member can each comprise two or more pieces that are attachable by way of four-way connectors. Each four-way connector can have four tubular arms extending radially from a central tubular region. Pieces of the transverse members and upright member can friction-fit to the arms of the connectors. The connectors can be made of plastics material.

Preferably, the fastening means comprises fasteners adapted to extend through the said signs and within apertures of the first transverse member, the second transverse member and the upright member. The fasteners for the first and third sign panels can, for instance, comprise plastic studs. The fasteners for the second pair of sign panels can, for instance, comprise self-tapping screws.

Preferably, the first sign panel is circular, the second sign panel is rectangular and is elongated with respect to the vertical axis, and the third sign panel is rectangular and is elongated with respect to the horizontal axis.

Each sign panel is preferably corflute.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for updating information at a property that is being marketed by a real estate agency, said method comprising the steps of: a) placing a signage system at a property that is being marketed, said signage system having attached at least a first sign panel displaying the name of a real estate agency marketing the property; and b) attaching at least a second sign panel displaying the word "sold" to the signage system after the property has been sold, wherein the second sign panel is shaped differently to the first sign panel.

Preferably, the signage system further comprises at least a third sign panel displaying contact details for an agent of the agency, wherein the third sign panel is shaped differently to the first and second sign panels.

The signage system can have features as described for the signage system of the first aspect of the invention.

The term "comprise", or variations of the term such as "comprises" or "comprising", are used herein to denote the inclusion of a stated integer or stated integers but not to exclude any other integer or any other integers, unless in the context or usage an exclusive interpretation of the term is required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a detailed front elevation view of a signage system according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the signage system of Figure 1.

In all of the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts.

The figures show a signage system 1 for use by realtors in the marketing of properties. The system 1 comprises a ground stake 2, an upright member 3 that supportable by the ground stake 2, a first transverse member 4 attached to an upper end of the upright member 3, and a second transverse member 5 attached to the upright member 3 below the first transverse member 4.

The upright member 3 comprises three pieces of plastic pipe of rectangular cross-section. Each transverse member 4, 5 comprises two pieces of plastic pipe of rectangular cross-section. The pieces of the upright member 3 and transverse members 4, 5 are attached to one another by way of plastic four-way connectors 6. Each connector 6 has four tubular arms 7 (only some of which are labelled) extending radially from a central hollow region 8.

The ground stake 2 comprises a galvanised metal pipe of rectangular cross-section that has a pointed end 9. The upright member 3 is slidable over the ground stake 2, as seen in the figures.

The first transverse member 4 and the upright member 3 have apertures (not clearly shown) adapted to receive plastic fastening studs (only some of which are labelled). The studs 10 detachably attach a pair of circular corflute sign panels 11 to the members 3, 4, as seen in Figure 2. The second transverse member 5 and another part of the upright member 3 have apertures (not shown) adapted to receive studs 12 (only some of which are labelled). These studs 12 detachably attach a pair of corflute rectangular sign panels 13. Screws 14, locatable within an aperture each side of the upright member 3, detachably attach a pair of corflute rectangular sign panels 15 to the upright member 3.

In use, the ground stake 2 is driven into the grounds of a property that is being marketed. The upright member 3 is slid over an upper end of the ground stake 2. Sign panels 11, 13 are attached to members 3, 4, 5 with studs 12. Sign panels 11 display the name of the real estate agent marketing the property and sign panels 13 display the name of the person in charge of marketing. Once the property has been sold, corflute sign panels displaying the word "sold", are attached to upright member 3 with screws 14.

The studs 10, 12 can be detached in order to attach other sign panels.

Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the invention, many modifications and variations may be made thereto by persons skilled in the art without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims (4)

1. A signage system comprising: a ground stake; an upright member that is supportable by the ground stake; a first transverse member that is attachable or attached to an upper region of the upright member; and fastening means for detachably attaching a first sign panel or a pair of first sign panels to the first transverse member and the upright member, and a second sign panel or a pair of second sign panels to the upright member.

2. The signage system of claim 1 further comprising a second transverse member that is attachable or attached to the upright member below the first transverse member, and the fastening means can detachably attach a third sign panel or a pair of third sign panels to the second transverse member and the upright member.

3. The signage system of claim 2, wherein the first transverse member, the second transverse member, the upright member and the ground stake are pipes of rectangular cross-section and the upright member is slidable over the ground stake, and the fastening means comprises fasteners adapted to extend through the said signs and within apertures of the first transverse member, the second transverse member and the upright member.

4. A method for updating information at a property that is being marketed by a real estate agency, said method comprising the steps of: a) placing a signage system at a property that is being marketed, said signage system having attached at least a first sign panel displaying the name of a real estate agency marketing the property; and b) attaching at least a second sign panel displaying the word "sold" to the signage system after the property has been sold, wherein the second sign panel is shaped differently to the first sign panel. 7 The method of claim 4, wherein the signage system further comprises at least a third sign panel displaying contact details for an agent of the agency, and the third sign panel is shaped differently to the first and second sign panels. Dated this 26 th day of February, 2002 John Dillon By His Patent Attorneys io CULLEN CO.