GB2229846A

GB2229846A - Sign

Info

Publication number: GB2229846A
Application number: GB8920385A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robin Rennicks
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-03-31
Filing date: 1989-09-08
Publication date: 1990-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-08
Also published as: GB2229846B; GB8920385D0; ZA897011B; IE62957B1

Abstract

A sign, for example a road sign, comprises at least two panels (23, 24) arranged in edge to edge abutment, and a two-part elongate channel member (11, 12) with each part secured to the surface of a respective panel and extending longitudinally adjacent the abutting edge thereof. The two parts (11, 12) of the channel member engage one another (13, 14) to form a channel (17) with a restricted mouth, and a clamp (25) both engages in the channel and is also securely clamped to a support post (30) for mounting the panels on the post, the clamp acting to lock the two parts of the channel member together and maintain the panel edges (32, 33) in abutment. <IMAGE>

Description

A CONSTRUCTION OF SIGNS This invention relates to the construction of signs and while not exclusively, more particularly to signs for use as road signs and the like display signs.

It is already known to construct such signs using a plurality of rigid display panels arranged edge to edge, the rear surface of adjacent panels having a pair of separate elongate locating members, one being an elongate complete channel member which is secured to the rear surface of one panel and the second being a stepped locating member which is secured to the rear of the second panel, the locating member in use being adapted to hold and support the channel member. In use the channel member may be used to mount the sign to supporting posts using anti-rotational clamps which engage the channel member and also securely embrace the supporting posts. Known sign constructions of the kind described above are described in British Patent Specifications 2 039 119 and 1 333 582.

The present invention provides a construction of sign comprising at least two panels arranged in edge to edge abutment, a two-part elongate channel member with each part secured to the surface of a respective panel and extensing longitudinally adjacent the abutting edge thereof, the two parts of the channel member engaging one another to form a channel with a restricted mouth and clamp means both engaging in the channel and also securely clamped to a support post for mounting the panels on the post, the clamp means acting to lock the two parts of the channel member together and maintain the panels in the said edge to edge abutment.

The invention will be understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an assembled channel member according to the present embodiment; Fig. 2 is a prespective view of the two-part channel member with each part secured to a separate display panel, the two channel parts being positioned ready for assembly; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an assembled sign mounted on a support pole; and Fig. 4 is a side view of the assembled sign of Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated in cross-section an elongate extruded aluminium channel member 10 formed from two parts 11 and 12, one part of the channel member being shaded for the sake of clarity. Each part of the channel member comprises a respective flange 15 or 16, a respective leg 20 or 21 extending away from the flange and, between the flange and the free end 18 or 19 of the leg, a respective arm 13 or 14 extending towards the other arm. As shown in figure 1, each part is adapted to engage with the other part by the engaging of the free ends of the arms 13 and 14 behind one another and by the abutting of the edges of the flanges 15 and 16. The interlocking arms 13 and 14 thus form a base of a channel 17 which is defined also by the free ends 18 and 19 of the legs 20 and 21.The mouth of the channel 17 is restricted in width by the inturned portions at the free ends 18 and 19 of the legs 20 and 21. The flanges 15 and 16 are each secured by rivets 22 to the surface of a respective display panel 23 and 24 of the sign to be assembled, see figures 2 to 4, the edge of each flange 15 and 16 being aligned with the edge of the respective panel 23 and 24.

In Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings the two display panels 23 and 24 of the sign are shown aligned for assembly to form at least part of a sign.

In order to mount the sign on a supporting post 30, one employs anti-rotational clamps 25 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings. Each claim 25 comprises two post embracing parts 26 and 27 each with a spur 28 which slides snugly into the channel 17 from an open end 29 thereof and is retained therein by the restricted channel mouth. Once the spur 28 is inserted into the channel 17 and the clamp parts 26 and 27 tightened around the post 30 by means of a conventional nut and bolt 31, the two parts 11 and 12 of the channel member 10 are subject to an outwardly applied force sufficient to lock the arms 13 and 14 securely together and to force the abutting edges 32 and 33 of the panels 23 and 24 together.

In order to assist retention of the parts loosely in their desired position before the clamp 25 is tightened to lock the parts together, one of the abutting edges of the flanges has a lip 40 (figure 1) displaced towards the arms 13, 14 and which extends behind that surface 41 of the other flange opposite the panel 23.

In Fig. 4 of the accompanying drawings, the arrows A indicate the general direction of force applied to the free ends 18 and 19 of the legs 20 and 21 when the sign is assembled and mounted on the post 30.

It will be readily appreciated that the assembly of a sign from a plurality of display panels is with the present invention assisted by the configuration of the two parts of the elongate channel members insofar as by placing the two parts together to form a channel member one also assembles the respective display panels of the sign. It will be further understood that with most signs the construction will require a plurality of display panels secured together using several elongate channel members fixed securely by anti-rotational clamps to a number of supporting posts.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A construction of sign comprising at least two panels arranged in edge to edge abutment, a two-part elongate channel member with each part secured to the surface of a respective panel and extending longitudinally adjacent the abutting edge thereof, the two parts of the channel member engaging one another to form a channel with a restricted mouth, and clamp means both engaging in the channel and also securely clamped to a support post for mounting the panels on the post, the clamp means acting to lock the two parts of the channel member together and maintain the panels in the said edge to edge abutment.

2. A construction of sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein each part of the channel member comprises, in cross-section, a flange attached to the surface of the respective panel, a leg extending away from the flange and, between the flange and the free end of the leg, an arm extending towards and engaging behind the corresponding arm of the other part of the channel, the clamp means forcing the free ends of the legs apart so as to lock the two parts of the channel member together by maintaining the arms in engagement and the panel edges in abutment.

3. A construction of sign as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the flange of each part of the channel mem-er has one edge aligned with the edge of the respective panel so that both the panel edges and the edges of the flanges are in abutment.

4. A construction of sign as claimed in claim 3, wherein one of the abutting edges of the flanges has a lip displaced toward the engaging arms and which extends behind that surface of the other flange opposite the panel.

5. An assembly for mounting a sign of the kind having at least two panels arranged in edge to edge abutment, the assembly comprising a two-part elongate channel member with each part having means for securement to the surface of a respective panel to extend longitudinally adjacent the abutting edge thereof, the two parts of the channel member being adapted to engage one another to form a channel with a restricted mouth, and clamp means for both engaging in the channel and also for securement to support post for mounting the panels on the post, the clamp means acting in use to lock the two parts of the channel member together and maintain the panels in the said edge to edge abutment.

6. A construction of sign, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. An assembly for mounting a sign, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.