AU2014101314A4 - Improved system for attaching vehicle signage - Google Patents

Abstract

IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT SUMMARY The disclosed Suction Pad is an improved system for attaching vehicle signage and is described as a pad or plate of suction cups moulded as one unit using a preferred formula of polyurethane gel that is adhesive or sticky. It can be moulded into any shape with inbuilt integrated suction cups. The polyurethane together with the suction cups create the adhesion. The number, size, shape and location of the suction cups vary depending on the requirements for a particular use. Signage can be printed direct onto the polyurethane gel pad or onto another layer or substrate that is then attached to the gel pad with or without further adhesive. The direct printing or printed substrate can be located against the vehicle surface and encased by the Suction Pad or it can be located on the non-vehicle contact side of the Suction Pad. The adhesion factor ensures maximum flexible grip of the signage on the vehicle. This attachment system allows signage to be applied and removed quickly and easily by low skilled users, without damaging the vehicle substrate and will allow the sign to be re-used numerous times. This innovative signage attachment system for vehicles is an improvement on current solutions. 8|P e I IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT FIGURES/DRAWINGS Figure 1 IP g e \ l I I ~ gB

Description

IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT DESCRIPTION & BACKGROUND With changing laws and requirements for vehicles, temporary and semi-permanent signage solutions are a growing requirement. For example L and P plate signage required for driver probationary or license designations are common in Australia, New Zealand and throughout the world. Other warning signs as well as personal expression signs such as football club colours are used extensively. Advertising signs are common on commercial vehicles. These all require temporary or semi-permanent signs to different degrees. Various solutions have been used in the past with some disadvantages as identified in the table below: Aternatives What they offer The disadvantages Screw on plates Screw on plate holders Requires semi-permanent fixing to vehicle with screws Magnetic Magnetic plates that attach to Prone to theft, potential damage to paintwork, body of car can only stick to metal, will fly off in wind and need to be replaced regularly. Cheap suction Signage plates made out of Cheap suction cups get lost, and leave residue cups plastic that can attach to the on windows. Can only be used internally in suction cups for internal vehicle. Unhygienic due to having to be licked vehicle use to get suction. Affected by cold and heat where they lose their grip. Clip (plastic) for Clip that attaches plates to Can only be used for RTA issued plates in the number plate number plate state of New South Wales Adhesive Vinyl Semi-Permanent outdoor Can damage the paintwork, is expensive and rated vinyl with a glue requires experts to attach usually. Cannot be adhesive removed and reapplied. A frame magnetic A frame that sits on the roof Can damage paintwork roof of the car 2|P e .

IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT The invention has been specifically devised in order to provide an improved attachment for signage for all types of vehicles. The improved signage attachment system allows signage to stick to most surfaces, won't damage or leave residue on the vehicle, is easy to apply and remove by low skilled users, and is re-usable and cost effective. The invention of an improved system for attaching signage to vehicles (referred to in this document as the "Suction Pad") can be described as a pad or plate of suction cups moulded together using a preferred formula of polyurethane gel. The Suction Pad comprises a layer of polyurethane gel of a preferred formula that is adhesive or sticky, that can be moulded into any shape with inbuilt suction cups. The number, size, shape and location of the suction cups vary depending on the requirements for a particular use. The requirement can vary based on many factors including desired grip, allowable water penetration, aesthetics and so on. The signage is then added either: a. As an extra layer of printable material such as PET, vinyl, paper to name a few, and held by adhesive glue or simply the adhesion of the polyurethane to the Suction Pad. Or b. The signage is printed directly onto the Suction Pad With either option, the signage can be in contact with the vehicle surface/substrate or be only in contact with the Suction Pad on the side opposite the vehicle surface. Non-limiting examples of signage for a vehicle can include L Plates & P Plates as well as other driver designation signs, advertising signs, personal signs, hazard or information signs. The Suction Pad can be attached to the inside or outside of the windscreen and rear window and viewed from outside the vehicle; as indicated in the image below at locations A and B in Figure 1. (Vehicles are not limited to cars). The invention can also be attached anywhere else on the vehicle that is legally allowed such as all the area coloured white in Figure 1. 3 Pge IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT Figure 1 - represents the areas that the suction pad can be placed on the vehicle (not limited to cars) including glass A&B as well as White areas - rest of vehicle. Figure A - is an illustration of the polyurethane gel layer only for L & P Plates with the suction cups moulded into the gel layer. Figure 2 - illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention being signage printed directly onto the polyurethane gel without the need for other attachments or layers. Figure 2 represents - Reverse printing process: (A) optically clear polyurethane gel prior to printing, (B) printing reverse pattern on non-contact surface, (C) printing block colour on non-contact surface, (D) attaching the adhesive or contact surface to glass and viewing the printed image external from the vehicle. Figure 3 - Side view of invention showing layers of one preferred embodiment of the Suction Pad- DIRECT PRINT Figure 4 - Side view of invention showing layers of one preferred embodiment of the invention - EXTRA PRINTABLE SUBSTRATE Figure 5 - Side view of invention showing layers of one preferred embodiment of the invention - DIRECT PRINT IN CONTACT WITH VEHICLE Figure 6 - Side view of invention showing layers of one preferred embodiment of the invention - EXTRA LAYER IN CONTACT WITH VEHICLE 4 Pge

Claims (1)

1. 2.1) manufactured by Grip Technologies ApS (Denmark)(wwwhnagincom). If a standard polyurethane gel is utilised, the mixing ratio of the prepolymer to curing agent is preferably approximately 1:2.2 by weight. If a lower viscosity polyurethane gel is desired, then the mixing ratio may be altered to approximately 1:9.216 by weight. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the softness of the polyurethane gel may be varied by changing the mixing ratio. 5 Pge IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT CLAIM 2 The Suction Pad as claimed in claim 1 further allowing signage to adhere an optically clear layer of polyurethane gel with the non-vehicle contact surface being printed with the signage. The signage is printed using a reverse pattern as illustrated in Figure 2. , and the adhesive polyurethane gel is attached on the inside of the vehicle windscreen and/or rear window. The image when viewed from outside the vehicle will have the correct orientation as shown in Figure 2. Where the signage is to be viewed internally in the vehicle, the printing process would not need to be reversed. Alternatively a solid colour polyurethane can be used. CLAIM 3 As per claim 2 but rather than printing direct onto the Suction Pad, a separate layer is attached made out of printable material such as PET, polyesters, vinyl, paper products. The same process of printing would be used but another layer or printable substrate is attached to the polyurethane gel layer (e.g. PET, polyesters, vinyl) and the signage is printed on that extra layer. Figure 4 illustrates another preferred embodiment of the invention being signage printed onto a printable substrate such as vinyl, PET or other printable substrate. The printable substrate may or may not use a glue adhesive to bond with the polyurethane gel layer. 6 Pge IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING VEHICLE SIGNAGE INNOVATION PATENT CLAIM 4 As per claim 2, except that the printing is done on the side of the Suction Pad that is in contact with the vehicle surface/substrate. Figure 5 illustrates the Suction Pad being signage printed directly onto the polyurethane gel without the need for other attachments or layers. The printing would not come to the edge of the gel layer because printing makes the gel non-adhesive. The unprinted portions only, together with the moulded suction cups would have the adhesive effect. This encases and protects the printing from the elements such as wind and rain where required. CLAIM 5 As per claim 2, except that the printing is done on the side of the Suction Pad that is in contact with the vehicle surface/substrate. This figure 6 illustrates signage printed onto a printable substrate such as vinyl, PET or other printable substrate. The printable substrate may or may not use a glue adhesive to bond with the polyurethane gel layer. The printable substrate would not come to the edges of the polyurethane gel. The extra gel that is not bonded with the printable substrate , together with the moulded suction cups would have the adhesive effect. This protects the printing from the elements such as wind and rain where required. It also allows for material such as paper to be used as a printable substrate while being protected from the elements and could be changed more cost effectively. 7 Pge