CA1039948A - Signpost structure - Google Patents
Signpost structureInfo
- Publication number
- CA1039948A CA1039948A CA231,361A CA231361A CA1039948A CA 1039948 A CA1039948 A CA 1039948A CA 231361 A CA231361 A CA 231361A CA 1039948 A CA1039948 A CA 1039948A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sign
- blank
- openings
- edge
- shaped member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920006217 cellulose acetate butyrate Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001727 cellulose butyrate Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 2
- NLZUEZXRPGMBCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Butylhydroxytoluene Chemical compound CC1=CC(C(C)(C)C)=C(O)C(C(C)(C)C)=C1 NLZUEZXRPGMBCV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
- G09F7/18—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F15/00—Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
- G09F15/0006—Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like planar structures comprising one or more panels
- G09F15/0037—Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like planar structures comprising one or more panels supported by a post
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F7/00—Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols; Panels or boards
- G09F7/18—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
- G09F2007/1804—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure for fastening to a post
- G09F2007/1821—Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure for fastening to a post the post having slots or flanges to fasten the sign
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A signpost structure including an elongated support post an information-bearing cylindrical sign attached via an edge stiffening and mounting member to the support post and capable of presenting information to a viewer within a range of 360°
The cylindrical sign is formed by joining the side edges of a rectangular, flat, flexible sign blank formed of a high-impact organic plastic material. The support post is preferably a four-sided tubular member having equi-spaced openings provided long-itudinally in each side for permitting the cylindrical sign to be attached to any one of the four sides at any one of several possible points along the length thereof.
A signpost structure including an elongated support post an information-bearing cylindrical sign attached via an edge stiffening and mounting member to the support post and capable of presenting information to a viewer within a range of 360°
The cylindrical sign is formed by joining the side edges of a rectangular, flat, flexible sign blank formed of a high-impact organic plastic material. The support post is preferably a four-sided tubular member having equi-spaced openings provided long-itudinally in each side for permitting the cylindrical sign to be attached to any one of the four sides at any one of several possible points along the length thereof.
Description
:~()399413 BACKGROU~D OF THE INVENTION
The pxesent invention relates to a signpost structure and more particularly, to a signpost stxucture including an information-bearing cylindrical sign capable of 360 visibil-ity and legibility.
A wide variety of signpost structures of different types and construction are well-known to the average person.
These signposts generally include signs for communicating a variety of different kinds of information to a viewer such as, for example, tràffic information, street names, and in- -formation for use in connection with specialized applications such as public transportation (e.g., bus stop information).
While existing signpost struct~res perform a very necessary and valuable function, the signs of these signpost struct-ures are generally flat, and accordingly, communicate the information thereon to a viewer only through a very narrow viewing range, typically considerably less than 180. Thus in applications where it might be desirable to provide 360 visibility of sign information, for example, in bus stop or street sign applications, existing signpost structures are unsatisfactory. In addition, existing signpost structures generally do not present a distinctly unique appearance to ` a viewer.
~ According to the present invention there is provided i a signpost structure comprising, a hollow cylindrical sign formed from an initially rectangular, flat, flexible sign ` blank, said sign blank having first and second side edges and first, second, third and fourth openings provided there-in in first, second, third and fourth corner regions thereof, respectively, the first and third openings being adjacent to the f~rs~ side edge of the sign blank and the second and ourth openings being adjacent to the second side edge of - 1 - . .
103994~
the sign blank, said sign blank further having an outer sur- :
face haYing a plurality of identical items of information thereon; edge-placement means placing the'fixst and second .
side edges of the sign blank adjacent to each other.thereby to form the initially flat, rectangular sign blank into the '' hollow cylindrical sign, said edge-placement means including an S-shaped member having first and second diagonally oppos-ed edge-receiving portions arranged to receive the first and second side edges, respectively, of the sign blank and a flat :-portion between the first and second edge-receiving portions '-'-and having first and second spaced openings therein, the op- .' ' ening~ in the sign blank and in the flat portion of the S- !`
shaped member being arranged so that the first and second openings in the sign blank ar~ coaxially aligned with the t first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and the third and fourth openings in the sign blank are coaxial-ly aligned with the second ope.ning in the flat portion of . the S-shaped member when the first and second side edges of ' the sign blank are received by the respective first and sec-l~ 20 ond edge-receiving portions of the S-shaped member, the .¦ plurality of items of information at the outer surface of , ¦ ` the sign blank being arranged so that at least.one item of . information is always presented to a viewer when the side ~` ' edges of the sign blank have been placed adjacent to each ¦ ~ other in forming the cylindrical sign; an elongated support member having a cross-sectional area less than the cross- .
` sec~ional area of the cylindrical sign; and mounting means .
including mèans employing the first and second openings in the sign blank and the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and means employing the third and ., ' , ' ~
.`~ , .
.~ .. , , , .
~ 2 - '`:
fourth openings.in the sign blank and the second opening in `~
the flat portion of the S-shaped member for mounting the cylindrical sign and the associated S-shaped member to the elongated support member.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be de-scribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompany-ing drawings in which:- .
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a signpost structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention FIG. 2 is a front view of a flat sign blank employed to produce a.cylindrical sign for use in the signpost structure of FIG. l;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are top and front views, respectively, i of an edge stiffening and mounting member employed in the 1, signpost structure of FIG. l;
; FIG. 5 is a top view of the signpost structure of FIG. ls FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a signpost structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
I . 20 FIGS. 7 and 8 are top and front views, respectively, ¦ of an edge stiffening and mounting member employed in the I signpost structure of FIG. 6; and ¦ FIG. 9 is a top view o the signpost structure of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
: . Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown in a 1.
perspective view of a signpost structure 1 in accordance . with a first embodiment of the invention. The signpost ¦ .
structure 1 includes a cylindrical ¦-. 1. -.~ , . , 1 `
.: ~:
~ `' - 2a ~ . .
' ~(~3994~3 ~ ` sign 3 bearing multiple identical legends 3a thereon p~r~llel to the axis of the sign 3, an edge stiffening and mounting member 15 used in conjunction with the cylindrical sign 3, and a support structure 5 for supporting the cylindrical sign 3 and the associated edge stiffening and mounting member 15. For purposes of explaining -the present invention, it is assumed that the signpost structure 1 is to be used in connection with public transportation. For this reason, the legends "BUS STOP" have been selected for use on the cylindrical sign 3. However, it will be appreciated that for other applications the cylindrical sign 3 may bear any other suitable legends or symbols, whether pictorial in form or otherwise.
The cylindrical sign 3 as shown in FIG. 1 is formed from a flat, rectangular, flexible sign blank such as shown in FIG.2.
The sign blank of FIG. 2 is preferably of a lightweight, weather~
resistant and impact-resistant organic plastic material, such as, for example, a cellulose acetate butyrate plastic material or a polystyrene plastic material. For its use in public transport-ation, the sign blank is preferably selected to be of a basic white color and the "BUS STOP" legends 3a, typically of a black color, are silk-screened together with an upper border 3b and a lower border 3c, both typically of a red color, àgainst the white background. The above combination of colors insures that the cylindrical sign 3 will be eye-catching, both to motorists and pedestrians alike.
As indicated in FIG. 2, the multiple "BUS STOP"
legends 3a are arranged vertically on the sign blank and such that each of the legends 3a, with the exception of the left-most legend 3a, is spaced from the preceding legend 3a by a distance a, and `
the right-most legend 3a is spaced from the right edge of the sign blank by a second, greater, distance b. As will be apparent here-inafter, the dimensions a and b are selected such that when the sign blank is formed into a cylindrical sign, specifically, by slightly overlapping the side edges of the sign blank (the left edge overlapping the right edge), the right-most legend 3a in FIG.2 then likewise becomes spaced from ~heleft-most legend 3a in FIG.2 - 3 - `
8024~ ~y the aforementioned distance a. As a result, the information content of the cylindrical sign becomes available to a viewer through a range of 360, that is, a legend 3a of the sign is always visible to a viewer facing the sign~
The sign blank of FIG. 2 also has a plurality of openings 7, 9, 11 and 13 provided therein for use in forming the sign blank into a cylindrical sign, one opening being provided in each corner region of the sign blank. The openings 7 and 9 and the openings 11 and 13 are spaced from each other by a distance c and the openings 7 and 11 and the openings 9 and 1~ are spaced from each other by a distance d such that when the sign blank is formed into a cylindrical sign the opening 7 is coaxially aligned with the opening 9 and the opening 11 is coaxially aligned with the opening 13.
To form the sign blank of FIG. 2 into a cylindrical sign, the aforementioned edge stiffening and mounting member 15, shown in detail in the top and front views of FIG';. 3 and 4, respectively, is employed. The edge stiffening and mounting member 15 is basically an S-shaped element, typically of sheet rnetal, and includes a pair of diagonally-opposed curved end portions3 15a and 15b separated by an integral flat portion 15c. The curved end p~rtions 15a and l5b of t~e edge stiffening and mounting member 15 define spaces for receiving the opposite side edges of the sign blank. Specifically, the curved end portion 15a o the edge stiffening and mounting member 15 receives the right edge of the sign blank and the curved , `
end portion 15b receives the left edge of the sign blank. The flat portion 15c of the edge stiffening and mounting member 15 further has a pair of openings 17 provided therein and spacPd apart from each other by the aforementioned distance d so as to be coaxially aligned with the pairs of openings 7, 9 and 11, 13 of the sign blank when the side edges of the sign blank have been inserted into and received in the respective curved end portions 15a and 15b of the edge stiffening and mounting member 15.
When the side edges of the sign blank have been inserted into and received by the curved end portions 15a and 15b of the edge ~ 4 ~
lS~3994t3 8024 stiffening and mounting member 15, as mentioned above, the cylindr-ical sign so formed may be attached, together with the accompanying edge stiffening and mounting member 15, directly to the afore- - -mentioned support structure 5. The support structure 5 is prefer- ;
ably of a type described in detail in US Patent No. 3,628,296, to Herbert J. Henry, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The support structure 5 comprises, as shown in Fig.l, ~-an elongated longitudinally-perforated tubular sign support post ~`
5a and a longitudinally-perforated tubular anchor sleeve 5b insert-ed into a base medium (e.g., a sidewalk or the ground) and into which the sign support post 5a is telescoped and suitably attached, for example, by a nut-and-bolt arrangement. As is evident from FIG. 1, the tubular sign support post 5a (and also the tubular -anchor sleeve Sb) has a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical sign 3, as taken in a plane normal to the central (longitudinal) axis of the sign 3.
The tubular members 5a and 5b are typically of metal and are commercially available from the Unistrut Corporation, Wayne, Michi~an, under the trade name "Telespar".
To attach the aforedescribed cylindrical sign and the accompanying edge stiffening and mounting member 15 to the support structure 5, specifically, to the sign support post 5a, ?,';~ ` , a pair of threaded bolts are simply passed through the pairs of openings 7, 9 and 11, 13 in the cylindrical sign, through the associated openings 17 in the edge stiffening and mounting member 15, through opposed pairs of openings in opposed sides of the sign support post 5a, and then threaded into associated nuts. It will .
be appreciated that the large number of openings in the sides of ~ -the sign support post 5a permit the cylindrical sign and the associated edge stiffening and mounting member 15 to be attached thereto at any one of several possible points along the length thereof. A top view of the completed signpost assembly 1 is shown in FIG. 5.
~ ' , . .
.. ... , - .:
3~948 D~
The signpost structure 1 of FIG. 1, as described herein-above, offers many advantages and features. The cylindrical sign of the signpost structure 1, by virtue of its coniguration and use of several colors, is unique and readily distinguishable from convent-ional flat signs. In addition, it is able to withstand the normal effects of weather, it is not susceptible to rusting and, due to its resiliency and flexibility, is not readily susceptible to being significantly damaged, for example, due to vandalism or as a result of accidental vehicular impact. In addition, the sign has sufficient thickness (e.g. o.040 in.) and stiffness to maintain its shape with-out the requirement of additional support beyond that provided by the edge stiffening and mounting member 15 and the sign support post 5a. Further, the cylindrical sign is lightweight and may be quic~-ly demounted from its support post and, if desired, used elsewhere.
Due to the fact that the sign blank from which the cylindrical sign is formed is flat and flexible, the cylindrical sign i9 conveniently formed on-site, thereby avoiding the necessity of the blank being formed into a cylindrical sign beforehar~d and then transported to the site. This feature is significant when large number of cylindr-ical signs are to be prepared and storage space does not readily permit the storage of the reguired number of cylindrical signs.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown in a perspective ~ `
view a signpost structure 20 in accordance with an alternative em~
bodiment of the invention. The signpost structure 20 of FIG. 6 -is similar to the signpost struct~lre 1 of FIG. 1 and, like the signpost structure 1 of FIG. 1, includes a cylindrical sign 21 and a sign support post 22. The signpost structure 20 of FIG. 6 differs most significantly from the signpost structure 1 of FIG. 1 ` `
in that the sign support post 22 is positioned centrally of the ;~
cylindrical sign 21 rather than being offset with respect to ~he central axis of the sign as is the case with the signpost structrure The respective positioning of the sign support post 22 and the cylindrical sign 21 is achieved by means of an edge stiffening and mounting member 23 as shown in detail in the top and front views of FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the )39948 D~edge stiffening and mounting member 23 includes an S-shaped section 24 having a pair of diagonally-opposed curved end portions 24a and 24b for receiving the side edges of the cylindrical sign 21 and a -flat portion 24c integral with the portions 24a and 24b, and further includes an L-shaped section 25 integral with and extending away from the curved end portion 24a. The flat portion 24c of the S-shaped section 24 further includes a pair of openings 27, spaced apart from each other by the aforementioned distance d, so as to ~`
be coaxially aligned with the openings in the cylindrical sign 21, `
and the horizontal portion of the L-shaped section 25 also includes a pair of openings 29, also spaced apart from each other by the aforementioned distance d. The edge stiffening and mounting member 23 is typically of sheet metal. To attach the cylindrical sign ~1 and its associated edge stiffening and mounting member 23 to the sign support post 22, threaded bolts are passed through the openings in the cylindrical sign 21 and the coaxially-aligned openings 27 in the S-shaped section 24 and then threaded into nuts, thereby to secure the cylindrical sign to the edge stiffen- -~
ing and mounting member 23, and threaded bolts are passed through the openings 29 in the L-shaped section 23 and associated opposed pairs of openings in opposed sides of the sign support post 22 and then threaded into nuts, thereby to secure the edge stiffen-ing and mounting member 23 to the sign support post 22. A top view of the completed signpost structure 20 is shown in FIG. 9.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described hereinabove, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as called for in the appended claims.
~ -'' ' :', .'''~ '~' .,: .
The pxesent invention relates to a signpost structure and more particularly, to a signpost stxucture including an information-bearing cylindrical sign capable of 360 visibil-ity and legibility.
A wide variety of signpost structures of different types and construction are well-known to the average person.
These signposts generally include signs for communicating a variety of different kinds of information to a viewer such as, for example, tràffic information, street names, and in- -formation for use in connection with specialized applications such as public transportation (e.g., bus stop information).
While existing signpost struct~res perform a very necessary and valuable function, the signs of these signpost struct-ures are generally flat, and accordingly, communicate the information thereon to a viewer only through a very narrow viewing range, typically considerably less than 180. Thus in applications where it might be desirable to provide 360 visibility of sign information, for example, in bus stop or street sign applications, existing signpost structures are unsatisfactory. In addition, existing signpost structures generally do not present a distinctly unique appearance to ` a viewer.
~ According to the present invention there is provided i a signpost structure comprising, a hollow cylindrical sign formed from an initially rectangular, flat, flexible sign ` blank, said sign blank having first and second side edges and first, second, third and fourth openings provided there-in in first, second, third and fourth corner regions thereof, respectively, the first and third openings being adjacent to the f~rs~ side edge of the sign blank and the second and ourth openings being adjacent to the second side edge of - 1 - . .
103994~
the sign blank, said sign blank further having an outer sur- :
face haYing a plurality of identical items of information thereon; edge-placement means placing the'fixst and second .
side edges of the sign blank adjacent to each other.thereby to form the initially flat, rectangular sign blank into the '' hollow cylindrical sign, said edge-placement means including an S-shaped member having first and second diagonally oppos-ed edge-receiving portions arranged to receive the first and second side edges, respectively, of the sign blank and a flat :-portion between the first and second edge-receiving portions '-'-and having first and second spaced openings therein, the op- .' ' ening~ in the sign blank and in the flat portion of the S- !`
shaped member being arranged so that the first and second openings in the sign blank ar~ coaxially aligned with the t first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and the third and fourth openings in the sign blank are coaxial-ly aligned with the second ope.ning in the flat portion of . the S-shaped member when the first and second side edges of ' the sign blank are received by the respective first and sec-l~ 20 ond edge-receiving portions of the S-shaped member, the .¦ plurality of items of information at the outer surface of , ¦ ` the sign blank being arranged so that at least.one item of . information is always presented to a viewer when the side ~` ' edges of the sign blank have been placed adjacent to each ¦ ~ other in forming the cylindrical sign; an elongated support member having a cross-sectional area less than the cross- .
` sec~ional area of the cylindrical sign; and mounting means .
including mèans employing the first and second openings in the sign blank and the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and means employing the third and ., ' , ' ~
.`~ , .
.~ .. , , , .
~ 2 - '`:
fourth openings.in the sign blank and the second opening in `~
the flat portion of the S-shaped member for mounting the cylindrical sign and the associated S-shaped member to the elongated support member.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be de-scribed, by way of example, with reference to the accompany-ing drawings in which:- .
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a signpost structure in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention FIG. 2 is a front view of a flat sign blank employed to produce a.cylindrical sign for use in the signpost structure of FIG. l;
FIGS. 3 and 4 are top and front views, respectively, i of an edge stiffening and mounting member employed in the 1, signpost structure of FIG. l;
; FIG. 5 is a top view of the signpost structure of FIG. ls FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a signpost structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
I . 20 FIGS. 7 and 8 are top and front views, respectively, ¦ of an edge stiffening and mounting member employed in the I signpost structure of FIG. 6; and ¦ FIG. 9 is a top view o the signpost structure of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
: . Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown in a 1.
perspective view of a signpost structure 1 in accordance . with a first embodiment of the invention. The signpost ¦ .
structure 1 includes a cylindrical ¦-. 1. -.~ , . , 1 `
.: ~:
~ `' - 2a ~ . .
' ~(~3994~3 ~ ` sign 3 bearing multiple identical legends 3a thereon p~r~llel to the axis of the sign 3, an edge stiffening and mounting member 15 used in conjunction with the cylindrical sign 3, and a support structure 5 for supporting the cylindrical sign 3 and the associated edge stiffening and mounting member 15. For purposes of explaining -the present invention, it is assumed that the signpost structure 1 is to be used in connection with public transportation. For this reason, the legends "BUS STOP" have been selected for use on the cylindrical sign 3. However, it will be appreciated that for other applications the cylindrical sign 3 may bear any other suitable legends or symbols, whether pictorial in form or otherwise.
The cylindrical sign 3 as shown in FIG. 1 is formed from a flat, rectangular, flexible sign blank such as shown in FIG.2.
The sign blank of FIG. 2 is preferably of a lightweight, weather~
resistant and impact-resistant organic plastic material, such as, for example, a cellulose acetate butyrate plastic material or a polystyrene plastic material. For its use in public transport-ation, the sign blank is preferably selected to be of a basic white color and the "BUS STOP" legends 3a, typically of a black color, are silk-screened together with an upper border 3b and a lower border 3c, both typically of a red color, àgainst the white background. The above combination of colors insures that the cylindrical sign 3 will be eye-catching, both to motorists and pedestrians alike.
As indicated in FIG. 2, the multiple "BUS STOP"
legends 3a are arranged vertically on the sign blank and such that each of the legends 3a, with the exception of the left-most legend 3a, is spaced from the preceding legend 3a by a distance a, and `
the right-most legend 3a is spaced from the right edge of the sign blank by a second, greater, distance b. As will be apparent here-inafter, the dimensions a and b are selected such that when the sign blank is formed into a cylindrical sign, specifically, by slightly overlapping the side edges of the sign blank (the left edge overlapping the right edge), the right-most legend 3a in FIG.2 then likewise becomes spaced from ~heleft-most legend 3a in FIG.2 - 3 - `
8024~ ~y the aforementioned distance a. As a result, the information content of the cylindrical sign becomes available to a viewer through a range of 360, that is, a legend 3a of the sign is always visible to a viewer facing the sign~
The sign blank of FIG. 2 also has a plurality of openings 7, 9, 11 and 13 provided therein for use in forming the sign blank into a cylindrical sign, one opening being provided in each corner region of the sign blank. The openings 7 and 9 and the openings 11 and 13 are spaced from each other by a distance c and the openings 7 and 11 and the openings 9 and 1~ are spaced from each other by a distance d such that when the sign blank is formed into a cylindrical sign the opening 7 is coaxially aligned with the opening 9 and the opening 11 is coaxially aligned with the opening 13.
To form the sign blank of FIG. 2 into a cylindrical sign, the aforementioned edge stiffening and mounting member 15, shown in detail in the top and front views of FIG';. 3 and 4, respectively, is employed. The edge stiffening and mounting member 15 is basically an S-shaped element, typically of sheet rnetal, and includes a pair of diagonally-opposed curved end portions3 15a and 15b separated by an integral flat portion 15c. The curved end p~rtions 15a and l5b of t~e edge stiffening and mounting member 15 define spaces for receiving the opposite side edges of the sign blank. Specifically, the curved end portion 15a o the edge stiffening and mounting member 15 receives the right edge of the sign blank and the curved , `
end portion 15b receives the left edge of the sign blank. The flat portion 15c of the edge stiffening and mounting member 15 further has a pair of openings 17 provided therein and spacPd apart from each other by the aforementioned distance d so as to be coaxially aligned with the pairs of openings 7, 9 and 11, 13 of the sign blank when the side edges of the sign blank have been inserted into and received in the respective curved end portions 15a and 15b of the edge stiffening and mounting member 15.
When the side edges of the sign blank have been inserted into and received by the curved end portions 15a and 15b of the edge ~ 4 ~
lS~3994t3 8024 stiffening and mounting member 15, as mentioned above, the cylindr-ical sign so formed may be attached, together with the accompanying edge stiffening and mounting member 15, directly to the afore- - -mentioned support structure 5. The support structure 5 is prefer- ;
ably of a type described in detail in US Patent No. 3,628,296, to Herbert J. Henry, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. The support structure 5 comprises, as shown in Fig.l, ~-an elongated longitudinally-perforated tubular sign support post ~`
5a and a longitudinally-perforated tubular anchor sleeve 5b insert-ed into a base medium (e.g., a sidewalk or the ground) and into which the sign support post 5a is telescoped and suitably attached, for example, by a nut-and-bolt arrangement. As is evident from FIG. 1, the tubular sign support post 5a (and also the tubular -anchor sleeve Sb) has a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical sign 3, as taken in a plane normal to the central (longitudinal) axis of the sign 3.
The tubular members 5a and 5b are typically of metal and are commercially available from the Unistrut Corporation, Wayne, Michi~an, under the trade name "Telespar".
To attach the aforedescribed cylindrical sign and the accompanying edge stiffening and mounting member 15 to the support structure 5, specifically, to the sign support post 5a, ?,';~ ` , a pair of threaded bolts are simply passed through the pairs of openings 7, 9 and 11, 13 in the cylindrical sign, through the associated openings 17 in the edge stiffening and mounting member 15, through opposed pairs of openings in opposed sides of the sign support post 5a, and then threaded into associated nuts. It will .
be appreciated that the large number of openings in the sides of ~ -the sign support post 5a permit the cylindrical sign and the associated edge stiffening and mounting member 15 to be attached thereto at any one of several possible points along the length thereof. A top view of the completed signpost assembly 1 is shown in FIG. 5.
~ ' , . .
.. ... , - .:
3~948 D~
The signpost structure 1 of FIG. 1, as described herein-above, offers many advantages and features. The cylindrical sign of the signpost structure 1, by virtue of its coniguration and use of several colors, is unique and readily distinguishable from convent-ional flat signs. In addition, it is able to withstand the normal effects of weather, it is not susceptible to rusting and, due to its resiliency and flexibility, is not readily susceptible to being significantly damaged, for example, due to vandalism or as a result of accidental vehicular impact. In addition, the sign has sufficient thickness (e.g. o.040 in.) and stiffness to maintain its shape with-out the requirement of additional support beyond that provided by the edge stiffening and mounting member 15 and the sign support post 5a. Further, the cylindrical sign is lightweight and may be quic~-ly demounted from its support post and, if desired, used elsewhere.
Due to the fact that the sign blank from which the cylindrical sign is formed is flat and flexible, the cylindrical sign i9 conveniently formed on-site, thereby avoiding the necessity of the blank being formed into a cylindrical sign beforehar~d and then transported to the site. This feature is significant when large number of cylindr-ical signs are to be prepared and storage space does not readily permit the storage of the reguired number of cylindrical signs.
Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown in a perspective ~ `
view a signpost structure 20 in accordance with an alternative em~
bodiment of the invention. The signpost structure 20 of FIG. 6 -is similar to the signpost struct~lre 1 of FIG. 1 and, like the signpost structure 1 of FIG. 1, includes a cylindrical sign 21 and a sign support post 22. The signpost structure 20 of FIG. 6 differs most significantly from the signpost structure 1 of FIG. 1 ` `
in that the sign support post 22 is positioned centrally of the ;~
cylindrical sign 21 rather than being offset with respect to ~he central axis of the sign as is the case with the signpost structrure The respective positioning of the sign support post 22 and the cylindrical sign 21 is achieved by means of an edge stiffening and mounting member 23 as shown in detail in the top and front views of FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the )39948 D~edge stiffening and mounting member 23 includes an S-shaped section 24 having a pair of diagonally-opposed curved end portions 24a and 24b for receiving the side edges of the cylindrical sign 21 and a -flat portion 24c integral with the portions 24a and 24b, and further includes an L-shaped section 25 integral with and extending away from the curved end portion 24a. The flat portion 24c of the S-shaped section 24 further includes a pair of openings 27, spaced apart from each other by the aforementioned distance d, so as to ~`
be coaxially aligned with the openings in the cylindrical sign 21, `
and the horizontal portion of the L-shaped section 25 also includes a pair of openings 29, also spaced apart from each other by the aforementioned distance d. The edge stiffening and mounting member 23 is typically of sheet metal. To attach the cylindrical sign ~1 and its associated edge stiffening and mounting member 23 to the sign support post 22, threaded bolts are passed through the openings in the cylindrical sign 21 and the coaxially-aligned openings 27 in the S-shaped section 24 and then threaded into nuts, thereby to secure the cylindrical sign to the edge stiffen- -~
ing and mounting member 23, and threaded bolts are passed through the openings 29 in the L-shaped section 23 and associated opposed pairs of openings in opposed sides of the sign support post 22 and then threaded into nuts, thereby to secure the edge stiffen-ing and mounting member 23 to the sign support post 22. A top view of the completed signpost structure 20 is shown in FIG. 9.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described hereinabove, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention as called for in the appended claims.
~ -'' ' :', .'''~ '~' .,: .
Claims (12)
1. A signpost structure comprising:
a hollow cylindrical sign formed from an initially rectangular, flat, flexible sign blank, said sign blank hav-ing first and second side edges and first, second, third and fourth openings provided therein in first, second, third and fourth corner regions thereof, respectively, the first and third openings being adjacent to the first side edge of the sign blank and the second and fourth openings be-ing adjacent to the second side edge of the sign blank, said sign blank further having an outer surface having a plurality of identical items of information thereon;
edge-placement means placing the first and second side edges of the sign blank adjacent to each other thereby to form the initially flat, rectangular sign blank into the hollow cylindrical sign, said edge-placement means including an S-shaped member having first and second diagonally opposed edge-receiving portions arranged to receive the first and second side edges, respectively, of the sign blank and a flat portion between the first and second edge-receiving portions and having first and second spaced openings therein, the openings in the sign blank and in the flat portion of the S-shaped member being arrang-ed so that the first and second openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and the third and fourth openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member when the first and second side edges of the sign blank are received by the respective first and second edge-receiving portions of the S-shaped member, the plurality of items of information at the outer surface of the sign blank being arranged so that at least one item of information is always presented to a viewer when the side edges of the sign blank have been placed adjacent to each other in forming the cylindrical sign.
an elongated support member having a cross-sect-ional area less than the cross-sectional area of the cylin-drical sign: and mounting means including means employing the first and second openings in the sign blank and the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and means employing the third and fourth openings in the sign blank and the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member for mounting the cylindrical sign and the associated S-shaped member to the elongated support member.
a hollow cylindrical sign formed from an initially rectangular, flat, flexible sign blank, said sign blank hav-ing first and second side edges and first, second, third and fourth openings provided therein in first, second, third and fourth corner regions thereof, respectively, the first and third openings being adjacent to the first side edge of the sign blank and the second and fourth openings be-ing adjacent to the second side edge of the sign blank, said sign blank further having an outer surface having a plurality of identical items of information thereon;
edge-placement means placing the first and second side edges of the sign blank adjacent to each other thereby to form the initially flat, rectangular sign blank into the hollow cylindrical sign, said edge-placement means including an S-shaped member having first and second diagonally opposed edge-receiving portions arranged to receive the first and second side edges, respectively, of the sign blank and a flat portion between the first and second edge-receiving portions and having first and second spaced openings therein, the openings in the sign blank and in the flat portion of the S-shaped member being arrang-ed so that the first and second openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and the third and fourth openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member when the first and second side edges of the sign blank are received by the respective first and second edge-receiving portions of the S-shaped member, the plurality of items of information at the outer surface of the sign blank being arranged so that at least one item of information is always presented to a viewer when the side edges of the sign blank have been placed adjacent to each other in forming the cylindrical sign.
an elongated support member having a cross-sect-ional area less than the cross-sectional area of the cylin-drical sign: and mounting means including means employing the first and second openings in the sign blank and the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and means employing the third and fourth openings in the sign blank and the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member for mounting the cylindrical sign and the associated S-shaped member to the elongated support member.
2. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
the support member is a tubular member having a plurality of openings provided therein along its length.
the support member is a tubular member having a plurality of openings provided therein along its length.
3. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
the plurality of items of information of the sign blank are arranged thereon so as to be spaced from each other by a predetermined fixed distance when the first and second edges are placed adjacent to each other by the edge-placement means.
the plurality of items of information of the sign blank are arranged thereon so as to be spaced from each other by a predetermined fixed distance when the first and second edges are placed adjacent to each other by the edge-placement means.
4. A support structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein:
the sign blank from which the hollow cylindrical sign is formed is of an organic plastic material.
the sign blank from which the hollow cylindrical sign is formed is of an organic plastic material.
5. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein:
the cylindrical sign is of a cellulose acetate butyrate plastic material.
the cylindrical sign is of a cellulose acetate butyrate plastic material.
6. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein:
the cylindrical sign is of a polystyrene plastic material.
the cylindrical sign is of a polystyrene plastic material.
7. A signpost structure comprising:
a hollow cylindrical sign formed from an initially rectangular, flat, flexible sign blank, said sign blank having first and second side edges and first, second, third and fourth openings provided therein in first, second, third and fourth corner regions thereof, respectively, the first and third openings being adjacent to the frisk side edge of the sign blank and the second and fourth openings being adjacent to the second side edge of the sign blank, said side blank further having an outer surface having a plural-ity of identical items of information thereon;
an elongated support member having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical sign;
edge-placement means placing the first and second side edges of the sign blank adjacent to each other thereby to form the initially flat, rectangular sign blank into the hollow cylindrical sign, said edge-placement means including an S-shaped member having first and second diagonally opposed edge-receiving portions arranged to re-ceive the first and second side edges, respectively, of the sign blank and a flat portion between the first and second diagonally opposed edge-receiving portions, said edge-placement means further including a member extending between the second edge-receiving portion of the S-shaped member and the elongated support member for spacing the cylindrical sign and the associated S-shaped member away from the elongated support member so that the cylindrical sign surrounds the elongated support member, said flat portion of the S-shaped member being arranged so that the first and second openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and the third and fourth openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member when the first and second side edges of the sign blank are received by the respective first and second edge-receiving portion of the S-shaped member, the plurality of items of information at the outer surface of the sign blank being arranged so that at least one item of information is always presented to a viewer when the side edges of the sign blank have been placed adjacent to each other in forming the cylindrical sign; and mounting means including means employing the first and second openings in the sign blank and the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and means employing the third and fourth openings in the sign blank and the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member for securing the cylindrical sign formed from the sign blank to the S-shaped member, and said mount-ing means further including means employing the openings in the extending member for securing the S-shaped member and the extending member to the elongated support member.
a hollow cylindrical sign formed from an initially rectangular, flat, flexible sign blank, said sign blank having first and second side edges and first, second, third and fourth openings provided therein in first, second, third and fourth corner regions thereof, respectively, the first and third openings being adjacent to the frisk side edge of the sign blank and the second and fourth openings being adjacent to the second side edge of the sign blank, said side blank further having an outer surface having a plural-ity of identical items of information thereon;
an elongated support member having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical sign;
edge-placement means placing the first and second side edges of the sign blank adjacent to each other thereby to form the initially flat, rectangular sign blank into the hollow cylindrical sign, said edge-placement means including an S-shaped member having first and second diagonally opposed edge-receiving portions arranged to re-ceive the first and second side edges, respectively, of the sign blank and a flat portion between the first and second diagonally opposed edge-receiving portions, said edge-placement means further including a member extending between the second edge-receiving portion of the S-shaped member and the elongated support member for spacing the cylindrical sign and the associated S-shaped member away from the elongated support member so that the cylindrical sign surrounds the elongated support member, said flat portion of the S-shaped member being arranged so that the first and second openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and the third and fourth openings in the sign blank are coaxially aligned with the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member when the first and second side edges of the sign blank are received by the respective first and second edge-receiving portion of the S-shaped member, the plurality of items of information at the outer surface of the sign blank being arranged so that at least one item of information is always presented to a viewer when the side edges of the sign blank have been placed adjacent to each other in forming the cylindrical sign; and mounting means including means employing the first and second openings in the sign blank and the first opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member and means employing the third and fourth openings in the sign blank and the second opening in the flat portion of the S-shaped member for securing the cylindrical sign formed from the sign blank to the S-shaped member, and said mount-ing means further including means employing the openings in the extending member for securing the S-shaped member and the extending member to the elongated support member.
8. A sign structure in accordance with claim 7 wherein:
the sign blank from which the hollow cylindrical sign is formed is of an organic plastic material.
the sign blank from which the hollow cylindrical sign is formed is of an organic plastic material.
9. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 8 wherein:
the cylindrical sign is of a cellulose butyrate plastic material.
the cylindrical sign is of a cellulose butyrate plastic material.
10. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 8 wherein:
the cylindrical sign is of a polystyrene plastic material.
the cylindrical sign is of a polystyrene plastic material.
11. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 7 wherein:
the elongated support member is a tubular member having a plurality of openings provided therein along its length.
the elongated support member is a tubular member having a plurality of openings provided therein along its length.
12. A signpost structure in accordance with claim 7 wherein:
the plurality of items of information of the sign blank are arranged thereon so as to be spaced from each other by a predetermined fixed distance when the first and second edges are placed adjacent to each other by the edge-placement means.
the plurality of items of information of the sign blank are arranged thereon so as to be spaced from each other by a predetermined fixed distance when the first and second edges are placed adjacent to each other by the edge-placement means.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US488714A US3928930A (en) | 1974-07-15 | 1974-07-15 | Signpost structure |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1039948A true CA1039948A (en) | 1978-10-10 |
Family
ID=23940812
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA231,361A Expired CA1039948A (en) | 1974-07-15 | 1975-07-14 | Signpost structure |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3928930A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1039948A (en) |
Families Citing this family (33)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE7640586U1 (en) * | 1976-12-24 | 1977-07-07 | Heimo, Ernest, Dr., Lausanne (Schweiz) | HOLDER FOR TRANSLUCENT IMAGES |
| US4454671A (en) * | 1982-07-07 | 1984-06-19 | Trans-Ad Corporation | Timetable display |
| FR2589897B1 (en) * | 1985-11-13 | 1988-05-20 | Mulhouse Sa Transports Commun | STOP POINT FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT. |
| CA2111624C (en) * | 1993-05-14 | 1996-09-03 | Stanley Craig Hutton | Apparatus for posting of public notices |
| US5439043A (en) * | 1993-11-08 | 1995-08-08 | Carter; Wallace T. | Display system |
| US5611384A (en) * | 1995-08-28 | 1997-03-18 | Carter; Wallace T. | Display system |
| US5791391A (en) * | 1996-06-17 | 1998-08-11 | Carter; Wallace Thomas | Display system |
| US5981076A (en) * | 1996-12-09 | 1999-11-09 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | UV protected syndiotactic polystyrene overlay films |
| US5782027A (en) * | 1997-03-12 | 1998-07-21 | Gildea; Sean T. | Device for converting a pole into a simulative advertising display |
| US6212809B1 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2001-04-10 | James Gaule | Apparatus for supporting indicia with a rail |
| USD418170S (en) * | 1999-05-11 | 1999-12-28 | Park Media, Ltd. | Sign |
| US6286450B1 (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2001-09-11 | S&B Technical Products, Inc. | Cap assembly for right of way line marker |
| US6250003B1 (en) | 1999-12-24 | 2001-06-26 | Jeff B. Phinney | Multi-sided display device |
| US20020053153A1 (en) * | 2000-05-16 | 2002-05-09 | Nesbitt Bryce C. | Electronic display system for use in publicly accessible locations for receiving data from a remote location |
| US6668474B2 (en) * | 2001-01-11 | 2003-12-30 | Dean Winterton | Outdoor sign apparatus for real estate or other advertising purposes |
| GB2401471B (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2005-04-06 | Streetbroadcast Ltd | A display unit |
| US7698840B2 (en) * | 2005-05-02 | 2010-04-20 | Willow Rutkowski | Full moon canvas |
| US20070011925A1 (en) * | 2005-07-18 | 2007-01-18 | Edwards Kelly C | Rack simulating tire stack for signage mount |
| US8084115B2 (en) * | 2007-11-28 | 2011-12-27 | Lanzi Christopher H | Removable sheathing apparatus and method |
| US7743538B2 (en) * | 2008-01-15 | 2010-06-29 | Ideal Shield, Llc | Extruded plastic u-channel sign post covers |
| US20100176543A1 (en) * | 2009-01-14 | 2010-07-15 | Kenneth Burke | Sign Pole Guard |
| US20120266807A1 (en) * | 2011-04-20 | 2012-10-25 | Jess Gordon Summers | Signal assembly |
| US8769851B2 (en) * | 2012-07-17 | 2014-07-08 | James Dean Picard | Child safety post sign |
| CN103559852A (en) * | 2013-11-23 | 2014-02-05 | 徐士君 | Wind-proof section capable of setting single-sided or double-sided exhibition in wind |
| US20150161920A1 (en) * | 2013-12-06 | 2015-06-11 | J. Gordon Summers | Signal assembly |
| US20150248851A1 (en) * | 2014-03-03 | 2015-09-03 | Sun Peak Development, Llc | Mounting assemblies |
| USD778364S1 (en) * | 2014-10-06 | 2017-02-07 | Creed Smith | Sign |
| USD760320S1 (en) * | 2015-02-06 | 2016-06-28 | I-Can Advertise, Llc | Advertising billboard |
| USD844059S1 (en) | 2018-05-10 | 2019-03-26 | Target Brands, Inc. | Pillar sign |
| USD841094S1 (en) | 2018-05-31 | 2019-02-19 | Target Brands, Inc. | Pillar sign |
| US10512343B1 (en) * | 2018-12-12 | 2019-12-24 | Run like the Wind, LLC | Ribbon medical display |
| USD971332S1 (en) * | 2019-09-13 | 2022-11-29 | SpinTopSigns, LLC | Display sign |
| USD921758S1 (en) * | 2019-09-13 | 2021-06-08 | SpinTopSigns, LLC | Display sign |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1096580A (en) * | 1913-03-21 | 1914-05-12 | George H Webb | Advertising-sign. |
| US2681981A (en) * | 1952-04-26 | 1954-06-22 | Wilson Helen | Drapery bracket for lamps |
| US3486262A (en) * | 1968-02-19 | 1969-12-30 | Gregoire Eng & Dev Co | Post sign |
-
1974
- 1974-07-15 US US488714A patent/US3928930A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1975
- 1975-07-14 CA CA231,361A patent/CA1039948A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US3928930A (en) | 1975-12-30 |
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