EP1302923A1

EP1302923A1 - A method for applying number-plates to external walls and equipment thereof

Info

Publication number: EP1302923A1
Application number: EP01830653A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ivan Sassi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-16
Filing date: 2001-10-16
Publication date: 2003-04-16

Abstract

The method and equipment of the invention for application of a number-plate to a wall comprises an inter-positioning of a bi-adhesive strip (6) between a wall (5), to which the bi-adhesive strip (6) is attached by means of a screw (3), and a posterior surface of a number-plate (1).

Description

The invention relates to a method for applying number-plates, for example plates bearing the number of a house, to outside walls of buildings, and includes the relative equipment including the plate itself.
In the field of enumeration of dwellings and other buildings, methods of application of plates and the plates at present in use have several drawbacks, such as the complexity and considerable time needed for the operation, the need for laborious levelling operations, the number of holes which go from two to four, which on removal of the plate leave unsightly marks on the wall.
These drawbacks are amplified by the fact that the plates are applied at a height of some metres from the ground, on walls which are often not smooth and which are of many different types.
The main aim of the invention is to eliminate all of the aforementioned drawbacks, by providing an application method which is fast, even on uneven surfaces, and in which the number of holes is reduced to one alone - but in which the application is steady and firm over a long period of time.
A further aim of the invention is to enable the plate to be removed easily, leaving very little trace of its presence on the wall.
The invention will emerge more clearly in a description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, set out herein below, and accompanied by two tables of drawings, in which:
figure 1 is a side view in section of the invention after application to a wall;
figure 2 is a front view of the plate;
figure 3 is a back view of the plate;
figure 4 is an exploded view of the various components of the invention seen in figure 1.
With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes a number-plate or other kind of wall-applied plate, made preferably of glazed ceramic material, with a civic number silk-screened onto its front surface. 2 denotes the wall on which the plate is applied and fixed.
3 denotes a flathead screw, destined to be inserted in a normal rawl plug 8.
4 denotes strengthening ribs applied on the back of the number-plate . The ribs 4 are interrupted in the central part 9 of the number-plate 1, which is flat and houses a large trunco-cylindrical washer 5 which washer 5 is fixed stably to the central part 9 of the number-plate 1 by a bi-adhesive strip 6, which is normally presented with two protections for either gummed side, to be removed at moment of application.
To begin the application operation, a hole is bored in the wall 2 using a drill, and the rawl plug 8 inserted. The washer 5 is fixed to the wall by means of the flathead screw 3. The washer 5 is made of stiff plastic or steel, and has a tapered hole at its centre for housing the head of the screw 3.
Once the screw 3 has been screwed home, the bi-adhesive strip 6 is applied first on the washer 5 and, once the second protection has been removed, on the back of the number-plate 1 in its central part 9, where it is flat.
When the number-plate is applied, a spirit-level should be used to check that it is perfectly positioned. Once this has been checked, the edge of the number-plate 1 can be sealed to the wall 2 using, for example, a silicone sealant (see figure 2).
This applicational method has the advantage of requiring only one use of the spirit level to level the plate 1, which can be done in one simple action on application of the plate 1 to the bi-adhesive strip 6.
The function of the bi-adhesive strip 6 is to guarantee that the number-plate 1 is fixed in the right position while the silicone sealant 7 is drying, after which the fixture will be stable. The numberplate 1 will thereafter be perfectly squared, and will show only a translucent border by effect of the sealant 7.
The bottom side of the numberplate 1 should not be sealed with sealant 7 to enable any humidity escape and to keep the flathead screw 3 to remain dry and free from rust.
When the numberplate 1 is to be removed, it will be sufficient to use a knife to cut away the silicone sealant 7 border and remove the plate; the only sign of its presence will be the single hole bored in the wall 2.
The method and equipment of the invention enable rapid installation, a secure and long-lasting fixture, and a rapid and non-traumatic removal.
Though the number-plate 1 shown in the illustrated embodiment is provided with ribs 4, any flat-backed or partially flat-backed plate 1 will be sufficient.
The washer 5 and the bi-adhesive strip 6 are shown as round in the illustrated embodiment, but the method is equally applicable to variants of this shape, for example square washers, polygonal washers in general (with according changes in the shapes of the bi-adhesive strip.
The bi-adhesive strip could be replaced by a rapid-drying mastic glue, equally effective in holding the washer 5 and plate 1 to the wall.

Claims

A method for applying number-plates to external walls, comprising the following steps:

formation of a hole in a wall (2);

introduction into the hole (2) of a rawl plug (8);

fixture of a stiff washer (5) to the rawl plug (8) by means of a screw (3);

application of a bi-adhesive strip (6) to the washer (5);

application of a number-plate (1) to the bi-adhesive strip (6);

peripheral sealing of the number-plate using a sealant (7).
The method of claim 1, characterised in that the washer (5) is trunco-cylindrical in shape.
The method of claim 1, characterised in that the sealant (7) is applied on the number-plate (1) in such a way as to leave a lowest side of the number-plate (1) free of sealant (7).
The method of claim 1, characterised in that the bi-adhesive strip (6) is constituted by a rapid-drying mastic.
Equipment for application of wall-applicable number-plates bearing identifying signs, characterised in that it comprises a flat bi-adhesive strip (6) destined to contact with a flat wall (5) and with a back surface of a number-plate (1).
The equipment of claim 5, characterised in that it comprises a number-plate (1) provided with a flat surface in a central part (9) of a posterior side thereof.
The equipment of claim 5, characterised in that it comprises strengthening ribs (4) on its posterior side.
The equipment of claim 5, characterised in that the bi-adhesive strip (6) is constituted by a rapid-drying mastic.