GB2562540A

GB2562540A - Improvements to commercial signs

Info

Publication number: GB2562540A
Application number: GB1708103.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Ashcroft Mark
Original assignee: Brimark Signs Ltd
Current assignee: Brimark Signs Ltd
Priority date: 2017-05-19
Filing date: 2017-05-19
Publication date: 2018-11-21
Also published as: GB201708103D0

Abstract

A modular system for mounting signs, such as tray signs, comprises connection means 20, 60, and one or more cross-members 91. The connection means and cross-members are connected together to form a mount, the mount being affixed to a surface such that a sign can be mounted on said mount. The connection means may comprise corner connection means 20 and/or centre connection means 60. Sign spacers 93 may also be attached to the connection means. The cross-members, connection means and spacers are preferably connected by co-operating male and female formations.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Brimark Signs Limited

Unit 3 Turbine Park, Campbeltown Road, Birkenhead, Wirral, CH41 9AY, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Mark Jeffrey Ashcroft (51) INT CL:

G09F15/00 (2006.01) (56) Documents Cited: GB 2254551 A

BE 001003554 A3 JP 2014006454 A

WO 2007/093065 A1

DE 029702344 U1

US 20110252680 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL G09F

Other: Online: EPODOC, WPI.

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Wilson Gunn

5th Floor, Blackfriars House, The Parsonage, MANCHESTER, M3 2JA, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Improvements to commercial signs Abstract Title: Modular sign mounting system (57) A modular system for mounting signs, such as tray signs, comprises connection means 20, 60, and one or more cross-members 91. The connection means and cross-members are connected together to form a mount, the mount being affixed to a surface such that a sign can be mounted on said mount. The connection means may comprise corner connection means 20 and/or centre connection means 60. Sign spacers 93 may also be attached to the connection means. The cross-members, connection means and spacers are preferably connected by co-operating male and female formations.

2_

Fig· 3

Fig. 14a

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c.

Fig. 14

Improvements to Commercial Signs

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in means that are used for the mounting of commercial signs, and in particular tray signs.

Background to the Invention

The device disclosed herein provides an improved mount for use in the mounting of commercial shop signs and particularly tray signs.

Most shops are provided with a sign that is mounted above the windows of the shopfront. Such shop signs come in a variety of shapes and designs, but a widely used design of sign for shops is a design known as a tray sign.

Tray signs are normally manufactured from a sheet of metal that is folded to form a shallow tray shaped body, see figure 1. Tray signs may be mounted above the windows of a shopfront using either a custom made frame that is sized to fit the tray sign or using one or more pieces of L shaped metal bar, normally of aluminium, that are cut to appropriate lengths.

There are problems associated with both of these methods of mounting tray signs, for example, if the sign is to be mounted on a frame then the frame must be specifically constructed to fit the sign. The aforementioned frames are normally manufactured from wood and the manufacturing process is slow, messy and time consuming. Furthermore, the wood used to construct such frames must be treated with preservative.

When tray signs are mounted using L shaped metal bar, normally two elongate L shaped metal bars are used in the mounting process, one piece adjacent the top of the sign and one piece adjacent the bottom of the sign. Unfortunately, when using elongate L shaped metal bars to mount signs, a long and expensive piece of L shaped metal bar must be purchased and cut to the appropriate length and also pre-drilled with suitable holes for fixing purposes.

The use of wooden frames or L shaped pieces of metal as mounts for signs both suffer from the disadvantage that during the mounting process the mount must be accurately positioned and affixed, above the front of the shop, such that when the sign is affixed to the mount (usually by means of screws) it is located in the correct position and it is level. Ensuring that the mount is correctly positioned normally requires two or more people working together.

The invention disclosed herein seeks to provide a system that addresses the problems known with existing systems.

Summary of the Invention

According to the first aspect of the invention there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs, such as tray signs, comprising:

connection means; and, one or more cross-members, wherein the connection means are configured to connect to one or more cross-members, and wherein the connection means and cross-member(s) are connected together to form a mount, the mount being affixed to a surface such that a commercial sign may be mounted on said mount.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein multiple connection means and multiple cross-members may be connected together to form a mount in the form of a frame on which commercial signs may be mounted.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means may be chosen from the group comprising comer connection means and centre connection means.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means further comprises an attachment means to attach a sign spacer.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means, and the cross-members and/or the sign spacers, comprise male and female components.

More preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means, and the cross-members and/or the sign spacers, are shaped such that they form a locking mechanism when they are connected. In this way the number of fixing means that are required to form the assembly/mount may be reduced.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means further comprise one or more plate(s).

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means further comprise one or more plate(s) configured such that in use a crossmember that is connected to a connection means is located between a plate and the surface to which the mount or frame is affixed.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the plates further comprise walls to receive the cross-member(s). The use of the walls assist in facilitating the insertion of the cross-members into the connection means.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means are manufactured from plastics materials. The use of plastics materials provides a light weight system at low cost.

Preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the cross-member(s) are manufactured from plastics materials. The use of plastics materials provides a light weight system at low cost.

More preferably there is provided a modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the plastics material is chosen from the group comprising ABS and/or RPVC.

Most preferably the connection means are manufactured from ABS and the cross-member(s) are manufactured from RPVC and/or ABS plastic.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, comprising the steps of:

i) connecting a cross-member to a first connection means;

ii) connecting a second connection means to said cross-member;

iii) and, if required, attaching further connection means and crossmembers; and, iv) thus forming a mount.

Preferably there is provided a method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs wherein the first connection means is initially attached to a surface before the cross-member is connected, and/or wherein one or more connection means and/or one or more cross-members used to form the mount are connected to said surface.

Preferably there is provided a method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, wherein the mount is constructed using comer connection means and centre connection means.

Preferably there is provided a method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, wherein the cross-members are fixed in place within the connection means by the use of fixing means that also affix the cross-member and the connection means to the surface.

More preferably there is provided a method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, wherein the cross-members are fixed in place within the connection means by the use of locking means.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising connection means and cross-members as described above.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, of which:

Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a tray sign and two L shaped pieces of metal bar that may be used to mount the tray sign in accordance with the known prior art.

Figure 2 illustrates a front right perspective view of a connection means (for use as a bottom right or top left a corner connection means within an assembly) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a front left perspective view of a connection means (for use as a bottom left or top right comer connection means within an assembly) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 3a illustrates a front right perspective view of a connection means (a corner connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a rear right perspective view of a connection means (a corner connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a rear left perspective view of a connection means (a corner connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a front left perspective view of a connection means (a centre connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates a rear left perspective view of a connection means (a centre connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 8 provides a front perspective view of an assembled modular system (a mount) as disclosed herein, that is used for mounting commercial signs, particularly tray signs.

Figure 9 provides an expanded front left perspective view of a centre connection means located within the assembled modular system illustrated in figure 8.

Figure 9a illustrates an end view of a cross-member for use with a modular system disclosed herein, the cross-member comprising an alternative interior structure.

Figure 10 provides an expanded rear right perspective view of a centre connection means located within the assembled modular system illustrated in figure 8.

Figure 11 provides an expanded front left perspective view of a corner means located within the assembled modular system illustrated in figure 8.

Figure 12 provides an expanded rear right perspective view of a corner connection means located within the assembled modular system illustrated in figure 8.

Figure 13 illustrates a front right perspective view of an alternative connection means (a corner connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 14 illustrates a rear left perspective view of an alternative connection means (a corner connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 14a illustrates an alternative front left perspective view of a connection means (a centre connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 15 illustrates the use of an alternative connection means (a comer connection means) in accordance with the present invention located within an assembled modular system as illustrated above in respect of figures 8 and 11.

Figure 16 illustrates a rear perspective view of an assembled modular system (a mount) as disclosed herein, to which a tray sign has been attached, the tray sign illustrated is partially cut away for ease of understanding herein.

Figure 17 illustrates a front perspective view of an assembled modular system (a mount) as disclosed herein to which a tray sign (shown partially cut away) has been attached.

Figure 18 illustrates an assembled mount, in accordance with the present invention, comprising alternative corner connection means.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 of the drawings, which illustrates a tray sign (11), and two L shaped metal bars that may be used to mount said tray sign (11) above the windows of a shopfront, in accordance with the known prior art.

The elongate L shaped metal bars (11) include pre-drilled holes (12) for mounting purposes, i.e. to enable the metal bars to be attached to the tray sign (10) and to the surface above the windows of a shopfront. The pre-drilled holes (12a) are used to affix the tray sign (10) to the elongate L shaped metal bar (11). The pre-drilled holes (12b) are used to attach the elongate L shaped metal bar (11) to the surface above the windows of the shopfront.

Reference is now made to figures 2 and 3 of the drawings that illustrate a front left perspective view and a front right perspective view of a front face of a connection means in accordance with the present invention. The connection means shown in figures 2 and 3 is a corner connection means (20).

The corner connection means (as generally indicated by 20) comprises a plate (21). Extending from the front face of the plate (as generally indicated by 21a) is a rectangular shaped elongate hollow body (22) that is open at either end. The openings in the hollow body (22), are sized to receive an outrigger (see later), i.e. the hollow body (22) acts as a receiving means (attachment means) to enable an outrigger (a sign spacer) to be attached to the corner connection means (20) such that a sign (tray sign) may be held a selected distance (based on the length of the outriggers/spacers used) above an assembly/mount (see later). The opening in the hollow body (22) that is distal from the plate (as generally indicated by 23).

Strengthening ribs (24) and (25) are provided that are connected between the side of the elongate hollow body (22) and the front face of the plate (21).

It can be seen from comparing figures 2 and 3 with figure 3 a that right handed and left handed corner connection means (20 and 20a respectively) are provided. It will further be noted that in respect of the comer connection means (20 and 20a), on one side of the elongate hollow body (22) three reinforcing ribs (24) are provided whilst on the other side of the body (22) four reinforcing ribs (25) are provided.

The corner connection means (20) comprises an aperture (27) in the hollow body (22) located between the reinforcing ribs (25).

Reference is now made to figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, that illustrate a rear left perspective view and a rear right perspective view of a corner connection means (as generally indicated by 20) in accordance with the present invention. Referring to figures 4 and 5 it can be seen that the corner connection means (20) comprises two channels (generally indicated by 31 and 32) that are arranged at right angles to each other, but that meet such that they form a single continuous channel on the rear face of the comer connection means (20). The channels (31) and (32) being formed by walls (33 and 34) that extend from the rear face (as generally indicated by 21b) of the plate.

The corner connection means (20) further comprises three circular apertures (26a and 26b) to receive fixing screws (see later). Two of the apertures (26a) are simply provided as circular holes in the plate (21). The third aperture (26b), located in a generally central position between the other two apertures, comprises a circular hole when viewed from the front face of the plate (21a). When the third aperture is viewed from the rear face of the plate (21b) it can be seen that this aperture extends through a tube shaped body (35), the tube having a generally circular cross-section. The tube (35) (and aperture) extend from the rear of the plate (31b) and end at a point that is level with the upper most point (from the rear of the plate (21b)) of the channels (31 and 32). The tube (35) is attached to one of the walls (34) by short reinforcing fins (36).

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the corner connection means illustrated in figures 3 and 3a are intended for use in different locations within an assembly. The corner unit shown in figure 3 normally being used in the top left or bottom right position of a mount (assembly) and the corner unit shown in figure 3a being used in the bottom left or top right of a mount (assembly); when the mount (assembly) is configured as shown in figure 8, i.e. such that the four reinforcing ribs (25) are normally vertically orientated when the mount (90) is attached to a surface.

Reference is now made to figure 6 of the drawings which illustrates a front left perspective view of a connection means (a centre connection means (as generally indicated by 60) in accordance with the present invention. The centre connection means comprises a T-shaped plate (as generally indicated by 61).

Extending from the front face of the plate (61a) is a rectangular shaped elongate hollow body (65) that is open at either end. The opening (66), in the elongate hollow body (65), that is distal from the plate is sized to receive an outrigger (see later), i.e. the hollow body (65) acts as a receiving means (attachment means) to enable an outrigger (a sign spacer) to be attached to the corner connection means (20) such that a sign (tray sign) may be held a selected distance (based on the length of the spacers used) above an assembly (see later); in most cases the sign (tray sign) may be held a maximum of 12.5 cm above the assembly.

The plate includes three circular apertures (67a, 67b and 67c) located in the plate (61) to receive fixing screws (see later).

Two further apertures (68) are located in opposing sides of the rectangular shaped elongate hollow body (65) to receive fixing means (e.g. screws), as described later.

Strengthening ribs (69) and (69a) are provided that are connected to a side of the elongate hollow body (22) and the front face of the plate (21). The central strengthening rib (69a) is shorter than the other two ribs (69) due to the location of the central aperture (67a).

Generally triangular shaped strengthening ribs (70) are attached to the walls (62b and 62c) on the face of the walls distal to the T shaped channel. The strengthening ribs (70) are connected along the walls (62b and 62c) either side of the 90 degree bend in said walls (62b and 62c).

Reference is now made to figure 7 of the drawings that illustrates a rear left perspective view of a connection means (a centre connection means) in accordance with the present invention.

Extending from the rear face (61b) of the plate are three walls (62a, 62b and 62c) that form two channels ((as generally indicated by 63 and 64). The channels (as generally indicated by 63 and 64) in combination form a generally T-shaped channel. The walls (62b and 62c) incorporate a 90 degree bend approximately midway along their length to form the required T shaped channel.

In use, the connection means (the comer connection means (20) and/or the centre connection means (60)) are connected to each other using cross-members (91) that are shaped and are sized to fit into the channels provided in the connection means (20 and 60). The crossmembers (91) are elongate and have a rectangular shaped cross-section. The cross-members (91) are normally provided in standard 1 metre lengths which may be cut to shorter lengths when required.

Reference is now made to figure 8 which provides a perspective view an assembled modular system (a mount, as generally indicated by 90), as disclosed herein that is used for mounting commercial (tray) signs.

The mount (90) comprises four comer connection means (20) and two centre connection means (60) that are connected to each other by the use of cross-members (91). It will be appreciated that further centre connection means (60) and cross-members (91) may be used to provide a mount (90) that is longer than the one illustrated. Alternatively, centre connection means (60) may be located between the comer connection means (20) that are connected directly to each other in figure 8 to provide a longer mount.

In figure 8, outriggers (also known as spacers) (93) are illustrated, on which a tray sign may be mounted. The outriggers (93) allow the sign to be mounted such that it may stand clear of the surface of the shopfront, if this is desired. If outriggers (93) are not used with the mount (90) then the depth of the corner and centre connection means (20 and 60) normally corresponds to the general depth of the tray sign that is to be mounted on the mount (90);

such that only a minimal gap (1 to 3 mm) is provided between the base of the tray sign and the face of the shopfront on which the sign is to be mounted.

In use, the corner connections means (20 or 20a) located at the top of an assembly are normally orientated such that the four ribs (25) point downwards as this is where maximum support will be required from the corner unit (20 or 20) due to the downward forces exerted on the hollow bodies (22) by the outriggers (93) when a tray sign (10) is attached to the assembly (90).

Figure 9 illustrates an expanded view of a centre connection means that is connected to three cross-members (91) and to an outrigger (93).

It can be seen from figure 9 that the outriggers incorporate a central hollow cylinder (101) that is sized to receive a fixing means such as a screw (not shown). In use the tray sign may be attached to the outriggers (93) by use of appropriately sized screws that pass through the tray sign such that they engage with the hollow cylinder (101). The interior diameter of the hollow cylinder (101) is sized to be slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws that are used such that the screws are self-tapping, in order to give a more secure fit.

The cross-members (91) may be manufactured with the same interior profile as the outriggers (93) to reduce manufacturing/tooling costs, or simpler profiles may be used for the crossmembers (93) as this may result in a reduction in the costs associated with the cross-members (91), i.e. a single extrusion process may be used to manufacture an extrudate that may be cut to appropriate lengths for use as cross-members (91) or outriggers (93/93z). It can be seen from a comparison of the outrigger (93) shown in figure 9, as compared to the outrigger (as generally indicated by 93z) as illustrated in figure 9a, that the interior profile of the outriggers may be varied, two possible interior profiles being shown therein. The interior profile illustrated in figure 93z simplifies the manufacture of the extrudate for use as outriggers or cross-members.

The outriggers (93) inserted into the corner connectors (20, 20a) may be fixed in place by the use of fixing means (94) (such as screws) that pass through the apertures (27) in the corner connection means (20, 20a) and into the outriggers.

The outriggers (93) may be secured to the centre connection means (60) by means of fixing means such as screws (102), as illustrated in figure 9, that pass through the apertures (68) in the centre connection means (6) and enter into the body of the outrigger (93).

Figure 10 provides an expanded rear perspective view of a centre connection means (60) located within the assembled modular system illustrated in figure 8. From figure 10 it be seen how when an outrigger (93) is used with the modular system then, in use, the ends of the cross-members (91) abut the outrigger (93) that has been inserted through the rectangular shaped elongate hollow body (65). In the event that an outrigger (93) is not used then the modular assembly may be assembled such that the ends of the two horizontally orientated cross-members (91a and 9Id, see figure 9) abut each other and thus the vertically orientated cross-member (91b) abuts the horizontally orientated cross-members (91a and 9Id). Alternatively, the vertically orientated cross-member(s) (91b) may abut the wall (62a) of the centre connection means (60) and the ends of the horizontally orientated cross-members (91a and 9Id) then abut the vertically orientated cross-member (91b).

In figure 9 the heads of three fixing means (103) can be seen, the fixing means being provided in the form of screws that are inserted through the circular apertures (67) in the plate (61) and pass through the cross-members (91a, 91b and 91d) located within the centre connection means (60). If required (and in most cases) the fixing screws (103) may extend through the cross-members and be received into appropriately located apertures provided in the shopfront, thus helping to affix the modular assembly (90) to said shopfront.

Reference is now made to figure 11 that provides an expanded front perspective view of a corner connection means (20) located within the assembled modular system (90) illustrated in figure 8, and to figure 12 that provides an expanded rear perspective view of the corner connection means (20) located within the assembled modular system (90). The fixing means (103) (in the form of screws) that are normally used to affix the modular assembly (90) to the shopfront are illustrated and fixing means (103a) can be seen to pass through the plate (61) and through the cross-members (91a, and 91c) and can then be received into appropriately located apertures provided in the shopfront, thus helping to affix the modular assembly (90) to said shopfront.

Fixing means (103b) passes through the plate (61) and through the aperture (26) in the tube (35) such that it can then be received into appropriately located aperture provided in the shopfront, thus helping to affix the modular assembly (90) to said shopfront.

It can be seen from figure (13) that when an outrigger (93) is used with the corner connection means (20), the ends of the horizontally located cross-member (91a) and of the vertically located cross-member (91c) abut the outrigger (93) located within the rectangular shaped elongate hollow body (22).

In use, due to the lightweight plastics material that may be used to manufacture the frame/mount (90) may be pre-assembled and then readily attached to the shopfront in an appropriate location. Thus the invention disclosed herein provides a modular system (a mount) that may be readily assembled for the mounting of tray signs and so provides savings in respect of the time taken to assemble a mount and to install said mount as compared to traditionally methods of mounting tray signs. The present system also provides an alternative mounting system as compared to known systems, the system being more cost effective to manufacture, and/or to assemble and/or to install the known systems. The cross-members and connection means are normally manufacture from plastics materials chosen from the group comprising ABS plastic (ABS = Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) and rigid RPVC (polyvinyl chloride). Preferably the cross-members are manufactured from RPVC and the connection means are manufactured from ABS.

ABS is a hard plastic that is resistant to deforming under the types of loads (stresses and strains) to which the connection means are subjected to during the assembling/fixing of the assembly and the associated tray sign.

RPVC is a slightly softer plastic (but is also more expensive that ABS), and so has greater elastic properties than ABS. As the cross-members are manufactured from RPVC they thus resist cracking (as compared to ABS) if the cross-members (91) are deformed due to the forces exerted on them during the assembly of the assembly/mount (90).

The skilled addressee will appreciate that the channels (31 and 32, 63 and 64 respectively) formed in the corner connection means (20) and centre connection means (60) correspond to female parts that are shaped and sized to receive male parts in the form of suitably shaped cross-members (91)

A preferred method of assembling the mount (90) comprises the steps of locating a connection means at an appropriate point on the shopfront, ensuring the connection means is mounted so that when the appropriate number of cross-members and connection means are assembled the mount thus formed is appropriately located horizontally and vertically on the shopfront.

In most cases it will be required that the assembly/mount (90) is mounted on the shopfront such that it is level and this can be done by the use of a spirit level or other appropriate device.

The assembly (90) is normally mounted on a shopfront by initially attaching a connection means (usually a corner connection means (20)) onto the shopfront at an appropriate location for where the sign is to be mounted. Appropriately located holes may be provided (if required) on the shopfront to receive fixing means (usually screws) that are passed through the apertures (26a and 26b) in the comer connection means (20). If pre-drilled holes are provided on the shopfront then these are normally drilled using a comer connection means (20) as a template and a spirit level is used to ensure that the comer connection means (20) is level when the holes are drilled. In this way the comer connection means (20) and all subsequently attached comer means (20) and centre connection means (60) will also be level, as can be checked using a spirit level.

A comer connection means (20) is initially attached to the shopfront, using pre-drilled holes provided in the shopfront if they are required for the purpose of fixing the assembly (90) to the shopfront, a fixing means (103) is inserted through the centrally located aperture (26b); for the purpose of alignment a second fixing means (103) may be inserted through one of the other apertures (26a) and into the shopfront (into a pre-drilled hole if such is being used). An outrigger (93) is then inserted into the free rectangular shaped elongate hollow body (65) such that the end of the outrigger (93) abuts the shopfront. A cross-member (91) is inserted into the channel (31 or 32) that does not contain a fixing means (103), such that the end of the cross-member (91) abuts the outrigger (93). A fixing means (103) is then passed through the free aperture (26a), through the cross-member (a suitable hole (not shown) may be predrilled in the cross-member on-site as part of the assembly process, if required, or the hole may be provided during the manufacturing process) and into the shopfront.

The screw that was initially inserted into the aperture (26a), to ensure that the corner connection means (20) was suitably located, may now be removed and a cross-member (91) inserted into the channel (31 or 32) that is free such that the end of the cross-member (91) abuts the outrigger (93).

Fixing means (103) is then passed through the free aperture (26a), through the cross-member (a suitable hole may be predrilled in the cross-member if required) and into the shopfront (using an appropriate pre-drilled hole in the shopfront if required).

For the sake of the present example the top left corner connection means (20) is initially affixed to a shopfront, see on figure 8.

Further connection means may then be attached to the fixed comer connection means (20), using the cross-members (91), for instance, a centre connection means (60a on figure 8), into which an outrigger (93a) has been inserted, may be located such that the horizontally positioned cross-member (91a) (see figures 9, 10 and 11) is contained within the channel (63) and abuts the outrigger (93a, see figure 8). Fixing means (103) may then be used to fix the centre connection means (60a) to the shopfront, and also to fix the cross-member (91a) in position within the centre connection means (60a). The skilled man will appreciate that checks (with a spirit level) may be made at this stage (or prior to fixing the centre connection means in place) to ensure that the comer connection means (20) and the centre connection means (60a) are level with each other on the shopfront.

Further cross-members (91b and 9Id) and hence comer connection means (20a) and centre connection means (60b) may then be attached to the centre connection means (60a), using processes corresponding to those described above. Similarly, further centre connection means (not shown) or corner connection means (20) may be attached to the corner connection means (20a) to build up an assembly of the type illustrated in figure 8. It will be appreciated by the skilled man that the assembly in figure 8 is only an example of an assembly that may be built and in most cases a multiple centre connection means will be used to produce an assembly that is of a required length and that comprises multiple centre connection means (60).

Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative corner connection means (as generally indicated by 120) that comprises an additional strengthening rib (131) on its front face (130a) and a further strengthening rib (132) on its rear face. The strengthening rib on the rear face (130b) of the corner connection means provides additional stability to the comer connection means (120) when it is mounted on a surface. It will be noted that only three strengthening ribs (25a) are provided on one side of the hollow body (22) (as opposed to the usual four) and two ribs (24a) on the other side of the hollow body (22) as compared to the use of three ribs (24) disclosed earlier. An aperture (134) may be provided, located between the two ribs (22) to receive a fixing means. Additionally, one of the apertures (26d) used to fix this corner connection means (120) to a surface is located between the ribs 24a.

Figure 14a illustrates an alternative centre connection means (as generally indicated by 140) that comprises only a single aperture (68a) to receive a single screw as a fixing means. It will be appreciated that outriggers (93) may be glued into position in the connection means (both the corner and central connection means) and in such cases the apertures to receive fixing means to fix the outriggers in the connection means would not be required, thus saving on manufacturing costs of the connection means.

Reference is now made to figure 15 wherein an outrigger (93) is shown connected to the corner connection means (120). The outrigger (93) being retained in the corner connection means (120) by use of a fixing means (such as a screw) (151); the skilled man will appreciate that alternative fixing means may be used, e.g. the outrigger may be glued into position. Figure 15 also illustrates how the mount (90a) may also be attached to a surface by the use of fixing means (133) inserted through the cross-members (91) - such fixing means may be used as an alternative or in combination with fixing means that pass through the connection means (corner connection and centre connection means).

Suitable apertures may be provided in the cross-members (91) for the insertion of fixing means through the cross-member and into a surface, or holes may be drilled as and when required.

Referring now to figure 16 and 17 it can be seen how a tray sign (as generally indicated by 160) may be mounted on a mount (modular assembly - modular system) in accordance with the present invention; the tray sign (160) is shown as a partial cut-away to facilitate viewing of the mount (90a) in figure 17.

A clear view of a mount (90a) comprising the alternative comer connection means (120) is illustrated in figure 18.

The tray sign (160) may be fixed to the mount (90a) by use of fixing means (161) such as screws, see figure 16 and 17. The fixing means (161) are normally located on the sides of the tray sign (160a) (as illustrated in figure 16 and 17) and not in the face of the tray sign (160b) Once the tray sign (160) is fixed in place on the assembled mount (90a) the outriggers (93) located adjacent to the comers of the tray sign (160) have little room for movement and so the use of fixing means to retain the position of the outriggers (93) in the corner connection means (120) of the assembly is not necessarily required; however the use of fixing means to attach the outriggers (93) to the comer connections means (120) provides a more rigid mount Appropriately located apertures may be pre-drilled in the tray sign (160) to facilitate the process of affixing the tray sign (160) to the mount (90a) as described above.

The fixing means used to connect together the connection means (corner and central connection means) the cross-members and to fix the tray sign in place would normally be a screw, but other fixing means such as pins may be utilised.

It will also be appreciated by the skilled man that the cross-members (91) may be provided in a variety of sizes or that the cross-members may be cut from a standard length (e.g. 1 metre) to provide mounts (90) that may be used to affix signs (particularly tray signs) of any width of length.

The fixing means (screws) that are used to attach the mount/assembly (90) to the shop front are normally sized such that they are of a slightly wider diameter than the aperture in the plates of the connection means, such that the fixing means used are self-tapping, in order to give a more secure fit between the screw and the wall and thus the assembly/mount (90) is held more securely against the shopfront.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that various modifications may be made to the modular tray sign mounting system that is disclosed herein. For example longer crossmembers could be used to provide a mount of a desired length and width wherein only corner connection means are used, i.e. the mount is not provided in the form of a frame. Alternatively, a single cross-member (of appropriate length) could be used to connect two corner members together to form a mount; in reality it is likely that a pair of such mounts (or further mounts) would be required to provide appropriate stability to a mounted sign.

The connection means and cross-members, and the connection means and the outriggers could be provided with a locking mechanism (as would be known to a person skilled in the art, e.g. interlocking mechanisms) such that the cross-members (and/or the outriggers) automatically lock into position when they are inserted into the connection means. In this way it is not necessary that the cross-members be fixed into position in the connection means by use of a fixing means.

The connection means may be provided without the hollow body and/or openings that are sized to receive an outrigger. The connection means being appropriately sized and shaped to receive and hold a tray sign in an appropriate position without the use of outriggers.

The cross-members and/or outriggers could be manufactured with solid bodies from plastics materials

The skilled man will appreciate that connection means may be provided that may be used at the comers of a mount or as central connection means, i.e. the connection means can receive up to four connection members and are shaped to be used as comer or central connections means.

Claims

1. A modular system for mounting commercial signs, such as tray signs, comprising:

connection means; and, one or more cross-members, wherein the connection means are configured to connect to one or more crossmembers, and wherein the connection means and cross-member(s) are connected together to form a mount, the mount being affixed to a surface such that a commercial sign may be mounted on said mount.

2. A modular system for mounting commercial signs, as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple connection means and multiple cross-members may be connected together to form a mount in the form of a frame on which commercial signs may be mounted.

3. A modular system for mounting commercial signs, as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connection means may be chosen from the group comprising corner connection means and centre connection means.

4. A modular system for mounting commercial signs, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection means further comprises an attachment means to attach a sign spacer.

5. A modular system for mounting commercial signs wherein the connection means, and the cross-members and/or the sign spacers, comprise male and female components.

6. A modular system for mounting commercial signs, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the connection means, and the cross-members and/or the sign spacers, are shaped such that they form a locking mechanism when they are connected.

7. A modular system for mounting commercial signs, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection means further comprise one or more plate(s).

8. A modular system for mounting commercial signs, as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection means further comprise one or more plate(s) configured such that in use a cross-member that is connected to a connection means is located between a plate and the surface to which the mount or frame is affixed.

9. A modular system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the plates further comprise walls to receive the cross-member(s).

10. A modular system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connection means are manufactured from plastics materials.

11. A modular system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cross-member(s) are manufactured from plastics materials

12. A modular system as claimed in claim 10 and/or 11 wherein the plastics material is chosen from the group comprising ABS and/or RPVC.

13. A modular system as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12 wherein the connection means are manufactured from ABS and the cross-member(s) are manufactured from RPVC.

14. A method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, comprising the steps of:

i) connecting a cross-member to a first connection means;

ii) connecting a second connection means to said cross-member;

iii) and if required, attaching further connection means and crossmembers; and, iv) thus forming a mount.

15. A method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, as claimed in claim 14 wherein the first connection means is initially attached to a surface before the cross-member is connected, and/or wherein one or more connection means and/or one or more cross-members used to form the mount are connected to said surface.

16. A method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, as claimed in claim 14 or 15 wherein characterised in that the mount is constructed using corner connection means and centre connection means.

17. A method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the cross-members are fixed in place within the connection means by the use of fixing means that also affix the cross-member and the connection means to the surface.

18. A method of constructing a mount, for the mounting of commercial signs, as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the cross-members are fixed in place within the connection means by the use of locking means

19. A kit of parts comprising connection means and cross-members as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.

Application No: GB1708103.5