GB2039119A - Sign construction - Google Patents

Abstract

A sign has two or more panels (10) abutting edge-to-edge (11). A first elongate member (14) is secured to the rear of one of the panels overhanging the edge. A second, lazy Z shaped elongate member (16) is secured to the rear of the adjacent panel to define therewith a channel in which is received a portion (20, 22) of the first member (14). This makes the sign construction easier and does not require a high degree of accuracy in positioning the members (14, 16) on the panels (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sign construction This invention relates to the construction of signs, and more particularly where a sign is made up from panels arranged edge-to-edge and mounted to a suitable support, typically one or more posts.

We have previously proposed (in our U.K.

Patent Specification No. 1333582) and used a construction system for such signs in which a number of rigid display panels each has mutually outwardly directed grooves along two opposite edges, and a number of rails having a portion of T-section the arms of which are received in the adjacent grooves of edge-to-edge abutting panels, the leg of the T projecting rearwardly from between the panels for attachment to a support for the sign. The rearwardly projecting part typically has a portion of channel cross-section, the mouth of which is restricted by inturned lips, to receive and retain parts of a securing strap for the sign. In one form, the display panels are constructed by rivetting stepped-section strips along opposite edges of a flat sheet.This method of construction is preferred over an integral extruded panel cross-section since panels of any desired width between its grooved edges can be constructed. However, problems have been experienced in ensuring that the strips are sufficiently accurately positioned on the sheet. If they are too near the edge then the edges of adjacent sheets will not abut. If they are too far from the edge then the T-section of the rail will not engage the grooves properly.

The present invention provides a construction of sign comprising two or more panels arranged edge-to-edge, the rear surface of adjacent panels having extending along their abutting edges a pair of elongate locating members, one on each panel, the first locating member comprising a rearwardly opening channel section with a mouth restricted by inturned lips, the second locating member comprising a stepped section with mutually offset limbs, one limb being secured to the rear face of its respective panel, the other limb being spaced from the rear surface of the panel to define therewith a channel in which is closely received a portion of the first locating member.

Preferably the first locating member has a flange which projects beyond the edge of its respective panel to be received in the channel of the second locating member. A spaced parallel pair of such projecting flanges may be provided on the first locating member, one engaging the rear surface of the other panel within the channel of the second locating member, the other projecting flange engaging said other limb of the second locating member within its channel.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, it will now be more particularly described with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a perspective end view through part of a sign, and Figure 2 shows a similar view of an alternative embodiment, and Figure 3 shows a perspective fragmentary view of a bottom corner of a sign.

Referring to the drawings, and firstly to Fig.

1; the sign comprises a number of display panels 10 arranged edge-to-edge at 11 to form a composite sign face. The rear surfaces of the panels have elongate channel-section rails 1 2 rivetted thereto at the top and bottom edges. The channel mouths are restricted by inturned lips to receive and retain attachment members for mounting the sign to supporting posts, in known manner. At the abutting edges 11 the rear surfaces of the panels are provided with pairs of elongate locating members 14, 16.The locating member 14 has a channel section portion 1 8 essentially similar to that of the rails 1 2. However, projecting from one side thereof are two parallel flanges 20, 22 which overhang the edge 11 of their respective panel 1 0. The other locating member 1 6 has a stepped cross-section with mutually offset limbs 24, 26. The limb 24 is rivetted to its respective panel 10, so that the other limb 26 is spaced from the rear surface of the panel and defines therewith a channel in which are closely received the flanges 20, 22, the flange 20 engaging the rear surface of the panel 10 and the flange 22 engaging the limb 26.

The channel of each locating member 1 4 can be used, as with the rails 12, to mount the sign to supporting posts. It will be apparent that the engagement of the member 1 4 with the member 1 6 ensures that the adjacent edges of both panels are secured thereby to the posts.

Instead of separately designed rails 1 2 at the top and bottom, the members 14 could be used, ensuring that the flanges 20, 22 do not project outwardly of the sign.

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement in which channel-section rails 28, somewhat similar to the rails 1 2 but rather shallower, are used as locating members in place of the members 14. The rails 28 are arranged so that they overhang somewhat the edges of their respective panels 10, as shown. The limb 26 of the adjacent locating member 1 6 engages over the top of the rail 28 so that the limb 26 extends over the mouth thereof. For this reason the locating member 1 6 does not extend continuously along the edge of the panel, but is interrupted to provide exposed channel mouth regions of the rail 28 for the connection thereto of devices for securing the rail to a supporting post.

In both embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2, Vgrooves 30 may be provided on the locating members to assist in correctly locating them with respect to the panel edges and correctly locating the holes for the rivets.

Fig. 3 shows how the stepped locating member 1 6 can also be used as side edging for the sign. In a sign of Fig. 2, rails 28 are used at the top and bottom edges of the sign, and one such is shown at the bottom edge in Fig. 3. Locating members 1 6 can be rivetted to the rear of the assembled sign panels along the side edges of the sign so that the limbs 26 project over the ends of the rails 28.

Claims (5)

1. A construction of sign comprising two or more panels arranged edge-to-edge, the rear surface of adjacent panels having extending along their abutting edges a pair of elongate locating members, one on each panel, the first locating member comprising a rearwardly opening channel section with a mouth restricted by inturned lips, the second locating member comprising a stepped section with mutually offset limbs, one limb being secured to the rear face of its respective panel, the other limb being spaced from the rear surface of the panel to define therewith a channel in which is closely received a portion of the first locating member.

2. A sign construction according to claim 1 wherein the first locating member has a flange which projects beyond the edge of its respective panel to be received in the channel of the second locating member.

3. A sign construction according to claim 2 wherein a spaced parallel pair of such projecting flanges are provided on the first locating member, one engaging the rear surface of the other panel within the channel of the second locating member, the other projecting flange engaging said other limb of the second locating member within its channel.

4. A sign construction according to any one of the preceding claims wherein further said second locating members are secured to the rear of the sign panels along the sides transverse to the length of said abutting edges, and together with the panels defining channels in which are received end portions of said first locating members.

5. A sign construction substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.