GB2208329A - Signs - Google Patents

Abstract

A sign comprises a plastics support member 20 having a plurality of grooves 24 formed on it in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of substantially identical plastics retro-reflectors 26, each in the form of an elongate, generally rectangular bar, are secured to the support member in a pattern representative of at least one alphanumeric character or other symbol. The reflectors each have two spigots 32 on the back, which co-operate with the grooves in the support member to secure the reflector on the support member. <IMAGE>

Description

SIGNS This invention relates to signs, and is more particularly but not exclusively concerned with signs comprising a plurality of alphanumeric characters.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive system whereby a wide variety of signs comprising alphanumeric characters and other symbols can be made up from a few basic components.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sign comprising a plastics support member having a plurality of substantially identical plastics reflectors, each shaped as an elongate substantially rectangtiar bar, secured thereto in a pattern representing at least one alphanumeric character or other symbol.

In one embodiment of the invention, the support member has a plurality of grooves formed therein in a predetermined pattern, and each reflector has on its rear surface at least two projections, preferably in the form of a diametrically-split substantially circular projection, adapted to fit tightly in said grooves to secure the reflector to the support member. In this case, the predetermined pattern of grooves preferably comprises four main grooves defining a main substantially rectangular shape sub-divided by four further grooves into four similar smaller substantially rectangular shapes, each smaller shape being sub-divided by two further grooves extending substalltially diagonally thereacross.

In another, and preferred embodiment of the invention, the support member is substantially smooth, and the reflectors are secured thereto by ultrasonic welding or adhesive.

further comprises an elongate channel-shaped extruded plastics member into which a plurality of support members, each having a respective alphanumeric character or other symbol secured thereto, are slidably inserted, the backing member being adapted to be secured to a post, wall or other suitable sdbstantially vertical surface.

Preferably, each reflector is a retro-reflector, that is, a reflector having a plurality of corner-cube reflectors moolded thereinto.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a partially-exploded perspective view of a sign in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 2 and 3 are end and side views respectivly of a reflector for use in the sign of Figure 1; and Figures 4 and 5 are plan and part-sectional side views of a sport member forming part of the sign of Figure 1.

The sign shown in Figure 1 is indicated generally at 10, and comprises an elongate channel-section extruded plastics backing member 12, with the edges 14 of its channel shape folded into the channel at 16 to enclose the edges 18 of a plurality of substantially rectangular plastics sport members 20 (of which only three are shown in Figure 1). The support members 20 are in practice slid into the backing member 12 from one end thereof so that they abut each other, their side flanges 19 serving as spacers.

Each support member 20 has a raised central portion 22 in which is moulded a pattern of grooves 24 best seen in Figure 4. The pattern comprises four main grooves, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d defining a main rectangle, which is divided into four identical smaller rectangles by four further grooves 24e, 24f, 24g, 24h. Each of the smaller rectangles is then further sub-divided by two further intersecting grooves which extend substantially diagonally across it, two of these intersecting grooves being indicated at 24i and 24j.

To complete the sign 10, each sport member 20 has a plurality of identical bar-shaped plastics retro-reflectors 26 secured in the grooves 24 to formrn a single alphanumeric character or other symbol on each sport member. Th us in Figure 1, the leftmost support member 20 has five such reflectors 26 secured thereto to make up the letter "E", while the middle sport member 20 has three such reflectors secured thereto to make up the letter "Y".

As can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, each reflector 26 comprises a retro-reflector member 28 of acrylic plastic, having a plurality of corner-cube reflectors moulded in its rear surface in known manner (i.e. the same manner as is used to produce the reflectors used on vehicles). The rear surface of the member 28 is then sealed by having a relatively thin plastic plate 30 bonded to its rim, which projects rearwardly around the entire periphery of the rear surface so as to completely clear the aforementioned corner-cube reflectors. The plate 30 has two short circular-section pins 32 projecting rearwardly therefrom, each pin being diametrically split at 34 in a direction parallel to the longer side of its reflector 26.The pins 32 are uniformly spaced along the length of the reflector 26, with one adjacent each end thereof. The diameter of the pins 32 is just greater than the width of the grooves 24, so that with the resilience provided by the splits 34, the pins are a tight fit in the grooves.

The length of each reflector 26 is typically about 6cms, and just a little greater than half the length of the longer main grooves 24a, 24c of the main rectangle, which are about llcms long. The shorter main grooves 24b, 24d are typically about 8cms long, while the reflectors are typicallv abort 1.5cms wide. It can be shown that with these proportions, it is fairly easy to make up all 26 letters of the alphabet, and the numbers 0 to 9, albeit in somewhat stylized forms in some cases, as well as a camber of other symbols e.g. arrows, chevrons, end-of-speed-limit symbols and so on.

The reflectors 26 are typically red, although any other desired colour, such as amber, blue or white (i.e. reflective of white light! is possible. By virtue of the retro-reflective nature of the reflectors 26, the sign 10 is extremely conspicuoss, especially at night when illuminated by, e.g. vehicle headlights. Accordingly, the sign 10 is especially suitable for displaying house names or numbers, business names, or directions within car parks or access roads in shopping areas, hospitals, airports and like premises.

The backing member 12 is provided with two pairs of stiffening ribs 36 extending longitudinally thereof over its entire length, and with Ir. iZOrmly longitudinally spaced fixing holes (not shown), by which it can be secured by screws or the like to a post or posts, wall or other vertical surface. If desired, the backing member 12 can additionally be provided with magnetic strips, preferably secured between each pair of ribs 36, for fastening it to surfaces made of metal such as steel, and/or with strips of doible-sided adhesive tape for sticking it to suitable surfaces.

Further, the edges 18 of the support members 20 are provided with similar fixing holes, indicated at 38, whereby the support members can be similarly secured if desired, thus rendering the use of the backing member 12 unnecessary.

Several modifications can be made to the described embodiment of the invention. In particular, the grooves 24 in the support members 20 can be omitted, and the reflectors 26 can simply be bonded to the raised central portions 22, e.g. with adhesive or by ultrasonic welding, using a template in the shape of the desired character or symbol to hold and locate the reflectors, this case, the plates 30 of the reflectors 26 can be omitted, and the reflectors canbe directly secured to the members 20. If ultrasonically welded, the rearwardly projecting rim of the reflectors 26 provided with slightly raised so-called "energy beads", to facilitate the ultrasonic welding.

Claims (8)

1. A sign comprising a plastics support member having a plurality of substantially indentical plastics reflectors, each shaped as an elongate substantially rectangular bar, secured thereto in a pattern representing at least one alphanumeric character or other symbol.

2. A sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member has a plurality of grooves formed therein in a predetermined pattern, and each reflector has on its rear surface at least two projections adapted to fit tightly in said grooves to secure the reflector to the support member.

3. A sign as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said projections is in the form of a diametrically split, sustantially circular, projection.

4. A sign as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the predetermined pattern of grooves comprises four main grooves defining a main substantially rectangular shape sub-divided by four further grooves into four similar smaller substantially rectangular shapes, each smaller shape being sub-divided by two further grooves extending substantially diagonally thereacross.

5. A sign as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member is substantially smooth, and the reflectors are secured thereto by ultrasonic welding or adhesive.

6. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an elongate channel-shaped extruded plastics backing member into which a plurality of support members, each having a respective alphanumeric character or other symbol secured thereto, are slidably inserted, the backing member being adapted to be secured to a post, wall or other suitable substantially vertical surface.

7. A sign as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein ech reflector is a retro-reflector.

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