WO2008012568A1

WO2008012568A1 - Self-supporting display sign

Info

Publication number: WO2008012568A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050415
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard James Ernle Gardner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-07-25
Filing date: 2007-07-19
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2009-01-25
Also published as: GB0614736D0

Abstract

An inexpensive lightweight display sign display sign comprises a base portion (11) and a display portion (10) upstanding from the base (11), the display portion (10) comprising first and second panels (12,13) of resiliently flexible plastics material which are interconnected along opposite lateral side edges thereof, and a former member (14) disposed between the panels (12,13) and arranged to bias the panels apart intermediate their lateral side edges, such that the outer surfaces thereof are convex. The panels (12,13) can be of a relatively thin and lightweight material, yet the former member (14) biases them apart into a configuration in which a rigid self-supporting tubular structure is formed. The surface of the panels (12,13) can be printed or otherwise provided with the information to be displayed. Alternatively, a printed sleeve can be slipped over the display portion (10), the latter serving to support the sleeve.

Description

Self-Supporting Display Sign

This invention relates to a self-supporting display sign of the kind used for displaying advertisements, messages and the like.

Self-supporting display signs are widely used in petrol stations, retail outlets and the like as a means of displaying advertisements or notices. A typical such display sign is disclosed in US Patent Nos. 3 646 696 and 4 714 220 and comprises a large base of metal or concrete for standing on the floor. An upright display portion having a rigid rectangular frame upstands from the base for holding display posters on respective opposite sides thereof.

A disadvantage of the above-mentioned signs is that they are expensive and heavy in construction. Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a display sign, which is both inexpensive in construction and lightweight.

Accordingly, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a display sign comprising a base portion and a display portion upstanding from the base, the display portion comprising first and second panel of resiliently flexible material which are interconnected along opposite lateral side edges thereof, and a former member disposed between the panels and arranged to bias the panels apart intermediate their lateral side edges, such that the outer surfaces thereof are convex.

The panels can be of a relatively thin and lightweight material, yet the former member biases them apart into a configuration in which a rigid self-supporting tubular structure is formed. The surface of the panels can be printed or otherwise provided with the information to be displayed. Alternatively, a printed sleeve can be slipped over the display portion, the latter serving to support the sleeve.

Preferably the panels are formed of a plastics material.

Preferably the first and second panel members are formed of a sheet material having parallel lines of weakness extending between said opposite lateral side edges of the display portion. Said lines of weakness may comprise laterally extending corrugations, flutes or grains. Preferably the former member is also formed of said sheet material, the lines of weakness preferably extending between the first and second panel members.

Preferably a pair of formers are provided adjacent the upper and lower side edges of the first and second panel members respectively.

Preferably the lower side edge of the first and second panel members are received in a channel or recess formed in the base.

Preferably a portion of each panel extends through an aperture formed in the base, the lower end of the portion being turned through substantially 90° and fastened to the underside of the base.

Preferably the lower ends of the panels are constrained by an upstanding wall, which extends around the upper surface of the base.

Preferably said upstanding wall also comprises wall portions which extend through said apertures in the base, the lower end of each wall portion being turned inwardly in substantially 90° against the underside of the base to constrain the corresponding portion of the panel therebetween.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of display sign in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line M-Il of Figure 1 ; and

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line Ill-Ill of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a display sign comprising a base portion 11 for standing on a floor or other surface, and an upstanding display portion 10. The display portion 1 1 comprises first and second rectangular or square panel members 12, 13 which are interconnected with each other along their lateral side edges only. The panel members 12, 13 are formed from a twin-walled extruded polypropylene or other plastics sheet material, having parallel flutes disposed between the two walls thereof. The panel members 12, 13 are oriented such that the flutes extend horizontally between the lateral side edges of the display portion 10.

The display portion 10 also comprises upper and lower generally ellipsoidal formers 14, 17 formed of the same material as the panels 12, 13. The formers 14, 17 are positioned between the panel members 12, 13 and serve to bias them apart. The lowermost former 17 lies in face-to-face registration with the upper surface of the base portion11. The flutes of the formers 14, 17 extend between the panels 12, 13. Each former e.g. 14 comprises laterally projecting tabs 15, which are received in corresponding slots 16 formed in the panel members 12, 13. The outer ends of the tabs 15 lie flush with the outer convex surface of the panels 12, 13.

The base portion 11 is preferably rectangular or circular in shape and is preferably wider than shown in the drawings, in order to maintain the stability of the sign in high winds. A channel 19 is formed in the upper surface of the base portion 11 for receiving the lower end edge of the first and second panel members 12, 13 of the display portion 10. A plurality of tabs 22 extend from the lower end edges of the panel members 12, 13 through respective apertures 25 formed in the base portion 1 1. An upstanding wall 18 of plastics material extends along the channel 19 in the base portion 1 1 and around the convex outer surfaces of the lower end of the display portion 10. A plurality of tabs 23 also project from the lower side edge of the upstanding wall 18 through the apertures 25 in the base portion 11 , in face-to-face contact with the corresponding projecting tabs 22 on the panel members 12, 13.

The lower ends of the tabs 22,23 are folded inwardly through 90° into recesses 20 formed in the underside of the base portion 11. A fastening member 21 is passed through aligned apertures in the tabs 22,23 into a bore 24 formed in the underside of the base portion 1 1.

Apertures (not shown) are preferably formed in the formers 14, 17, to allow containers 26 of sand or other heavy objects to be placed inside the tubular display portion 10 against the base 11. It will be appreciated that a sign in accordance with the present invention is lightweight and inexpensive in construction, yet provides a strong and aesthetically pleasing display.

Claims

1. A display sign comprising a base portion and a display portion upstanding from the base, the display portion comprising first and second panels of resiliency flexible material which are interconnected along opposite lateral side edges thereof, and a former member disposed between the panels and arranged to bias the panels apart intermediate their lateral side edges, such that the outer surfaces thereof are convex.

2. A display sign as claimed in claim 1 , in which the panels comprise respective panel members which are fastened along opposite lateral side edges thereof.

3. A display sign as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which the external surfaces of the panels are printed or otherwise provided with the information to be displayed.

4. A display sign as claimed in claims 1 or 2, in which a printed sleeve extends over the display portion, the latter serving to support the sleeve.

5. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the panels are formed of a plastics material.

6. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second panels are formed of a sheet material having parallel lines of weakness extending between said opposite lateral side edges of the display portion.

7. A display sign as claimed in claim 6, in which said lines of weakness comprise laterally extending corrugations, flutes or grains.

8. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the former member is formed of sheet material having parallel lines of weakness extending between the first and second panels.

9. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a pair of formers are provided adjacent the upper and lower side edges of the first and second panel members respectively.

10. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lower side edge of the first and second panels are received in a channel or recess formed in the base.

1 1. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a portion of each panel member extends through respective apertures formed in the base, the lower end of the portion being turned through substantially 90° and fastened to the underside of the base.

12. A display sign as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lower ends of the panels are constrained by an upstanding wall which extends around the upper surface of the base.

13. A display sign as claimed in claim 12 as appended to claim 1 1 , in which said upstanding wall comprises wall portions which extend through said apertures in the base, the lower end of each wall portion being turned through substantially 90° and fastened to the underside of the base.