U.S. patent number RE32,359 [Application Number 06/797,978] was granted by the patent office on 1987-02-24 for portable wind-resistant sign stand with flexible sign.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Marketing Displays, Inc.. Invention is credited to James R. Seely.
United States Patent |
RE32,359 |
Seely |
February 24, 1987 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Portable wind-resistant sign stand with flexible sign
Abstract
A preferred lightweight, portable sign and stand apparatus
generally includes a plurality of ground-engaging legs secured to a
longitudinally-extending elongated base assembly. The base assembly
of the preferred apparatus includes clamping members for clampingly
anchoring a thin, flat sign panel protruding generally upwardly
therefrom. The sheet material of which the sign panel is composed
is sufficiently rigid that the sign panel is self-supporting in its
protruding relationship with the base assembly. The sign panel is
sufficiently flexible and resilient, however, to bendably deflect
in a generally lateral direction, without yielding, in response to
transverse loads exerted thereon, thereby substantially preventing
the sign and stand apparatus from tipping over. The sign and stand
apparatus also preferably has a resultant or combined center of
gravity that remains inboard of the engagement of the legs with the
ground in order to further resist any tendency to tip over in high
winds.
Inventors: |
Seely; James R. (Rochester,
MI) |
Assignee: |
Marketing Displays, Inc.
(Farmington Hills, MI)
|
Family
ID: |
27074463 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/797,978 |
Filed: |
November 14, 1985 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
567379 |
Dec 30, 1983 |
04516344 |
May 14, 1985 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
40/602; 40/538;
40/610 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
7/22 (20130101); G09F 7/002 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
7/18 (20060101); G09F 7/22 (20060101); G09F
7/00 (20060101); G09F 007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/602,608,606,607,613 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Swiatek; Robert P.
Assistant Examiner: Stone; Cary E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Harness, Dickey & Pierce
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lightweight and readily portable sign and stand apparatus,
comprising an elongated base assembly, a plurality of
ground-engaging legs extending transversely from and secured to
said elongated base assembly, a one-piece monolithic sign panel
having a lower peripheral portion and protruding in a generally
vertical direction from said elongated base assembly and having at
least one generally planar display surface thereon, said base
assembly including clamping means for clampingly securing and
anchoring substantially the entire length of the lower peripheral
portion of said sign panel to said elongated base assembly in a
generally fixed relationship therewith, said sign panel being
sufficiently rigid to be self-supporting in said generally
vertically protruding relationship with said base assembly but
sufficiently flexible and resilient to bendably deflect without
yielding in response to predetermined loads exerted thereon in
directions transverse to the plane of said display surface, said
sign and stand apparatus having a combined center of gravity
located a predetermined vertical distance above the ground, said
legs being configured to engage the ground at a predetermined
horizontal distance from said base assembly, said combined center
of gravity remaining horizontally within the confines of the area
defined by the locations at which said legs engage the ground
during said bendable deflection of said sign panel in order to
substantially prevent said sign and stand apparatus from tipping
over in response to said predetermined transverse loads, said sign
panel, when deflected, having a continuously curved portion
defining an airfoil .Iadd.shape.Iaddend., said sign panel having
the lower peripheral portion disposed a preselected height above
the ground to define an open area generally beneath said sign
panel, the size of said open area in relation to the size of said
sign panel and .[.the shape of.]. said airfoil .Iadd.shape
.Iaddend.cooperating to substantially negate aerodynamic .[.lift.].
.Iadd.forces.Iaddend..
2. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
clamping means includes a pair of elongated clamping members
adapted to clampingly engage said lower peripheral portion of said
sign panel therebetween.
3. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said
elongated clamping members are adapted to clampingly engage said
lower peripheral portion of said sign panel along substantially the
entire longitudinal length thereof.
4. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at
least one of said elongated clamping members is adapted to resist
torsional loads thereon in response to loads exerted on said sign
panel in said directions transverse to the plane of said display
surface.
5. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
legs are elongated members having free outer end portions engaging
the ground and opposite end portions secured to said base assembly,
said free outer ends being the only portions of said sign and stand
apparatus engaging the ground.
6. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
sign panel has a lower edge generally parallel to the ground, said
clamping means being adapted to clampingly engage said sign panel
generally along said lower edge, said lower edge further being
supported by said base assembly in an elevated position generally
adjacent to but spaced slightly from the ground.
7. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
clamping means includes a pair of clamping members, each of said
clamping members includes a clamping face thereon adapted for a
generally flat clamping engagement with one of the opposite
surfaces of said sign panel, a number of longitudinally-spaced
fasteners extending in a generally lateral direction through said
clamping members and said lower peripheral portion of said sign
panel, said fasteners being adapted to forcibly maintain said
clamping members in said flat clamping engagement with said
opposite surfaces of said sign panel, one of said clamping members
being secured to the remainder of said base assembly, and the other
of said clamping members being detached from said remainder of said
base assembly, said one secured clamping member tending to resist
torsional loads exerted thereon in response to loads exerted on
said sign panel in said directions transverse to the plane of said
display surface.
8. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said
open area is ten percent (10%) of or smaller than the surface area
of said sign panel.
9. A lightweight and readily portable sign and stand apparatus,
comprising an elongated base assembly extending in a longitudinal
direction, at least two pairs of elongated ground-engaging legs
secured to said base assembly with each pair of legs laterally
protruding a predetermined distance in generally opposite lateral
directions from said base assembly and engaging the ground at their
free outer ends, a generally planar one-piece monolithic sign panel
protruding in a generally vertical direction with a lower
peripheral portion thereof secured to said base assembly in a
generally fixed relationship therewith, said base assembly
including a pair of longitudinally-extending clamping members
clampingly engaging opposite surfaces of said sign panel
therebetween along substantially all of the longitudinal length of
said lower peripheral portion in order to anchor and generally fix
said sign panel to said base assembly, said sign panel being
sufficiently rigid to be self-supporting in order to maintain
itself in said generally vertical protruding relationship with said
base assembly but sufficiently flexible and resilient to deflect
without yielding in a generally lateral direction relative to said
elongated base assembly in response to predetermined loads exerted
transversely on said sign panel, said sign and stand apparatus
having a predetermined combined center of gravity that remains
laterally within the confines of a lateral area defined by the
locations at which said legs engage the ground regardless of said
deflection of said sign panel in response to said predetermined
transverse loads exerted on said sign panel, said sign and stand
apparatus thereby being substantially prevented from tipping over
as said sign panel deflects under the influence of wind forces
exerted on said sign panel, said sign panel, when deflected, having
a continuously curved portion defining an airfoil
.Iadd.shape.Iaddend., said sign panel having said lower peripheral
portion disposed a preselected height above the ground to define an
open area generally beneath said sign panel, the size of said open
area in relation to the size of said sign panel and .[.the shape
of.]. said airfoil .Iadd.shape .Iaddend.cooperating to
substantially negate aerodynamic .[.lift.].
.Iadd.forces.Iaddend..
10. A sign and stand apparatus, according to claim 9, wherein said
sign panel is sufficiently resilient to return to its generally
vertically protruding position after said deflection when said
transverse loads are removed therefrom.
11. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said
clamping members include generally vertically extending faces
thereon, said faces engaging said opposite faces of said sign panel
in a substantially flat relationship therewith when said sign panel
is clampingly anchored therebetween.
12. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said
pairs of legs are longitudinally spaced from one another.
13. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 12, wherein one
of said pairs of legs is located generally at each end of said
elongated base assembly.
14. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said
sign panel is composed of a reinforced acrylic resin material.
15. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said
sign panel is composed of high-strength tempered spring steel.
16. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at
least one of said longitudinally-extending clamping members
comprises a generally hollow member having a generally rectangular
lateral cross-section.
17. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 16, where the
other of said longitudinally-extending clamping members has a
generally L-shaped lateral cross-section.
18. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each
of said clamping members includes a clamping face thereon adapted
for a generally flat clamping engagement with one of said opposite
surfaces of said sign panel, a number of longitudinally-spaced
fasteners extending in a generally lateral direction through said
clamping members and said lower peripheral portion of said sign
panel, said fasteners being adapted to forcibly maintain said
clamping members in said flat clamping engagement with said
opposite surfaces of said sign panel.
19. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 9, wherein one of
said clamping members is secured to the remainder of said base
assembly, and the other of said clamping members being detached
from said remainder of said base assembly.
20. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 19, wherein each
of said clamping members includes a clamping face thereon adapted
for a generally flat clamping engagement with one of the opposite
surfaces of said sign panel, a number of longitudinally-spaced
fasteners extending in a generally lateral direction through said
clamping members and said lower peripheral portion of said sign
panel, said fasteners being adapted to forcibly maintain said
clamping members in said flat clamping engagement with said
opposite surfaces of said sign panel, said one secured clamping
member tending to resist torsional loads exerted thereon in
response to loads exerted transversely on said sign panel.
21. A sign and stand apparatus, comprising:
a base assembly including a pair of generally
longitudinally-extending clamping members having opposed
laterally-facing and generally vertically-extending clamping faces
thereon, means for selectively and forcibly urging said clamping
faces toward one another, a pair of legs extending in opposite
generally lateral directions and being secured to at least one of
said clamping members at each opposite end thereof, each of said
legs being adapted for engaging the ground at a free outer end
thereof;
a one-piece monolithic sign panel composed of a sheet material,
said sign panel having substantially the entire length of a lower
end portion adapted to be received between said clamping faces and
to be clampingly engaged thereby in a generally flat mutual
engagement therewith in order to secure said sign panel to said
base assembly in a generally fixed relationship therewith, said
lower end portion being at an elevated position relatively closely
adjacent to but spaced from the ground when secured to said base
assembly, said sheet material being sufficiently resilient and
flexible to resiliently deform in a generally lateral direction
without yielding in response to predetermined forces exerted
transversely thereon, said sheet material further being
sufficiently rigid to be self-supporting in a generally vertically
protruding relationship with said clamping members; and
said sign and stand apparatus having a combined resultant center of
gravity located at a predetermined vertical position such that as
said sign panel deflects said center of gravity remains laterally
between the lateral confines of said ground-engaging ends of said
legs, thereby substantially preventing said sign and stand
apparatus from tipping over in response to wind loads exerted
thereon, said sign panel, when deflected, having a continuously
curved portion defining an airfoil .Iadd.shape.Iaddend., said sign
panel having a lower peripheral portion disposed a preselected
height above the ground to define an open area generally beneath
said sign panel, the size of said open area in relation to the size
of said sign panel and .[.the shape of.]. said airfoil .Iadd.shape
.Iaddend.cooperating to substantially negate aerodynamic .[.lift.].
.Iadd.forces.Iaddend..
22. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said
means for forcibly urging said clamping faces toward one another
comprises a plurality of longitudinally-spaced threaded fasteners
extending laterally through corresponding longitudinally-spaced
apertures in said clamping members and in said lower end portion of
said sign panel.
23. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said
sheet material is composed of fiberglass-reinforced acrylic
resin.
24. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said
sheet material is composed of high-strength tempered spring
steel.
25. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said
clamping member that is secured to said legs tends to resist
torsional loads exerted thereon in response to loads exerted
transversely on said sign panel.
26. A sign and stand apparatus according to claim 25, wherein each
of said clamping members includes a clamping face thereon adapted
for a generally flat clamping engagement with one of said opposite
surfaces of said sign panel, a number of longitudinally-spaced
fasteners extending in a generally lateral direction through said
clamping members and said lower peripheral portion of said sign
panel, said fasteners being adapted to forcibly maintain said
clamping members in said flat clamping engagement with said
opposite surfaces of said sign panel.
27. A lightweight and readily portable sign and stand apparatus,
comprising an elongated base assembly, a plurality of
ground-engaging legs extending transversely from and secured to
said elongated base assembly, a one-piece monolithic sign panel
having a lower peripheral portion protruding in a generally
vertical direction from said elongated base assembly and having at
least one generally planar display surface thereon, said base
assembly including clamping means for clampingly securing and
anchoring substantially the entire length of the lower peripheral
portion of said sign panel to said elongated base assembly in a
generally fixed relationship therewith, said sign panel being
sufficiently rigid to be self-supporting in said generally
vertically protruding relationship with said base assembly but
sufficiently flexible and resilient to bendably deflect without
yielding in response to predetermined loads exerted thereon in
directions transverse to the plane of said display surface, said
sign and stand apparatus having a combined center of gravity
located a predetermined vertical distance above the ground, said
legs being configured to engage the ground at a predetermined
horizontal distance from said base assembly, said combined center
of gravity remaining horizontally within the confines of the area
defined by the locations at which said legs engage the ground
during said bendable deflection of said sign panel in order to
substantially prevent said sign and stand apparatus from tipping
over in response to said predetermined transverse loads, said sign
panel, when deflected, having a continuously curved portion
defining an airfoil .Iadd.shape.Iaddend., said sign panel having a
lower periphery defining means for substantially limiting air flow
beneath said sign panel and thereby substantially negating the
aerodynamic .[.lift.]. .Iadd.forces .Iaddend.of said .Iadd.airfoil
shape .Iaddend..
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to sign and poster display devices of
all kinds. The invention more particularly relates to portable sign
and stand apparatus having a wind-resistant, flexible sign
panel.
Numerous sign stands and poster display devices known today are
used for displaying various signs and messages for conveying
advertisements and information to the public. In many of such sign
and stand apparatuses, the signs are typically positioned on sign
standards or posts that are anchored in the ground, held in place
by sandbags or other heavy objects, or spring-mounted on bases
which allow them bend or deflect without tipping over under high
wind forces. Spring-mounted sign stands which can be used for this
purpose are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,646,696; 3,662,482;
4,033,536; 4,265,040; and 4,288,053; as well as in copending patent
applications, Ser. Nos. 274,400, filed June 17, 1981; 442,378,
filed Nov. 17, 1982; 442,418, filed Nov. 17, 1982; and 442,419,
filed Nov. 17, 1982. All of said copending applications are
assigned to the same assignee as the invention herein, and their
disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Such
deflectable sign stands, although unanchored and lightweight,
prevent tipping over or sliding of the sign and stand units in
virtually all weather and wind conditions.
Although the above-described sign and sign stand units are
well-adapted for a variety of sign or display applications, it is
an object of the present invention to provide a portable and
wind-resistant sign and stand apparatus that is even lighter in
weight than the previous sign and stand units and which employs a
minimum number of parts or components. A further object is to
provide a sign and stand apparatus that has a unique and attractive
appearance, is inexpensive to manufacture, and which may be used in
many different applications, including point-of-purchase displays,
pedestrian or vehicular traffic messages or barriers, commercial
advertisements, etc.
In accordance with the present invention, an improved
wind-resistant sign and stand apparatus generally includes an
elongated base assembly, a plurality of ground-engaging legs
extending transversely from and secured to, the elongated base
assembly, and a one-piece monolithic sign panel protruding in a
generally vertical direction from the base assembly. The sign
panel, which is preferably composed of a thin, flexible sheet-like
material, has a lower peripheral portion clamped to the base
assembly and is sufficiently rigid that the remainder of the sign
panel is self-supporting in its vertically protruding relationship
with the base assembly. The sign panel is sufficiently flexible and
resilient, however, to deflect without yielding in response to
loads exerted thereon, such as high wind forces, for example. In a
preferred embodiment of the invention, the sign panel is clamped to
the base assembly and maintained in an elevated position such that
its lower end is generally adjacent to the ground, but slightly
spaced therefrom in order to minimize the amount of air that can
pass under the sign panel in high winds, thereby substantially
avoiding or minimizing the creation of .[.a.]. .Iadd.aerodynamic
forces .Iaddend.low pressure region on the downwind side of the
side panel. The sign and stand apparatus also preferably has a
resultant or combined center of gravity that remains between the
ground-engaging ends of the legs regardless of whether the sign
panel is deflected or vertically disposed, thereby substantially
preventing the sign and stand apparatus from tipping over in high
winds.
Additional objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description and
appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sign and stand apparatus in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an elevational view, looking in the direction of the
arrow 2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of the sign panel and
base assembly of the sign and stand apparatus of FIG. 1, with the
sign panel illustrated in a vertical, undeflected position.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, but with the sign panel
illustrated in a deflected position.
FIG. 6 is a partial bottom view of the sign and stand apparatus,
looking in the direction of the arrow 6 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a full side view of the sign and stand apparatus with the
sign deflected.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show two alternate embodiments of the sign for use
with the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates still another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a
wind-resistant sign and stand apparatus in accordance with the
present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize
from the following discussion that the principles of the present
invention are equally applicable to sign and stand units other than
that shown for purposes of illustration in the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary sign and stand apparatus 10
generally includes an elongated base assembly 12, a plurality of
ground-engaging legs 14 and 16 extending transversely therefrom,
and a relatively thin and generally flat sign panel 20 with a
preselected display message on one or both sides thereof. The
ground-engaging legs 14 and 16 preferably extend in a generally
horizontal lateral direction relative to the
longitudinally-extending base assembly 12, and are preferably
adapted to maintain the base assembly 12 and the lower edge 21 of
the sign panel 20 in a slightly elevated position, generally
adjacent to, but spaced from, the ground or other supporting
surface 18. Such slightly elevated positioning of the base assembly
and sign panel serves to keep the free outer ends of the legs 14
and 16 in contact with the ground on uneven surfaces in order to
maintain a wide base of support for the sign and stand assembly and
thereby minimize its tendency to tip over. As is discussed in more
detail below, however, the base assembly and the sign panel should
be positioned as close to the ground as practicable in order to
minimize the amount of wind that can pass below the sign panel.
Optionally, the legs 14 and 16 may be equipped with caps or pods
22, which if used are preferably composed of rubber or other
non-skid material to help prevent the sign and stand apparatus from
sliding on smooth or hard supporting surfaces.
It is understood that the base assembly and legs can have any shape
and cross-sectional configuration, so long as the points of contact
of the base on the ground 18 generally form a perimeter shape and
the center of gravity of the sign stand stays within it (as
explained infra). The legs and base can also be foldable for ease
of transportation and storage of the sign stand.
As is further illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 7, the base assembly
12 preferably includes a pair of elongated, generally
longitudinally-extending clamping members 24 and 26, which
clampingly secure and anchor a lower peripheral end portion 28 of
the sign panel 20 therebetween. At least the clamping member 24 is
preferably a hollow elongated member having a generally rectangular
lateral cross-section, and is secured at opposite longitudinal ends
to a pair of bracket members 30 and 32. In the preferred
embodiment, the clamping member 26 is also secured at opposite
longitudinal ends to the bracket members 30 and 32, but the
clamping member 26 is preferably an elongated angle member having a
generally L-shaped lateral cross-section. The preferred bracket
members 30 and 32 generally include respective channel-shaped
portion 34 and 36 adapted to receive the respective ground-engaging
legs 14 and 16 therein, and respective horizontal plate portions 38
and 40, to which the preferred clamping members 24 and 26 are
secured. As shown in the drawings, the members are secured together
by a plurality of bolts 33, although it is understood that any
other types of fasteners or securing means known to those skilled
in the art can also be used. When secured to the bracket members 30
and 32, either or both of the clamping members 24 and 26 function
to resist torsional loads exerted thereon as the sign panel 20
deflects under high wind loads as is described below.
The clamping members 24 and 26 include respective clamping faces 44
and 46 which clampingly engage the generally vertical opposite
surfaces of the lower peripheral portion 28 of the sign panel in a
substantially flat relationship therewith. Preferably, the clamping
faces 44 and 46 engage the entire longitudinal width of the lower
peripheral portion 28 in order to uniformly distribute the clamping
forces thereon and thus minimize stress concentrations. The
clamping members 24 and 26 are preferably forcibly urged toward one
another to clampingly engage and anchor the sign panel therebetween
by means of a plurality of threaded fasteners 50 spaced
longitudinally along the base assembly 12. The fasteners 50
preferably extend through corresponding apertures in the clamping
members 24 and 26 and in the lower peripheral portion 28 of the
sign panel. As an alternative embodiment, the clamping faces 44 and
46 may be sufficiently large to allow for adequate clamping of the
sign panel therebetween without having the fasteners 50 extend
through the sign panel. In such an embodiment, the fasteners would
not have to be removed, but rather would only need to be loosened
in order to remove or insert the sign panel between the clamping
members. As still another embodiment, if a permanent installation
is desired, rivets or other permanent fasteners extending through
the clamping members and sign panel may be employed.
It should be noted that as an alternate embodiment to that
described above, only one of the clamping members 24 and 26 is
required to be secured to the bracket members 30 and 32. In such an
embodiment the other clamping member would not be secured to the
bracket members and would serve as a backing plate to uniformly
distribute the clamping forces along the lower portion 28 of the
sign panel 20. Furthermore, whether or not the clamping member 26
is secured to the bracket members 30 and 32, it too may optionally
be a hollow member with a generally rectangular cross-section.
The sign panel 20 is preferably composed of a thin sheet material
sufficiently rigid that the sign panel is self-supporting in its
generally vertical upwardly protruding relationship with the base
assembly 12. In order to properly function as a wind-resistant
sign, however, the sign panel must be sufficiently flexible and
resilient to bendably deflect in a generally lateral direction,
without surpassing its yield point, under the influence of
predetermined loads, such as high wind forces up to 70 m.p.h.,
exerted transversely thereon. A preferred lightweight sheet
material for the sign panel 20 is an acrylic resin, or other
plastic material, either of which may also be reinforced with
fiberglass. An example of one examplary material for the sign panel
20 is "Lumasite" manufactured by Amercian Acrylic Corp. of West
Babylon, N.Y. Lumasite is an acrylic sheet of material, cast from
methyl methacrylate (acrylic) monomer, reinforced with fiberglass.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize that other flexible
and resilient materials with similar characteristics and properties
may be substituted for the sign panel.
In addition to being strong but light in weight, the acrylic
material also offers the advantage of being somewhat absorbent so
that the ink used to print a message on the display surfaces of the
sign panel is not easily scratched or worn off. Such material is
only an exemplary, preferred material, however, and one skilled in
the art will readily recognize that other synthetic or nonsynthetic
materials may alternatively be employed. As still another example
of an alternate material, a sheet metal sign panel composed of
high-strength, tempered spring steel may be used. Such spring steel
typically has a yield strength of approximately 50,000 p.s.i.
Although a flat generally rectangular sign panel 20 is shown in the
drawings, for purposes of illustration, the sign panel may also be
embossed or non-uniform in thickness, and may have any of an
infinite number of lateral profile shapes, so long as the
above-discussed rigidity and flexibility are present.
The sign and stand apparatus 10 has a relatively low resultant or
combined center of gravity 58, largely because of the lightweight
upwardly-protruding sign panel and the low location of the base
assembly and legs. The relationship of the combined center of
gravity 58 and the length of the generally laterally-extending legs
is selected in order to prevent the sign and stand apparatus from
tipping over in high winds. In order to achieve this result, the
combined or resultant center of gravity 58 is preferably located at
a position on the sign panel 20 that is a predetermined vertical
distance from the ground 18 such that even when the sign panel
deflects, the resultant center of gravity 58 remains between or
within boundaries 60 defined by the location of the ground-engaging
free ends of the legs 14 and 16 and illustrated in phantom lines in
FIG. 1. It should be noted that the resultant center of gravity 58
may shift or change somewhat as the sign panel deflects because
during the course of such deflection, more of the mass of the sign
panel 20 is located closer to the ground. However, by maintaining
the resultant center of gravity 58 within the confines of the base
of support provided by the engagement of the legs 14 and 16 with
the ground, the tendency of the sign and stand assembly to tip over
under the influence of wind forces or other loads exerted
transversely on the sign panel 10 is reduced or eliminated.
When the sign panel deflects under strong wind forces, additional
resultant forces are generated in a vertically downward direction
on the feet or the ends of the legs of the base assembly. This
helps to effectively anchor the sign stands in high wind
forces.
Furthermore, as mentioned above, the base assembly 12 and the lower
edge of the sign panel 20 should be maintained at a slightly
elevated position in order to maintain only the free ends of the
legs 14 and 16 in engagement with the ground, even when the sign
and stand assembly is placed on uneven ground or other supporting
surface. This subsstantially ensures that the base of support, as
defined by the boundary lines 60, is as broad as possible in order
to maximize the resistance of the sign and stand apparatus to
tipping in high winds. Subject to the above considerations,
however, the lower edge of the base assembly 12 and the sign panel
20 should be located generally adjacent and as close as practicable
to the ground in order to minimize the amount of wind that can pass
beneath the sign and stand apparatus.
The amount of wind allowed to pass beneath the sign must be
minimized in order to prevent the sign when deflected from becoming
an airfoil. As shown in FIG. 7, the sign takes an arcuate
.Iadd.airfoil .Iaddend.shape when it is deflected in high winds.
Thus, the air 66 passing over the top surface of the sign
accelerates in velocity creating a low pressure area. This is
commonly known as lift and, if large amounts of air 64 are allowed
to also pass beneath the sign, the deflected sign 20 would act the
same as an airfoil. If such .[.lift.]. .Iadd.high aerodynamic
forces .Iaddend.were created on the sign 20, it would allow the
sign stand to .[.become "lighter" and.]. be actually displaced or
turned over by the wind. Therefore, by reducing the open area
beneath the sign panel, the amount of wind passing therethrough is
reduced. This reduces the size and intensity of the wind forces
acting on the underneath side of the sign panel and thus prevents
the formation of the undesirable .[."lift".]. .Iadd.aerodynamic
.Iaddend.forces.
For optimum results, it is preferred that the open area beneath the
sign panel be 10% or less in size relative to the size of the sign
panel. This has been found to be best for operation of the sign
stand in high winds.
FIGS. 8 through 10 illustrate a significant feature of the
invention, namely that the sign 20 can have a wide variety of sizes
and shapes. The sign can be made in the shape of the product that
it is advertising and promoting. FIG. 8 illustrates the sign 20
formed in the shape of a pack of cigarettes; the perspective view
is painted or printed on the sign and adds to the realism of the
product. In addition, the same advertisement can be printed or
contained on both sides, with one being the mirror image of the
other.
FIG. 10 illustrates a sign 20 formed in the shape of a bottle of a
popular soft drink. The sign has a large area in order to make a
significant impression on consumers, yet the large area is
sufficient to cause the sign stand to be affected by highwind
forces.
FIG. 9 shows a sign which is formed in the shape of a person who
has been presented in advertising as the spokesperson or symbol for
a company. As can be seen, the sign 20 can take virtually any shape
which creates an opportunity for significant flexibility and
creativity in the marketplace.
FIG. 10 also illustrates a sign stand 80 which has a base assembly
82 having foldable legs 84, 86, 88 and a fourth-foldable leg that
is behind the sign panel and thus hidden from view. The legs are
pivoted around pivot pins 92 and locked in place by spring pins 94
which are adapted to mate with holes 96. When the signs are used
for display, the legs are folded downwardly and extend in the
manner shown in FIG. 10. When the signs are being transported or
stored, the legs are folded into their vertical upright positions,
as shown for example by the phantom lines 84' and 86'.
The present invention also has applicability to many outdoor sign
and warning devices, such as traffic flow barricades used in the
construction field and point-of-purchasing advertising sign stands.
In any of these applications, the devices are unanchored,
lightweight and portable, and yet can withstand virtually all types
of wind forces.
In addition to the various alternate embodiments of the invention
described above, the sign panel 20 may also optionally include a
hand hole 80, as shown in FIG. 1, for ease and convenience of
carry. When the sign panel 20 is removed from the base assembly 12,
the inventive sign stand system presents a flat, easily storable
and transportable package. Additional hand holes on the side edges
of the sign (not shown) could also be provided to facilitate
disassembly and transport of the sign stand.
The foregoing discussion discloses and describes exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will
readily recognize from such discussion that various changes,
modifications and variations my be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
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