Supports – Stand – To hold a particular article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-18
2001-05-29
King, Anita M. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
To hold a particular article
C040S607060, C040S612000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237883
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to sign stands and other display devices, and more particularly to an improved apparatus for mounting a roll-up or flexible sign on a sign stand.
2. Discussion
Numerous sign stand devices have been designed for displaying advertisements and information to the public. On construction sites, for example, such signs are typically positioned on sign stands that are either anchored in the ground, held in place by sand bags or other heavy objects, or spring-mounted on bases which allow them to bend or deflect relative to the base without tipping over under high wind forces.
Signs commonly used at construction sites or at roadside emergency situations are square, rectangular, or diamond in shape, flat in configuration, made of metal or wood, and have pertinent informative or warning messages or symbols on them. These signs are bulky and heavy and as a result many problems are encountered in the storage, transportation, and mounting of them. In order to provide a lighter and more easily transportable display, signs have been developed which are made out of a heavy duty flexible and foldable material, such as vinyl or reinforced cloth or plastic which is retro-reflective. Such signs are lighter and easier to handle than the prior metal or wood signs and are also typically adapted to be rolled-up or folded-up for ease of transportation and storage.
The roll-up signs usually have one or more rigid cross-braces or support members to hold them in their fully extended configurations, with mounting means for mounting the sign to the support members and brackets or other mounting means thereon for holding the sign assemblies on their stands. The cross-braces or supporting members are typically elongated members made of wood, fiberglass or a similar strong material, and are connected to one another in the middle so that they can be rotated together to a generally aligned position for storage. Some of the brackets presently in use for mounting such signs to the sign stands, however, are often difficult and time-consuming to operate, thereby making them inconvenient for use in construction or emergency situations. Many of the brackets conventionally used are heavy and bulky.
In addition, because the sign stands are often used in roadside locations, they on occasion became involved in collisions with motor vehicles. Both state and federal agencies have instituted various motor vehicle safety standards to address this issue. Specifically, NCHR-350 is a recently enacted federal law that relates to crash performance of roadside sign stands. In view of the more stringent requirements of NCHR-350, improvements may be required in the sign stands in order for them to meet the standards as set thereby. In particular, conventional bracket designs currently in use may contribute to the poor performance of the sign stands during the tests because of their weight, size, and configuration.
Therefore, there is a need for an improved sign bracket for use on a sign stand device which is relatively light in weight, compact in size, economical to produce, and which can be made operational with relative ease and expediency.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sign attachment bracket for holding and securing a sign assembly on an upright member of a sign stand.
It is a further object to provide an improved sign attachment bracket that allows for quick and easy mounting or attachment of retro-reflective flexible signs on their support members and on the upright member of the sign stand.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a lightweight sign attachment bracket, thereby reducing the overall weight of the sign stand and lowering the center of gravity of the sign stand.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an improved sign attachment bracket arrangement for holding and securing a sign assembly on an upright member of a sign stand. The arrangement includes a spring member secured to the upright member and having a tab or button extending through an aperture on the surface of the upright member which is releasably positionable to establish one of a locking mode and an unlocking mode. The attachment bracket includes first bracket member which is slidably mounted on the upright member and positionably supported by the tab. The first bracket member includes a slot adapted to receive a horizontally-oriented cross-brace of the sign assembly. The second bracket member is movable relative to the first bracket member and has a latching member for enclosing the slot of the first bracket member, thereby securing the cross-brace in the slot. The first and second brackets can be formed of a lightweight and durable material, such as various formable engineered plastics. The configuration and lightweight nature of the bracket assembly allows for convenient set-up and reduces the overall weight of the sign stand in order to better accommodate federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Hillstrom David U.
Levin Yevgeniy M.
Harness & Dickey & Pierce P.L.C.
King Anita M.
Marketing Displays International
Sy Holly N.
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