Abstract:
A collapsible yard sign having a top arm sleeve and bottom arm removably connected to a post member, wherein after removal the post member is inserted into the top arm sleeve. A flexible sign is removably attached between the top arm sleeve and the bottom arm member, the sign and bottom arm member being stored within the post member in the disassembled state. The post member is provided with a ground anchor insertable into the ground.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/620,515, filed Oct. 20, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates generally to the field of relatively small, temporary, portable signs that are constructed to be inserted into the ground, and more particularly to such signs having components that can be collapsed or disassembled.  
         [0003]     Small, temporary, portable signs of the type often referred to as yard signs are well known. These signs are constructed so as to be readily transportable and relatively easily inserted into and removed from the ground. Such signs are commonly used to advertise homes for sale or rent, or to provide information as to various events such as yard sales, community events, etc. One common sign structure comprises a generally rectangular metal frame, usually a few feet in height, with one or two legs that are inserted into the ground, with an information panel, a rectangular or tubular housing containing fliers, or similar means suspended between or attached to the frame members. Another common sign structure comprises a vertical wooden post, which may extend up to about six feet, and a horizontally extending wooden arm, likewise with an information panel, a rectangular or tubular housing containing fliers, or similar means connected to the horizontal arm. Problems with these signs include rusting, bending, difficulty of insertion and removal, and weight. In addition, the signs are bulky such that transportation and storage is difficult.  
         [0004]     It is an object of this invention to address the above problems by providing a sign that is lightweight, durable, easy to insert and remove, and easy to transport and store, wherein the sign is able to be collapsed or disassembled into a non-use configuration with the sign itself forming a storage container for certain of the removable components. It is a further object to provide such a sign capable of displaying various information delivery members, such that the sign is versatile in application.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The invention comprises a relatively small, transportable sign that can be collapsed or disassembled for transport and storage, the sign being easily inserted and removed from the ground, and wherein the disassembled components of the sign can be arranged in a non-use, storage configuration wherein some of the disassembled components are stored within other components.  
         [0006]     The sign comprises an open-topped, vertical post member joined to a ground anchor that is easily inserted by pressing down on a footplate to drive anchoring spikes into the ground. A top arm sleeve member is mounted on the upper end of the post member to extend horizontally. An information display panel or sign member depends from the top arm sleeve member. The top arm sleeve member is joined to a removable post connector, the post connector having a first post-receiving aperture that receives the vertical post member whereby the top arm sleeve is disposed horizontally. A second post-receiving aperture is provided in the post connector opposite the top arm sleeve member, whereby the post connector and top arm sleeve member can be removed from the post member and positioned co-axially on the post member with the upper portion of the post member extending into the interior of the top arm sleeve member. Preferably, a bottom arm member is temporarily joined to the vertical post member in a horizontal position below the top arm sleeve member, such that the bottom of the sign member can be connected to the bottom arm member. The sign member is removable from the top arm sleeve member and the bottom arm member, whereby the sign member can be rolled or folded into a tight configuration such that the sign member and the bottom arm member can be inserted into the open top of the post member prior to insertion of the post member into the top arm sleeve member.  
         [0007]     Additionally, rectangular chain signs may be provided for the display of additional information, each chain sign having an upper rail member and a lower slot member, whereby the rail members are received in slots disposed on the top arm sleeve member and the bottom arm member, and further whereby multiple chain signs can be joined together. Preferably, the sign member is provided with upper and lower rail members that are received in clots disposed in the top arm sleeve member and the bottom arm member. Furthermore, a printed-information receptacle may be provided, the receptacle mounting onto the top arm sleeve member.  
         [0008]     The sign is preferably composed of a plastic material and the post member and top arm member are preferably formed with an oval or elliptical cross-section.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention in the assembled or in-use configuration.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is an expanded view of the main components of the invention shown as disassembled, illustrating the coaxial storage orientation of the post member, the sign member, the bottom arm member and the top arm sleeve member.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention in the non-use or storage configuration.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view of the sign member and the upper rail or clamping member.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the upper rail member taken along line V-V of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the top arm sleeve member, showing the upper and lower slot members.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the bottom arm member, showing the upper and lower slot members.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the chain sign, showing the upper rail member and the lower slot member.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     With reference now to the drawings, the invention will now be described with regard for the best mode and the preferred embodiment. In a general sense, the invention is a sign to be temporarily inserted into the ground, the sign comprising elements that may be collapsed or disassembled so as to be able to be arranged in a compact non-use or storage configuration. Most preferably, the majority of components of the sign are composed of a plastic material, but other materials may be utilized.  
         [0018]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the invention comprises a sign that is easily affixed or inserted in the ground, the sign comprising in general a vertically disposed post member  11  and a horizontally disposed top arm sleeve member  41 . The sign is secured to the ground by a ground anchor  21  joined to the bottom of the post member  11 , the ground anchor comprising a footplate  22  and one or more anchoring spike members  23 . Insertion of the sign is accomplished by pressing down on the footplate  22  to drive the anchoring spike members  23  into the ground such that the post member  11  extends generally vertically, the anchoring spike members  23  being shown as generally triangular but with the understanding that other configurations will be suitable. The post member  11  is an elongated tubular member having an open top  13  providing access to an open or hollow interior area or storage recess  14 . Preferably, the post member  11  is oval or elliptical in cross-section for strength and alignment purposes, but it is to be understood that the post member  11  may be circular, rectangular, triangular, etc. in cross-section. The post member  11  is preferably provided with one or more means to temporarily retain a horizontally disposed bottom arm member  61 , which as shown comprise receiving apertures  12  into which bottom arm member  61  may be securely inserted.  
         [0019]     The top arm sleeve member  41  is an elongated tubular member having a fixed end cap or closed end  42  that closes one end of the top arm sleeve member  41 , the other end remaining open. To this open end is affixed a post connector  31 , the post connector  31  being adapted to securely yet removably mount the top arm sleeve member  41  to the upper end of the post member  11  such that the top arm sleeve member  41  is generally horizontally disposed when the post member  11  is vertically disposed. The post connector  31  is a generally cross-shaped component and comprises a top arm receiving aperture or bore  32  that receives or is joined to the open end of the top arm sleeve member  41 , such that the interior of the top arm sleeve member  41  is still accessible. The post connector  31  further comprises a fixed end cap or closed end  33 , a first post-receiving aperture or bore  34  disposed opposite to the fixed end cap  33 , and a second post-receiving aperture or bore  35  disposed opposite to the top arm receiving aperture  32  and the top arm sleeve member  41 . The inner diameter of the top arm sleeve member  41 , the top arm receiving aperture  32 , the first post-receiving aperture  34  and the second post-receiving aperture  35  are greater than the outer diameter of the post member  11 , such that the upper end of the post member  11  may be inserted into the post connector  31  through either the first post-receiving aperture  34  or the second post-receiving aperture  35 . Preferably the cross-sectional configuration of the top arm sleeve member  41  corresponds to the cross-sectional configuration of the post member  11 , with an oval or elliptical configuration being preferred.  
         [0020]     With this structure, the in-use configuration of the invention is accomplished by mounting the top arm sleeve member  41  to the upper end of the post member  11  by inserting the post member  11  through the first post-receiving aperture  34  so as to abut the closed end at the fixed end cap  33 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The top arm sleeve member  41  extends generally perpendicularly to the post member  11 . The invention further comprises an information display panel or sign member  51  that is removably connected to the top arm sleeve member  41 . The sign member  51  is composed of a flexible material, such as vinyl, such that the sign member  51  can be removed from the top arm sleeve member  41  and rolled or folded into a generally cylindrical configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 . Various indicia can be applied to the sign member  51  by screen printing or other known printing means.  
         [0021]     Preferably the sign member  51  is removably mounted to the top arm sleeve member  41  using sign retaining means, preferably comprising an upper rail or clamping member  52 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The upper rail member  52  may be divided into two halves, or may be hinged, and is provided with piercing members  54  that pierce the material of the sign member  51  and are received in bores  55 . In this manner the upper rail members  52  is removable so as to be useable with different sign members  51 . The upper rail member  52  has a cross-sectional configuration, shown as generally circular in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , that is adapted to be received in an upper slot member  43  having a corresponding configuration and disposed on the underside of top arm sleeve member  41 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . Alternatively, the upper retaining means may be permanently mounted to the sign member  51 , or other equivalent mechanisms for attaching the sign member  51  to the top arm sleeve member  41  temporarily or permanently may be utilized.  
         [0022]     Again preferably, the invention further comprises a bottom arm member  61  that is removably connected to the post member  11  such that it is generally horizontally disposed below the top arm sleeve member  41 . As shown in the figures, the bottom arm member receiving means preferably comprises one or more apertures  12  disposed in the post member  11 , whereby one end of the bottom arm member  61  may be inserted therein, the presence of multiple apertures  12  allowing for accommodation of sign member  51  of different heights. The bottom arm member  61  is provided with sign attachment means, preferably comprising an upper slot  62  disposed on the top of the bottom arm member  61 , the upper slot  62  having a configuration, shown as circular in  FIG. 7 , corresponding to a lower rail or clamp member  53 , which may be similar or identical in construction to upper rail member  52 . In this manner the sign member  51  may be attached to both the top arm sleeve member  41  and the bottom arm member  61  for added security.  
         [0023]     The invention is collapsed or disassembled by removing the sign member  51  from the top arm sleeve member  41  and the bottom arm member  61 . The post connector  31  and top arm sleeve member  41 , and the bottom arm member  61 , are then removed from the end of the post member  11 . The sign member  51 , upper rail member  52  and lower rail member  53  are then folded or rolled into a cylindrical configuration, as seen in  FIG. 2 . The bottom arm member  61  and the rolled sign member  51  assembly is then inserted through the open top  13  into the open interior  14  of the post member  11 , which is now exposed due to the removal of the post connector  31 , so as to be stored and protected within the post member  11 . The top arm sleeve member  41  and the post connector  31  is then coaxially aligned with and slipped over the post member  11 , the upper open end  13  of the post member  11  passing through the second post-receiving aperture  35  until the closed end of the top arm sleeve member  41  is abutted. In this non-use or storage configuration, shown in  FIG. 3 , the sign member  51 , rail members  52  and  53 , and the bottom arm member  61  are retained within the post member  11 , and the top arm sleeve member  41  closes and encases the post member  11  in telescoping manner. In this arrangement, the sign comprises a linear configuration and is easily transported and stored.  
         [0024]     The invention may further comprise chain sign members  71 , often referred to in the industry as riders, the chain sign members  71  being composed of a relatively rigid material and comprising an upper rail member  72  and a lower slot member  73 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The top arm sleeve member  41  is provided with an upper slot member  43  corresponding in configuration to the upper rail member  72  of the chain sign member  71 , and/or the bottom arm member  61  is provided with a lower slot member  63  corresponding in configuration to the upper rail member  72  of the chain sign member  71 , such that the chain sign member  71  may be temporarily mounted to either by insertion of the upper rail member  72  into the appropriate slot member  43  or  53 . In addition, multiple chain sign members  71  may be joined to each other by inserting the upper rail member  72  of one chain sign member  71  into the lower slot member  73  of another chain sign member  71 . The chain sign member  71  is imprinted with indicia as desired.  
         [0025]     A printed-information receptacle  81 , often referred to in the industry as a “take one” box, may be provided. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle  81  comprises a curved body  82  that snugly fits about the top arm sleeve member  41 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The receptacle  81  is provided with a hinged cover or lid  83  that exposes an opening  84  such that brochures, fliers or the like may be removed from the receptacle  81 . In the storage configuration, the receptacle  81  may remain affixed to the top arm sleeve member  41  without excessively detracting from the linear configuration. Furthermore, the fixed end caps  33  and  42  may be provided with handles or other means for attachment of balloons and the like.  
         [0026]     It is understood that equivalents and substitutions for certain elements or components set forth above may be obvious to those skilled in the art, and therefore the true scope and definition of the invention is to be as set forth in the following claims.