Abstract:
A sign system that is suitable for temporary use. A plurality of frame assemblies are provided which are secured at a desired site. A banner bearing a predetermined image to be displayed is securable to a number of frame assemblies and is erectable to a display position with respect to the frame assemblies. The system may be secured at an outside or inside site for temporary use for an event.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to signage in general and in particular to large signs for temporary installation at sporting events, trade shows, expositions, retail establishments, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are vast and sundry types of signs in existence today that are utilized to advertise particular products, to alert one to an upcoming or ongoing event, and the like. Such signs typically are permanently mounted to a building, to the ground, or the like without any intention that they be removed. By way of example billboards have been affixed to permanent wooden structures that are secured to the ground along highways, or attached to a steel superstructure also that is permanently attached to the ground along a highway or the like. With such signs, the particular signage employed is typically changed by reprinting the signage in strips and then re-pasting or otherwise adhesively securing the strips to form a mosaic that depicts the desired image. 
     Likewise certain small signs are employed such as by way of example in advance of highway construction to alert oncoming traffic of the existence of the construction site, and may or may not include directional indicators. Signs of this type are typically mounted on a trailer or vehicle or on a pedestal that simply rests atop the surface of the ground. 
     Signs exist in the prior art where the supports for the sign are permanently installed and where the signage may be manipulated when not in use to reduce resistance to wind and therefore require less structural integrity of the support for the sign. 
     Temporary signs for the most part are intended for one time use and include legs with pointed tips which are forced into the ground. A paperboard printed sign or banner is then stapled, nailed or tied to the legs. Such signs frequently are seen preceding elections. 
     Known patented prior art relevant to the present invention includes the following: U.S. Pat. No. 2,591,494 to Asachika; U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,269 to Catteau; U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,001 to Dietrich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,775 to Hoyt et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,804 to Hillstrom et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 977,862 to Grant; U.S. Pat. No. 884,951 to Perry; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,601,220 to Leu et al. 
     None of the above prior art is believed to teach or suggest the temporary sign structure according to the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a temporary sign that may be easily erected and taken down at temporary locations and for use for limited periods of time. The sign can be erected for display on virtually any support surface where location of the sign is needed. Signs according to the present invention permit ease of installation and removal, ease of transport and ease of replacement of the display. 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved, temporary sign system for use in outdoor or indoor environs. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved temporary sign that is simple, structurally sufficient for the environs, and may be quickly erected and left standing in place for a predetermined period of time. 
     Still further another object of the present invention is to provide an improved temporary sign that can be erected for a short period of time during which a particular event takes place, and without significant site improvement. 
     Yet further, another object of the present invention is to provide a temporary sign system that is modular, is easy to erect and disassemble, and may be conveniently stored or transported. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sign system that permits ease of change of the image display. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a frontal elevational view of one embodiment of a sign system according to teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the sign system as depicted in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a partial frontal view of a sign according to the present invention illustrating particulars of the image display. 
     FIG.  4  and FIG. 5 illustrate embodiments of temporary securement techniques for sign systems according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of an embodiment of a vertical support post of a frame assembly showing an embodiment of union of the post sections. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Making reference to the Figures, preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a sign system according to the present invention, generally illustrated as  10 . FIG. 1 shows such a sign system  10  which illustrates a single panel for image display. It is within the purview of the present invention that the size of the structure can be varied both as to panel size and as to the number of panels that are utilized as well as the framework therefor. Sign system  10  includes a display panel or banner  60  for a predetermined image display as at  66  that is removably secured to a support frame made up of a plurality of frame assemblies generally  20 . Each frame assembly  20  includes structural elements necessary for strength to withstand the environs in which it is placed. FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment for outdoor use, such location at an automobile racetrack. 
     The frame assemblies  20  shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 include a vertical support post  22 , preferably tubular in construction with a lower end  26  adapted for securement at the site and an upper end that receives a pulley wheel or the like  28 , the purpose of which will be described hereinafter. Frame assembly  20  further includes adequate additional supports to supply needed strength for the environs. FIG. 2 for an outdoor environment includes a rearward support strut  30  secured at one end to post  22  intermediate its length, and adapted at a lower end  29  for securement at the site. A lateral support or brace  25  is also provided which is secured at one end to post  22  and at an opposite end  32  is adapted for securement at the site. As illustrated in FIG. 1 lateral supports  25  for adjacent frame assemblies  20  may cross, and may be secured to each other at the point of intersection. Like post  22 , supports  25  may also be tubular, and for ease of handling and transport may be made up of a plurality of sections. See FIG. 6 for example, which illustrates one embodiment of suitable tubular connection for a post  22  or supports  25  and  30 . Sections  23  are illustrated with a connector  49  that telescopes into ends of adjacent sections  23 . Openings  24  are provided through sections  23  and connector  49 . Pins, cotter keys, bolts, or the like  24 ′ may pass through openings  24  and secure sections  23  to form post  22 . Likewise lockable hinge connections (not shown) could be made between adjacent post sections  23  to permit collapse of post  22  for storage and transport. 
     Securement at the site for the embodiment of FIG. 1 is illustrated by a plurality of base pads  40 ,  45  which receive the lower ends of posts  22  and supports  25  and  30  respectively. Base pads  40  include an upstanding tubular receiver  41  into which end  26  of post  22  may be received and secured by pins or the like such as for example the type shown in FIG.  6 . Base pads  45  have an upstanding element  44  to which ends  29  and  32  of supports  30  and  25  respectively may be secured by bolts or the like  46 . Sand bags, SB (See FIG. 5) or other weighted objects may then be placed atop base pads  40 ,  45  to secure frame assemblies  20  in place. However, as shown in FIG. 4, a preferred securement of frame assemblies  20  at site is illustrated and includes base pads  145  with one or more openings  147  through which augers  148 , stakes or the like may pass and be embedded in the ground to secure base pad  145  and therefore frame assemblies  20  to the ground. FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment in which base pad  240  is a toroidal container defining an opening  241  there through for receipt of post  222 . Base pads (not shown) may also be utilized which are hollow and are filled with water, sand or the like for securement of assemblies  20 . 
     Banner  60  can, as noted above, be any size and may be adorned as desired with an image  66  to be displayed. Banner  60  as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 may include a fabric, polymeric film or the like that is flexible and may or may not be reinforced about its periphery. Banner  60  is rectangular as shown with upper and lower edges  62 ,  63  and side edges  64 . A plurality of openings  65  are provided along upper and lower edges  62 ,  63  to permit securement of banner  60  to upper and lower banner rods  67 ,  68  such as by way of known rings  69  that have a screw closure  70 . However there are other suitable connectors that will pass through openings  65  and around rods  67 ,  68  that are then closeable to removably secure banner  60  to rods  67 ,  68  including without limitation polymeric strips with a locking housing through which a tip of the strip may pass in a locking direction only, rings, twine, or the like. Preferably the securement means between banner  60  and rods  67 ,  68  are removable to permit reuse of rods  67 ,  68  with different banners. 
     An elongated flexible element  80  such as a cable, rope, wire or the like is secured to upper rod  67 , preferably in line with each post  22 , and extends upwardly along post  22 , over pulley wheel  28  and down an opposite side of post  22  where an end of the element is secured to post  22 . Preferably a ratcheting winch  85  is secured to a side of post  22  opposite banner  60  with an end of element  80  secured to winch  85 . Lower banner rod  68  is secured to post  22  as at  88  which may be clamps, or any mechanism that will removably secure the bottom end of banner  60  to posts  22 . With such an arrangement, turning of winch  85  as by handle  86  will lift banner  60  to its display position while the ratchet arrangement of winch  85  holds elongated element  80  taut. Winch  85  is a standard item of commerce and is not described further herein. 
     With the embodiments described above a desired number of frame assemblies  20  may be secured to the ground or other surface as dictated by the size of banner  60 , and with a minimum of two frame assemblies  20 . Banner  60  can then be added to the frame assemblies and pulled open to display the image  66 . Further, since the frame assemblies need not be structurally joined to each other to form a rigidified structure, differences in topography can be tolerated without any significant site preparation. 
     Further, for indoor use, securement of the frame assemblies is not nearly so critical as on the outside since wind is not a factor. Accordingly, frame assemblies  20  may simply use base pads with adequate size to enable the sign system to stand erect in a stable fashion. 
     The various features described above for a sign system according to the present invention may be utilized in any desired combination. Further, It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.