Sign assembly

A sign assembly includes a base, a pair of spring members, and a panel. The spring members include a resilient portion that includes attachment means at a first end to enable attachment of the spring member to the base. The spring members also include a generally straight rod that extends from a second end of the resilient portion. The panel defines a pair of openings at a lower edge configured to slidably receive the rod of the spring members. The amount by which the rod slides into the panel is configured to secure the panel in an upright position.

BACKGROUND

The present application relates to a sign assembly for displaying signage.

II. Description of Related Art

When advertising a product or service, it is common to post a sign in the region where the product is being sold or the service is being offered. For example, a restaurant may place a sign in front of the restaurant announcing specialties. In some instances, the sign includes a base and a panel that are connected via springs. The springs enable the panel to flex in the presence of wind.

However, to secure the springs, a u-shaped metal bracket configured to attach to the bottom of the panel must be attached to the springs. The panel is then attached to the bracket via screws or the like, which increases the complexity of the sign, and also the amount of time and expertise required to assemble the sign.

The sign may include a pair of wheels on a bottom side of the base to enable moving the sign. The wheels may be attached to the base via a common axle. However, the axle is secured to the bottom of the base by snapping the axle into a groove in the bottom of the base or via a bracket configured to hold the axle against the bottom surface of the base. The common axle may flex under the weight of ballast in the base. When this occurs, the bottom side of the base may drag against a surface when being moved.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a sign assembly includes a base, a pair of spring members, and a panel. The spring members include a resilient portion that includes attachment means at a first end to enable attachment of the spring members to the base. The spring members also include a generally straight rod that extends from a second end of the resilient portion. The panel defines a pair of openings at a lower edge configured to slidably receive the rod of the spring members. The amount by which the rod slides into the panel is configured to secure the panel in an upright position.

In a second aspect, a sign assembly includes a panel and a base. The base is configured to be attached to the panel via a resilient member. The bottom surface of the base defines a pair of cavities. The cavities are positioned substantially adjacent to a forward edge of the bottom surface. A pair of wheel assemblies is secured within respective cavities on the bottom surface. Each wheel assembly includes a housing that houses an axle and wheel.

Other features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional features and advantages included within this description be within the scope of the claims, and be protected by the following claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary embodiments below describe a sign assembly with a reduced component count. The sign assembly includes a base and panel connected together via a pair of spring members. The spring members attach to the base via fasteners and include rods configured to slidably enter a panel via openings in the bottom of the panel. The rods are interwoven through a group of grooves that enable a tight fit between the panel and the rods.

The sign assembly also includes a pair of wheel assemblies. Each wheel assembly includes a housing that houses an axle and wheel. The wheel assemblies are inserted into cavities defined by the bottom surface of the base while the base is still warm from a forming process. The base then contracts as it cools, forming a tight fit with the wheel assemblies.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of a sign assembly100. The sign assembly100includes a pair of spring members110, a panel115, and a base105. The spring members110are utilized to resiliently attach the panel115to the base105. The spring members110enable the panel115to flex in the presence of wind.

Referring toFIG. 2A, the spring members110include a resilient portion125and a generally straight rod120. The resilient portion125may correspond to a coil. The rod120may extend from a second end of the resilient portion125. Referring toFIG. 2B, in some implementations, the resilient portion125and the rod120are formed from a single continuous piece of material. The material may be a rigid material, such as steel or a other appropriate material as known in the art.

A first end of the resilient portion125nearest the base105may be configured to attach to the base105. For example, referring toFIGS. 2C-2E, a threaded insert205(FIG. 2C) for receiving a fastener210(FIG. 2D), such as a screw, may be positioned into the first end of the resilient portion125, as shown inFIG. 2E. The spring member110may then be attached to a corresponding fastener210extending from an underside of the base105.

Referring back toFIG. 1, the panel115may be configured to enable the attachment of signage to a front and/or back surface132A and132B of the panel115. For example, the panel115may include attaching means such as those disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 12/755,140, filed Apr. 6, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The panel115may define a pair of openings113at a lower edge112sized to enable slidably receiving the rod120of the respective spring members110. A pair of spring shaft retainers117may be positioned between the spring members110and the panel. Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, the spring shaft retainer117defines a generally u-shaped upper side configured to be positioned over the lower edge112of the panel115and a circular portion305on a lower side315configured to cover the second or top end of the spring member110. The spring shaft retainer117also defines an opening320in a center region through which the rod120extends. The spring shaft retainer117prevents deformation of the openings in the bottom of the panel115by providing extra support between the spring members110and the panel115. Without the spring shaft retainers117, the openings in the bottom of the panel115may begin “ovaling” or otherwise deforming when the sign assembly100is moved. This problem may be exacerbated when ballast is added to the base105.

The panel115may also define grooves130through which the rod120extends. The grooves130are configured to provide a frictional force against the rod120that substantially prevents movement of the panel115relative to the rod120. In some implementations, the grooves130define a generally v-shape cross-section configured to wrap around a portion of the rod120to increase an amount of friction between the rods120and the grooves130, as illustrated inFIG. 1B. In some implementations, the grooves130are defined on both the front surface132aand the back surface132B of the panel115so that the rod120is interwoven through the panel115to enable some portions of the rod120to be viewed from the front surface132A and other portions of the rod120to be viewed from the back surface132B.

The length of the rods120may be sized to enable securing the panel115in an upright position. For example, the rods120may extend into the panel by an amount equal to at least one third of the height of the panel115, or more.

The base105may be generally hollow and may include an opening123for inserting ballast into the base105to add weight to the base. Referring toFIG. 4, the bottom surface405of the base105may define a first group of cavities410and a second group of cavities415. The first group of cavities410is configured to receive fasteners425that enable attaching the spring members110to the base105. The second group of cavities415is positioned substantially adjacent to a forward edge420of the base105and is configured to receive wheel assemblies420.

The wheel assemblies420include a housing435that houses an axle440and a wheel445. Referring toFIGS. 5A and 5B, an outside surface of the housing435defines extensions440configured to prevent the housing435from being removed from the second group of cavities415. The extensions440may configured as teeth that allow the wheel assemblies420to be inserted, but not removed. For example, the extensions440may be angled to a point one end. The extensions440may be spaced apart in a row along the entire length, from front edge to back edge, of the entire outside surface.

Opposing inner surfaces of the housing435define a pair of guides505that enable slidably inserting the axle440and wheel445into the housing until the axle440engages a pair of openings510that secure the axle440in position. In some implementations, a forward edge515of the housing435is beveled to match a profile114of the forward edge430of the bottom surface405of the base105.

FIG. 6illustrates a group of exemplary operations for manufacturing the sign assembly100ofFIG. 1. At block600, a base may be formed. For example, the base105(FIG. 1) described above may be formed via, for example, a blow-molding process or another process known in the art capable of producing a substantially sealed hollow form. The base105may be formed to include a first group of cavities410though which fasteners425are inserted, and a second group of cavities415for receiving wheel assemblies420, as described above.

At block605, a pair of wheel assemblies420such as those described above may be prepared. The preparation of each wheel assembly420may include inserting an axle340through a wheel445. Then the axle440and wheel445may be inserted into a housing435. The housing435may define guides on opposing inner surfaces that enable sliding the axle440into the housing435. The housing435may define teeth440or other extensions on opposing outer surfaces.

At block610, the wheel assemblies may be inserted into the base. For example, the wheel assemblies420described above may be inserted in the second group of cavities415defined in the bottom surface405of the base105. In one implementation, the wheel assemblies420are inserted while the base105is still hot and somewhat malleable from the forming process at block600. The base105is then allowed to cool and contract around the wheel assemblies420. When contracting, the teeth440may press against and into the inner surfaces of the second group of cavities415, thus providing a tight fit.

At block615, a panel may be formed in a similar manner as the base at block600. For example, the panel115described above may be formed via blow molding. The panel115may be formed to define a pair of openings113in a bottom edge112and a group of grooves130on front and back surfaces132A and132B for receiving a rod120.

At block620, the spring members may be formed. For example, the spring members110described above may be fabricated from a material, such as steel round stock to form a resilient portion125in the form of a coil and a rod120that extends from the resilient portion125.

The various operations shown inFIG. 6and the order of the operations are merely exemplary. Additional or fewer operations may be performed and/or the operations may be performed in a different sequence.

FIG. 7illustrates a group of exemplary operations for assembling the sign assembly100ofFIG. 1. At block700, a base, panel, and a pair of spring members, such as the base105, panel115, and spring members125described above, may be provided.

At block705, the spring members may be attached to the base. For example, a pair of fasteners210, such as threaded fasteners, may be inserted through the base305from a bottom side, through openings defined in a first group of cavities310. The fasteners210may then attach to a first end of a resilient portion125of the spring member110. For example, a threaded fitting205for receiving a threaded fastener210may be positioned within the first end of the resilient portion125of the spring member110.

At block708, a spring shaft retainer117may be fit over each of the rods120. The respective spring shaft retainers117support the panel115and prevent deformation of the openings in the bottom of the panel115.

At block710, a panel may be slid over rods of the spring members so as to rest on the spring shaft retainers117. For example, the rods120described above may be inserted through openings113defined in the bottom of the panel115. The panel115may then be maneuvered so that the rods120pass through grooves130defined on the front and back surface132A and132B of the panel115. The grooves130may provide a frictional force against the rods120that substantially prevents movement of the panel115relative to the rods120. The grooves130are positioned to enable viewing the rod120as the rod120is slid into the panel115.

The various operations shown inFIG. 7and the order of the operations are merely exemplary. Additional or fewer operations may be performed and/or the operations may be performed in a different sequence.

While the method and system has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present method and system not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the method and system include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.