Realtor signpost system

A signpost system includes a signpost assembly, comprised of a vertical post and horizontal bar; hinge assemblies, which hingedly connect portions of the vertical post, such that the vertical post is foldable; sign hooks, each slidably attachable to the horizontal bar, such that varyingly sized signs can be hung from the horizontal bar; a post support assembly, which is detachably insertable into a ground surface; and a removable step bar, which can aid in the insertion of the post support assembly into the ground; whereby the post support assembly is insertable into the vertical post, such that signpost assembly is secured in an upright position by the post support assembly when inserted into the ground surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of sign systems, and more particularly to methods and systems for real estate sales signage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the real estate field, it is common practice to have signs hung from signposts in the front yard of a property informing the public that the property is available for sale.

These signposts are typically made from 4×4 pieces of lumber joined together as a vertical post and horizontal arm. However, these wooden signposts are difficult to transport and install due to their weight and large size. Thus, realtors usually have to hire professional installers to install and remove the signposts. Lightweight metal signpost frames can also be used, but are often unattractive and difficult to assemble.

As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for real estate signpost systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model of realtor signpost systems.

In an aspect, realtor signpost system can include:a) a signpost assembly, which can include:i. a vertical post; andii. a horizontal bar, such that the horizontal bar can be configured to detachably attach to the vertical post;b) a plurality of sign hooks, which can be configured to be slidably connected into the horizontal bar, wherein the plurality of sign hooks can be configured to detachably attach to a realtor sign, such that the realtor sign can be hung from the horizontal bar; andc) a post support assembly, which can be insertable into a ground surface;such that a lower end of the vertical post can be configured to be detachably attachable to the post support assembly, such that the vertical post can be secured in an upright position by the post support assembly, when the post support assembly is inserted into the ground surface.

In another aspect, the vertical post can include:a) a plurality of post members; andb) a plurality of hinge cap assemblies, wherein each can include:i. a bottom hinge cap piece, which can be configured to be slidably attachable to an upper end of a respective lower post member; andii. a top hinge cap piece, which can be configured to be slidably attachable to a lower end of a respective upper post member;such that the top hinge cap piece can be hingedly connected to the bottom hinge cap piece;whereby the hinge cap assemblies can connect the post members, such that the post members form the vertical post;such that the post members can be configured to rotate about the hinge cap assemblies, such that the vertical post can be foldable.

In yet another aspect, a post support assembly can include:a) a stud member; andb) a ground spike, which is connected to a lower end of the stud member, such that the ground spike can be detachably insertable into the ground surface.

In a related aspect, the post support assembly can further include:a removable step bar, which can be configured to be insertable into the upper receiving interior of the stud member, such that the removable step bar can be configured to be longer than the receiving interior, such that opposite ends of the removable step bar can protrude past the stud member;wherein protruded ends of the removable step bar can be used as handles or steps to push the ground spike into the ground surface when the ground spike is attached to the stud member, such that the removable step bar can aid in the insertion of the ground spike into the ground surface.

In yet another related aspect, the post support assembly can further include:a retention plate, which can be positioned between the stud member and the ground spike, such that the retention plate can prevent the stud member from being inserted into the ground surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.

The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.

In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a realtor sign post system100, with reference toFIG. 1, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, a realtor signpost system100can include:a) a signpost assembly102, which can include:i. a vertical post120; andii. a horizontal bar130, which can also be called a horizontal beam130, such that the horizontal bar130can be configured to detachably attach to the vertical post120, such that the horizontal bar130can be perpendicular to the vertical post; andb) a plurality of sign hooks140, which can be configured to be slidably connected into the horizontal bar130, wherein the sign hooks140can be configured to detachably attach to a realtor sign145, such that the realtor sign145can be hung from the horizontal bar130; andc) a post support assembly150, which can be configured such that a lower end of the post support assembly is insertable into a ground surface180;such that a lower end123of the vertical post120can be configured to be detachably attachable to an upper end of the post support assembly, such that the vertical post120can be secured in an upright position by the post support assembly150, when the lower end of the post support assembly150is inserted into the ground surface180.

In various related embodiments, the signpost system100can be used as a realtor signpost system100, but can also be used for other purposes, such as for new construction sites wherein the signpost system100can be used to hold a permit box; and in other situations where it is convenient to mount an object to the signpost system100.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 8C, the vertical post120can include:a) a plurality of post members122, which can include a protruding hollow interior212, such that the hollow interior212can be accessible through an upper end214and a lower end216of a post member122;whereby the post members122can be hingedly connected, with post hinges128and oppositely mounted post locks129, such that the vertical post can be foldable for storage and transportation, as shown inFIG. 8C.

In another related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical post120can further include:a) a plurality of hinge cap assemblies125, wherein each can include:i. a bottom hinge cap piece127, which can be configured to be slidably attachable to an upper end of a respective lower post member122,176;wherein the bottom hinge cap piece127can be slidably inserted into the hollow interior212of the respective lower post member122,176or slidably attached over the upper end of the respective lower post member122,176; andii. a top hinge cap piece126, which can be configured to be slidably attachable to a lower end of a respective upper post member122,174;wherein the top hinge cap piece126can be slidably inserted into the hollow interior212of the respective upper post member122,174or slidably attached over the lower end of the respective upper post member122,174;such that the top hinge cap piece126can be hingedly connected to the bottom hinge cap piece127;such that the upper and lower post members122can be configured to be rotatable about the hinge cap assemblies125;such that the hinge cap assemblies125can hingedly connect the post members122.

In yet another related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F, the hinge cap assembly125can include:a) a top hinge cap piece126, which can include:i. a top hinge cap body311; andii. a plurality of top hinge portions310, which can protrude from a lower portion of a vertical surface314of the top hinge cap body311, wherein the top hinge portions310can be configured as a circular cylinder, such that the central horizontal axis of the top hinge portions310can align with the bottom surface317of the top hinge cap piece;wherein each top hinge portions310can include a top protruding hinge aperture315, such that the top hinge aperture315can be accessible on either end of the top hinge portions310; andb) a bottom hinge cap piece127, which can include:i. a bottom hinge cap body321; andii. a plurality of bottom hinge portions320, which can protrude from an upper portion of a vertical surface324of the bottom hinge cap piece127, wherein the bottom hinge portions320can be configured as a circular cylinder, such that the central horizontal axis of the bottom hinge portions320can align with the upper surface327of the bottom hinge cap piece127;wherein each top hinge portions320can include a bottom protruding hinge aperture325, such that the bottom hinge aperture325can be accessible on either end of the bottom hinge portions320.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, 3E, and 3F, the top hinge portions310and bottom hinge portions320can be of equal length, and can be separated by that same equal length, such that the top hinge portions310can be configured to interlock with the bottom hinge portions320, such that together the top hinge portions310and bottom hinge portions320can form a hinge assembly128equal to the length of the top hinge cap piece126and bottom hinge cap piece127;

wherein the top hinge aperture315and the bottom hinge aperture325can be configured to positionally align, such that the hinge assembly128has a protruding receiving interior332accessible on either end.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3F, each hinge cap assembly125can further include:a hinge pin330, which can be configured to match the protruding receiving interior332of the hinge assembly128, such that the hinge pin330can secure the top hinge portions310and bottom hinge portions320of the bottom hinge cap piece127together;wherein the top hinge cap piece126and bottom hinge cap piece127can be rotatable relative to the hinge pin330.

In another related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E, each hinge cap assembly125can further include:a) a top locking pin tab222, which can be protruded from a lower portion of a vertical surface316opposite to the vertical surface314on which the top hinge portions310are positioned;wherein the top locking pin tab222can include a top locking pin hole313, which can be protruded through the top locking pin tab222, such that the top locking pin hole313can be accessed on either end of the top locking pin tab222; andb) a bottom locking pin tab224, which can be protruded from an upper portion of a vertical surface326opposite to the vertical surface324on which the bottom hinge portions320are positioned;wherein the bottom locking pin tab224can include a bottom locking pin hole323, which can be protruded through the bottom locking pin tab224, such that the bottom locking pin hole323can be accessed on either end of the bottom locking pin tab224.c) a locking pin334, which can be configured to match the top locking pin hole313and the bottom locking pin hole323, such that the locking pin334can be insertable into the top locking pin tab222and bottom locking pin tab224;whereby the top hinge cap piece126and bottom hinge cap piece127can be rotated, such that the top locking pin tab222and bottom locking pin tab224align, such that the top locking pin hole224and the bottom locking pin hole323can align, such that the locking pin334can be insertable through both the top locking pin tab222and the bottom locking pin tab224, wherein the locking pin334can secure the top hinge cap piece126and the bottom hinge cap piece127in place.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5A, 5B, and 7, the horizontal bar130, which can be configured with a hollow interior510, can include:a) a vertically protruding aperture132, which can protrude vertically through the horizontal bar130, such that the vertically protruding aperture132can be configured to match the upper portion122of the vertical post120, such that the vertical post120can be inserted into the vertically protruding aperture132; andb) a plurality of lower apertures518, which can be positioned on the lower surface516of the horizontal bar130, such that the lower apertures518can provide access to the hollow interior510of the horizontal bar130.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1, 5A, 5B, and 7, the vertically protruding aperture132of the horizontal bar130, can be configured to match an upper portion122of a vertical post120, such that the vertical post120can be insertable into the vertically protruding aperture132;

wherein the signpost assembly further comprises: a bottom hinge cap body;

wherein a bottom hinge cap body321can be slidably attachable to an upper end214of the upper post member122of the vertical post120, such that the bottom hinge cap body321can prevent the horizontal bar130from sliding down the vertical post120, as shown inFIG. 1.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B, the horizontal bar130can be attached to the vertical post120using two different methods:a) the horizontal bar130can be slidably attachable to an upper post member822of the vertical post120, as shown inFIG. 8A; orb) the horizontal bar130can be hingedly connected to the vertical post120, wherein that the horizontal bar130can be hingedly connected to a bottom hinge cap piece127, such that the bottom hinge cap piece127can be slidably attached to the upper post member822of the vertical post120, wherein the horizontal bar130can be configured without a vertically protruding aperture132, as shown inFIG. 8B;whereby the horizontal bar130can include a set of protruding top hinge portions310, such that the top hinge portions310of the horizontal bar130can be configured to interlock with bottom hinge portions320of the bottom hinge cap piece127to form a hinge connection812, wherein a hinge pin330can be inserted into the hinge connection812to secure the horizontal bar130in place;such that the horizontal bar130can rotate about the hinge connection812.

In a further related embodiment, the signpost assembly102can further include:a) a pin lock assembly814, which is mounted on an opposite of the hinge connection812, such that the pin lock assembly814can lock the horizontal bar130in a horizontal configuration.

In a yet further related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1, 8B, and 8D, the pin lock assembly814can further include:a) a first lock flange815, with a first flange aperture816, such that the first lock flange815is connected to the horizontal bar130;b) a second lock flange817, with a second flange aperture818, such that the second lock flange817is connected to the horizontal bar the vertical post120; andc) a lock pin819;wherein the first flange aperture816is aligned with the second flange aperture818, when the horizontal bar130is in a horizontal configuration;such that the lock pin819is inserted through the first flange aperture816and the second flange aperture818to lock the horizontal bar130is in the horizontal configuration.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, the horizontal bar130can be configured to include end caps710, which can be attached to either end of the horizontal bar130, such that the end caps710provide access to a storage cavity; wherein the end caps710can be hingedly mounted to either end of the horizontal bar130.

In a further related embodiment, the horizontal bar130can be configured with a hollow interior510, wherein the signpost system100can further include:a) a first end cap710, which is detachably attachable to a first/outer/left end of the horizontal bar130; andb) a second end cap710, which is detachably attachable to a second/inner/right end of the horizontal bar130;such that removal of at least one of the first end cap710and the second end cap710provides access to the hollow interior510, which functions as a storage cavity510.

In another related embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, the horizontal bar130can include raised textual descriptions715, such that the textual descriptions715can provide useful information such as numerical references.

In yet a related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1, 6 and 7, each of a sign hook640can include:a) a rectangular plate615; andb) a hook610, which can be attached to a bottom side of the rectangular plate615;wherein the hook610can be configured to be insertable into a hook hole142of a realtor sign145, such that the realtor sign145can securely hang from the hooks610, as shown inFIG. 1.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, each rectangular plate615can be configured to be insertable into the lower apertures518of the horizontal bar130;

wherein each rectangular plate615can be configured to have a length longer than the length of the lower apertures518, such that the rectangular plate615can rest and be slid back and forth on the interior of the lower surface516, such that the plurality of sign hooks640are slidably attachable to the horizontal bar130;
wherein the rectangular plate615can be slidably mounted inside the horizontal bar130, such that the hook619protrudes through a corresponding lower aperture518in the plurality of lower apertures518;
whereby the sign hooks640can be slid to adjust to varyingly spaced realtor sign hook holes142, such that the sign hooks640can be attached to varyingly sized realtor signs145.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5A, each of the sign hooks140can be configured to include an eyelet rod144, such that the eyelet rod144protrudes through a plurality of upper apertures517on the upper surface514of the horizontal bar130, such that the plurality of upper apertures517can positionally match the plurality of lower apertures518;

whereby the eyelet rod144can be slid back and forth within the upper apertures517, such that the eyelet rods144can be used to slide the sign hooks140.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 1, 4A, and 4B, a post support assembly150can include:a) a stud member152, such that a lower end123of the vertical post120can be configured to be detachably attachable to an upper end419of the stud member152, for example such that the vertical post120slides over the stud member152; andb) a ground spike158, which can be connected to a lower end of the stud member, such that the ground spike158can be configured to come to a sharp point424, such that the sharp point424can puncture the ground surface180, such that the ground spike158can be detachably insertable into the ground surface180.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4A, the stud member152can include:a) a lower receiving interior416; andb) a lower entry aperture418on a lower surface417of the stud member152, which can provide access to the lower receiving interior416;wherein an upper portion426of the ground spike158can be configured to match the lower receiving interior416of the stud member152, such that the upper portion426of the ground spike158can be detachably attachable to the stud member152;wherein the ground spike158can secure the stud member152in an upright position when the ground spike158is inserted into the ground surface180.

In a related embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the lower receiving interior416of the stud member152can be configured as a threaded hole416, and the upper portion426of the ground spike158can be configured as a threaded rod426that matches the lower receiving interior416, such that the ground spike158can be secured to the stud member152by screwing the upper portion426of the ground spike158into the lower receiving interior416of the support stud.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the stud member152can further include:a lateral aperture412, which protrudes laterally/horizontally through the stud member152; andwherein the post support assembly150can further include:a removable step bar154, which can be configured to be insertable into the lateral aperture412, such that the removable step bar154can be configured to be longer than the lateral aperture412, such that first and second protruding ends of the removable step bar154can protrude past the stud member152;wherein the first and second protruding ends of the removable step bar154can be usable as handles or steps, to push the ground spike158into the ground surface180, when the ground spike158is attached to the stud member152, such that the removable step bar154can aid in the insertion of the ground spike158into the ground surface180.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the post support assembly150can further include:a retention plate156, which can be configured as a disk, such that the retention plate156can be positioned between the lower surface417of the stud member152and an upper surface428of a central portion425of the ground spike158, such that the retention plate156can prevent the stud member152from being inserted into the ground surface180;wherein the retention plate156can include a centrally positioned hole434, which can be configured to match the upper portion426of the ground spike158and the lower entry aperture418of the stud member152, such that the upper portion426of the ground spike158protrudes through the hole434and into the lower entry aperture418.

In an embodiment, as shown inFIG. 1, the post support assembly150can be configured to be insertable into the hollow interior212of a bottom post member122of the signpost assembly102;

such that the post support assembly150can secure the signpost assembly102in an upright position when the post support assembly150is secured to the ground surface180.

Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the realtor signpost system, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.