SIGN ASSEMBLY

A sign assembly may include a base, a main member, a brace arm, and an accessory arm. The base may be removably attached to a support surface. The main member may extend from the base opposite the support surface. The brace arm may extend from the main member and towards the support surface. The main member may selectively engage and support a sign, interchangeable by a user. The accessory arm may be selectively connected and operably engaged with the main member. The accessory arm may extend from the main member and support at least one accessory. The at least one accessory may include a light source, a power source, a camera, and a controller.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This present disclosure generally relates to sign assemblies and methods, including sign assemblies and methods that may be used in conjunction with an entrance to a structure.

BACKGROUND

This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure.

Sign assemblies may be fixedly attached to a support such that they are visible to an observer. Sign assemblies may be used as indicators and/or provide information to the observer. However, prior art sign assemblies may not include sufficient functionality or features.

There is a desire for solutions/options that improve prior art sign assemblies. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and are not a disavowal of scope.

SUMMARY

With embodiments, a sign assembly may include a base and a main member. The base may be removably attached to a support surface. The main member may extend from the base opposite the support surface. The main member may selectively engage and support a sign, interchangeable by a user.

In embodiments, a sign assembly may include a mount, a base, and a main member. The mount may be removably or fixedly attached to a support surface. The mount may support the base and may be selectively engageable with the mount. The main member may extend from the base and may support a sign, selectively engageable and interchangeable by a user.

With embodiments, a sign assembly may include a base, a main member, and a brace arm. The base may be removably attached to a support surface. The main member may extend from the base opposite the support surface. The brace arm may be selectively connected to the main member and extend towards the support surface, configured to brace the sign assembly against the support surface. The main member may selectively engage and support a sign, interchangeable by a user.

In embodiments, a sign assembly may include a base, a main member, and an accessory arm. The base may be removably attached to a support surface. The main member may extend from the base opposite the support surface. The main member may selectively engage and support a sign, interchangeable by a user. The accessory arm may be selectively connected and operably engaged with the main member. The accessory arm may extend from the main member and support at least one accessory. The at least one accessory may include a light source, an power source, a camera, and an controller.

With embodiments, a sign assembly may include a controller. The controller may communicate with a vehicle, a mobile phone, other controllers. The controller may be configured to turn on the power source to power the light source and/or change the color of the light source and/or cause the light source to intermittently turn off and on. The controller may be configured to receive an emergency signal when an occupant of the structure contacts an emergency service. The controller, after receiving the signal, may be configured to turn on the power source to power the light source and/or change the color of the light source and/or cause the light source to intermittently turn off and on. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may broadcast a location signal. The light source and/or the controller may be configured to act as an indicator to a mobile phone user and/or autonomous transportation seeking or confirming a destination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the claims are not limited to a specific illustration, an appreciation of various aspects may be gained through a discussion of various examples. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Further, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not exhaustive or otherwise limiting, and are not restricted to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings or disclosed below. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

In embodiments, a sign assembly10capable of supporting a sign12is generally illustrated inFIG. 1. The sign assembly10may be removably attached to a support surface20of a structure22. For example and without limitation, the sign assembly may be removably mounted to a soffit, a fascia, a beam, a board, or a wall with a fastener, a magnet, a hook, a clamp, a snap, a clip, a sleeve, or hook and loop. The sign assembly10may be made of any suitable material. For example and without limitation, the sign assembly10may be made of plastic, metal, or wood, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), poly(methyl methacrylate) (acrylic), polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The sign assembly10may be manufactured by any suitable method. For example and without limitation, the sign assembly10may be manufactured by injection molding, a computer numerical control (CNC) operation, or machined by a secondary process.

With embodiments, the sign assembly10may have a mount30that is removably attached to a support surface20as generally illustrated inFIG. 3A. The mount may have a mount wall32, a first side wall34extending from the periphery of the mount wall32and a second side wall36extending from the periphery of the mount wall32opposite the first side wall34. The mount may have a first retaining wall38extending from the first side wall34and a second retaining wall40extending from the second side wall36, opposite and spaced apart from the first retaining wall38. The mount wall32, the first side wall34, the second side wall36, the first retaining wall38, and the second retaining wall40may define a space42corresponding to the base50. For example and without limitation, the first side wall34and the second side wall36may be parallel to each other and orthogonal to the mount wall32. In a further example, the first retaining wall38and the second retaining wall40may be co-planar and extend towards each other.

With embodiments, the sign assembly10may have a base50as generally illustrated inFIGS. 2-3C. The base50may be removably attached to the support surface20using any attachment scheme previously described. The base50may have a first surface52and a second surface54opposite the first surface52. The first surface52may be adjacent the support surface20when the base50is removably attached. Alternatively, the base50may cooperate with the mount30to removably attach the sign assembly10to the support surface20. The first surface52may be adjacent the mount wall32and the second surface54may be adjacent the first retaining wall38and the second retaining wall40when the base50and the mount30are selectively engaged. For example and without limitation, the base50may be a panel that slides into the corresponding space42of the mount30.

In embodiments, the sign assembly10may have a main member60as generally illustrated inFIGS. 1-2. The main member60may have an elongated body66with a first region62and a second region64opposite the first region62. The first region62may be attached to and extend from the second surface54of the base50. The connection between the main member60and the base50may be reinforced by a gusset as is known in the art. The main member60may extend from the base50such that when the base50is engaged with the mount30, the first region62is adjacent to and passes between the first retaining wall38and the second retaining wall40. Alternatively and additionally, the main member60may be rotatably connected to the base50via a hinge56. For example and without limitation, the base50may be removably attached to the support surface20(e.g. a vertical wall) and the main member60may rotate relative to the base50via a hinge such that the main member60is parallel to the wall and coplanar with the base50. Alternatively and additionally, as shown inFIG. 4, the main member60may be a hollow body with a space inside the body for housing an accessory110. The main member60may be at least partially enclosed to protect any accessories110from inclement weather (e.g. rain or snow), insects, birds, and/or tampering. For example and without limitation, the main member60may house an at least partially enclosed space to store a power source114that is still accessible from the outside or a motion sensor122.

With embodiments, the main member60may provide support for a sign12. An interchangeable sign12may be selectively engaged with the main member60at the discretion of a user. The main member60may allow selective engagement by providing half of a first attachment scheme68while the sign12has the respective corresponding half. The first attachment scheme68can include but is not limited to magnets, hook and eye, keyhole slot and pin, clamp, snap fit, clip, sleeve, tongue and groove, or hook and loop. For example and without limitation, the main member60may have at least one keyhole slot disposed on the second region64with a corresponding pin on the sign12, sized such that the keyhole slot on the main member60can engage and secure the pin on the sign12. Alternatively and additionally, the main member60may have a resilient securing tab70. The securing tab70may be used in conjunction with the first attachment scheme68to secure and stabilize the sign12against the main member60. For example and without limitation, the securing tab70may be attached to the main member60above a keyhole slot such that it partially or fully covers the keyhole slot. A pin on the sign12may be inserted into the keyhole slot and push the securing tab70away from the main member60such that the pin may be seated and locked in the keyhole slot. The resilient securing tab70may provide a force on the pin to secure the pin to the main member60. Alternatively and additionally, the securing tab70may be configured to provide a force to the sign12facilitating the continued engagement of the first attachment scheme68.

In embodiments, the sign assembly10may have a brace arm80as generally illustrated inFIGS. 1-2. The brace arm80may be attached to the sign assembly such that the brace arm provides additional support and braces the sign assembly10against the support surface20. The brace arm80may have a fixed region82and a brace region84. The fixed region82of the brace arm80may be attached to the main member60and extend from the main member60towards the support surface20. The brace region84may be adjacent the support surface20.

With embodiments, the sign assembly10may have an accessory arm90as generally illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, and 3D. The accessory arm90may have a free end92, an elongated body94, and a support end96adjacent the elongated body94and opposite the free end92. The accessory arm90may be selectively engageable with the main member60at the discretion of a user. The accessory arm90may be selectively engageable with the main member using a second attachment scheme104, similar to the first attachment scheme68previously described. For example and without limitation, the main member60may have a groove disposed on the elongated body66and the support end96of the accessory arm90may have a corresponding tongue sized to engage and secure the accessory arm90to the main member60. The accessory arm90may be located on and extend from the main member60on a side and direction opposite the brace arm80. For example and without limitation, the brace arm80may be attached to and extend from the rear of the main member60and the accessory arm90may be engaged on and extend from the front of the main member60. The accessory arm90may have a top surface98and a bottom surface100opposite the top surface98. The free end92may form an angle, θ,102with the elongated body94. The angle θ102may be between 0 degrees and 180 degrees, or more preferably, 10 degrees to 170 degrees, or yet more preferably, 20 to 160 degrees. The accessory arm90may have a housing106. The housing106may be integrated with the accessory arm90and may extend the length of the accessory arm90(i.e. from the support end96through the elongated body94towards the free end92). The housing106may provide an enclosure108disposed on the accessory arm90to house and/or protect at least one accessory110.

In embodiments, the at least one accessory110may include a light source112, a power source114, a motion sensor122, and/or a controller116. For example and without limitation, the accessory arm may support at least one of a camera, antenna, modem, router, circuit board, sensor, processor, radio frequency (such as WiFi) transceiver, radar sensor, relays, and a lidar sensor. The light source112may include but not be limited to a lightbulb, such as Philips—Hue White & Color Ambiance A19 Bluetooth Smart LED Bulb—Multicolor Model:548487. The light source112may be attached to the accessory arm90. For example and without limitation, the light source112may be attached to the bottom surface100of the accessory arm90near the free end92, such that the light source112illuminates a sign12engaged with the main member60. A further example, the light source112may be configured to change colors. In yet a further example, the light source112may be configured to turn off and on based on a timer. In a further yet example, the light source112may be configured to turn on and off based on a measured level of ambient light. For example and without limitation, the light source112may turn on at or around dusk and turn off at or around dawn. Additionally or alternatively, the light source112may be a smart light bulb configured to connect to and be controlled by a smart device (e.g. a virtual assistant). For example and without limitation, the light source112may be part of Phillips Hue White ambiance Starter kit B22 model 8718699719111 that is configured to be controlled by a smart device, remote switch, or mobile application.

With embodiments, the accessory arm90may support a power source114configured to provide power to the other accessories110. The power source114may include, but not be limited to, solar panel, battery, wireless charging, alternating current (AC), and direct current (DC). For example and without limitation, the power source114may be a solar panel attached to the top surface98of the accessory arm90, near the free end92. In a further example, the power source114may be a battery pack housed inside the enclosure108of the housing106. Although the illustrated embodiment shows a power source114supported by the accessory arm, the power source114may also be external to the sign assembly10and configured to provide power to the sign assembly10. For example, the power source114may be an electrical socket associated with the structure22and provided to the sign assembly10via an extension cord, such as GE Designer Extension Cord With Surge Protection, Braided Power Cord, 8 ft, 3 Grounded Outlets, Flat Plug.

In embodiments, the accessory arm90may support a controller116. For example and without limitation, the controller116may be housed within the enclosure108of the housing106. The controller116may be configured to control the power source114, the light source112, the camera118, and wirelessly communicate with vehicles120, mobile phones140, and other controllers160. The controller116may be configured to wirelessly communicate with a network, a mobile application, and a remote server (e.g., a cloud server). For example and without limitation, the controller116may be configured to communicate via Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and other radio frequency means.

With embodiments, the controller116may be configured to provide an indicator to people or objects outside the structure22as generally illustrated inFIG. 5. For example and without limitation, the controller116may be configured to communicate with the power source114to provide power to the light source112. The light source112may change colors (e.g., turn red), and/or it may intermittently turn off and on. Another example and without limitation, the controller116may include a commercially-available global position system (GPS) receiver and be configured to broadcast a GPS location as a secondary indicator such that a mobile phone140or other controller160may use the broadcast to home in the location of the sign assembly10and therefore the structure22. For example and without limitation, a ride share application may provide instructions to the driver of the ride share vehicle to the location of an occupant of the structure22—a primary indicator. As the ride share driver approaches the structure22, the ride share application may receive the broadcast and use the broadcast to home in at the proper location—a secondary indicator. In a further example and without limitation, an autonomous vehicle120with another controller160may be configured to receive the broadcast to act as a secondary indicator to confirm that the autonomous vehicle arrives at the proper location. The controller116may broadcast the GPS location manually (e.g. an occupant of the structure22may instruct the controller116to start broadcasting the signal) or the controller116may do so automatically.

With embodiments, the accessory arm90may support a camera118, such as Blink XT2 Outdoor/Indoor Smart Security Camera with cloud storage included, 2-way audio, 2-year battery life. The camera118may be in communication with the controller116and the power source114. For example and without limitation, the controller116may be configured to communicate with the power source114to provide power to the camera118. The camera118may be configured to monitor the outside (e.g. entrance, roadside, sidewalk, etc.) of the structure22. For example and without limitation, the camera118may be configured to be a security measure to monitor for visitors, deliveries, or intruders.

In embodiments, the controller116may be in communication with a network associated with the structure22. The network may monitor the structure22for outgoing electronic communication (e.g. phone calls, communications via mobile phone applications or websites) to emergency services (e.g. police, ambulance, etc.). For example and without limitation, when a phone call to emergency services is detected and identified, the controller116may be configured to communicate with the power source114to provide power to the light source112. The light source112may change colors (e.g. turn red), and/or it may intermittently turn off and on (e.g. blink). Another example and without limitation, when a medical alert device contacts emergency services, the medical alert device also communicates with the controller116, whereby the controller116may be configured to communicate with the power source114to provide power to the light source112. The light source112may change colors (e.g. turn red), and/or it may intermittently turn off and on (e.g. blink). The controller116may be configured to broadcast a global position system (GPS) location such that a mobile phone140or other controller160may use the broadcast to home in the location of the sign assembly10and therefore the structure22.

With embodiments, the controller116may also monitor communications to ride share companies and may illuminate or flash the light source112as an indicator which can be used to help guide ride share drivers to the structure22.

In examples, a controller116,160may include an electronic controller and/or include an electronic processor, such as a programmable microprocessor and/or microcontroller. In embodiments, a controller116,160may include, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A controller116,160may include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium), and/or an input/output (I/O) interface. A controller116,160may be configured to perform various functions, including those described in greater detail herein, with appropriate programming instructions and/or code embodied in software, hardware, and/or other medium. In embodiments, a controller116,160may include a plurality of controllers.

It should be understood that a controller116,160, a system, and/or a processor as described herein may include a conventional processing apparatus known in the art, which may be capable of executing preprogrammed instructions stored in an associated memory, all performing in accordance with the functionality described herein. To the extent that the methods described herein are embodied in software, the resulting software can be stored in an associated memory and can also constitute means for performing such methods. Such a system or processor may further be of the type having ROM, RAM, RAM and ROM, and/or a combination of non-volatile and volatile memory so that any software may be stored and yet allow storage and processing of dynamically produced data and/or signals.

It should be further understood that an article of manufacture in accordance with this disclosure may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program encoded thereon for implementing logic and other functionality described herein. The computer program may include code to perform one or more of the methods disclosed herein. Such embodiments may be configured to execute via one or more processors, such as multiple processors that are integrated into a single system or are distributed over and connected together through a communications network, and the communications network may be wired and/or wireless. Code for implementing one or more of the features described in connection with one or more embodiments may, when executed by a processor, cause a plurality of transistors to change from a first state to a second state. A specific pattern of change (e.g., which transistors change state and which transistors do not), may be dictated, at least partially, by the logic and/or code.

Various examples/embodiments are described herein for various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the examples/embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the examples/embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples/embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples/embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

Reference throughout the specification to “examples, “in examples,” “with examples,” “various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example/embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “examples, “in examples,” “with examples,” “in various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples/embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.

Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The use of “e.g.” in the specification is to be construed broadly and is used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. Uses of “and” and “or” are to be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as “and/or”). For example and without limitation, uses of “and” do not necessarily require all elements or features listed, and uses of “or” are inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical.