Pole assembly for supporting a sign

An assembly for supporting a sign and adapted to engage a pole includes a pair of mounting plates disposed contiguously with a pole. Each mounting plate comprises a second aperture through which a band is inserted to connect each mounting plate to the pole. A crossmember is fed through a first aperture to support a sign or banner. The crossmember is receptive to an alignment device to prevent unwanted lateral movement. Additionally, the crossmember is receptive to two stops on either of its two ends. Each end stop prevents the sign or banner from sliding off the crossmember under adverse conditions.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is directed to a pole assembly for supporting a sign and, more particularly, to an assembly adaptable to engage various pole configurations utilizing at least one pair of mounting plates, at least one band and a crossmember to support a sign.

Conventional pole assemblies for supporting a sign adapt to poles and other vertical posts to support a placard or other type of banner.

However, pole assemblies have suffered from various drawbacks. One drawback of conventional assemblies is that they are unable to adapt to various pole sizes and configurations due to the type of mounting mechanisms employed. For instance, some mounting mechanisms are well adapted for use on a square pole, but are ill-suited for circular or diamond pole configurations. Other conventional assemblies use complex parts that increase costs and the required skills necessary to assemble and operate.

As a result, there exists a need in the art for a pole assembly for supporting a sign that is easily adaptable to any second pole shapes and sizes. Moreover, a need exists for a pole assembly that is inexpensive and simple to manufacture and assemble.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Briefly, in one embodiment, a pole assembly for supporting a sign includes a pair of mounting plates where each mounting plate comprises a first aperture and a second aperture. A band is used to connect each of the mounting plates to the pole at a specified height. A crossmember is fed through both first apertures to support a sign. To provide greater support for the assembly, the band may also be fed through the second apertures.

Referring toFIG. 1, one embodiment of a pole assembly100includes two pairs of mounting plates104connected to a pole102. Each pair of mounting plates104is connected to the pole102by a pair of bands110that wraps around the pole102and at least a portion of each mounting plate104. Each mounting plate104is preferably connected to a separate location of the pole102. For instance, when the pole102is substantially square, each mounting plate104of a pair of mounting plates104may be disposed on opposing sides of the pole102.

Preferably, the first pair of mounting plates104is connected at a first height while the second pair of mounting plates104is connected at a second height along the pole102. A crossmember108engages each pair of mounting plates104to support one or more signs or banners106. Each crossmember108may further include two removable stops112that prevent the banners106from sliding off the crossmembers108when exposed to high winds or other adverse conditions.

Referring toFIGS. 2A and 2B, a mounting plate104is illustrated in greater detail.FIG. 2Ais a front elevation view of the mounting plate104showing, among other things, reference lines superimposed upon the mounting plate104. As illustrated, the lateral axis214and the longitudinal axis216divide the mounting plate104into four quadrants.

It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the lateral axis214and longitudinal axis216respectively represent conventional “x” and “y” axes of a Cartesian coordinate system superimposed on the mounting plate104. As a result, the first quadrant218is defined as the set of positive (+) lateral axis214values and positive (+) longitudinal axis216values. Similarly, the second quadrant220is defined by the set of negative (−) lateral axis214values and positive (+) longitudinal axis216values. The third quadrant222is defined by the set of negative (−) lateral axis214values and negative (−) longitudinal axis216values. Lastly, the fourth quadrant224is defined by the set of positive (+) lateral axis214values and negative (−) longitudinal axis216values.

FIG. 2Afurther illustrates a first aperture202formed within the body of the mounting plate104and located substantially along the intersection of the lateral axis214and the longitudinal axis116. While the first aperture202can take the form of any shape capable of receiving a crossmember108,FIG. 2Adepicts the first aperture202as a parallelogram with one edge disposed along the longitudinal axis216. In this embodiment, a flange204is situated along the longitudinal axis216and projects normal from the parallelogram-shaped first aperture202. In other embodiments, the flange204may be angularly oriented with respect to the main body of the mounting plate104.

The mounting plate104ofFIG. 2Afurther includes a second aperture206formed in the second quadrant220and a third aperture210formed in the third quadrant222. Laterally aligned with the second aperture206is a first notch208formed along a side of the mounting plate104in the first quadrant218. Similarly, a second notch212is formed along a side of the mounting plate104in the fourth quadrant224such that its position is laterally aligned with the third aperture210and longitudinally opposed to the first notch208. The second aperture206, third aperture210, first notch208and second notch212may take any shape capable of receiving a band110.

The apertures and notches described above may be formed by a process utilizing a machine punch. However, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that any process forming the apertures and notches as described above can be used alternatively. For instance, this disclosure anticipates the use of various molding techniques to form the apertures and notches in each mounting plate104.

As used throughout this specification and claims, the term “aperture” shall be synonymous with the term “orifice” and both shall be used interchangeably herein. Similarly, as used throughout this specification and claims, the term “band” shall be synonymous with the term “clamp” and both shall be used interchangeably herein.

With respect toFIG. 2B, a side elevation view of the mounting plate104ofFIG. 2Aillustrates one embodiment of a pole assembly100depicting a substantially planar mounting plate104. While the mounting plate104is depicted as a parallelogram, any conceivable geometric shape and dimension may be used so long as each plate104is properly sized to include at least a first aperture and properly support the assembly100.

FIG. 2Bfurther illustrates the flange204projecting angularly outward from the body of the mounting plate104. As provided above, the flange204is generally located along an edge of the first aperture202near to the longitudinal axis216. However, it is conceived that the flange204may be located anywhere on the body of the mounting plate104. In one embodiment, the flange204is normal to the body of the mounting plate104.

Referencing nowFIG. 3, a crossmember108is shown. In one embodiment, the crossmember108is defined by four walls configured as a rectangular tube. However, this disclosure contemplates a crossmember108of any geometric shape such as, but not limited to, a circular tube or a triangular tube. A plurality of holes302are formed in one wall of the crossmember108. The plurality of holes302are generally spaced along the center of the crossmember108such that they span a distance longer than the width of the pole102to which the assembly100will be mounted.

The function associated with the plurality of holes302formed in the wall of the crossmember108will be demonstrated with respect toFIGS. 6A-6B.

FIG. 4illustrates a detailed view of a pair of mounting plates104disposed contiguously with a pole102. In this embodiment, each mounting plate104is located at a separate location along the pole102. A pair of bands110wraps around at least a portion of each mounting plate104and subsequently around the pole102.

More specifically, a first band110wraps around at least a portion of each mounting plate104, and in one embodiment, through each second aperture206. Similarly, a second band110wraps around at least a portion of each mounting plate104and through each third aperture210. By wrapping around the pole102and engaging either the second apertures206or the third apertures210, the bands110provide greater stability to the assembly100. Lastly, the crossmember108is inserted through each first aperture202to support a sign or banner106.

While one embodiment requires the use of two bands110per pair of mounting plates104, it is conceived that any number of bands110can be utilized to connect the mounting plates104to a pole102. For example, in one embodiment a single band110can satisfactorily support and connect a pair of mounting plates104to a pole102. In other embodiments, the number of apertures per mounting plate104may correspond to the number of bands110such that each band110engages each aperture for greater support of the assembly100.

FIG. 5illustrates a detailed view of an end of the crossmember108. As shown, the end of the crossmember108is configured to receive a stop112. In one embodiment, the stop112may be a screw with a large head. In other embodiments, the stop112may be any device that connects to the ends of the crossmember108and prevents the supported sign or banner106from sliding off the crossmember108in adverse conditions.

FIGS. 6A-6Cillustrate the flexible nature of the assembly100as it adapts to a variety of pole configurations. While the assembly100is capable of adapting to any pole shape,FIGS. 6A-6Cillustrate the ability of the assembly100to adapt to a pole having a diamond configuration, a circular configuration and a square configuration, respectively. Each figure represents a sectional view of a pair of mounting plates104, a first band110and a crossmember108of the assembly100adapted to a pole102. For illustrative purposes, each figure illustrates the assembly100loosely connected to a pole102such that the first band110is clearly noticeable.

FIG. 6Ashows a sectional view of a pole with a diamond configuration602. Because the pole has a diamond configuration602, the flanges204of each mounting plate104are pointed inward toward the pole602. With the flanges204facing toward the pole602, each mounting plate104braces the pole602at two separate locations thereby providing the assembly100additional support.

The first band110is utilized to hold the mounting plates104in position on the pole602. In one embodiment, the first band110wraps around the pole602and the mounting plates104. In a second embodiment, the first band110wraps around the pole602and through the second aperture206(not shown) of each mounting plate104. Additionally, a crossmember108is supported by the first aperture202(not shown) of each mounting plate104.

To secure the crossmember108in a desired position, an alignment device (not shown) such as a pin, peg, screw or other device may be placed in one or more of the plurality of holes302. For example, inFIG. 6A, alignment devices may be placed in the holes302located on either side of the mounting plates104to prevent unwanted lateral motion of the crossmember108. As illustrated, the plurality of holes302of the crossmember108are positioned vertically with respect to the pole602. It is conceived that the crossmember108may be rotated such that the plurality of holes302are positioned normal to the pole602. It is further envisioned that any mechanism capable of regulating the position of the crossmember108may be utilized as an alternate alignment device. For instance, an adhesive or band may substitute for a pin, peg or screw to keep the crossmember108within a desired relative position with respect to the pole602.

FIG. 6Billustrates the assembly100ofFIG. 6Aadapted to a circular pole604. Similar to the diamond configuration, this embodiment advantageously allows each mounting plate104to brace the pole604at two discrete locations by pointing the flanges204inward toward the pole604.

FIG. 6Bhowever, further illustrates the practicality of using a mounting plate104with at least one notch when adapting the assembly100to certain pole configurations. Wrapping a first band110through a first notch208in addition to wrapping the first band110around the pole604and through the second apertures206(not shown) reduces the amount of torque applied to each mounting plate104.

The crossmember108, disposed within each first aperture202(not shown), similarly contains a plurality of holes302receptive to an alignment device to prevent unwanted lateral movement.

FIG. 6Cillustrates the assembly100adapted to a pole having a square configuration606. In contrast to the diamond and circular configurations ofFIGS. 6A-6B, the flanges204inFIG. 6Care directed outward, away from the pole606. In this configuration, each mounting plate104is disposed contiguously against opposing sides of the pole606without the need for additional bracing by a flange204.

Similar toFIGS. 6A-6B, the first band110wraps around the pole606and through the second apertures206(not shown). The crossmember108is fed through the first apertures202(not shown) and kept in a desired location by an alignment device inserted in one or more of a plurality of holes302.

WhileFIGS. 6A-6Chave been described in terms of using a first band110that engages each second aperture206and, in some embodiments, a first notch208, a second band110can be utilized to provide additional support for the assembly100. Similarly and as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, by wrapping a second band110around the pole102and by further using the second band110to engage the third apertures210, the mounting plates104are more firmly coupled to the pole102. In some embodiments, the second band110additionally engages a second notch212to reduce the application of torque.

The components described above are preferably made of metal but may be composed of plastic or any composite such that the materials are capable of supporting a sign or banner106on a pole102.

With reference toFIGS. 1-6, the method of mounting the assembly100to a pole102includes, preferably, placing a first pair of mounting plates104on the pole102at a workable height. If the pole102is substantially square, the flanges204face outward away from the pole102. If the pole102is substantially circular or has a diamond configuration, the flanges204face toward the pole102to provide a second bracing point.

After the first pair of mounting plates104is placed on the pole102, a pair of bands110are wrapped around the back portion of the pole102. The first band110is fed through each second aperture206and the second band110is fed through each third aperture210. For circular pole configurations, the first band110additionally engages the first notch208while the second band110engages the second notch212to prevent unwanted torque on the pair of mounting plates104.

The pair of bands110are loosely tightened and a crossmember108is inserted through each first aperture202. An alignment device is then inserted into one or more of the plurality of holes302of the crossmember108. After the crossmember108is in place, the first pair of mounting plates104is relocated, if necessary, to its proper height and tightened.

The same process is repeated for a second pair of mounting plates104. After both pairs of mounting plates104are in proper position, a sign or banner106can be attached to the crossmember108. In one embodiment, the sign106has a top end and a bottom end. Each of the top and bottom ends have a pocket wherein the sign106can slide over the crossmembers108. To prevent the sign106from sliding off the crossmembers108, four stops112may be placed over the two ends of each crossmember108.

As a result, the embodiments disclosed are not only inexpensive to manufacture, but are fully adaptable to all types of pole configurations. In addition, the present discussion has illustrated the ease through which one can assemble the pole assembly for supporting a sign or banner.

Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the related art.