Abstract:
An advertising medium includes a frame enclosing a traffic signal control cabinet. The frame includes opposing rails for each side of the cabinet with opposing inside surfaces of the rails including grooves extending longitudinally along the rail and spaced from each other. A light panel is carried within one groove near, yet spaced from, surfaces of cabinet walls. An advertising panel is carried within a second groove. The advertising panel is spaced from the light panel and on an opposite side from the cabinet wall. A clear protective panel is carried within a third groove and opposite an outer surface of the advertising panel. Tie rods extend between lock devices which are secured to the rails such that removing the frame from its position around the cabinet is prevented. As a result, advertising material may be secured to a traffic signal control cabinet without intruding upon or modifying the cabinet.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/974,543 entitled “System and Associated Methods for Advertising from a Traffic Signal Control Cabinet” filed Dec. 18, 2015, which itself claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/093,456, filed Dec. 18, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated by reference and commonly owned. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to advertising display devices and in particular to an advertising system mountable on a cabinet structure without jeopardizing integrity of the cabinet structure with a robust locking mechanism. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Advertising media take on a variety of forms as do the devices designed to secure the advertising media to a structural support while allowing clear public view. Examples of such devices are included in U.S. Pat. No. 7,096,625 to Hering for “A Method of Displaying Advertising on a Turnstile” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,319 to Hicks for an “Apparatus for Connecting Advertising Substrate to Trucks.” Yet further and as disclosed in U.S. Application Publication No. 2001/0035701 to Holzheid for “Framing for Public Space Housings to Hold and to Facilitate Display of Visual Materials,” outdoor cabinets such as traffic control boxes provide potential sites for advertising and provide a source of advertising revenue. 
         [0004]    As disclosed in Holzheid, equipment must be protected from the elements as well as vandalism or other destruction by humans. In many cases, the equipment is protected by a housing for traffic signal control boxes, which are especially susceptible to vandalism. Traffic signal control boxes are generally vertical structures positioned at street intersections for the purpose of housing the electronics needed to control traffic signals at the intersections. For example, while traffic control cabinets generally located at each intersection having traffic lights have blank space on side walls, municipalities frown on “bumper sticker” styled signs stuck to the side walls and such signs are difficult to remove. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for providing an advertising option for advertising from such traffic control cabinets without the need for intrusion into the cabinet walls surfaces and with ease in replacing advertising indicia. Yet further, while outer coverings for such housings may be known, there remains a need to attach such covers and thus possible advertising media to the housings without intruding or modifying the housing. The embodiments disclosed herein are aimed at overcoming these and other needs in the art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments of the present invention are herein described by way of example and directed to advertising display methods and devices mountable on a cabinet structure without jeopardizing the integrity of the cabinet. 
         [0006]    By way of example in satisfying a need, embodiments of the invention permit signage, such as advertising, to be placed on a traffic signal control cabinet, or the like, without scratching, marring, or discoloring the original surface of the cabinet, and further without being invasive in any way to the cabinet or its function. Further, the signage may be carried by the cabinet without interfering with the cabinet access door. Embodiments of the invention permit a frictional attachment of the signage while withstanding relatively high winds and severe weather without damage to the signage. Signage may be attached to any or all sides of the cabinet while having the attaching means inaccessible to the general public. 
         [0007]    One embodiment provides an advertising medium which may comprise a frame enclosing a traffic signal control cabinet. The frame may include opposing rails for each side of the cabinet with opposing inside surfaces of the rails including grooves extending longitudinally along the rail and spaced from each other. A light panel may be carried within one groove near, yet spaced from, surfaces of cabinet walls. An advertising panel may be carried within a second groove. The advertising panel is spaced from the light panel and on an opposite side from the cabinet wall. A clear protective panel may be carried within a third groove and opposite an outer surface of the advertising panel. Tie rods may extend between lock devices which are secured to the rails such that removing the frame from its position around the cabinet is prevented. Each lock device is generally comprised of a plurality of bores and bolts and secured using a key. As a result, advertising material may be secured to the traffic signal control cabinet without intruding or modifying the cabinet. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention including an advertising medium secured to a traffic signal control cabinet; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a frame assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating selected elements thereof, by way of non-limiting example; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross sectional view illustrating rail portions of the frame of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and use thereof; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating a locking assembly portion according to the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a closer perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  further illustrating a lock device used therewith; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the lock device of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a front left perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention, herein described by way of example only, illustrating advertising medium displayed from the traffic signal control cabinet; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a rear right perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention including an advertising medium secured to a traffic signal control cabinet; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a frame assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating selected elements thereof, by way of non-limiting example; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the frame of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and use thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  illustrating the locking assembly portion according to the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of the frame of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  and use thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a front left perspective view of the locking mechanism of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a front perspective view of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 15 ; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the locking mechanism of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    The teachings of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown by way of illustration and non-limiting example. This invention may be embodied in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0029]    With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the invention is herein described as an advertising medium  10  employing a traffic signal control cabinet  12 . As generally described, the cabinet  12  comprises a first planar side wall  14  spaced from a second planar side wall  16 , with a planar front wall  18  and rear wall  20  extending therebetween. Top and bottom walls  22 ,  24  add to a rectangular shaped housing  26  having an enclosed storage area  28  formed therein. The cabinet  12  further comprises a door  30  extending over an opening  32  formed in the rear wall  20 , by way of non-limiting example, and wherein the top wall  22  extends beyond at least the rear wall  20  to form a flange  34  above the door  30 . 
         [0030]    As illustrated with reference to  FIG. 2 , a frame  36  generally encloses the cabinet  12 . The frame  36  has opposing rails  38 ,  40  for each of the side  14 ,  16 , rear  20  and front  18  walls of the cabinet  12 . Opposing inside surfaces  42 ,  44  of the rails  38 ,  40  include a plurality of grooves  46  extending longitudinally along the rail and spaced from each other, as illustrated with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0031]    As further illustrated with reference to  FIG. 3 , a light panel  48  is carried within a first groove  50  and spaced from surfaces  52  of the respective walls. An advertising panel  54  is carried within a second groove  56  and spaced from the light panel  48  at a further distance from the cabinet wall surface  52  than the light panel  48 . A clear protective panel  58  is carried within a third groove  60  and itself spaced from the advertising panel  54  and further distanced from the cabinet wall surface  52  than the advertising panel  54 . 
         [0032]    As illustrated with reference again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a first locking assembly  62  includes a first tie rod  64  extending between opposing rails  38 ,  40  proximate the rear wall  20  and under the flange  34 . A lock device  66  is affixed to free ends  68 ,  70  of the first tie rod  64 . The lock device  66  is secured to the opposing rails  38 ,  40  proximate the rear wall  20  and under the flange  34  such that a vertical lifting of the frame  36  is limited by interaction of the first tie rod  64  with the flange. 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  and to  FIG. 6 , a second locking assembly  72  includes a second tie rod  74  extending between the opposing rails  38 ,  40  proximate the rear wall  20  and at a lower portion  76  of the rear wall  20  sufficient for permitting access into the cabinet housing  26  through the opening  32  when the door  30  is in an opened position. The lock device  66 , as above described, is affixed to each of opposing ends of the second tie rod  74  with the lock device secured to the opposing rails  38 ,  40  with the second tie rod  74  held proximate the rear wall  20 . 
         [0034]    As illustrated with reference to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of the lock device  66 , herein described by way of example, comprises a body  78  having a first leg  80  including a first bore  82  extending longitudinally therein. The first bore  82  receives the free end  68 ,  70  of the tie rods  64 ,  74 , wherein a first bolt  84  extends into the first bore  82  to secure the tie rod to the body  78 . A second leg  86  extends generally perpendicular to the first leg  80 . The second leg  86  includes a second bore  88 , herein two second bores illustrated by way of example, extending through the second leg. A second bolt  90  extends through the second bore  88  into the rail  38 ,  40  and secures the body  78  to the rail, thus securing the lock device  66  to the rails. 
         [0035]    With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the second leg  86  includes a third bore  85  extending therein proximate the second bore  80  and generally perpendicular to an axis thereof, the lock device  66  including a key  89  extending into the third bore  85  mating with the second bolt  90  for fixing the second bolt within the second bore and preventing movement thereof. 
         [0036]    With reference again to  FIG. 3 , a foam pad or sheet  92  may be sandwiched between at least some of the side wall surfaces  52  of the cabinet housing  26  and respective light panels  48 . The foam pads may optionally have a thickness for sufficiently preventing damage to the wall surfaces  52  and sufficiently thick to contact both the wall surface  52  and the light panel  48 , as desired. 
         [0037]    With reference again to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a top cover panel  94  is secured to the plurality of rails  38 ,  40  thus contributing to the forming of the frame  36 , wherein the rails, and thus the frame extends beyond the top wall  22  of the cabinet  12  for providing a utility storage area  96  between at least a portion of the top wall of the cabinet and the top cover panel. Electronic and other equipment, such as batteries, may be securely stored within the utility storage area  96 . 
         [0038]    With reference again to  FIG. 3 , adjacent rails  38 ,  38 A of the frame  36  located at corners  100  of the cabinet  12  are secured together, using bands  101  and screws  103 , by way of example. The mirror image shape of each rail  38 ,  38 A is such that tabs  102  On each rail combine to form a slot  104  longitudinally extending along the adjacent rails  38 ,  38 A, by way of example. A ribbon cover  106  extends in the slot and limits access to the screws  103 , by way of further example. 
         [0039]    As illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , it will come to the mind of those skilled in the art that commercial and environmental promotions indicia/images  108  may be attractively displayed from what is typically a bland box. Such use can further benefit the government entities responsible for traffic signal control cabinets by providing desired revenue while maintaining the integrity of the traffic signal control. 
       Alternative Embodiment 
       [0040]    With reference initially to  FIGS. 10 through 14 , one embodiment of the invention is herein described as an advertising medium  210  employing a traffic signal control cabinet  212 . As generally described, the cabinet  212  comprises a first side wall  214  spaced from a second side wall  216 , with a front wall  218  and rear wall  220  extending therebetween. Top and bottom walls  222 ,  224  complete a rectangular shaped housing having an enclosed storage area  228  therein. In one embodiment, at least one of the front wall  218  and the rear wall  220  is defined by and/or comprises a door for accessing the enclosed storage area  228 . In one exemplary embodiment, the top wall  222  extends beyond at least one of the front wall  218  and the rear wall  220  to form a flange  234  above the door, which extends outward from the cabinet  212 . A graphic  300  can be placed generally on or within an advertising panel  254 , but may alternatively be placed anywhere on the advertising medium  210  and/or cabinet  212 . In one embodiment, the advertising medium  210  comprises rails  238 ,  240 ,  242 ,  244  generally conforming to the shape of the underlying cabinet  212  and aligned with the peripheral corners thereof. The rails may be further secured to one another with a plurality of secondary rails  246 . Furthermore, the rails may extend upward beyond the top wall of the cabinet and define a secondary enclosed structure that may used for additional advertising, storage, or other pertinent use. 
         [0041]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 10-14 , and now with reference to  FIGS. 15-19 , the cabinet  212  further comprises at least one locking assembly  262 . The locking assembly  262  is configured and positioned for restricting access to the enclosed storage area of the cabinet  212 . The locking assembly may also secure any advertising panels configured as herein described with reference to the above-described embodiments to prevent defacing thereof. As depicted in  FIG. 15 , an embodiment of the locking assembly comprises at least one lock device having a housing  266  configured for receiving first  270 , second  272 , and third  274  locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first (a) and second (b) ends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second end configured for receiving a connector. The first locking pin  270  may be oriented substantially parallel to the second locking pin  272 , and the third locking pin  274  may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the first  270  and second  272  locking pins. 
         [0042]    As depicted in  FIGS. 10-11 , the locking assembly  262  may further comprise a second lock device configured in substantially the same manner as the first lock device. The second lock device includes a second housing  266  for receiving fourth  280 , fifth  282 , and sixth  284  locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first (a) and second (b) ends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second end configured for receiving a connector. The fourth locking pin may be oriented substantially parallel to the fifth locking pin, and the sixth locking pin may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the fourth and fifth locking pins. 
         [0043]    Embodiments of the locking assembly herein described may further comprise a tie rod  264  defining opposing first (c) and second (d) connectors, the first connector (c) configured for being removeably secured to the second end of the third locking pin, and the second connector configured for being removeably secured to the second end of the sixth locking pin. The first and second connectors may comprise a threaded member for being removeably secured to respective locking pins. Other connecting mechanisms, however, are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0044]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 15-19 , the lock device may further comprise at least one locking bar  290  configured for perpendicularly engaging at least one of the locking pins, thereby preventing the removal of the locking pin from the housing. The locking bar  290  may be held in place by a retaining pin  292  configured for engaging the housing and preventing disengagement of the at least one locking bar  290  from at least one of the locking pins. 
         [0045]    By way of example, the advertising medium  210  may comprise first and second connectors  400 , the first connector configured for removeably engaging the second end of a first locking pin, and the second connector configured for removeably engaging the second end of a second locking pin. Moreover, the cabinet may further comprises third and fourth connectors, the third connector configured for removeably engaging the second end of a fourth locking pin and the fourth connector configured for removeably engaging the second end of a fifth locking pin. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, the at least one locking assembly comprises a first lock device, a second lock device, and a tie rod extending therebetween, the tie rod defining opposing first and second connectors, the first lock device and the second lock device each comprising a housing configured for receiving first, second, and third locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first and second ends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second end configured for receiving a connector, the second ends of the first and second locking pins removeably secured to the at least one connector extending from the bar, and the second end of the third locking pin removeably secured to at least one of the first and second connectors of the tie rod. 
         [0047]    Exemplary embodiments may also include at least one locking bar configured for preventing removal of at least one of the first, second, and third locking pins from the housing. By way of example, the locking pins may have a notch formed at a portion thereof, wherein the at least one locking bar engages the notch. At least one retaining pin configured for engaging the housing and preventing movement of the at least one locking bar may also be provided. 
         [0048]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 10-19 , another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a locking assembly for restricting access to a traffic control cabinet, the locking assembly comprising a lock device having a housing configured for receiving first, second, and third locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first and second ends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second end configured for receiving a connector. The locking assembly may further comprise a second lock device having a housing configured for receiving first, second, and third locking pins, each locking pin having opposing first and second ends, the first end configured for receiving a key and the second end configured for receiving a connector. 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the locking assembly includes a tie rod defining opposing first and second connectors, the first connector removeably secured to at least one of the first, second, and third locking pins of the lock device, and the second connector removeably secured to at least one of the first, second, and third locking pins of the second lock device. A first locking bar configured for engaging at least one of the first, second, and third locking pins may be provided. Likewise, a second locking bar configured for engaging at least one of the first, second, and third locking pins may also be provided. In one configuration, the first locking bar engages the first and second pins, and the second locking bar engages the third pin. A retaining pin configured for engaging both the housing and at least one of the first and second locking bars may be provided for additional security. 
         [0050]    It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and alternate embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the claims supported by this specification.