Abstract:
A retaining device for improving the functionality of placard holders when the placard holder is subject to transient atmospheric conditions. The retaining device includes a member used in conjunction with a placard holder to more fully secure a placard with the placard holder when transient atmospheric conditions are encountered. The retaining device may be adapted to use with many designs of placard holders, including, but not limited to, U.S. Department of Transportation approved hazardous material information placard holders.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority of the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application: No. 60/554,075, filed Mar. 17, 2004. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to a device used to retain a placard within a placard holder.  
         [0006]     2. Background Art  
         [0007]     Placards are used in many situations to provide information to a reader about a particular material or device with which the placard is spatially related. The placard is usually positioned in such a manner that it is nearby or affixed to the package or container holding the thing described on the placard. Often, placards are placed within a holding device that is secured nearby, or on, the package or container. The advantage of the holding device is that it allows a placard to be changed when the contents of the associated package or container are changed. This is particularly useful where the placard holder is affixed to a refillable container such as a drum, railcar, shipping container, or the like.  
         [0008]     Placards are also used as a source of information identifying the type of hazard a hazardous material in shipment may pose. This type of placard forms a component of an international system of hazard communication. Prominent display of the placard on shipping containers functions to immediately warn responders, handlers and bystanders that hazards are present and that caution should be taken when interacting with the container&#39;s contents. Therefore, it is critical that when such a placard is placed on a container that it remain firmly attached to the container throughout the time that the hazardous material is present.  
         [0009]     Due to the standardized size and format of many hazardous material placards, the holders with which they are used must be designed so they do not obscure the information being displayed on the placard. This limitation restricts the available upper surface area of the placard that may be contacted by the placard holder for the purpose of restraining the placard within the holder. The placard holder is often comprised of a back frame member attached to the transport container and a front frame member having a flat surface portion enclosing an open window area. Such a placard holder is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,229,891 to Keller, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by this reference. In other prior art devices, the placard holder is as described in Keller, but without the locking arm, the outer lip, the locking tabs, and the ridges. Still further alternative prior art devices, the placard holder is as described in Keller, but the back frame is a surface of the vehicle/container such that the placard holder is permanently affixed to the vehicle/container. hi yet further alternative prior art devices, the placard holder is as described in Keller, but without the locking arm, the outer lip, the locking tabs, and the ridges; and the back frame is a surface of the vehicle/container such that the placard holder is permanently affixed to the vehicle/container. The front and back frame members are usually peripherally bound by a spacing member that creates a placard pocket between the front and back frame members. At least some part of the periphery is left unbounded so as to allow access to the placard pocket. To facilitate ease of insertion and removal of the placards, the tolerances to which the placard holders are manufactured are large, usually resulting in excess space between the surfaces and edges of the placard and the placard holder.  
         [0010]     However, when such placard holders are used on surfaces subject to atmospheric disturbances, whether natural or artificial, several problems have been identified. The atmospheric disturbance may be weather related, but is more often the result of the method by which the container on which the placard holder is placed is transported. For example, a tractor trailer vehicle pulling a tanker containing hydrochloric acid (“HCl”) would be required to have hazardous material placards on both ends and both sides of the tanker identifying the contained material as HCl. However, when moving down the road at speeds often exceeding forty miles per hour (40 mph), the placards are subjected to winds at or near the speed at which the vehicle is traveling. This often results in air flow beneath the placard, causing it to shift within the placard holder. Even worse, the placard can lift away from the vehicle, become bent or broken, or otherwise damaged, thus limiting its ability to effectively convey the information contained on it.  
         [0011]     What is needed is a placard holder that will restrict the movement of the placard within the placard holder, so that the placard substantially maintains its original position, no matter the atmospheric conditions to which it is subject.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     A system for restricting placard movement comprises a placard holder and a substantially planar member. The substantially planar member forms an opening, has an out-of-plane bend, and is inside the placard holder.  
         [0013]     A method for restricting placard movement includes the steps of inserting a substantially planar member between a placard and a first surface of a placard holder; engaging the substantially planar member with the first surface of the placard holder; engaging the substantially planar member with the placard; and urging the placard against a second surface of the placard holder. The substantially planar member has an out-of-plane bend.  
         [0014]     A retaining device for retaining a placard in a placard holder comprises a substantially planar member. The substantially planar member forms an opening, and has an out-of-plane bend, and urges the placard against the placard holder. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     In the drawings the same members have the same reference numerals.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a prospective view of a retaining device inside a placard holder and mounted onto the outside of a vehicle.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the retaining device of the present invention inside the placard holder.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the retaining device of the present invention inside a placard holder.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the retaining device of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the retaining device of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the retaining device of the present invention depicting the method of insertion of the retaining device in the placard holder.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the retaining device of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a placard holder  13  mounted onto a vehicle. A retaining device  10  is inside the placard holder  13 , and the retaining device  10  urges a placard  15  against the placard holder  13 . In this manner the placard  15  remains relatively stationary within the placard holder  13 .  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the retaining device  10  includes a five-sided tubular polygon  20 . The tubular polygon  20  should be of a weather-resistant and/or oxidation-resistant material. Suitable materials are selected from the group consisting of plastic, ultra-violet resistant plastic, steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and the like materials. However, in the preferred embodiment, the tubular polygon  20  is made of stainless steel having an outer thickness of between about two millimeters and about four millimeters. Firmly attached to the tubular polygon  20  is a bent A-frame  23  and a hollow disk  25 . In alternative embodiments, however, the bent A-frame  23  and the hollow disk  25  are not necessary, and one or both of them can be absent. The bent A-frame  23  is made of a weather-resistant and/or oxidation-resistant material. Suitable materials are selected from the group consisting of plastic, ultra-violet resistant plastic, steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and the like materials. In the preferred embodiment, the bent A-frame  23  is made of stainless steel having an outer thickness of between about two millimeters and about four millimeters. The hollow disk  25  is made of a weather-resistant and/or oxidation-resistant material. Suitable materials are selected from the group consisting of plastic, ultra-violet resistant plastic, steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and the like materials. In the preferred embodiment the hollow disk  25  is made of stainless steel having an outer thickness of between about two millimeters and about four millimeters. In the preferred embodiment, the tubular polygon  20 , bent A-frame  23 , and hollow disk  25  are made of the same type of material. In alternative embodiments, the tubular polygon  20 , bent A-frame  23 , and hollow disk  25  are made from different materials. In still further embodiments, one of the following: the tubular polygon  20 , bent A-frame  23 , and hollow disk  25  is made from a different material than two of the following: the tubular polygon  20 , bent A-frame  23 , and hollow disk  25 .  
         [0025]     Preferably, the bent A-frame  23  is firmly attached to the outside of the tubular polygon  20 . The bent A-frame  23  is firmly attached to the tubular polygon  20  by any of the means selected from the group consisting of welds, spot welds, molds, snaps, screws, nails, adhesive, and the like. Preferably, the hollow disk  25  is firmly attached on the outside of the tubular polygon  20 . Alternatively, the hollow disk  25  is firmly attached on the inside of the tubular polygon  20  (not shown). The hollow disk  25  is firmly attached to the tubular polygon  20  by any of the means selected from the group consisting of welds, spot welds, molds, snaps, screws, nails, adhesive, and the like. Preferably, the bent A-frame  23  and the hollow disk  25  are firmly attached to the tubular polygon  20  by the same means. In an alterative embodiment, the bent A-frame  23  and the hollow disk  25  are firmly attached to the tubular polygon  20  by different means.  
         [0026]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the retaining device  10  inside the placard holder  13 . hi  FIG. 3  the retaining device  10  engages both a front frame  30  of the placard holder  13  and the placard  15 . The plirase ‘engages both the front frame  30  of the placard holder  13  and the placard  15 ’ is defined as when at least a portion of the tubular polygon  20  contacts at least a portion of the front frame  30  of the placard holder  13 , and at least a portion of the placard  15 . A first surface is defined as at least a portion of the front frame  30 . The retaining device  10  urges the placard  15  against a back frame  33  of the placard holder  13 . The phrase ‘urges the placard  15  against the back frame  33  of the placard holder  13 ’ is defined as when at least a portion of the tubular polygon  20  contacts at least a portion of the placard  15 . A second surface is defined as at least a portion of the back frame  33 .  
         [0027]     In an alternative embodiment, the retaining device  10  engages the placard  15  and the back frame  33  of the placard holder  13 . The phrase, ‘engages the placard  15  and the back frame  33  of the placard holder  13 ’ is defined as when at least a portion of the tubular polygon  20  contacts at least a portion of the placard  15 , and at least a portion of the back frame  33  of the placard holder  13 . In this alternative embodiment, the retaining device  10  urges the placard  15  against the front frame  30  of the placard holder  13 . The phrase, ‘urges the placard  15  against the front frame  30  of the placard holder  13 ’ is defined as when at least a portion of the tubular polygon  20  contacts the at least a portion of the placard  15 .  
         [0028]     It is preferred that the retaining device  10  urge the placard  15  against some portion of the placard holder  13  with a force sufficient to keep the placard  15  generally stationary, even in time of movement; however, the force should not so strong as to make it difficult to insert and remove the retaining device  10  and/or harm the placard  15 .  
         [0029]     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the retaining device  10  forms an opening  40 . Preferably, the opening  40  is of sufficient size and shape such that if printed materials were placed behind the opening  40  a person would be able to read and understand the printed materials i.e., the opening  40  allows a substantially unobstructed view of the information displayed on the placard (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). The shape and size of the opening  40  is defined by the shape and size of the tubular polygon  20 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the tubular polygon  20  and opening  40  in the shape of a five-sided polygon; however, one of ordinary skill having the benefit of Applicant&#39;s disclosure would be able to derive alternative shapes. Accordingly, in various embodiments the tubular polygon  20  is described as a member, an annular member, a polygon member, a shaped member, a quadrilateral member, a circular member, a diamond member, a pentagon member, a hexagon member, a heptagon member, an octagon member, a nonagon member, a dodecagon member, and the like members, as well as members which substantially resemble those previously listed i.e., a substantially annular member.  
         [0030]     Preferably, the tubular polygon  20  is substantially planar. The overall size of the tubular polygon  20  i.e., diameter, length, height, ect. will vary greatly depending on the size of the placard holder  13 , and the size placard  15 . Preferably, the outer-most length of the tubular polygon is about the same length as the outer-most length of the placard. Preferably, the outer-most length of the tubular polygon is less than the length of the outer-most length of the placard holder. Preferably, the outer-most height of the tubular polygon is greater than the outer-most height of the placard. Preferably, the outer-most height of the tubular polygon is greater than the outer-most height of the placard holder. In an alternative embodiment the outer-most height of the tubular polygon is about the same height as the outer-most height of the placard holder.  
         [0031]     In the preferred embodiment, a square placard having a length of 27 centimeters is housed in a placard holder having an outer-most length of 30 centimeters and a outer-most height of 36 centimeters. The outer-most length of the tubular polygon is 26 centimeters, and the outer-most height of the tubular polygon is 37 centimeters.  
         [0032]     Referring to the five-sided tubular polygon  20 , the top angle b is acute. The top angle b is between about 45 degrees and about 65 degrees. The top angle b is 55 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the top angle b is between about 50 degrees and about 60 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the top angle b, is the right side angle c. The right side angle c is obtuse. The right side angle c is about 120 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the right side angle c is between about 110 degrees and about 130 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the right side angle c is the bottom right angle d. The bottom right angle d is obtuse. The bottom right angle d is about 120 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the bottom right angle d is between about 110 degrees and about 130 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the bottom right angle d, is the bottom left angle e. The bottom left angle e is obtuse. The bottom left angle e is 115 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the bottom left angle e is between about 105 degrees and about 130 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the bottom left angle e, is the left side angle f. The left side angle f is obtuse. The left side angle f is about 125 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the left side angle f is between about 115 degrees and about 135 degrees.  
         [0033]     The bent A-frame  23  is firmly attached to a top end of the retaining device  10 . In an alternative embodiment the bent A-frame  23  is attached to any distal end of the tubular polygon  20 , and in a still further embodiment the bent A-frame  23  is attached to a location on the tubular polygon  20 , which is not distal.  
         [0034]     The bent A-frame  23  acts as a stiffening structure to prevent excessive deformation of the tubular polygon  20  when the retaining device  10  is inserted into the placard holder (not shown). Additionally, it is preferred that the stiffening structure is of a sufficient size and shape to act as a handle for a human hand. In an alternative embodiment, the bent A-frame  23  is not necessary, as in this embodiment, the material and shape of the tubular polygon  20  does not require reinforcement or stiffening.  
         [0035]     Referring to the bent A-frame  23 , the lower left angle g is acute. The lower left angle g is 15 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the lower left angle g is between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the lower left angle g, is the upper left angle i. The upper left angle i is obtuse. The upper left angle i is 105 degrees. hi an alternative embodiment the upper left angle i is between about 100 degrees and about 110 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the upper left angle i, is the upper right angle j. The upper right angle j is obtuse. The upper right angle j is 105 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the upper right angle j is between about 100 degrees and about 110 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the upper right angle j, is the lower right angle h. The lower right angle h is acute. The lower right angle h is 15 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the lower right angle h is between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees.  
         [0036]     The hollow disk  25  is in the shape of a hollow disk. However, the hollow disk  25  can be an annulus, any polygon, a quadrilateral, a circle, a diamond-shaped, a pentagon, a hexagon, a heptagon, an octagon, a nonagon, or a dodecagon. Preferably, the hollow disk  25  is used to store and/or hang the retaining device  10  when the retaining device  10  is not inside the placard holder.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  depicts a side view of the retaining device  10 . The retaining device  10  has an out-of-plane bend, which can be seen in  FIG. 5  with respect to reference-line Y. The out-of-plane bend is substantially in a direction along the reference-line X. The out-of-plane bend allows the tubular polygon  20  to act as a spring when between two planar surfaces (not shown). In an embodiment the out-of-plane bend of the tubular polygon  20  maintains the placard  15  in a stationary position during ambient conditions such that the locking arm, the outer lip, the locking tabs, and the ridges of the placard are not necessary, and may be absent from the placard.  
         [0038]     In an alternative embodiment, the retaining device has an out-of-plane bend, which is so slight that it does not act as a spring. In this embodiment, the retaining device acts as a spacer to impart a sufficient amount of force against the placard to keep the placard generally stationary.  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  additionally depicts a side view of the bent A-frame  23 . The bent A-frame  23  has a bend at its distal end in a direction along reference-line X. The bent A-frame  23  is bent in a direction substantially opposite to the direction in which the out-of-plane bend is directed. The angle of the bend k is a right angle, i.e., 90 degrees. In alterative embodiments the angle of the bend k ranges from between about 135 degrees and about 45 degrees. In yet another embodiment the angle of the bend k ranges from between about 113 degrees and about 68 degrees. In a still further embodiment the angle of the bend k ranges from between about 100 degrees and about 80 degrees.  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  illustrates a preferred method of inserting the retaining device  10  into the placard holder  13 . The retaining device  10  is inserted through the same aperture of the placard holder  13  that is used to insert a placard  15 . In an alternative embodiment, the retaining device  10  is inserted through a different aperture (not shown) of the placard holder  13  that is used to insert the placard  15 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  illustrates the retaining device  10 , which includes a tubular polygon  70  that is in a shape alternative to that depicted in  FIG. 4 . The tubular polygon  70  of  FIG. 7  is in a diamond shape. Accordingly, the opening  75  is also in the shape of a diamond. The above disclosure regarding the tubular polygon  20  applies to the tubular polygon  70  of  FIG. 7 , except for the above disclosed angles with reference to  FIG. 4 .  
         [0042]     The following angles are recited with reference to the diamond shaped polygon in  FIG. 7 . The summit angle  1  is obtuse. The summit angle  1  is 125 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the summit angle  1  is between about 120 degrees and about 130 degrees. Preferably, the next angle, rotating clockwise from the summit angle  1 , is the east side angle m. The east side angle m is obtuse. The east side angle m is 120 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the east side angle m is between about 115 degrees and about 130 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the east side angle m, is the trough angle n. The trough angle n is obtuse. The trough angle n is 115 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the trough angle n is between about 100 degrees and about 120 degrees. The next angle, rotating clockwise from the trough angle n, is the west side angle o. The west side angle o is obtuse. The west side angle o is about 125 degrees. In an alternative embodiment the west side angle o is between about 120 degrees and about 130 degrees.  
         [0043]     The above disclosure regarding the bent A-frame  23  applies as appropriate to the bent A-frame  23  of  FIG. 7 . The above disclosure regarding the hollow disk  25  applies as appropriate to the hollow disk  25  of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0044]     While the present invention has been described and illustrated by reference to particular embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the invention lends itself to variations not necessarily illustrated herein. For this reason, then, reference should be made solely to the appended claims for purposes of determining the true scope of the present invention.