Abstract:
A sign system is provided. The sign system has a hoisting mechanism for moving a sign between an access or servicing position near ground level and an elevated display position. The sign system includes a first set of guide members and a second set of guide members and a drive system. Each guide member is generally tubular. The guide members of each set are connected together for telescopic movement. Each set of guide members includes an outermost guide member and an innermost guide member, one of which serves as an anchor guide member and the other of which serves as a sign supporting guide member. The sign supporting guide member includes at least one connector for connecting the sign thereto. The anchor guide members of the first and second sets of guide members are fixedly connectable in a generally vertical orientation to a wall or other vertical support means in horizontally spaced relation to each other such that the first and second sets of guide members are extendible downwards to move the sign to the access position and retractable upwards to move the sign to the display position. The drive system is operatively connected to the first and second sets of guide members for selectively moving the first and second sets of guide members between the extended position and the retracted position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a sign system for displaying signs or banners at an elevated level. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Sign systems for displaying banners are well known. Such sign systems are frequently used by retailers and other commercial establishments to advertise feature products, sales events, and special offers. Banners of this type may be displayed within a commercial establishment, but are also very frequently mounted outside of the commercial establishment, such as high up on an exterior wall where they may be readily viewed at a distance by prospective customers at ground level. 
   In many such sign installations it is desirable to be able to replace the specific advertising banner frequently, for example to promote seasonal products, or sales events that coincide with various holidays or other special occasions. For signs that are mounted at high levels, this can present a significant challenge. In some cases, the use of portable ladders would be impractical or unsafe, as for example due to inclement weather or excessive height. Fixed ladders may also present a security risk. Specialized mobile elevating equipment may be used to provide access to elevated display signs, but such equipment is very costly. 
   The object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate these and other disadvantages of accessing known sign systems for displaying banners. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a sign system having a hoisting mechanism for moving a sign between an access or servicing position near ground level and an elevated display position. The sign system includes a first set of guide members and a second set of guide members and a drive system. Each guide member is generally tubular. The guide members of each set are connected together for telescopic movement. Each set of guide members includes an outermost guide member and an innermost guide member, one of which serves as an anchor guide member and the other of which serves as a sign supporting guide member. The sign supporting guide member includes at least one connector for connecting the sign thereto. The anchor guide members of the first and second sets of guide members are fixedly connectable in a generally vertical orientation to a wall or other vertical support means in horizontally spaced relation to each other such that the first and second sets of guide members are extendible downwards to move the sign to the access position and retractable upwards to move the sign to the display position. The drive system is operatively connected to the first and second sets of guide members for selectively moving the first and second sets of guide members between the extended position and the retracted position. 
   Preferably, the guide members of each set are slidably connected together. The guide members of each set are generally concentric about a common axis. 
   Most preferably, the sign includes a top support bar, a bottom support bar and a banner having a top edge and a bottom edge. The banner is connected to the top support bar proximate the top edge of the banner and is connected to the bottom support bar proximate the bottom edge of the banner. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a ground accessible sign system in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, including a set of guide members which are fully extended, and wherein the sign system is in an access position; 
       FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the ground accessible sign system shown in  FIG. 1 , with the guide members fully retracted, wherein the sign system is in a display position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one of the sets of guide members shown in  FIG. 1 , fully extended; 
       FIG. 4  is a magnified sectional view of one of the sets of guide members shown in  FIG. 1 , fully extended; 
       FIG. 5  is a magnified sectional view of one of the sets of guide members shown in  FIG. 1 , fully retracted; 
       FIG. 6  is a magnified sectional view of two guide members shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating engagement of upper limit means; 
       FIGS. 7 and 7   a  are magnified sectional elevation and plan views of two guide members shown in  FIG. 1 , illustrating engagement of lower limit means; 
       FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  are magnified sectional views of two guide members shown in  FIG. 1 , in the extended and retracted positions respectively, showing an alternative configuration of contact pads and lower limit means; 
       FIG. 9   a  is a side view of one of the sets of guide members shown in  FIG. 1 , in a retracted position, with an optional wheel connected thereto; and 
       FIG. 9   b  is a side view of the set of guide members shown in  FIG. 9   b , in an extended position, with an optional wheel connected thereto. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which shows a ground accessible sign system  30  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The ground accessible sign system  30  is mountable to a wall  32 , and can be used to move a sign  34  between an access position, which is shown in  FIG. 1  and a display position, which is shown in  FIG. 2 . The sign system  30  is configured to provide a reduced tendency to jam during movement between the access and display positions. 
   The wall  32  may be any type of surface to which the sign system  30  can be affixed. For example, the wall  32  may be an exterior wall of a building. 
   The sign  34  may be type of sign known in the art. For example, the sign  34  may include a top support bar  34   a , a bottom support bar  34   b  and a banner  34   c . The banner  34   c  may be supported between the top and bottom support bars  34   a  and  34   b . The banner  34   c  may be made of a tensionable material, such as a canvas backing with a polymeric covering, on which an advertising image may be imprinted. 
   It will be noted that the term ‘bar’, in the context of this specification, (eg. the support bars  34   a  and  34   b ), means any suitable support means for supporting the top edge of the banner  34   c , and is not intended to be limited to solid rods. For example, the support bars  34   a  and  34   b  may be hollow tubes. 
   The sign system  30  includes two sets  36  of guide members  38 , and a drive system  40 . The first and second sets  36  of guide members  38  are spaced horizontally from each other, and may, for example, be positioned proximate one of the side edges  42  of the sign  34 . The sets  36  of guide members  38  provide a track system permitting the sign  34  to be move to its display and access positions respectively. It is optionally possible to include more than two sets  36  of guide members  38 , such as, for example, three or more sets  36  for guiding very wide signs  34 . 
   In the access position ( FIG. 1 ), the sign system  30  is positioned to facilitate access to the sign system  30  for removal or installation of a sign  34  by a worker on the ground. In the display position ( FIG. 2 ), the sign system  30  is positioned to display the sign  34  to passers-by. The display position is elevated relative to the access position. 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which shows a sectional side view of one of the sets  36  of guide members  38 , in a retracted position. The guide members  38  may be generally tubular and may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as generally square (see  FIG. 7   a ). The guide members  38  may be made from any suitable material, such as aluminum or a steel that is corrosion resistant by means of a coating or by means of its composition (eg. stainless steel). 
   The guide members  38  may all be generally concentric about a common axis A. It is alternatively possible for one or more of the guide members to be positioned within another guide member  38 , but to be configured not to be concentric about the central axis A. 
   The guide members  38  are slidable within each other, such that each set  36  of guide members  38  can telescope between an extended position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , and a retracted position, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
   To reduce the friction during sliding movement between adjacent guide members  38  one or more contact pads  43  may be positioned on the exterior of each guide members  38  as necessary for contacting the inside of the next larger guide member  38 . It will be appreciated that contact pads are not necessary for the exterior of the outermost guide member, which is shown at  44 . The contact pads  43  may be made from any suitable material, which facilitates sliding contact with the guide members  38 . For example, the contact pads  43  may be made from Delrin™. Where a guide member  38  is generally a square or rectangular tube, it is preferable to have contact pads  43  positioned for contacting each face of the inside of the guide member  38 . 
   Each set  36  of guide members  38  includes an innermost guide member  46 , the outermost guide member  44 , and may further include one or more intermediate guide members  47 . In the embodiments shown in the figures, there is one intermediate guide member  47  included on each set  36  of guide members  38 . 
   The innermost guide member  46  is a sign supporting guide member and includes two connectors, namely an upper connector  48  and a lower connector  50 , for mounting the sign  34  thereto. More specifically, the top support bar  34   a  may be connected to the upper connector  48  and the bottom support bar  34   b  may be connected to the lower connector  50 . It is alternatively possible for more or fewer than two connectors to be included on the innermost guide member  46  for mounting the sign  34  thereto. For example, connector  50  could be omitted from the sign system  30 , so that the sign  34  is mounted only to the connector  48  on the innermost guide member  46 . 
   The lower connector  50  may be fixedly connected to the innermost guide member  46  by any means known in the art. For example, the lower connector  50  may be bolted to the guide member  46 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , the guide member  46  has a front face  52 , from which the lower connector  50  extends outwardly. 
   The lower connector  50  may connect to the bottom support bar  34   b  of the sign  34 , by any means known in the art. For example, the lower connector  50  may include two bolt holes  54  (see  FIG. 3 ), which are alignable with bolt holes (not shown) on ears  56  (only one ear  56  is visible on the bottom support bar  34   b  in  FIG. 5 ) that are positioned on the lower support member  34   b . Fasteners, such as bolts  58  may be secured through the bolt holes  54  in the lower connector  50  and the bolt holes in the ears  56  of the bottom support bar  34   b  to mount the sign  34  to the lower connector  50 . 
   The upper connector  48  is mounted to the innermost guide member  46  and receives the top support bar  34   a  of the sign  34 . The upper connector  48  may connect to the top support bar  34   a  of the sign  34 , by any means known in the art. For example, the upper connector  48  may include two bolt holes  54  (see  FIG. 3 ), which are alignable with bolt holes (not shown) on ears  56  (only one ear  56  on the top support bar  34   a  is visible in  FIG. 5 ) that are positioned on the upper support bar  34   b . Fasteners, such as bolts  58  may be secured through the bolt holes  54  in the lower connector  50  and the bolt holes in the ears  56  of the bottom support bar  34   b  to mount the sign  34  to the lower connector  50 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the upper connector  48  may optionally be slidably mounted to the innermost guide member  46 . For example, in embodiments wherein the guide member  46  is tubular, the upper connector  48  may be connected to a slider  60  that is positioned inside the guide member  46 . 
   The slider  60  may be made from a similar material to the guide members  38 , such as aluminum or corrosion resistant steel, and may itself be tubular for reduced weight. In order to reduce the friction between the slider  60  and the guide member  46 , the slider  60  may include one or more contact pads  43  thereon for contacting the inside of the innermost guide member  46 . 
   Because of the slidable connection between the upper connector  50  and the innermost guide member  46 , the upper connector  48  is movable between a tension position, as shown in  FIG. 7  for example, and an access position as shown in  FIG. 4 . In the tension position, the upper connector  48  is spaced sufficiently from the lower connector  50  so that the sign  43  is generally taut between them. In the access position, the upper connector  48  is positioned proximate the lower connector  50 . By permitting the upper connector  48  to slide down to an access position proximate the lower connector  50  as shown in  FIG. 5 , access is facilitated to the upper connector  48  by a worker on the ground during installation or removal of a sign  34 . This is particularly useful when using the system  30  with a very tall sign  34  which can be, for example, substantially taller than an average person. In instances where the top of a very tall sign  34  requires accessing and the sign system  30  does not include a sliding upper connector  48 , a ladder or other elevating device may be used to elevate a worker to a suitable position for accessing the top of the sign  34 . 
   A cable connector  62  may be connected to the slider  60  to permit connection of a cable  64  thereto. During use, the cable  64  is used to raise and lower the slider  60  between its display position and its access position, and also to raise and lower the sign system  30  between its display and access positions, as is described in more detail further below. 
   The cable connector  62  may be provided with a plurality of apertures  66 , each of which is configured to receive a set screw for retaining the end of the cable  64 . The set screws are all tightened against the cable  64  to secure the cable  64  in place in the cable connector  62 . Because the set screws may engage the cable  64  at any point, the length of cable  64  that is inserted in the cable connector  62  is adjustable. In other words, there is no single fixed attachment point on the cable  64  for connection to the cable connector  62 . This adjustability facilitates making the overall effective lengths match of the two cables  64  that are connected to the two sets  36  of guide members  38 , during use. By making the lengths of the cables  64  match each other, the drive system  40  can pull on each set  36  of guide members  38  with generally equal tension in each cable  64 . 
   A stop  68  may be positioned proximate the top end, shown at  70 , of the innermost guide member  46 . The stop  68  prevents the slider  60  from being pulled farther away from the lower connector  50  than desired during use of the sign system  30 . During use, the banner  34   c  of the sign  34  is under tension in the vertical direction, as will be explained in more detail further below. In the event that the banner tears or otherwise fails, the stop  68  acts as a safety device to prevent the slider from being pulled out of the innermost guide member  46 . Furthermore, the stop  68  permits the sign system  30  to be retracted even when a sign is not mounted thereon. It is alternatively possible, however, for the stop  68  to be omitted from the innermost guide member  46 . 
   The stop  68  may have any suitable configuration. For example, the stop  68  may be made up of two cross-bars  71  that extend across the inner guide member  46 . The two cross-bars  71  may be spaced sufficiently apart to permit the pass-through of the cable  64  and the cable connector  62 , but are spaced sufficiently closely to each other to prevent the slider  60  from passing therebetween. 
   In the embodiment shown in the figures, each outermost guide member  44  is an anchor guide member and fixedly mounts to the wall  32  and thereby acts as an anchor for the rest of the set  36 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the outermost guide members  44  may include several flanges  72  extending outwardly therefrom with suitably sized bolt holes  74  (see  FIG. 3 ) therethrough for this function. Bolts  76  may be secured into the wall  32  through the bolt holes  74  to complete the mounting of the outermost guide members  44  to the wall  32 . It is alternatively possible for the guide members  44  to be mounted in any other suitable way. 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Structure that is incorporated into the guide members to limit their travel relative to each is explained below with reference to an inner guide member  38   a  and an outer guide member  38   b . The guide members  38   a  and  38   b  may be any two successive guide members in a set  36 . Accordingly, the guide members  38   a  and  38   b  directly engage each other slidingly during extension and retraction of the sign system  30 . 
   To set an upper limit of travel of the inner guide member  38   a  with respect to the outer guide member  38   b , a first upper limit means  84  and a second upper limit means  86  are provided on the inner and outer guide members  38   a  and  38   b  respectively. During retraction of the guide members  38   a  and  38   b , eg. during raising of the sign  34 , the inner guide member  38   a  slides upwards within the outer guide member  38   b . At a selected point, the first upper limit means  84  on the inner member  38   a  engages the second upper limit means  86  on the outer member  38   b . As retraction of the guide members  38   a  and  38   b  continues, the inner member  38   a  supports the outer member  38   b  through the engagement of the first and second upper limit means  84  and  86 , and the two guide members  38   a  and  38   b  travel together upwards. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , during retraction of the guide members  38 , each guide member  38  slides within and then supports the immediately surrounding guide member  38 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , the first and second upper limit means  84  and  86  may be provided in any suitable way. For example, the first upper limit means  84  may be provided on a projection  88  mounted at the bottom end of the guide member  38   a . The projection  88  may comprise, for example, a bolt that is fastened to the wall of the guide member  38   a , extending outwards therefrom. Preferably, the guide member  38   a  includes a plurality of projections  88  thereon, eg. a projection  88  extending outwards from two opposing walls of each guide member  38 . 
   The second upper limit means  86  may be provided, for example, in a cut-out  90  in the wall of the guide member  38   b . The cut-out  90  may be generally U-shaped and is configured to receive the projection  88  on the guide member  38   a.    
   The first and second upper limit means  84  and  86  may be configured to engage each other after any selected amount of engagement is achieved between the inner and outer guide members  38   a  and  38   b . For example, they may be configured to engage when the guide members  38   a  and  38   b  are fully engaged whereby their bottom edges are adjacent one another. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the second upper limit means on the outermost guide member  44  may comprise a pair of spaced cross-bars  91  that extend across the top of the outer guide member  44 . The two cross-bars  91  may be spaced sufficiently apart to permit the pass-through of the cable  64  and the cable connector  62 , but are spaced sufficiently closely to each other to prevent the intermediate and innermost guide members  47  and  46  from passing therebetween. The cross-bars  91  may be made up, for example, of bolts that are secured with nuts through the outermost guide member  44 . 
   It is alternatively possible for the second upper limit means  86  on the outermost guide member  44  to comprise the cut-out  90  instead of the cross-bars  91 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , it will be noted that the outermost guide member  44  does not require a first upper limit means  84  since the outermost guide member  44  does not slide within any surrounding guide member. It will further be appreciated that a second upper limit means  86  need not present on the innermost guide member  46 , since no other guide members  38  slide within it. 
   Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 . To set a lower limit of travel of the inner guide member  38   a  with respect to the outer guide member  38   b , a first lower limit means  92  and a second lower limit means  94  are provided on the inner and outer guide members  38   a  and  38   b  respectively. During extension of the guide members  38 , eg. during lowering of the sign  34 , the inner guide member  38   a  slides downwards within the outer guide member  38   b . At a selected point, the first lower limit means  92  on the inner member  38   a  engages the second lower limit means  94  on the outer member  38   b . At this point, the inner guide member  38   a  can lower no further and is then supported by the outer guide member  38   b  through the engagement of the first and second lower limit means  92  and  94 . During further extension of a set  36 , any guide members (not shown) that are positioned within the inner guide member  38   a  extend downwards relative to the inner guide member  38   a.    
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , as extension of the guide members  38  continues further, each guide member  38  eventually dead-ends within an immediately surrounding guide member  38  and then is supported by the immediately surrounding guide member  38 . 
   The first and second lower limit means  92  and  94  may be provided by any suitable means. For example, the first lower limit means  92  may be provided on a projection  96  that is fastened to the exterior of each of the guide member  38   a . The projection  96  may, for example, comprise a plate that is mounted to the exterior of a guide member  38 . Alternatively, the projection  96  may, for example, comprise a bolt (not shown) fastened to the wall of the guide member  38  and extending outwards therefrom. 
   The projection  96  may be mounted at any selected point along the length of each guide member  38 . Preferably, two or more projections  96  are positioned on each guide member  38   a . For example, a projection  96  may be positioned at each corner of the guide member  38   a  at a selected distance from the upper edge of the guide member  38   a  (see  FIG. 7   a ). 
   The second lower limit means  94  may be provided on a projection  98  that extends inwards into the interior of the guide member  38   b . Preferably, two or more projections  98  are positioned on each guide member  38 . For example, a projection  98  may be positioned at each corner of the guide member  38   a  at a selected distance from the lower edge of the guide member  38   b.    
   The projection  98  may comprise, for example, a plate, that is mounted in each corner at the bottom of the guide member  38   b  (see  FIG. 7   a ). Alternatively, the projection  98  may comprise a bolt (not shown) that is fastened from the outside through the wall of the guide member  38   b  at a suitable position to engage the projection  96  on the guide member  38   a.    
   It will be appreciated that the innermost guide member  46  ( FIG. 1 ) does not require a second lower limit means in its interior since there are no guide members that slide within it. 
   Where contact pads  43  are provided on the exterior of the guide members  38 , the projections  98  may be mounted on a guide member  38  in positions suitable so that they do not inadvertently engage a contact pad  43  of the guide member  38  immediately within, during sliding movement between the two guide members  38 . As shown in  FIG. 7   a , the projections  98  may be mounted on the corners of the guide member  38   a , in the case where the contact pads  43  are mounted on the faces of the guide member  38   a.    
   In addition to supporting the guide member  38   a  once fully extended within guide member  38   b , the first and second lower limit means  92  and  94  may be used to ensure that a selected minimum portion of the lengths of the guide members  38   a  and  38   b  remain engaged even when fully extended. To achieve this purpose, the positions of one or both of the lower limit means  92  and  94  may be spaced by a selected amount from the ends of the guide members  38 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the first lower limit means  92  may be spaced by a first selected amount from the top end of the inner guide members  38   a , and the position of the second lower limit means  94  may be spaced by a second selected amount from the bottom end of the outer guide member  38   b . By positioning the first and second lower limit means  92  and  94  in this way, the inner guide member  38   a  remains engaged within the outer guide member  38   b  even at full extension by a minimum length equal to the sum of the selected amounts. Providing a selected minimum length of engagement between the guide members  38   a  and  38   b  reduces the likelihood that the guide members  38  will jam during retraction of the sign system  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , each set  36  of guide members  38  has a front  100 . A slot  102  is positioned on at least a portion of the length of each guide member  38  facing the front  84  of the set  36 . The slots  102  are all sized to permit the connectors  48  and  50  to pass therethrough, and to permit sliding of the connectors  48  and  50  during movement of the sign system  30 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , it will be appreciated that the connectors  48  and  50  extend sufficiently far out frontwardly from the innermost guide member  46  that the bolt holes  54  remain outside beyond the plane of the front surface, which is shown at  104 , on the outermost guide member  44 . This is so that the sign  34  may be connected to the connectors  48  and  50  throughout the range of motion of the sign system  30 . 
   As explained above, throughout the range of motion of the sign system  30 , a portion of the length of each guide member  38  remains inserted within the immediately surrounding guide member  38 . Accordingly, the slot  102  may be omitted from a portion of the length proximate the top of each of the guide members  38 , ie. along a portion of the guide members  38  never traveled by the connector  48  during retraction or extension of the sign system  30 . 
   The slot  102  may be omitted entirely from the innermost guide member  46  in embodiments wherein the sliding upper connector  48  is replaced by a fixed connector. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the drive system  40  includes a cable  64  for each set  36  of guide members  38 , and further includes a pulley  106  for each cable  64 . Each pulley  106  is fixedly mounted to the wall  32  and is positioned above a set  36  of guide members  38  such that the cable  64  extends up from the set  36  substantially vertically and is received tangentially on the pulley  106 . The cable  64  passes over the pulley  106  and extends to a drive means  107 , which may be any suitable drive means known in the art. 
   To raise the sign system  30  from the access position shown in  FIG. 1  to the display position shown in  FIG. 2 , the two cables  64  are pulled. By virtue of the positioning of the pulleys  106  the cables  64  remain substantially vertical throughout the range of motion of the sign system  30 . By having the cables  64  remain vertical, the force transmitted by the cables  64  to the guide members  38  is always vertical. 
   Preferably, the drive system  40  is further configured, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , so that the cables  64  exert forces on the guide members  38  along a line of direction that is vertical and that is within the contained volume of all of the guide members  38 . This is different from some sign system of the prior art, which provide lifting forces that are always substantially offset from the axis of travel of their guide members. The offset lifting forces that are exerted in such prior art systems, impart moments on some guide members relative to other guide members, thereby tending to angle some guide members as much as is permitted by the play between their respective interengaging portions. This tendency to angle the guide members relative to each other in systems of the prior art can increase the risk of jamming of the guide members during extension or retraction of the guide members. 
   Providing the preferred configuration shown most clearly in  FIGS. 6 and 7  substantially reduces any moments imparted on the guide members  38  during retraction and extension of the guide members  38 . Accordingly, the reduction in rotational forces imparted to the guide members  38  reduces the tendency of the guide members  38  to jam during extension or retraction. 
   It is further preferable for the drive system  40  to be configured, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , so that the cables  64  exert forces on the guide members  38  along a line of direction that is vertical and that is coaxial with the centerline axis A of all of the guide members  38 . Providing this further preferred configuration, substantially eliminates any moments imparted by the cables  64  to the guide members  38  during retraction or extension of the guide members  38 . Accordingly, the reduction in moments imparted to the guide members  38  further reduces the tendency of the guide members  38  to jam during extension or retraction. 
   A winch  108  may optionally make up the drive means  107 , to facilitate raising and lowering the sign system  30 . The winch  108  includes a winch drum  110  to which one end of each of the cables  64  may be connected. 
   The winch drum  110  may be oriented in any suitable way for receiving the cables  64 . Preferably, the winch drum  110  extends vertically on the wall  32 . It is alternatively possible for the winch drum  110  to be oriented generally outwards from the wall  32 , and may generally be oriented in any way, wherein the drum axis of rotation lies in a plane that is vertical and perpendicular to the wall  32 . 
   The winch  108  is rotatable in both directions so that cable  64  may be wound onto the winch drum  110 , or unwound from the winch drum  110  as desired for raising or lowering the sign system  30 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, the winch drum  110  receives both cables  64 . Because the cables  64  extend off from the winch drum  110  in opposite directions to each other, the cables  64  depart from the drum surface 180 degrees apart circumferentially. 
   It is alternatively possible for both cables  64  to depart from the drum  110  in the same direction, and thus be circumferentially in phase with each other. In this alternative, the drive system  40  could include a series of pulleys to guide one of the cables  64  over to the pulley  106  above its associated set  36  of the guide members  38 . 
   The winch  108  may be motorized, and may thus include a drive motor  112 . The drive motor  112  is preferably capable of rotation in either direction for raising or lowering the sign system  30  between its display and access positions. 
   Suitable control means (not shown) are preferably provided for control of the operation of the winch  108  (or other drive means  107 ) at ground level. 
   It is alternatively possible for the winch  108  to be manually powered, and to include a crank for manual operation by a worker. In this case, it is preferable for the winch  108  to be positioned near ground level at a height that facilitates cranking by a worker. 
   The use of the sign system  30  will be described with respect to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . In use, a sign  34  may be mounted to the sign system  30  if the sign system  30  is in the access position as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the access position, the guide members  38  are extended so that at least the lower connectors  50  are proximate the ground. If the upper connectors  48  are slidable within the innermost guide member  44 , then the upper connectors  48  may also be positioned proximate the ground. The sign  34  may be mounted to the upper and lower connectors  48  and  50 . To facilitate installation of the sign, the top support bar  34   a  may be mounted to the upper connector  48  first, and then the upper connector  48  may be raised to a suitable height by the drive system  40 , so that the banner  34   c  does not obstruct access to the lower connector  50 . 
   Once the sign  34  is mounted, the upper connector  48  may be raised further. At some point in its upwards travel, the banner  34   c  becomes taut and the lifting force being exerted on the upper connector  48  is transmitted through the sign  34  to the lower connector  50 , which is fixedly connected to the innermost guide member  46 . Further raising of the upper connector  48  then raises the lower connector  50  and the innermost guide member  46 . During this stage, the sign  34  is lifted up along with the innermost guide member  46 . Also, during this stage and thereafter throughout the retracting of the guide members towards the display position, the sign  34  remains supported from its top support bar  34   a , and remains taut from its own weight. As the innermost guide member  46  rises it slidably engages the immediately surrounding guide member, which may be an intermediate guide member  47 , as is the case for the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . As the innermost member  46  rises further, the first upper limit means  84  on it will engage the second upper limit means  86  on the intermediate member  47 . At that point, continued raising of the innermost member  46  will also raise the intermediate member  47 . In embodiments where several intermediate members  47  provided are provided, further drawing up of the cables  64  causes each guide member  38  to engage the next successively larger guide member  38  until all of the intermediate and innermost guide members  47  and  46  are retracted into the outermost guide member  44 . At that point, the sign  34  is at its display height. At this point, the sign system  30  appears as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   During lowering of the sign system  30  from the display position (see  FIG. 2 ), the cables  64  are let out. At that point, all the guide members  38  inside the outermost guide member  44  are lowered together en masse with the first and second engagement surfaces remaining engaged with each other. As the guide members  38  are lowered the second lower limit means  94  on the outermost guide member  44  engages the first lower limit means  92  on the next successively smaller guide member  38 , which may be, for example, an intermediate guide member  47 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . At this point, the intermediate guide member  47  remains supported by the outermost guide member  44  and further letting out of the cables  64  lowers any remaining guide members  38 . As the cables  64  are let out each guide member  38  eventually engages and remains supported by the guide member  38  immediately larger that it until all of the guide members  38  are extended. At this point the sign system  30  is in the access position. 
   At this point, if the sign system includes sliding upper connectors  48 , further letting out of cables  64  lowers the upper connectors  48  towards the lower connectors  50  within the innermost guide members  46 . At this point, the sign  34  is no longer taut and may be removed from the upper and lower connectors  48  and  50 . 
   The sign system  30 , once installed, may be modified to accommodate a wider sign  34  than it was installed for, by repositioning one or both of the sets  36  of guide member  38  to be farther apart on the wall  32 . Additionally, the winch drum  110  may require repositioning depending on how much extra cable  64  it can accommodate. The cables  64  may require replacement with longer cables  64 . 
   Furthermore, the sign system  30  may include as many successively larger guide members  38  as necessary to accommodate the overall height difference between the display and access positions. For situations where the sign is displayed at a relatively high position, rollers (not shown) may be provided at spaced intervals as necessary on the wall to assist in guiding the sign system  30  during extension and retraction of the guide members  38 . 
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , which show two guide members  38   c  and  38   d  in the retracted and extended positions with an alternative configuration for the contact pads  43  and for the first and second lower limit means  92  and  94 . In this alternative configuration there is a contact pad  43  on each face of the exterior proximate the top end of the inner guide member  38   c . At some point below the positions of the contact pads  43 , is positioned the first lower limit means  92  which may include, for example, several bolts  113 . The bolts  113  may be positioned on each exterior face of the inner guide member  38   c.    
   The outer guide member  38   d  has a contact pad  43  on each face of the interior proximate the bottom end. At some point above the position of the contact pads  43  is positioned the second lower limit means  94 , which may include, for example, several bolts  113 . The bolts  113  may be positioned on each interior face of the outer guide member  38   d  for engagement with the bolts  113  on the inner guide member  38   c  when the inner guide member  38   c  reaches its extended position (see  FIG. 8   b ). 
   It is alternatively possible for a single bolt  113  to be mounted on each of the exterior of the inner guide member  38   c  and the interior of the outer guide member  38   d , since in the configuration shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , the bolts  113  will only be required to support the weight of the guide member  38   c.    
   As can be seen in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b , the inner and outer guide members  38   c  and  38   d  engage each other with both sets of contact pads  43  throughout their range of motion. Furthermore, when the guide member  38  is extended to the position shown in  FIG. 8   b , none of the contact pads  43  are exposed, which provided a cleaner appearance. Furthermore, with this configuration, there is no risk of a situation where a contact pad jams as it enters engagement with a guide member, because the contact pads  43  are always in engagement with the guide members  38   c  and  38   d  throughout the range of motion of the guide members  38   c  and  38   d.    
   Furthermore, in this configuration, the first and second lower limit means  92  and  94  may be positioned anywhere suitable around the perimeter of the guide members  38   c  and  38   d , without concern for inadvertently contacting a contact pad  43 . 
   Similarly to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the positions of the first and second lower limit means  92  and  94  impact the amount of engagement that exists between the guide members  38   c  and  38   d  when in the extended position as shown in  FIG. 8   b.    
   Reference is now made to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b . For very tall signs, one or more of the guide members  38  may include a wheel  114  connected thereto for engaging the wall  32  as the sign system  30  is lowered and raised. In  FIG. 9   a , the set  36  is shown in the retracted position, and in  FIG. 9   b , the set  36  is shown in the extended position. By engaging the wall  32  during movement of the sign system  30 , the wheels  114  provide increased stability to the system  30 , particularly during the portions of its travel wherein the sets  36  of guide members  38  approach their extended positions (see  FIG. 9   b ). In an alternative embodiment that is not shown, it is possible for the one or more wheels  114  to be positioned on the wall  32  instead of being positioned on the guide members  38 . By positioning the wheels  114  on the wall, the guide members  38  can more easily be configured to retract fully within each other. 
   The sign  34  has been described as being a banner  34   c  that is tensioned by gravity between a top support bar  34   a  and the bottom support bar  34   b . It is alternatively possible for the sign to have a fixed frame including top and bottom support bars and vertically extending side support bars. Furthermore, the banner portion of the sign need not be flexible, but could instead be made from a rigid or semi-rigid material. In these alternative, a sliding upper connector may be omitted on the innermost guide member  46 . Instead, a fixed upper connector could be used. Furthermore, a single connector could be provided to replace both the fixed upper and lower connectors to support a sign with a fixed frame. It will be appreciated that in embodiments wherein a sliding upper connector is not provided in the innermost guide member  46 , a stop is not required in the innermost guide member  46 . Accordingly, the sign system  30  may include at least one connector depending in part on the configuration of the sign being supported. 
   The sets  36  of guide members  38  have been described as having an outermost guide member  44  that is fixed to the wall  32 , and an innermost guide member  46  to which the sign  34  is connected. It is alternatively possible for the sign system to have an innermost guide member that is affixed to a wall, and to have successively larger guide members telescope downwards, ending at an outermost guide member to which the sign may be attached. 
   The system of the present invention may be used to access signs for replacement of the banner or replacement of the entire sign. Also, the system of the present invention may be used for accessing a sign so that it may be washed, repainted or otherwise serviced. In either case, the sign may have a flexible banner, or a rigid or semi-rigid banner, which may or may not be intended for regular replacement. 
   While the above description constitutes the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is susceptible to modification and change without departing from the fair meaning of the accompanying claims.