Abstract:
A baffle formed of square tubing having four faces, each face having a series of openings therein, The baffles are joined in off set rows and offset columns, with a space between each pair of baffles, vertically and horizontally, preferably in rows of six to form an anti-graffiti baffle assembly that has thirty six baffles therein. The individual baffles can be welded or otherwise attached to each other to form the baffle assembly, and which assembly is attached to either a substrate to be protected, or attached to a pair of spaced mounting posts which in turn are mounted to a substrate by four flat plates that are strategically attached to the baffle assembly to act as a mounting means.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates to metal panels which are to be bolted or other wise attached to bridges, buildings, fences, trucks, rail cars and the like, to discourage graffiti writing and tagging. The invention also has noise dampening properties for long sound barrier walls. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In many cities, big and small there is a large and costly problem being foisted on the taxpayers. This problem is the systematic application of graffiti and tagging-[allegedly artistic paintings, but more often than not, unrecognizable images as to subject matter by the general populous]. These undesired images are applied to both public and private surfaces, such as rail cars, subway cars, bridge structures, building walls and fences to name but a few items that suffer this counterculture application of spray paint, and marker pens. For this reason, many cities ban the sale of spray paint to persons under 18 years of age. The recent increase of punishment by extended prison terms and larger fines, for those caught committing these illegal acts has not had a significant impact on the deterrence of such acts. Even the requirement for juvenile offenders to apply paint over the graffiti and tagging on victim structures to conceal the tagging and graffiti has only helped to a limited degree. Something that will act as more of a deterrent to the viewing of the completed art work has been needed to alleviate the thrill of seeing one&#39;s own graffiti or tagging art in public places and on private property. 
     Applicant who is an engineer by training has witnessed the application of graffiti and tagging, herein after G &amp; T, countrywide, from his former home city of Stockton, Ca., to New York City. He decided to find a way to abate the problem. This invention is the result of his efforts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention comprises an optional metallic base plate to which a series of forwardly disposed perforated square tubing spaced members, called baffles, are attached as by spot welding or other similar means to form a completed anti graffiti (AG) panel. A series of joined baffles with a space between adjacent baffles, may be employed with or without a base or backer plate, and the attached series is designated a baffle assembly. The assembly is fashioned with alternating rows and columns of uniformly spaced open ended baffles, in an offset relationship. That is, a space is present between each two baffles vertically and horizontally/Thus both height and the width of two rows and two columns of an assembly would have 2× the number of baffles in any one row or column due to the alternate spacing between baffles. 
     Two baffle assemblies may also be mounted on spaced pairs of specifically designed mounting posts, instead of to a mounting base plate, but either way assemblies would be attached to either the substrate directly or to the mounting posts by 4 spaced flat plates integrated into the assembly in a non aligned mode, 2 on the top row and 2, on the bottom row of the assembly 
     There are various terms to be understood in connection with this invention. One baffle is a an individual perforated square tube member, of a finite height width and depth, to be discussed infra. A plurality of these baffles spaced apart in 6 rows high and 6 rows wide, in offsetting spaced rows, and attached to each other is called a baffle assembly. When two of these baffle assemblies are attached side by side to the mounting posts of this invention, we have a baffle assemblage. A wall or bridge covered, with a plurality of assemblies or assemblages would be deemed a panel. Such an area could be long and wide like a plate girder bridge or high, and less wide like a building wall. 
     All of the baffles may be oriented the same direction, vertically or horizontally or they may be interspersed, vertically and horizontally, if a difference is made in the location of, and perhaps the size and shape of the perforations on the faces of the square tubing. The preferred embodiment utilizes the same size, shape and location for the perforations on all 4 faces of the square tubing, but as noted such is not required. The base, if employed may be square rectangular or any other shape desired. The elongated square tubing based baffles, individually are generally sized 2 in . . . ×2 in . . . ×6 inches deep. A 12 baffle×12 baffle joined section is designated a baffle assembly. The joined baffles may be attached in differing alignments, that is on a mounting plate adjacent to a mounting post to create a different aesthetic appearance, or as configurations of the surface to be protected, may dictate. 
     A closer inspection however reveals the fact that a 12 baffle by 12 baffle is really only 6 baffles in any one column or row as the baffles are mounted in an offset manner both horizontally and vertically. Each panel&#39;s top row has a mounting flange at its upper left corner, and a mounting flange, after the 5 th  baffle, and prior to the 6 th  baffle. The bottom row of each assembly has a mounting flange between the 1 st  and 2 nd  baffles, and a mounting flange after the 6 th  baffle. This is due to the offset arrangement both horizontal and vertical with the open space in between in both directions between adjacent baffles. 
     The individual baffles may be maintained as bare metal, anodized, or painted as may be desired to suit the particular substrate to which the panel(s) are to be attached. Baffle assemblies and baffle assemblages, may be anodized, left as bare metal, powder coated or even painted as may be desired. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a typical wood fence section which has been subjected to the application of spray paint offensive language. (Prior art) 
         FIG. 2  is a plate girder railroad bridge over a city street, to which graffiti has been applied. (Prior Art) 
         FIG. 3  is a side perspective view of a single baffle according to this invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a variant of the anti-tagging/anti-graffiti baffle according to this invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an unattached baffle assembly of this invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a top front perspective view of a pair of horizontally aligned baffle assemblies of this invention wherein the baffles of the panels are similar on all faces, and the assemblies are mounted on two spaced mounting posts. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the panel of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a panel (mounting posts+2 baffle assemblies) of this invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a closeup view showing the mode of attachment of a baffle assemblage to a mounting post forming part of this invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a right side elevational view of an assembly of baffles, mounted at a 10 degree offset from the horizontal. 
         FIG. 11  is a closeup view of the mount flange in the upper right corner of a baffle assembly. 
         FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of the baffle assembly of  FIG. 5  without a backer plate. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In  FIG. 1  there is seen a wood fence bearing offensive language thereon. This graffiti can be painted over, chemically treated to remove the graffiti, or the wood fencing can be replaced. Unfortunately, in most instances it is not cost effective to use the apparatus of this invention on a wood fence, as wood fences can be replaced at relatively low cost. 
     While all of the above named processes are but temporary fixes, none of these options attack the problem head on of deterrence, as opposed to compensating for the efforts of the tagger, that is reacting to such attacks after the fact. The invention of this application constitutes a before the attack approach to the graffiti and tagging, problem, herein after “G &amp; T”. 
     In  FIG. 2  a typical plate girder bridge, used for both roads and railroads is seen spanning a city street. This bridge is close to a city street, and access to the rails and the bridge from the city street is easy for persons on foot. Thus bridges such as this one are quite susceptible to tagging. Usually bridges of steel are painted gray but sometimes black or even white. Research has shown that black paint and white paint are the most common colors used by G &amp; T artists. Perhaps this is due to the ready availability of these two colors, and that these colors offer the most contrast to black, white and gray original surfaces when applied to them. On the side of the bridge is seen both graffiti and tagging, which forms of art expression are considered offensive to most people, as opposed to being considered aesthetic. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of one baffle,  10 , used to form a baffle assembly  31  of this invention. The baffle is made of lightweight thin wall aluminum square tubing sized about 2.0 inches×2.0 inches on both the horizontal faces,  15   f  and  15 R and vertical faces,  19  R and  19 F and about 6.0 inches long on its sides  13 L &amp;  13 R. The tubing is open at the front,  17  and rear cross sections,  19  and preferably each face has a series of perforations or openings,  21 , therein. Here each face or side has three 1.25 inch diameter inch circular openings, These openings are designated  21  A,  21 B &amp;  21 C for the left side,  33 A-C for the top surface,  34  A-C for the right side and  24  A-C for the bottom surface of the baffle. The openings, for ease of manufacture can be linearly aligned both vertically and horizontally as shown here. But such, need not be the case. 
     For example,  FIG. 4  shows a baffle having 3 openings, 2 of one diameter designated  21 , and 1 smaller opening  27 , on the vertical faces, and 4 similar openings,  27 , on the horizontal faces. The diameter of the openings can vary from about 0.875 inches in diameter, to about 1.25 inches in diameter, and the tubing length can vary from about 5 inches to 8 inches. In the unit shown in  FIG. 3 , each opening is 1.25 inches in diameter, ½ inch between hole #1 &amp; 2, ½ inch between hole  2  &amp;  3  and ⅞ inch from the outer right edge to hole  1  and the same from the forward edge to hole  3 . 
     Other variations of hole patterns are also contemplated and are within the skill of the art to calculate for square tubing 2″×2″×6″ as well as for other square tubing sizes which can range from about 1.5″×1.5″ to 2.5″×2.5″ and have a length from about 5 inches to 9 inches. 
       FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of an unattached baffle assembly  31 . Here the single baffle shown in  FIG. 3  is depicted in a grid of 6 horizontal and 6 vertical baffles, with a space equal to 2″×2″ between adjacent baffles both vertically and horizontally. This assembly is deemed to be unattached as it is shown unattached to the mounting posts that also form a part of this invention and which are discussed infra. In order to achieve this baffle assembly  36  baffles are laid out in a jig such that they can be welded, glued or otherwise attached to one another in this dual direction spaced relationship of 6 by 6 baffles. Also in this view the optional baffle backer board or backer plate is seen attached as by welding, or through another known technique to the rear face of the baffle assembly. There are both benefits and detriments to the use of the optional backer board. Beneficially, any spray paint not dispersed within the baffle members, will collect on the back board, thus protecting the substrate that is desired to be protected from graffiti. On the other hand, the backer board, a.k.a. backer plate, adds cost and weight to each baffle assembly to be mounted. It is contemplated that customers will balance their needs and make the correct decision about using the optional backer plate for their particular needs. The backer plate when employed is a flat panel of sheet metal, preferably stainless steel to avoid rust and interaction with any surface to which it may be attached including the mounting posts shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . When employed it is suggested that the backer plate be sized to cover most but not all individual baffles, to render the attachment of the assembly to the substrate or mounting posts easier. That is the flat plates used for mounting to the mounting posts should remain uncovered. 
     In  FIG. 6 , there is shown a front perspective view of 2 baffle assemblies  10 , seen placed side by side and attached to two vertically spaced mounting posts  40 . Reference is also made to  FIG. 7 , which is a rear perspective view of the two mounted baffle assemblies. Since both mounting posts are the same only the upper one will be described in detail and the slight distinction in the lower one will be set out as well. 
     In these views, the pair of side by side baffle assemblies,  100 , are seen to be attached to a pair of spaced mounting posts,  39 , each of which has four mounting flanges  45  that are attached to the u-tube  43  as discussed infra. Each u-tube  43  is a bent tubular member whose diameter is welded or otherwise attached at its terminii to a wall plate  41 , which while shown as square need not be that shape. Each wall plate  41  has a series of throughbores for screws or bolts for attachment to the surface to be protected such as a building wall. The mount flanges  45  are seen to be a  3  piece structure having a front flat member  45 A, and two members each of which has an arcuate cutout that matches the radius of the U-tube. See both Figures. Obviously the mount flanges may be made as one piece or three pieces welded together as is understood in the metal craft art. 
     Between the wall plates  41  is a wall assembly  48  comprised of a wall plate  40  and a short tube  47 , having an arcuate cutout along the length of the short tube that matches the radius of the u-tube to permit a 90 degree junction of element  47  to the U-tube. Note also the presence of throughbores  42  in the center mount plate  40 . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , two centrally disposed mount flanges are seen, one for the edge of each of the two baffle assemblies. The baffle assemblies may be welded or otherwise attached to the u-tubes  43 , prior to the attachment of the mounting posts  39  to a substrate or after the mounting posts are attached to the substrate, not seen in these two figures. While the term u-tube has been employed for element  43 , the element can also be a solid bar instead of being a tubular member if desired, especially if an aluminum alloy is used instead of steel. 
     The mode of attachment of each baffle assembly to the mount flanges  45  is by the use of bolts or screws which pass through strategically placed pairs of spaced flat plates  51  which are disposed within the baffle assembly itself between spaced baffles. These flat plates are best seen in the single baffle assembly of  FIG. 12 . The flat plates  51  are noted as  51 A at the top right of the rear view here;  51 B between the 5 th  and 6 th  individual top row of baffles;  51 C at the far left at the bottom; and  51 D between the 1 st  and 2 nd  individual baffles on the bottom row. Thus the flat plates are NOT aligned either horizontally or vertically within the baffle assembly,  100 . Due to the location of the flat plates on the baffle assembly differing from top to bottom, the location of the mount flanges  45  on the upper mounting post  40  and lower mounting post  39  differ to accommodate the different spacings of the flat plates  51 . The reader is referred to  FIG. 12 , which more easily depicts the distinct locations of the flat plates  51  at the top and bottom of a baffle assembly. 
     It is also to be noted that in the front view  FIG. 6 , no backer plate is employed on either baffle assembly, but in  FIG. 7 , a backer plate is present on each baffle assembly, but the flat plates for mounting are left unimpeded. 
     In  FIG. 8 , a front view without the backer plate, one can see the 4 flat plates for mounting at the far left upper corner and the far right lower corner, but the flat plates  51  are set in 2 inches in the upper right and lower left corners of the double baffle assembly, such that plate is disposed between the first and second individual baffles in the lower left and upper right areas. Note also the absence of a backer plate in  FIG. 8  such that paint has a further distance to travel before impaction on a surface normal to the spraying “artist”. That is paint needs to travel all the way beyond the mounting posts to the substrate intended for protection. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the upper left flat plate  51  is seen closeup attached to the upper mounting post, and the two adjacent interior flat plates are also seen side by side attached to their respective flanges  45 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of a baffle show n attached to an upper and to a lower mounting post. In this view the baffle assemblies, only the side of one of which assembles can be seen are mounted, not 90 degrees to the ground, but here at a 10 degree offset downward. It is preferred to mount the baffles at between a 5 degree and a 15 degree offset, as an angular disposition has been found to collect more paint internally, especially on the interior upper surface of the baffles, than if the baffle were mounted without an offset, ie straight up and down. In this view the baffles employed are the individual baffles found in  FIG. 3  of this application. 
       FIG. 11  is a front closeup perspective view that illustrates the upper left corner of a baffle assembly showing the exterior flat plate  51  for attachment and several individual baffles. To ease the understanding of the structure slanted shading lines have been added to show which upper face and lower face go together with side surfaces to form an individual baffle. 
       FIG. 12  is a rear perspective view of a baffle assembly showing the 4 flat plates,  51 A, which from a front view would be the upper left corner. Plate  51 B. Is the inset right mount, and  51 C is the lower right corner mount when front viewed, and  51 D is the inset lower left flat plate for attachment to the substrate or mounting post.  FIG. 12  also helps the reader to understand the 6×6 offset of the individual baffles to form this 2 foot by 2 foot baffle assembly. 
     It is seen that I have created an apparatus that when mounted on a substrate inhibits a graffiti artist&#39;s artistic episode, by dispersing the cone shaped spray that emanates from a spray can such that the image or message is readily indiscernible, thus frustrating the efforts of the so called artist. The relative cost of installation of the apparatuses of this invention on a substrate are small in comparison to the sum of the expenses for the periodic removal of graffiti from walls, bridges, and other substrates. 
     While I have suggested that the baffles be about 6 inches in elongation, the baffles can range from about 5 inches from front to back to about 10 inches, with 6 inches being preferred. While I have shown 2 foot square assemblies of 36 baffles each, larger and smaller baffle assemblies, both square and rectangular fall within the scope of this invention. 
     As to color, the assemblies of this invention may have a random color scheme (non-uniform) or a color scheme of one or more colors to either blend in or be different from the substrate to which the assemblies are mounted. 
     Since certain changes may be made I the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.