Abstract:
A display system for use with a sign panel includes a bracket with a securement for attachment to a sign panel structure such as a support rib, to receive support therefrom. The bracket includes pairs of diagonally spaced apart support surfaces with each pair of support surfaces defining a channel for receiving a respective flag staff, to support opposite sides of a flag staff at spaced apart locations. A pivot connection pivotally attaches the flag staffs to the bracket, bringing the flag staffs into alignment with the support surfaces as the flags are rotated between an open or display position and a closed or storage position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to warning signs and in particular to flag indicators used with such signs. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Warning signs are employed in a wide variety of different applications. One important application concerns the safety of highway motorists and pedestrians. It is important to alert both motorists and pedestrians that extra care should be exercised at a particular location. Such warnings may arise from conditions which are either temporary or long term. Long term operations are typically accommodated by vehicular barriers, fencing and similar provisions, while temporary situations require special consideration. A temporary situation may arise, for example, when a work crew is dispatched to a location at or immediately adjacent to a roadway. For example, motorists and pedestrians both are accustomed to seeing utility work crews at roadside locations, from time to time. It would not be appropriate, in these instances, to require fencing or other barriers to be erected to provide a warning that extra care should be taken at the immediate location. Rather, lightweight warning systems are employed that are quickly and easily erected and stored from day to day or even within a portion of a workday. Temporary warning signs have been developed for this purpose. For example, a warning legend may be imprinted on a flexible panel having a cloth or other flexible substraight. Such panels may be coated with a reflective material to further improve their ability to warn nearby motorists and pedestrians that they are entering a location requiring that extra care be taken. 
         [0003]    Sign stand systems for use with flexible sign panels have been developed. Typically, the flexible sign panel is folded into a roll when its use is temporary suspended. Upon arrival at a worksite, the flexible message panel is unrolled and flattened into a generally planar or sheet-like configuration. A sign stand system is then erected to support the panel in a generally flat or taut condition that is conducive to enhance legibility. While virtually any type of backing support may be provided, it is generally preferred that the sign stand system also be capable of breakdown for storage into a relatively small sized package. It has been found popular in this regard, to provide braces for sign panels that are made of strong, but lightweight materials such as fiberglass ribs. A ground-engaging stand is provided, usually in the form of a ground post or a multi-legged support system that can be folded when not in use. Typically, one of the ribs is arranged in a vertical position and the bottom end of the rib is engaged with the base of the sign stand. In use, the ribs are expanded and engaged with the sign stand base. After unrolling, the sign panel is attached to the ribs preferably in a stretched or taut condition. 
         [0004]    As mentioned, warning systems are often times employed adjacent to a roadway, and thus are suggested to buffeting forces arising from motor vehicles passing nearby. Of course, the sign panel also absorbs energy from applied wind loadings. The sign stand base is often times spring loaded to absorb these forces so as to maintain the sign panel relatively immobile. 
         [0005]    It has been found important, that despite the proven performance and wide-spread acceptance of light-weight message systems, that additional warning indication be provided. Typically, sign stand systems are designed to maximize the sign panel area that can be reliably supported, despite buffeting from traffic and applied wind loads. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to enlarge the “sail area” of the message panel with additional devices visible to nearby motorists and pedestrians. One expedient that has been preferred over the years is to affix one or more warning flags to the sign panel system. Flags have the advantage of utilizing applied wind loads and roadside buffeting converting the applied loadings to movement of the supported flags, a strategy that can not be used with the message panel which must be maintained relatively immobile so as to guarantee proper orientation to oncoming motorists and pedestrians. 
         [0006]    While flags may be added to the sides of message panels, it is generally preferred that the flags be mounted at the top of the sign stand system so as to extend above the message panel. A variety of flag mounting arrangements have been provided over the years. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,024 assigned to the assignee of the present invention, a bracket is provided at the top of a sign panel to support one or more warning flags that extend above the sign panel. When three flags are provided, the central flag is removable from the bracket of the sign panel system, with the remaining flags permanently connected to the bracket for pivoting between display and storage positions. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,725,186 and 6,381,889 provide brackets with individual positions for multiple flags. 
         [0007]    Several patents provide arrangements in which one or more flag staffs are permanently secured to a sign panel system. The following patents provide permanent pivotal attachments for flags selectably movable from an upright display position to a storage position, where the flag staffs are aligned with a vertical sign panel rib, in preparation for rollup and storage. Included are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,980,984; 6,045,110; 6,047,941; 5,829,178; 5,832,866; and 5,829,178. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,091 provides a bracket at the top of a sign stand assembly to which flag staffs are permanently pivotally mounted for rotation parallel to the message panel. Arms project outwardly from the bracket in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the message panel to provide stops for the flag staffs, preventing their unintentional collapse, once erected in an upright position at acute angles to the vertical. Problems have been observed with this latter type of arrangement. As mentioned, the sign panel system and any warning flags attached thereto are subjected to buffeting from nearby traffic as well as wind loading. These forces are also applied to the warning flags and these forces can be considerable, especially when energetic wind gusts repeatedly pound against the warning flags and their flag staffs. With repeated loading and vibration due to wind forces, the arms, which normally provide position stops for the flag staffs, have been observed to wear away at the flag staff edges, causing premature deterioration of the flag staffs, and hence requiring accelerated maintenance. 
         [0008]    Despite the advances made in the field of flag displays and other types of warning devices associated with highway warning systems, further advantages in cost and manufacture are still being sought. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A sign stand system embodying the present invention includes a sign stand base having ground engaging legs supporting an upright mast which in turn supports a flexible sign panel. A cross brace is attached to the mast and extends in a generally horizontal direction so as to support opposed horizontal corners of the sign panel. If desired, the a vertical brace can be provided to directly support top and bottom corners of the sign panel with a mast in turn supporting the vertical brace. A clamp is secured at the top of the sign stand system, and is secured either to the vertical brace or the upright mast. Preferably, the bracket is located adjacent the upper portion of the sign panel and if desired, could be mounted above the sign panel. The bracket includes four spaced-apart body portions disposed in pairs, one pair above the other. The body portions are spaced apart so as to define at least two channels for receiving a flag-supporting staff. Preferably, the flag-supporting staff is pivotally attached to a portion of the bracket centrally located with respect to the body portions. When the flags are deployed, the flag staffs are rotated for alignment with a respective channel, with two of the body portions being longitudinally spaced apart with respect to the longitudinal axis of the staff, and simultaneously engaging opposed sides of the staff. The body portions cooperate with the pivotal connection to support and lock the flag staffs in predetermined positions. 
         [0010]    These and other advantages and features of the present invention which will become apparent from setting the appended description drawings and claims are attained in a display system provided for use with a sign panel, for mounting at least two flags that are supported by respective flag staffs. Included is a bracket which preferably has a monolithic construction, provided with a securement such as a passageway for a bolt to attach the bracket to a structure associated with the sign panel. In one example, the structure is a vertical support member preferably in the form of a vertical rib. The bracket includes four spaced-apart body portions arranged in pairs, the body portions of each pair preferably being diagonally spaced apart one from the other. Preferably, the four body portions comprise surfaces of raised body parts preferably having a triangular shape and arranged so as to form two diagonal channels. 
         [0011]    A pivot connection is provided for attaching the flag staffs to a portion of the bracket, preferably a portion located between the body parts, so that the flag staffs may be rotated into and out of alignment with the channels. When rotated into alignment with the respective channels, the flag staffs are fixed in a preselected rotational position, with the pairs of body portions supporting respective flag staffs. The support points for each flag staff are longitudinally spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the flag staff and positioned so as to simultaneously engage oppose the sides of the flag staff. In one arrangement, the pivot connection comprises a bolt or the like fastener extending through the flag staffs and the bracket for attachment to a supporting member such as a vertical rib support of a sign panel. On the side of the bracket facing away from the body portions, a raised mounting pad is provided for clearance from the vertical rib. 
         [0012]    In one arrangement, the body parts, comprising three-sided generally triangular-shaped components have corners laterally opposed to one another with the pivot connection disposed between the opposed corners. If desired, a vertical recess may be formed in the bracket, extending through the pivot connection so as to receive a flag staff of a third flag member. The body parts are spaced apart one from the other so as to form a vertical channel and the flag staffs are pivotable to an inverted vertical storage position, with the flags located below the pivot connection. 
         [0013]    In another example a warning sign system is provided for displaying information. A warning sign system includes, in addition to the display system described above, a sign panel and a vertical support member, such as a rib, for supporting the sign panel and the bracket. Preferably, the bracket is located adjacent an upper portion of the vertical rib so that the flags, when rotated to a display position, extend above the sign panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    In the drawings: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary view of a warning sign system according to principals of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bracket thereof; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view thereof; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top elevational view thereof, the bottom elevational view being identical; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view thereof with a view from the opposite side being identical; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the warning sign system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a rear elevational view thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a fragmentary perspective view thereof, with the flag staffs rotated to a storage position; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a fragmentary perspective view of a prior art display system; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a top elevational view thereof; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a fragmentary front elevational view thereof, shown with flag staffs installed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The invention disclosed herein is, of course, susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. Shown in the drawings and described herein below in detail is a preferred embodiment of the warning sign system of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and does not limit the invention to the illustrated embodiment. 
         [0028]    For ease of description, warning sign systems utilizing a bracket embodying the present invention is described herein below in its usual assembled position as shown in the accompanying drawings, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, longitudinal, etc., may be used herein with reference to this usual position. However, the warning sign systems may be manufactured, transported, sold, or used in orientations other than and described and shown herein. 
         [0029]    Referring now to the drawings, then initially to FIGS.  1  and  7 - 9 , a warning sign system generally indicated at  10  includes a sign panel  12 , preferably made of flexible material, supported at its corners by a vertical support member or rib  12  pivotally connected at  16  to a horizontal support member or rib  14 . Sign panel  12  has a front face  20  visible in  FIG. 7  and a rear face  22  visible in  FIGS. 1 ,  8  and  9 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , sign panel attachments  26  are mounted to the sign panel and cooperate with rib stops  28  and with bracket  50  to maintain the panel in a stretched or taut position. Ribs  12 ,  14  can be deflected for disengagement from panel attachments  26  allowing the ribs to be rotated at  16  so as to overlie one another for compact packaging. The sign panel, made of flexible material, may be rolled about the folded ribs for storage. As will be seen herein, the flags  30 ,  32  may be moved from an open or display position, illustrated for example in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , to a folded position illustrated in  FIG. 9  for storage along with the remainder of the display system. 
         [0030]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , flags  30 ,  32  are supported by flag staffs  36 ,  38  respectively and are pinned at  40  to be upper end of rib  12 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 9 , for example, pin  40  also extends through a bracket  50  so that the bracket supports movements of the flag staffs  37 ,  38  and hence the flags  30 ,  32 . 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2-6 , bracket  50  is shown in greater detail. Bracket  50  preferably is formed with a monolithic one-piece body made of suitable material, such as plastics, using conventional techniques such as molding or the like. As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , for example, bracket  50  has a forward facing major surface  52  and as can be seen in  FIG. 6 , a rearward facing major surface  54 . A hold or passageway  58  extends through the body of bracket  50 , between front and rear major surfaces  52 ,  54 . Passageway  50  is preferably centrally located with respect to the bracket body, and receives pin  40  which secures the bracket, along with the flag staffs  36 ,  38  to rib  12 . If desired, pin  40  can be attached to a different securement member such a vertical support extending alongside rib  12 . 
         [0032]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a pair of laterally opposed side portions  62  are located on either side of passageway  58  so as to protrude from major surface  52 . Side portions  62 ,  64  have upper working surfaces  62   a,    64   a,  and lower working surfaces  62   b,    64   b,  respectively. Rear surfaces of  62   c,    64   c  are perferably coextensive with the edge surfaces of the remainder of the bracket body. As can be seen in  FIGS. 4-6 , a slab-like standoff  68  protrudes outwardly from rear surface  54 . The exposed surface of standoff  68  contacts the surface of vertical rib  12  and, in one embodiment, pivots relative to rib  12  to move the flags and flag staffs from an upright or display position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , to the inverted or storage position illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Alternatively, bracket  50  can be permanently and fixibly secured to rib  12 . Rotation of the flag staffs  36 ,  38  with respect to bracket  50 , can be seen by comparing  FIGS. 1 and 9 . However, fixing the bracket in position is not preferred, since pin  40  must be extended to allow bending of the flag staffs  36 ,  38  so as to clear the triangular front faces  62   d,    64   d,  visible for example in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0033]    As can be seen for example in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the upper and lower surfaces  62   a,    62   b  and  64   a,    64   b  meet at the edges formed at the tips of the triangular faces  62   d,    64   d.  With reference to  FIG. 3 , it is generally preferred the diagonally opposed surfaces  62   a,    64   b  are preferably offset and generally parallel to one another, as are the remaining pair of diagonal surfaces  64   a,    62   b.  As will be seen herein, the flag staffs  36 ,  38  are supported by diagonally opposed surface pairs which cooperate to form channels for receiving the flag staffs in a defined position. For example, flag staff  36  simultaneously contacts and receives from diagonally opposed surfaces  62   a,    64   b.  It is generally preferred that such contact is continuous throughout the surfaces  62   a,    64   b  such that the largest surface area contact between the flag staffs and the support surfaces is maintained automatically as flag staff  36  is pivoted about pin  40  and hole  58  so as to extend in a downward direction in which gravity maintains the desired contact. In a similar manner, opposed sides or edges of flag staff  38  simultaneously contact and engage diagonally opposed surfaces  64   a,    62   b.  As can be seen for example in  FIG. 4 , the support surfaces  62   a,    64   a  are continuous and generally coplanar throughout their entire extent. However, as will be appreciated, only a portion of the support surfaces is required for the desired contact with a particular flag staff. If desired, the remaining unused portions of these surfaces can be relieved or otherwise removed, although it has been found expedient to form the entire support surfaces as a single continuous surface, as shown in the figures. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 7 and 9  show an optional arrangement which includes a third, generally upright or vertical flag  70  supported by its own flag staff (not numbered). Bracket  50 , without modification, can be employed to accommodate two-flag arrangements as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, as well as three-flag arrangements shown for example in  FIG. 7 . When a third flag used installed, it is preferably the first flag inserted against the board surface  52  of the bracket body. Although not required, it has been found convenient to provide a vertical depression or recess  74 , dimension for a close tolerance fit with the flag staff supporting flag  70 . In this manner, the flag staff supporting central flag  70  is rotationally fixed to bracket  50  whereas the flag staffs of the remaining flags are free to rotate between the display position illustrated in  FIG. 1  and the storage position illustrated in  FIG. 9 . As mentioned above, the rear surface of bracket  50  preferably includes an optional pad-like standoff  68 , visible in  FIGS. 4-6 . Pads  68 , when provided, gives clearance between the forward most flag staff and any nearby obstructions, such as the panel securement  26  shown at the upper most or 12 o&#39;clock position in  FIG. 9 . With standoff  68 , when bracket  50  is rotated between the upright or displayed position and the roundedly extending storage position, the flag staffs are able to clear the panel securement located at the top of the sign panel. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 10-12  show a prior art arrangement in which a bracket  100  is provided with a central pivot connection  102  and a pair of stops or rotation limiting arms  104 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , for example, arms  104  have sharp right-angled corners against which the flag staffs  36 ,  38  make contact. As indicated in  FIG. 12 , this contact causes corners of the arms  104  to be driven into the edges of flags staffs  36 ,  38  causing the flag staffs to become dented at the point of contact. This denting is more than superficial cosmetic blemish. Although the ribs and flag staffs of the sign system could be made of aluminum or other homogenous, monolithic material, they are perferably formed from fiberglass materials which typically include bundles of longitudinally extending strands encased in a hardened resin medium. Denting, such as that shown in  FIG. 12  causes a number of fiberglass strands to work free from the hardened resin matrix and, with water infiltration as well as freeze/thaw cycles, cause inevidable spread of the breakdown of the fiberglass matrix, requiring the flag staffs and usually they are attached flags, to be discarded. It has been found that denting is inevitable due to the line contact between the corners of hours  104  and the edges of the flag staffs, as the flag staffs are repeatedly stored and displayed, as required. Further deterioration results from the effect of wind loadings an the like which catch the flags, driving the flag staffs harder against the corners of arms  104 . With the claimed invention, the area of contact between the support bracket  50  and the flag staffs is greatly enlarged to encompass the full extend of the surfaces  64   a,    64   b,    62   a  and  62   b.    
         [0036]    Several variations are possible, without requiring substantial increase in manufacturing or assembly cost. For example, a greatly enlarged contact surfaces  62   a,    62   b,    64   a,  and  64   b  have been found sufficient to prevent damage to the flag staffs, even when the bracket is made of relatively hard plastic, aluminum or the like material, it is possible to form bracket  50  from elastomeric or other resilient materials such as rubber. Alternatively, a rubber face can be conveniently applied to the contact surfaces by use of adhesive, by insets or inserts of elastomeric material into the contact surfaces or by forming elastomeric inserts which are slotted, keyed, or otherwise configured for sliding engagement with the side portions  62 ,  64 . Alternatively, the entire side portions  62 ,  64  could be formed of elastomeric material which is applied to the major face of bracket  50 . As a further alternative, side portions  62 ,  64  could be replaced by pairs of pins, posts, or other conveniently shaped stop members formed of elastomeric material or a rigid base having an outer elastomeric covering. The stop members, having at least an outer surface of elastomeric material, could have a contact area considerably smaller than the area of contact surfaces  62   a,    62   b,    64   a  and  64   b.    
         [0037]    The foregoing descriptions and the accompanying drawings are illustrative of the present invention. Still other variations and arrangements of parts are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.