Patent Publication Number: US-8112924-B2

Title: Expandable sign support assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a sign support, and more particularly to an expandable sign support assembly that adapts to the changing dimensions of a host structure such as a living tree. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Owners and managers of controlled land and facilities often attach signs to trees and other structures that are subjected to varying weather conditions. However, when a sign is attached directly to a growing tree or a structure that responds to varying conditions by undergoing dimensional changes, the sign may be torn apart or fall from the tree or other structure over several seasons. Unwanted inconveniences may occur and dangers may arise as uninformed visitors are exposed to unexpected conditions or hazards that a lost sign was intended to address. Furthermore, the loss of the sign may result in unwanted trespassing and may even permit the assumption of unwanted liabilities. Land owners and managers typically therefore must return to posted areas to replace lost or damaged signs. 
     As a tree grows, it may exhibit growth in both in height and diameter. Any signage nailed at four corners may be damaged or lost as the tree carries the nails further and further from each other both in vertical and horizontal directions. Plywood, metal panels, and other constructions materials may similarly destroy or cause the loss of a sign due to thermal expansions and contractions of both the host material and the signage material as seasonal or even daily temperatures cycle from hot to cold and back many times. 
     Therefore, an improved sign support assembly that adapts to the changing dimensions of a host structure such as a living tree is needed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a sign support assembly that expands in response to dimensional changes of a host structure. This need and other benefits and advantages are met by the present invention, of which several embodiments are within the scope of these descriptions. According at least to a first embodiment, an expandable support assembly for hanging a sign on a host structure subject to dimensional changes over time includes a pair of elongate arms pivotally attached together at a crossing point, a connector pivotally attaching the elongate arms together at the crossing point and permitting the arms to rotate relative to each other, four anchors, and a panel attached to the connector for supporting the sign. Each anchor engages a respective longitudinal portion of one of the arms such that the connector is positioned between two anchors with respect to each arm. The anchors are movable along the arms for securing the expandable support assembly to the host structure. The arms are adapted to permit movement of the anchors along the arms and the connector is adapted to permit relative rotation of the arms in response to dimensional changes over time of the host structure. 
     In at least one example according to the first embodiment, each arm has a pair of slots positioned on opposing sides of the connector, and the anchors are movable within the slots in a dovetail engagement. Channels are formed along opposing sides of the anchors and inner edges of the slots are formed as rails that are received by the channels such that the anchors are trapped within the slots. In another example, the rails have toothed edges and the anchors have flexible clips that engage the rails in an indexing fashion such that the anchors are movable along the slots among spaced predetermined positions. Furthermore, in at least one example, each anchor has a hole formed therethrough for passing a fastener through the anchor and into the host structure to secure the expandable support assembly to the host structure. A clear protective film may be attached to the panel along an edge of the panel and an adhesive layer may be provided on the film facing the panel for fixing the sign between the panel and the clear protective film. 
     In at least one other embodiment, an expandable support assembly for hanging an object for display on a host structure subject to dimensional changes over time includes a pair of elongate arms pivotally attached together at a crossing point, and a connector pivotally attaching the elongate arms together at the crossing point and permitting the arms to rotate relative to each other. Each arm has a pair of slots positioned on opposing sides of the connector for passing fasteners through the arm and into the host structure to secure the expandable support assembly to the host structure while permitting movement of the fasteners along the slots and relative rotation of the arms in response to dimensional changes over time of the host structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter that is regarded as the invention may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a sign support assembly according to at least one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear plan view of the sign support assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the sign support assembly of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the sign support assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with an exemplary sign; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the sign support assembly of  FIG. 1  shown with the exemplary sign of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an environmental view of the sign support assembly of  FIG. 1  and the exemplary sign of  FIG. 4  shown together mounted upon a tree. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views,  FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively provide front and back views of a sign support assembly  100 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sign support assembly  100  includes a crossed pair of arms  102  pivotally connected together approximately at their centers by a connector  104 . Each arm  102  has a pair of slots  106  positioned opposite each other along opposing ends of the arm  102  with the connector  104  positioned between the slots  106 . The inner edges of the slots  106  are formed as rails  108  such that two rails  108  are positioned along opposing sides of each slot  106 . 
     An anchor  120  engages the rails  108  within each slot  106  and is able to travel within the slot  106  by sliding along the rails  108 . In the illustrated example, the rails  108  have beveled edges  110  received by channels  122  formed along opposing sides of the anchors  120  such that the anchors  120  are trapped within the slots  106 . By this arrangement, the rails  108  and anchors  120  slidably engage each other in dovetail fashion as shown in  FIG. 3 . Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the positions of the anchors  120  are continuously adjustable along the slots  106 . In at least one other example, the rails have toothed or racked edges and the anchors have flexible or biased pins or clips that engage the rails in an indexing fashion such that the anchors  120  are movable along the slots  106  among spaced predetermined positions. In either example, the anchors  120  are able to move along the slots  106  when external forces are applied. 
     A hole  124  is formed through each anchor  120  for passing a fastener  126  such as a nail or screw through the anchor  120  as shown in  FIG. 3 . When a respective fastener  126  is passed through each hole  124  and fastened to a host structure such as a tree or post, the sign support assembly  100  serves as a four-point support for displaying a sign  200  as represented in  FIG. 6 . 
     The connector  104  represents a rivet, a threaded connector, a rod, a dowel, a headed cotter pin or other pivotal attaching implement or arrangement by which the arms  102  are pivotally connected together approximately at their centers. The connector  104  permits rotation of each arm  102  relative to the other. Therefore the height H and width W of the sign support assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 2  vary together with the variable relative angle A between the two arms  102 . The figures are not drawn to any particular scale and thus represent a variety of overall height and width configurations of the sign support assembly  100 . The sign support assembly  100  can assume taller (H) and more narrow (W) configurations than shown in the figures as well as shorter (H) and wider (W) configurations, according to the variable relative angle A. 
     A panel  150 , shown without the sign  200  in  FIGS. 1-2 , is attached to the connector  104  for supporting the sign  200  as shown in  FIG. 6 . The panel is rigid or semi rigid and supports the sign  200  against external forces such as the forces of wind and gravity. This is particularly advantageous when the sign  200  is made of paper or other flexible material. In the illustrated embodiment, the panel  150  is attached to the connector  104  at approximately the center  152  ( FIG. 5 ) of the panel  150 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , a clear protective film  160  is attached to the panel  150  along an edge thereof. An adhesive layer  162  on the film  160  generally faces the panel  150  for fixing the sign  200  between the panel and the film  160 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a removable layer  164 , which may be a sheet of waxed paper for example, is releasably adhered to the adhesive layer  162  on the film  160  to protect the adhesive layer  162  from collecting debris before use. The removable layer  164  is removed from the adhesive layer  162  to prepare the clear protective film  160  for use. Once the removable layer  164  is removed, the sign  200  is placed between the clear protective film  160  and the panel  150 , and the clear protective film  160  is then pressed down upon the sign  200  and any margins of the panel  150  that are not covered by the sign  200 . If margins are left on all sides of the sign, for example when the planar dimensions of the sign  200  are less than that of the panel  150 , then the sign  200  is sealed between the clear protective film  160  and the panel  150  and is protected from air wind and moisture. This is particularly advantageous when the sign  200  is made of paper or other material vulnerable to degradation by contact with outdoor elements. 
     The sign support assembly  100  is shown fastened to the trunk of a tree  210  in  FIG. 6 . An exemplary sign  200  is supported by the sign support assembly and is protected by the clear protective film  160 . Over time, the tree  210  exhibits dimensional changes by growing in both in height and diameter. As the tree  210  grows, the anchors  120  likely move outward along their slots  106  to accommodate the growth of the tree  210  while the fasteners  126  ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) travel with the growth of the tree. As needed, the angle A ( FIG. 2 ) varies by relative rotation of the arms  102  around the connector  104  as the tree grows in height and diameter and the growth is not accommodated across time by a single fixed angle A. 
     A prudent user will install the sign support assembly  100  with fairly balanced width W and height H ( FIG. 2 ) to accommodate the somewhat unpredictable growth ratios of the tree. A wise user will initially position the anchors  120  within the slots  106  inward from the longitudinal ends  103  of the arms to permit the anchors  120  to slide along the slots  106  away from the connector  104  as the tree grows. 
     The foregoing has described a sign support assembly. While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.