The present disclosure is directed to a pole assembly for supporting a sign and, more particularly, to an assembly adaptable to engage various pole configurations utilizing at least one pair of mounting plates, at least one band and a crossmember to support a sign.
Conventional pole assemblies for supporting a sign adapt to poles and other vertical posts to support a placard or other type of banner.
However, pole assemblies have suffered from various drawbacks. One drawback of conventional assemblies is that they are unable to adapt to various pole sizes and configurations due to the type of mounting mechanisms employed. For instance, some mounting mechanisms are well adapted for use on a square pole, but are ill-suited for circular or diamond pole configurations. Other conventional assemblies use complex parts that increase costs and the required skills necessary to assemble and operate.
As a result, there exists a need in the art for a pole assembly for supporting a sign that is easily adaptable to any second pole shapes and sizes. Moreover, a need exists for a pole assembly that is inexpensive and simple to manufacture and assemble.
Certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. However, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings, wherein:
Briefly, in one embodiment, a pole assembly for supporting a sign includes a pair of mounting plates where each mounting plate comprises a first aperture and a second aperture. A band is used to connect each of the mounting plates to the pole at a specified height. A crossmember is fed through both first apertures to support a sign. To provide greater support for the assembly, the band may also be fed through the second apertures.
Referring to
Preferably, the first pair of mounting plates 104 is connected at a first height while the second pair of mounting plates 104 is connected at a second height along the pole 102. A crossmember 108 engages each pair of mounting plates 104 to support one or more signs or banners 106. Each crossmember 108 may further include two removable stops 112 that prevent the banners 106 from sliding off the crossmembers 108 when exposed to high winds or other adverse conditions.
Referring to
It will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that the lateral axis 214 and longitudinal axis 216 respectively represent conventional “x” and “y” axes of a Cartesian coordinate system superimposed on the mounting plate 104. As a result, the first quadrant 218 is defined as the set of positive (+) lateral axis 214 values and positive (+) longitudinal axis 216 values. Similarly, the second quadrant 220 is defined by the set of negative (−) lateral axis 214 values and positive (+) longitudinal axis 216 values. The third quadrant 222 is defined by the set of negative (−) lateral axis 214 values and negative (−) longitudinal axis 216 values. Lastly, the fourth quadrant 224 is defined by the set of positive (+) lateral axis 214 values and negative (−) longitudinal axis 216 values.
The mounting plate 104 of
The apertures and notches described above may be formed by a process utilizing a machine punch. However, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that any process forming the apertures and notches as described above can be used alternatively. For instance, this disclosure anticipates the use of various molding techniques to form the apertures and notches in each mounting plate 104.
As used throughout this specification and claims, the term “aperture” shall be synonymous with the term “orifice” and both shall be used interchangeably herein. Similarly, as used throughout this specification and claims, the term “band” shall be synonymous with the term “clamp” and both shall be used interchangeably herein.
With respect to
Referencing now
The function associated with the plurality of holes 302 formed in the wall of the crossmember 108 will be demonstrated with respect to
More specifically, a first band 110 wraps around at least a portion of each mounting plate 104, and in one embodiment, through each second aperture 206. Similarly, a second band 110 wraps around at least a portion of each mounting plate 104 and through each third aperture 210. By wrapping around the pole 102 and engaging either the second apertures 206 or the third apertures 210, the bands 110 provide greater stability to the assembly 100. Lastly, the crossmember 108 is inserted through each first aperture 202 to support a sign or banner 106.
While one embodiment requires the use of two bands 110 per pair of mounting plates 104, it is conceived that any number of bands 110 can be utilized to connect the mounting plates 104 to a pole 102. For example, in one embodiment a single band 110 can satisfactorily support and connect a pair of mounting plates 104 to a pole 102. In other embodiments, the number of apertures per mounting plate 104 may correspond to the number of bands 110 such that each band 110 engages each aperture for greater support of the assembly 100.
The first band 110 is utilized to hold the mounting plates 104 in position on the pole 602. In one embodiment, the first band 110 wraps around the pole 602 and the mounting plates 104. In a second embodiment, the first band 110 wraps around the pole 602 and through the second aperture 206 (not shown) of each mounting plate 104. Additionally, a crossmember 108 is supported by the first aperture 202 (not shown) of each mounting plate 104.
To secure the crossmember 108 in a desired position, an alignment device (not shown) such as a pin, peg, screw or other device may be placed in one or more of the plurality of holes 302. For example, in
The crossmember 108, disposed within each first aperture 202 (not shown), similarly contains a plurality of holes 302 receptive to an alignment device to prevent unwanted lateral movement.
Similar to
While
The components described above are preferably made of metal but may be composed of plastic or any composite such that the materials are capable of supporting a sign or banner 106 on a pole 102.
With reference to
After the first pair of mounting plates 104 is placed on the pole 102, a pair of bands 110 are wrapped around the back portion of the pole 102. The first band 110 is fed through each second aperture 206 and the second band 110 is fed through each third aperture 210. For circular pole configurations, the first band 110 additionally engages the first notch 208 while the second band 110 engages the second notch 212 to prevent unwanted torque on the pair of mounting plates 104.
The pair of bands 110 are loosely tightened and a crossmember 108 is inserted through each first aperture 202. An alignment device is then inserted into one or more of the plurality of holes 302 of the crossmember 108. After the crossmember 108 is in place, the first pair of mounting plates 104 is relocated, if necessary, to its proper height and tightened.
The same process is repeated for a second pair of mounting plates 104. After both pairs of mounting plates 104 are in proper position, a sign or banner 106 can be attached to the crossmember 108. In one embodiment, the sign 106 has a top end and a bottom end. Each of the top and bottom ends have a pocket wherein the sign 106 can slide over the crossmembers 108. To prevent the sign 106 from sliding off the crossmembers 108, four stops 112 may be placed over the two ends of each crossmember 108.
As a result, the embodiments disclosed are not only inexpensive to manufacture, but are fully adaptable to all types of pole configurations. In addition, the present discussion has illustrated the ease through which one can assemble the pole assembly for supporting a sign or banner.
Furthermore, while the particular preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the teaching of the invention. The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as limitation. The actual scope of the invention is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the related art.
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Number | Date | Country |
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19951432 | May 2001 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20060022099 A1 | Feb 2006 | US |