Patent Application
20080209958
The present invention is generally directed to the field of safety locks for display devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to a safety lock for real estate listing signs.
Display devices are commonly used to facilitate the selling and renting of real estate. For example, real estate professionals commonly use signs located at visible spots adjacent to an available property to advertise the property to the public. A typical display device design used in the real estate industry comprises a vertical post with a horizontal cross-arm to hang an advertising panel. The advertising panel is typically hung on the horizontal cross-arm by various hanging means, such as rope, rings, or light chains.
There are a number of drawbacks associated with conventional real estate listing signs. One drawback is that such real estate signs are difficult to view after dark. One solution is to employ a lighting system to illuminate the real estate sign. For example, LISTINGLIGHT™ real estate sign light (available from Listing Light, LLC, Carlsbad, Calif.) offers a light source that may be attached to the real estate sign in order to illuminate it after dark. However, there remains a need to protect the real estate sign and the attached lighting system from theft. It is known in the art that real estate signs are frequently stolen and vandalized. Yet another drawback is that the advertising panels are routinely loosely attached to the horizontal cross-arm of a real estate sign. In windy conditions, such loosely attached advertising panels may be torn off the cross-arm, destroying the sign.
Therefore, there is an unmet need in the art for a display device safety lock capable of preventing theft of the display device and any attachments thereto, and also capable of stabilizing the display device in windy conditions.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a safety lock for display devices. In the preferred embodiment, the safety lock comprises a top faceplate, a bottom faceplate, and a locking rod. Preferably, the locking rod is contained between the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate so that only top and bottom loops of the locking rod protrude outside of the faceplates. The top loop of the locking rod may be used to connect to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device and the bottom loop of the locking rod may be used to connect to the advertising panel of a display device. The top faceplate and the bottom faceplate may be removably and securely attached together with the locking rod between them to secure the advertising panel to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device. Preferably, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together with the locking rod between them, so that one may not detach them and open the safety lock without a key. In one alternative, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together by means of an unconventional, tamper-resistant screw, wherein the screw may be driven only by means of a special corresponding screwdriver. In such embodiment, the screw serves as a lock and the corresponding screwdriver serves as a key. Other means to removably and securely attach the top and bottom faceplates together will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are within the scope of the present invention.
In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention. It is understood by these same artisans that other embodiments can be utilized and that structural changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the current invention. Thus, the following detailed description is not meant to limit the breadth of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a safety lock for display devices. In the preferred embodiment, the safety lock comprises a top faceplate, a bottom faceplate, and a locking rod. Preferably, the locking rod is shaped so as to form a top loop and a bottom loop. The loops may be open or closed. Preferably, the top loop and the bottom loop are open loops. The locking rod may also contain stops to prevent the rod from slipping once secured in place between the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate. In the preferred embodiment, the locking rod is placed between the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate so that only top and bottom loops of the locking rod protrude outside of the faceplates. The top loop of the locking rood may be used to connect to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device and the bottom loop of the locking rod may be used to connect to the advertising panel of a display device.
In the preferred embodiment, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate may be removably attached together with the locking rod between them to secure the advertising panel to the horizontal cross-arm of a display device. Preferably, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together with the locking rod between them, so that one may not detach them and open the safety lock without a key. The top faceplate and the bottom faceplate may be removably and securely attached together by a variety of attachment means. Such attachment means may include, but are not limited to, combination locks, nuts, bolts, screws, and electronic locks. In one alternative, the top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are securely attached together by means of an unconventional, tamper-resistant screw, wherein the screw may be driven only by means of a special corresponding screwdriver. For example, the head of the unconventional screw is designed such that the screw may only be driven by a corresponding, unconventional screwdriver. Incorporation of an unconventional screw provides further deterrent to thieves, since they will not be able to open the safety lock and remove the display device unless they possess a corresponding unconventional screwdriver. In such embodiment, the screw serves as a lock and the corresponding screwdriver serves as a unique key. Other means to removably and securely attach the top and bottom faceplates together will be known to one of ordinary skill in the art and are within the scope of the present invention.
The following example is provided to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A safety lock is opened by a corresponding unconventional screwdriver to unscrew an unconventional screw. The screw is removed from the orifice on the bottom faceplate and the threaded boss on the top faceplate. Once the screw is removed, the faceplates are pulled apart to expose the locking rod. While the safety lock is in the open position, the top loop of the locking rod is attached to a horizontal cross-arm of the display device and the bottom loop of the locking rod is attached to an advertising panel of the display device. The top faceplate and the bottom faceplate are then closed and secured with an unconventional screw. The unconventional screw is inserted through the threaded boss on the top faceplate and the orifice on the bottom faceplate. The screw is then tightened with the corresponding unconventional screwdriver to secure the safety lock to the display device.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Many other embodiments within the scope of the present invention will be accessible to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This application claims priority from Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/892,484 by Robert J. Visotcky, entitled “Safety Lock for Real Estate Signs,” filed Mar. 1, 2007, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60892484 | Mar 2007 | US |
