Patent Application
20130318844
Real estate signage is typically placed on a street side of a property for sale or rent. Real estate signs can include information pertaining to the property or the person or agent that a perspective buyer can contact. For example, a real estate sign can be oriented with the information facing perpendicular to the road so that a perspective buyer can ascertain the information while driving by the property from either direction.
Typically, real estate signs are positioned by real estate posts anchored in the ground or stabilized by a base. Real estate posts can be rented from a real estate post services company. The posts can then be removed by the real estate post services company after the property has been sold or rented.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,197 is directed to a bracket configured to be tightened around a post. Particularly, the bracket can support a rod used to hold items over a sign attached to the post.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
The present disclosure relates generally to sign post apparatuses and methods. For example, the sign post can include any post capable of displaying information, such as a reals estate sign post, auction sign post, marketing sign post, advertisement sign post, or the like. For ease of reading, a real estate sign post is used throughout as an exemplary sign post apparatus. The real estate sign apparatus can include a sleeve configured to wrap about a post and a cap configured to be coupled to an end of the sleeve. The cap can be configured to fix a position of the sleeve on the post. A signboard can be coupled to at least one of the sleeve or cap, such that the sign can extend, for instance laterally, from a side of the post.
A real estate signboard can be used to inform potential buyers regarding details of a property, such as contact information for an agent or seller, status of sale, type of sale, or the like. The real estate signboard can be double sided, such that the property details are perpendicular to a roadway. That is, the real estate signboard can be placed so as to be observable by a potential buyer heading either direction along a roadway.
A real estate signboard can be supported by a real estate sign post, such as a post or rod. A real estate sign post can include a post anchored in the ground, stabilized by a base, attached to a tree, attached to a bush, or attached to a house. A cross-bar can extend outwardly from the post. The cross-bar can be configured to hang or attach the real estate sign perpendicular to the roadway. Such real estate sign posts can be relatively readily readable, for example readable in a time period that the sign is in view of a motorist or passenger in a passing vehicle, or in a time period that the sign is in view of a mobile device sufficient for the mobile device to take a picture, read, scan, or similarly discern the real estate sign post.
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a real estate sign post apparatus that can orientate a real estate signboard on an already existing real estate sign post, so that the real estate signboard is parallel to a roadway. Benefits of such embodiment include, but are not limited to, ability to display additional quick read information to a potential buyer, an increase in the time a potential buyer can observe property information, additional space or forms of information can be displayed, or the like. Further, a user can use a mobile device to scan or take a picture of the real estate sign post apparatus while in a motor vehicle that links the mobile device to the internet, such that the user can access information regarding a property without having to exit the motor vehicle.
Typically real estate sign posts can be rented from a real estate sign post services company, such as by contract. The contract can include a clause that prohibits the renter from destroying or otherwise materially altering the real estate post. Benefits of the present subject matter includes, but are not limited to, providing further signage opportunities on an existing real estate sign post without materially altering the post.
The sleeve can include a width C or a depth E such that the sleeve can wrap about (e.g., slide over) the post. The post can include a square cross section, hexagonal cross section, circular cross section, or the like. For example, the width C or depth E can be configured so as to wrap about a 4 inch by 4 inch post, as typically used in the industry. The post can include a metal or polymer rod, stud, stake, or similar object of any geometry configurable to be inserted or be placed on the ground to establish a substantially vertical position of the apparatus. The post can include any suitable construction material, including wood, metal, or a polymer.
A cap 16 can be coupled to an end 15 of the sleeve 14. The cap 16 can be configured to fix a position of the sleeve 14 on the post. Said another way, the cap 16 can be configured to hold the signboard 12 in a selected position on the post. For example, the cap 16 can sit on an end of the post not anchored in the ground, as discussed in reference to
The cap 16 can be formed of a weather resistant material, such as treated wood, plastic, stainless steel, copper, powder coated aluminum, or the like. In an example, the cap 16 can include a solar light cap for powering an auxiliary light to illuminate the real estate sign or real estate post, or the like.
The cap 16 and sleeve 14 can be a unitary assembly, such as an injected molded assembly, including polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like. In an example the cap 16 can be snap fit or press fit to the end 15 of the sleeve 14. Alternatively, the cap 16 can be coupled to the end 15 of the sleeve 14 by an adhesive, such as a weather resistant adhesive. For example, a weather resistant adhesive can include an adhesive typically used in the construction industry.
A signboard 12 can be coupled to the sleeve 14 or cap 16, such that the signboard 12 extends from a side of the post, as described in relation to
The signboard 12 can be formed of a weather resistant material, as described herein, such as vinyl poster board. The sign can be formed from a flexible material, so as to bend or move in the wind without breaking or snapping. At least one surface of the signboard 13 can be coated with a substance configured to aid in removal of a sticker 29 (
Alternatively or in addition to the sticker 29, as described herein, the signboard 12 can be formed of a material configured to be printed on. For example, a QR code conveying real estate information can be printed on the visible section of the signboard 12, such as A′ by B in
The signboard 12 can include one or more attachment locations configured to attach the signboard 12 to at least one of the cap 16 and the sleeve 14. For example, the signboard 12 can attach in a corner of the signboard 12 or in approximately in the middle of the signboard 12. The attachment locations can include a tongue and groove assembly, for example, or can be part of a unitary assembly as described herein. The informational sheet on the signboard 12 can include property information or link information, as described herein. The attachment locations can be configured so as to permit the informational sheet to be readily detached.
Sleeve 14 can include a length D configured to stabilize the cap 16 or signboard 12, such as in weather or during assembly or disassembly. The length D of the sleeve 14 can include a length of at least about 2.25 inches to about the distance F from the cap 16 to the cross bar 22, as illustrated in
In an example, an interior surface of the sleeve 14, such as the surface that contacts the real estate sign post, can include one or more pads 23 configured to secure the real estate sign post apparatus to the post. The pads 23 can be tacky or provide grip, without materially altering the real estate sign post.
The signboard 12 can include a sticker 29, such as a QR code sticker, as described herein. In an example, the sticker 29 can be made of a weather proof material configured to withpost the climate of the geographical location that the real estate sign post apparatus 10 is installed. Further, the sticker 29 can be fixably attached to the sign 12, such that the sticker 29 is substantially non-removable. For example, the sticker 29 can include a QR link that can be remotely changed. Such an example can provide the benefit of reusing the sticker 29 or signboard 12.
In an example, the unitary assembly can include the sleeve 14, cap 16 and signboard 12, such that the unitary assembly can be injection molded as one piece configured to be coupled to a real estate post 18. In an example, the unitary assembly can be formed of acrylic or similar materials.
At 56, the method 50 can include coupling a signboard 12 to at least one of the sleeve or cap, the signboard extending from a side of the post. As described herein, the signboard 12 can be coupled at a variety of locations, such as an edge or middle of the signboard 12. Further, at 58 the method 50 can include displaying real estate information attached to the signboard 12. For example, the information can be displayed using a QR code, lettering, pictures, or any combination thereof, as described herein. The displayed information can include a sticker 29 or some other adhered information, or the displayed information can be printed directly on the signboard 12, such as on the surface 13. The link associated with the displayed information can be modified remotely, such as by a computer, mobile device, or the like. For example, when scanned, the QR code can direct a user or a user's mobile device to a first website. The link to the first website can be remotely changed to a link of a second website. Benefits of such an example include versatility of a single code of displayed information, such that the same code can be used multiple times.
The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventor also contemplates examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventor also contemplates examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implemented at least in part. Some examples can include a computer-readable medium or machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable to configure an electronic device to perform methods as described in the above examples. An implementation of such methods can include code, such as microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, or the like. Such code can include computer readable instructions for performing various methods. The code may form portions of computer program products. Further, in an example, the code can be tangibly stored on one or more volatile, non-transitory, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media, such as during execution or at other times. Examples of these tangible computer-readable media can include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the underposting that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim posting on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of Ohnstad, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/654,488, entitled “REAL ESTATE SIGN POST APPARATUS”, filed on Jun. 1, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61654488 | Jun 2012 | US |
