Patent Application
20080216370
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to A-frame signs of the type frequently used by realtors, and more specifically, to an improved A-frame sign stand having a support rod with various configurations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various sign stands are used in numerous applications. For example, sign stands are frequently used in the real estate industry. Signs are typically placed in a yard for temporary usage.
Conventional sign stands can be of the type that are anchored into the ground. However, in various applications, A-frame sign stands of the type which have two panels which are hingedly attached to one another.
Such A-frame signs tend to have various problems. For example, such sign stands can tend to open further than desired, or buckle inwards. Various solutions have been proposed to prevent undesired opening of such stands. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,762 issued to McGrath, discloses an A-frame sign having a strap which is attached to the front and rear panels. This strap does not have a convenient storage location. Also, such a strap does not prevent buckling of the sign stand.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,260, issued to Maza et al., discloses a sign stand having straps at the bottom. The straps may serve to prevent further separation of the panels, however, they will not prevent inward buckling of the panels. Furthermore, the straps may hang out and be in the way in the event that the sign is folded for storage, or in the event that multiple signs are stored or transported.
Various other sign stands have been proposed, however, each of such solutions are deficient in various manners.
Therefore, there remains a need for an improved A-frame type sign stand which resolves the various deficiencies of the prior art.
In view of the deficiencies described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved sign stand. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved A-frame sign stand having a convenient support rod having various features and advantages.
The present invention is an A-frame sign stand. The stand includes a support rod which extends from the bottom center of the front panel to the bottom center portion of the rear panel. The support rod is preferably rigid.
The support rod preferably attaches to a molded receiving portion in the center of the bottom portion of each of the panels. In various embodiments, the support rod is removably attached to the panels, and can be placed in an open position to hold the panels in place. This will serve both to prevent the panels from separating beyond a desired point, as well as preventing them from buckling inward.
In various embodiments, the support rod is removably attachable to the panels in a storage, or closed, position. For example, the support rod may be stored in a horizontal position and snapped into molded receiving regions on one of the front or rear panels. Thus, the support rod can be stored in an easily accessible manner, and chances of loss during storage are decreased. Furthermore, in the storage position, the support rod may be accessible from the outside of the stand when the stand is collapsed, and usable for various purposes such as mounting, tying multiple such sign stands together, or as a handle.
In certain embodiments, the front and rear panels may have an opening therethrough, such as to enable positioning of a sign. The support rod may be attached along lower edges of such an opening.
A second spare support rod may be provided and stored in one of the two panels so that it can be available in the event that one is lost.
In various other embodiments, the support rod may be permanently affixed to one center portion of one of the panels, and removably attachable to the other panel. The support rod can then be pivoted upward and snapped into place into preferably molded receiving portions on the inner surface of the panel for storage.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference numerals represent like features.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.
In various embodiments, the present invention is an improved A-frame sign stand 10. The stand includes a front panel 20 and a rear panel 30. The panels 20 and 30 are hingedly connected at their top portions. The panels 20 and 30 may be formed of any suitable material. In various preferred embodiments, the panels 20 and 30 are formed of molded plastic. In a preferred embodiment, the panels 20 and 30 are blow-molded.
A removably attachable rigid support rod 40 is removably attachable to a bottom portion of the front panel 20 and a bottom portion of the rear panel 30. The rod 40 may be formed of any suitable material. Preferably, the rod 40 is a rigid metal material. Preferably, the rod 40 includes a bent portion at each end, and the bent portion is compatible with a molded receiving portion on each of the front panel 20 and rear panel 30, as shown in
Preferably, the support rod 40 is positionable in two modes. In a first open mode, the rod 40 is removably attached to bottom portions of each of the front and rear panels 20 and 30 as described. In the closed mode, the support rod is removably but firmly attached to receiving regions on one of the two panels 20 and 30, as can be seen in
In such a configuration, the rod 40 can be used as a handle as shown in
In various embodiments, an extra support rod 40 is provided such that it is available in the event that one of the support rods 40 should become lost.
In other embodiments of the present invention, the support rod 40 may be permanently pivotally attached to one of the panels 20 and 30 at a center bottom portion. In such embodiments, the support rod 40 may be pivoted upward and stored in a vertical position. Preferably, a vertical receiving region 50 is molded into one of the panels 20 and 30 on its inner surface to receive rod 40.
In further embodiments of the present invention, panels 20 and 30 may include openings 100 therein. Each opening 100 includes a lower edge 110. The support rod 40 is attached substantially along the lower edges 110. Either of panels 20 and 30 may include molded receiving areas 120 to receive rod 40 in the closed mode.
While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/164,897, filed Dec. 9, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11164897 | Dec 2005 | US |
| Child | 11950243 | US |
