Fuel dispenser bumper guard display assembly

• US 6,536,744 B1
• Filed: 06/14/1999
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Technalink, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Technalink, Inc.
• Inventors: Pettesch, Martin C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Browne, Lynne H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Garcia, Ernesto
• Application Number:
  US09/333,230
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 406/06, 406/07, 406/12, 248/56, 248/72, 403/234, 403/235, 403/236, 403/237, 403/232.1, 403/230, 403/256, 403/213, 256/1, 256/13.1
• US Class Current: 256/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/08 using bands
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

A displaying bumper guard for fuel dispensers that includes a sign-holding frame assembly mounted on an inverted U-shaped bumper guard member with the bumper guard legs imbedded in the ground level concrete or concrete ledge. The device includes a frame for supporting a sign and a mounting assembly for securing the frame to the bumper guard member. The visual square footage of the frame, viewed normally thereto, is much larger than that of the bumper guard member thus providing a good visual barrier for the dispensers. In one exemplary embodiment, the bracket assembly is releasably secured to the center leg of the guard member and includes at least one and preferably two displaced mounting surface located a short distance from the side profile of the bumper guard member. The frame includes at least one and preferably two spaced elongated reinforcement frame rails or bars secured to the frame sides to strengthen the frame and to cooperate with the mounting surface by being releasably secured thereto. When installed, the bottom of the frame is preferably spaced above the supporting concrete surface to allow wind to pass below the frame as well as around and over it.

Claims

1. A displaying bumper guard assembly for fueling stations having at least one fuel dispenser, the displaying bumper guard assembly comprising:

a U-shaped guard member secured in fixed relation with the dispenser for providing impact protection to the dispenser and comprising a pair of spaced, upstanding legs having bottoms embedded through a surface and top portions positioned above said surface, a laterally extending center leg connected to the top portions of said upstanding legs,

a substantially planar frame assembly having a first face for retaining a data bearing sign, a pair of spaced frame sides each located at an opposite side of said first face, and at least two vertically spaced frame mounts extending between and coupled to said frame sides, one of said frame mounts located completely above said center leg and the other of said frame mounts located completely below said center leg, and

a bracket assembly rigidly coupled to said frame mounts at a location intermediate said frame sides and rigidly coupled to said central leg to support said frame assembly in an upright position such that each of said frame sides extend above and below said center leg and said first face faces away from said guard member and the dispenser, said first face having an upper potion extending above said center leg and said upstanding legs to provide visual protection for said guard member and the dispenser.

2. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the bottom of said first face is spaced above the surface in which the U-shaped guard member legs are embedded to reduce torque caused by wind on said sign.

3. A displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket assembly is releasably secured to said center leg.

4. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket assembly includes a bracket having at least one wall that engages said center leg at at least two radial positions and contacting said center leg at at least a third position, and

a clamping member adjustably connected to said bracket to controllably clamp said central leg between said side wall and said clamping member.

5. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said bracket comprises two spaced side walls each having one edge shaped to engage said center leg.

6. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said clamping member comprises at least one U-bolt having a central portion for engaging said center leg and U-bolt legs being threaded and extending through a portion of said bracket, a tightening device threaded on each said U-bolt leg for engaging said bracket such that tightening said devices increases the clamping forces applied on said center leg by said U-bolt and said side walls.

7. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said edge is V-shaped.

8. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bracket assembly comprises a bracket having at least one bracket mounting surface having a congruent shape to the shape of the surface of said at least one of said frame mounts,

said bracket mounting surface and said at least one of said frame mounts being in mutual engagement when said frame assembly is mounted to said bracket assembly.

9. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said one of said at least one of said frame mounts is supported by said bracket mounting surface.

10. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said at least one of said frame mounts is releasably secured to said bracket mount by at least one fastener when installed.

11. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said bracket comprises at least two bracket mounting surfaces one mounting surface being completely above and the other mounting surface being completely below said center leg, each mounting surface respectively engaging one of said frame mounts.

12. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said respective frame mounts and bracket mounting surfaces are releasably secured together by fasteners when installed.

13. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame mounts are elongated laterally from one frame side to the other frame side.

14. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said frame mounts include a pair of flange members each having a first portion connected to said frame mounts and a second portion releasaby secured to said frame sides when installed.

15. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frame sides comprise opposite upstanding sides.

16. The displaying bumper guard assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein said frame sides include a plurality of openings for coupling said frame mounts to said frame at at least two different predetermined vertical locations relative to said first face.