Outdoor sign support system

• US 6,976,660 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Signalisation Kalitec Inc.
• Original Assignee: Signalisation Kalitec Inc.
• Inventors: Griffith, Robert, Lapointe, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US10/732,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20050127258A1
• Time in Patent Office: 740 Days
• Field of Search: 248/218.4, 248/219.1, 248/219.2, 248/219.3, 248/222.14, 248/222.13, 248/223.41, 248/224.61, 248/227.3, 406/071.2, 406/04
• US Class Current: 248/218.4
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1804 for fastening to a post
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1817 using fastening means to grip the post
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2007/1826 using channels on the rear of the sign board to be connected to the post, e.g. via clamps
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure

Abstract

A system for mounting a sign to a post comprises an elongated channel member adapted to be mounted on a backside of a sign and a bracket adapted to be mounted to a post to which the sign is to be mounted. The bracket has a channel engaging portion adapted to be slidably engaged into the channel member on the backside of the sign. The bracket comprises an endless collar extending along a continuous closed line and adapted to be fitted over the post. The collar defines at least one transversally oriented hole in which a threaded fastener is threadably engaged with a leading end thereof projecting inwardly of the continuous endless collar for exerting a pushing action on the post in order to secure the collar on the post while at the same time drawing the channel member against the post so as to prevent relative movement between the sign and the bracket.

Claims

1. A system for mounting a sign to a post, the system comprising an elongated channel member adapted to be mounted on a backside of the sign, a bracket adapted to be mounted to the post to which the sign is to be mounted, the bracket having a channel engaging portion adapted to be slidably engaged into the channel member on the backside of the sign, wherein the bracket comprises an endless collar adapted to be fitted over the post, said collar defining at least one transversally oriented hole in which a threaded fastener is threadably engaged with a leading end thereof projecting inwardly of the endless collar for exerting a pushing action on the post in order to secure the collar on the post while at the same time drawing the channel member against the post so as to prevent relative movement between the sign and the bracket.

2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said collar has a top edge and a bottom edge, and wherein said channel engaging portion extends beyond said top and bottom edges.

3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said channel engaging portion is integrally provided on an outer surface of said collar.

4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein said channel engaging portion is provided in the form of an enlarged mounting pad on said outer surface of said collar.

5. A system as defined in claim 4, wherein at least two enlarged mounting pads are provided at different locations on said outer surface of said collar.

6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein two pairs of diametrically opposed mounting pads are provided on said outer surface of said collar.

7. A system as defined in claim 4, wherein said at least one transversally oriented hole comprises a through hole in said enlarged mounting pad.

8. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said collar has a generally elliptical shape.

9. A system for mounting a sign to a post, the system comprising a collar adapted to tightly surround the post, said collar being provided on an outer surface thereof with at least two rail engaging members each of which is adapted to be located on a different side of the post once the collar has been mounted thereabout, at least one rail slidably engageable with a selected one of said at least two rail engaging members, said at least one rail being adapted to be mounted to a rear surface of the sign, thereby allowing signs to be mounted on at least two different sides of the post, wherein at least one threaded hole is defined in said collar for receiving a threaded fastener, said threaded fastener having a leading end extending internally of said collar for engaging the post, and wherein said at least one threaded hole extends thicknesswise through one of said at least two rail engaging members.

10. A system as defined in claim 9, wherein said collar is provided in the form of a one-piece extrusion.

11. A system as defined in claim 9, wherein said collar is endless and extends along a continuous line circumscribing a closed space in which the pole is adapted to be received.

12. A system for mounting a sign to an outdoor post, the system comprising an elongated rail adapted to be mounted on a rear surface of the sign, a bracket adapted to be mounted to the outdoor post to which the sign is to be mounted, the bracket having a rail engaging portion adapted to be slidably engaged with the rail, wherein once the position of the sign relative to the post has been adjusted, further sliding movement between the rail engaging portion and the rail is prevented by tightening a threaded fastener extending internally of the bracket against the outdoor post, wherein said bracket includes an endless collar defining a closed space for receiving the post, wherein a threaded hole is defined thicknesswise through said collar for allowing said threaded fastener to project into said closed space in order to engage the post, and wherein said rail engaging portion is provided in the form of a mounting pad integrally formed on an outer surface of said collar, said mounting pad projecting beyond an upper edge and a bottom edge of said collar.

13. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein a plurality of rail engaging portions are provided at different locations about said collar.