Tubular Sign Frame

Abstract

An ultra lightweight tubular sign frame entirely made from polyvinyl chloride otherwise known as PVC. This material is very strong, yet extremely lightweight. Tubular sign frame is comprised of hollow tubing and hollow fittings that can be assembled by hand in just minutes. It's an upright design and completely free standing allowing it to be easily transported in a vehicle or stored in a garage. Tubular sign frame is designed to hold, exhibit and display two dual sided, double stacked separate sign boards one above the other. This unique design concept ensures the tubular sign frame to stand tall and achieve maximum visibility. Pre-drilled holes at the top of the frame are supplied to insert mini flags to further enhance and maximize exposure of the complete tubular sign frame. The design also has removable threaded cement-filled stands which can easily be attached or detached from the frame in seconds.

Claims

1. A tubular sign frame apparatus able to carry, hold, retain, display and advertise by the adaptation of mini flags and sign boards. Corrugated plastic is the most commonly used for this type of application. a. A frame able to display two dual-sided sign boards, independent from each other that may be inserted into said tubular frame one above the other. b. A set of mini flags may be inserted into said tubular sign frame. c. A tubular frame structure entirely made from polyvinyl chloride plastic, thus making said frame ultra-lightweight. d. A removable cement filled set of stands are incorporated within said tubular sign frame design. Referenced stands have two types of configurations.

2. A tubular sign frame according to claim 1, wherein said sign boards are nestled between vertical frame tubes each having elongated grooves running parallel with said tubing to insert and display said sign boards.

3. A tubular sign frame according to claim 1, wherein said frame has two separate sections, an upper and a lower section, thus permitting the insertion of two dual sided separate independent standard sized boards.

4. A tubular sign frame according to claim 1, wherein vertical pre-drilled holes have been implemented in the upper section of said frame for the sole purpose of inserting mini flags.

5. A tubular sign frame according to claim 1, wherein the entire tubular frame structure is comprised of seventeen individual pieces made from polyvinyl chloride, otherwise known as PVC. Thus, achieving an ultra lightweight category.

6. A tubular sign frame according to claim 1, wherein two configurations of removable cement filled stands are incorporated within said design of tubular sign frame.

7. A tubular sign frame according to claim 6, wherein configurations of said stands consists of a standard set of stands and a second set of heavy duty stands. Both configurations of stands are cement filled and compatible with the same frame.

8. A tubular sign frame according to claim 6, wherein all stands are attachable and detachable by means of male threads of said frame and female threads within stands. Turning stands clockwise to attach or counterclockwise to detach.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 Isometric view: Tubular sign frame with heavy duty stands. Displaying open house signs, and mini flags. (Please note) Mini Flags and open house signs are for illustrative purposes only, as per present invention.

[0022] FIG. 2 Exploded view: Tubular sign frame with reference numbers. As per present invention.

[0023] FIG. 3 Top view: Standard stands (cement-filled). As per present invention.

[0024] FIG. 4 Top View: Heavy duty stands (cement-filled). As per present invention.

[0025] FIG. 5 Top View: Horizontal bridge tube with two drilled vertical holes at opposite ends of each other, connected between two 90 degree elbows each having drilled vertical holes. Both said holes aligning with each other. As per present invention.

[0026] FIG. 6 Side View: Horizontal tube with machined sign groove. As per present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF STANDS

[0027] All stand parts are permanently bonded together with PVC cement glue and thus making all stands pre-assembled.

(Standard Stands): 001

[0028] Each stand consists of two end caps 118 connected to two equal length tubes, cement-filled 117. They are then horizontally inserted into both smooth sides of the 3-way T-connector 116. The vertical female threaded side of 116 attaches or detaches to and from 115 male threaded adapter on frame by simply turning clockwise to attach or counterclockwise to detach.

(Heavy Duty Stands): 002

[0029] Each stand consists of two end caps 124 connected to two equal length tubes, cement-filled 123. They are then horizontally inserted into both smooth sides of the 3-way T-connector 122. The vertical female threaded side of 122 attaches or detaches to and from 115 male threaded adapter on frame by simply turning clockwise to attach or counterclockwise to detach.

BRIEF LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS PERTAINING TO THE DRAWINGS

[0030] 110: Tubular Sign Frame (without stands) [0031] 111: Mini flag pole vertical holes, 2-ea. On top of 90 degree elbows (112) [0032] 111a: Mini flag pole holes on top of horizontal bridge tube (120a) [0033] 112: 90 degree elbow, 2-ea (with mini flag pole vertical holes) [0034] 113: 3-way T-connector, 4-ea. [0035] 114: Internal connecting sleeve, 2-ea. [0036] 115: Threaded (male) adapter, 2-ea. [0037] 116: 3-way T-connector one side (Female) threaded, used for Standard stands, (001) 2-ea. [0038] 117: Standard Stand arm tubes (cement-filled), 4-ea. [0039] 118: End caps connected to (117) stand arms tubes, 4-ea. [0040] 119: Machined sign grooves into vertical tubes (121),4 ea. (sign board not included) [0041] 120: Horizontal bridge tubes, 2-ea. [0042] 120a: Horizontal bridge tube with mini flag pole vertical holes (111a) 1-ea. [0043] 121: Vertical tubes with machined sign grooves (119) 4-ea. [0044] 122: 3-way T-connector one side (Female) threaded for Heavy Duty stands (002) 2-ea. [0045] 123: Heavy Duty stand arm tubes (cement-filled), 4-ea. [0046] 124: End caps connected to (123) stand arm tubes, 4-ea. [0047] 001: Standard Stands. [0048] 002: Heavy Duty Stands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The following will describe the essence and embodiment of a sign frame utilized in many different fields, businesses, and industries, including personal uses. Tubular sign frame is a modular, triple support bridge design. The entire frame is made from polyvinyl chloride plastic, otherwise known as PVC.

[0050] The tubular sign frame is composed of 17 individual pieces, seven hollow tubes and 10 hollow fittings. Because of its unique design it is lightweight, strong and weather resistant. It weighs less than 2.5 pounds without stands 001 and 002 and 3 pounds with two corrugated plastic sign boards also without stands 001 and 002. Additionally, the design concept allows it to sit upright and completely free standing. It is also extremely versatile since two different types of removable stands may be attached to tubular sign frame 110.

[0051] FIG. 1 depicts an isometric view of tubular sign frame 110 with sample open house sign boards and sample mini flags (which are being displayed for illustrative purposes only). Because these two items may vary in styles, shapes, sizes, and colors, they can easily be switched or interchanged to fit the needs and wants of an individual. Mini flag poles are simply inserted into provided vertical holes 111 which are slightly narrower than the thickness of a soft drink straw.

[0052] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the tubular sign frame 110, composed of 17 individual pieces within. At the top of the frame are two 45 degree angle elbows 112 with holes 111 drilled at the top side of each elbow. Horizontally inserted between both elbows is a support bridge tube 120a with vertical holes 111a drilled on opposite sides of the tube which are also aligned with drilled elbow vertical holes 111 to display two mini flags, one on each side providing maximum visibility. There are a total of four vertical tubes 121. All tubes are of equal length and diameter and also have machined sign grooves 119 to receive and hold a sign board which will be inserted into said groove. The first two vertical tubes 121 are inserted vertically into each elbow 112. The bottom end of each said tube 121 left and right are inserted into the center 3-way T-connectors 113. There are a total of four 3-way T-connectors 113, two are in the center section of the frame and two are at the bottom section of the frame. Horizontal tube 120 is then inserted between the two center 3-way T-connectors 113. There are a total of three horizontal supporting bridge tubes. Two are described as 120 and the third one previously described as 120a. The next two remaining vertical tubes 121 which also contain machined sign grooves 119 are inserted between the center 3-way T-connector 113 and bottom 3-way T-connectors 113. The third remaining bottom horizontal support bridge tube 120 is then inserted between the two bottom 3-way T-connectors 113. Internal connecting sleeves 114 are inserted and permanently bonded into the bottom portion of 3-way T-connectors 113 both left and right side. Lastly, the smooth sides of threaded male adaptors 115 are each connected and permanently bonded to both of the internal connecting sleeves left and to the right side of the internal connecting sleeves 114. At this point the tubular frame is complete and either stands 001 or 002 can be attached to Tubular sign frame 110.

[0053] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of standard stand 001 sharing the same diameter tubing as the tubular sign frame 110. In which two stand arm tubes 117 both being of equal length and cement-filled are horizontally inserted and permanently bonded into one 3-way T-connector 116 in which the vertical side is female threaded, allowing attachment with threaded male adaptor 115. End caps 118 are then mated and permanently bonded to stand arm tubes 117.

[0054] FIG. 4 depicts a top view of heavy duty stand 002 which utilizes a longer and thicker diameter of tubing on said stands. Thus, translating to a greater capacity of cement, and making tubular sign frame 110 more wind resistant and stable. The two stand arm tubes 123, both being of equal length and cement-filled are horizontally inserted and permanently bonded into one 3-way T-connector 122 in which the vertical side is female threaded, allowing attachment with threaded male adaptor 115. End caps 124 are then mated and permanently bonded to stand arm tubes 123. Both removable stands 001 and 002 easily attach to the tubular sign frame 110 by simply mating the internal threads of stand to external threads of 115 at the bottom of the tubular sign frame 110 and then turning it to the right in a clockwise motion until it comes to a stop. After both left and right stands are fully fastened to the frame, then both stands may be aligned making sure they are perpendicular to the tubular sign frame. This is a quick, simple, and easy procedure only taking seconds to complete. To remove either set of stands 001 or 002 simply turn to the left in a counterclockwise motion until stands separate and are fully detached from external threads 115 of the tubular sign frame 110.

[0055] FIG. 5 depicts the top view of tubular sign frame 110. Whereas two 45 degree elbows 112 are joined together by a horizontal support bridge tube 120a. Elbows 112 and horizontal support bridge tube 120a both have drilled vertical holes 111 and 111a, which are perfectly aligned with each other for mini flags to be inserted into each vertical hole. These flags ensure maximum visibility and exposure of the tubular sign frame 110.

[0056] FIG. 6 depicts vertical tube 121, which contains a total of four: an upper right, upper left, lower right and lower left. All four have the same diameter and length. All four have the same machined sign grooves 119.

[0057] Different types of sign boards may be inserted into said grooves 119, such as, thin plywood, plastic, cardboard, aluminum, particle board, or corrugated plastic, which is the most commonly used for its main characteristic of being ultra lightweight. This tubular sign frame 110 displays two dual sided, double stacked separate sign boards, potentially having four different displays simultaneously. This design allows for the frame to stand tall, maximizing its visibility and exposure. Additionally, tubular sign frame 110 is versatile, allowing users the flexibility to decide what type of sign they'd like to utilize, therefore, achieving multiple possibilities.

[0058] The tubular sign frame will also offer flexibility under mild winds. The empty spaces above and below the center horizontal support bridge tube 120 help wind flow through the tube frame, which assists in keeping it stable. Round tubes and round fittings also serve as an aerodynamic benefit, which help reduce drag and enhance stability of said tubular sign frame 110. Despite the fact tubular sign frame 110 is ultra lightweight, the added weight of either cement-filled stands 001 or 002 make it hold firmly to ground or floor. The cement-filled stands also assist in achieving great balance and equilibrium.

[0059] Tubular sign frame 110 is hand assembled, only taking a few minutes to complete without the need of any tools. Since tubular sign frame 110 contains an all white tubing frame, any type of sign displayed will be visually enhanced.