WO2005078687A1

WO2005078687A1 - Sign apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2005078687A1
Application number: PCT/GB2005/000454
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Terence Slade
Original assignee: John Terence Slade
Priority date: 2004-02-10
Filing date: 2005-02-09
Publication date: 2005-08-25
Also published as: GB2429326B; GB2429326A; GB0614983D0; GB0402889D0

Abstract

Sign apparatus (2) comprising a first part (4), a second part (6), a securing arrangement (8) for securing the first and second parts (4, 6) together, and a sign (10) in the form of at least one aperture (12, 14) in the first part (4): the sign apparatus (2) being such that the first part (4) is of a first colour and the second part (6) is of a second colour; the second part (6) is of a size which is large enough to block the aperture (12, 14) so that, when the sign apparatus (2) is viewed from a viewing face (16), the sign apparatus (10) is seen in the second colour; and the sign apparatus (2) being such that the aperture (12,14) is able to be felt by a person when the sign apparatus (2) is felt from the viewing face (16).

Description

SIGN APPARATUS

This invention relates to sign apparatus, and, more especially, this invention relates to sign apparatus which is both visual and tactile. Sign apparatus is often such that it contains a sign which is completely unsuitable for visually impaired people, and especially those having little or no sight. Attempts to improve this situation are being made and one such known attempt involves providing the sign apparatus with a legend in Braille. Such sign apparatus is not sufficiently satisfactory because fewer than 10% of blind people can read Braille. It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem. Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided sign apparatus comprising a first part, a second part, a securing arrangement for securing the first and second parts together, and a sign in the form of at least one aperture in the first part: the sign apparatus being such that the first part is of a first colour and the second part is of a second colour; the second part is of a size which is large enough to block the aperture so that, when the sign apparatus is viewed from a viewing face, the sign is seen in the second colour; and the sign apparatus being such that the aperture is able to be felt by a person when the sign apparatus is felt from the viewing face. The sign apparatus of the present invention is thus a considerable improvement on known sign apparatus because it is able to be noticeable firstly from a visual aspect due to the two different colours, and secondly from a tactile aspect due to the outline ridge that is formed because the second part does not extend to the viewing face of the sign apparatus. In a first embodiment of the invention, the sign apparatus is one in which the first part is smaller than the second part, in which the first part is secured by the securing arrangement to a front face of the second part, and in which the front fact of the second part is the face that faces in the same direction as the viewing face. Preferably, the sign apparatus is one in which the first part is secured in a recess in a front face of the second part. Also preferably, the sign apparatus is one in which the recess in the second part is defined by a peripheral border, and in which the peripheral border defines the periphery of the first part. In a second embodiment of the invention, the sign apparatus is one in which the first part is larger than the second part, in which the second part is secured by the securing arrangement to a rear face of the first part, and in which the rear face of the first part is the face that faces in the opposite direction to the viewing face. The sign apparatus in the second embodiment of the invention is preferably one in which the second part is secured in a recess in the rear face of the rear part. Also preferably, the sign apparatus is one in which the second part does not extend to a front face of the second part, in which the front face of the second part is that face that faces in the same direction as the viewing face, and in which the second part is of a thickness which is less than the thickness of the first part so that the aperture is able to be felt by a person when the sign apparatus is felt from the viewing face. Other arrangements may however be employed in order to ensure that the second part does not extend to the viewing face. The sign apparatus is preferably one in which the securing arrangement is a releasable securing arrangement whereby the first and second parts are separable and replaceable with other first and second parts of different colours if different first and/or second colours are required. Any suitable and appropriate colours may be employed. Thus, examples of colours that may be employed are black, white, green, blue, yellow and red. Any combination of colours may be employed providing the colour for the first part is different from the colour for the second part. Black , and white may be colours which give the greatest contrast. Other colours may be employed where it is required for the colours to fit in with a particular type of decor or building design. The releasable securing arrangement is preferably a friction fit securing arrangement. Other types of releasable securing arrangement may be employed. Usually, the first part will be a plate member. Usually, the second part will also be a plate member. Constructions other than plate members may be employed for the first part and/or the second part. The first part may be of any suitable and appropriate peripheral shape. Preferably, the first part is square, rectangular or circular. Examples of other shapes are triangles, hexagons, octagons, ellipses and combination shapes of, for example, a square and a circle. The second part may also be of any suitable and appropriate peripheral shape. Preferably, the second part is square, rectangular, or circular. Examples of other shapes are triangles, hexagons, octagons, ellipsis and combination shapes of, for example, a square and a circle. The sign may be that of a male or a female person. Other signs may be, for example, exit signs and signs for indicating a door for accessing a stairwell. Generally, the sign apparatus may contain any suitable and appropriate sign. In another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a set of pieces of sign apparatus, in which the sign apparatus is the sign apparatus of the present invention, and in which each piece of the sign apparatus has a different sign to the other pieces of the sign apparatus. The set of pieces may be one in which each first part has a different outer peripheral shape to the other first parts. In this way, the outer peripheral shapes can be recognised visually or tactilely as being for certain types of sign. Thus, for example, a first part with a square outer periphery could always have a sign in the form of a man for indicating a male toilet, and a first part with a circular periphery could always have a sign in the form of a female for indicating a female toilet. Generally, the set may be one in which the first part of the sign apparatus has the sign in the form of a female person, and in which the first part of another piece of the sign apparatus has the sign in the form of a male person. The first and the second parts may be made of a metal or a plastics material. Other materials may be employed. The first and the second parts will usually be made of the same material but they may be made of different materials if desired. Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is an exploded sectional view showing part of first sign apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the first sign apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a first part of the first sign apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a front view of a second part of the first sign apparatus shown in Figure 1 ; Figures 5, 6 and 7 are views like Figures 2, 3 and 4 but showing second sign apparatus having a different sign to the first sign; Figures 8, 9 and 10 are views like Figures 2, 3 and 4 but showing third sign apparatus having a different sign; Figures 11, 12 and 13 are views like Figures 2, 3 and 4 but showing third sign apparatus having a different sign; Figure 14 is an exploded sectional view showing part of fifth sign apparatus of the present invention; Figure 15 is an exploded side view of the fifth sign apparatus; Figure 16 is a front view of the fifth sign apparatus; Figure 17 is a rear view of the fifth sign apparatus; Figures 18, 19 and 20 are front, exploded side and rear views of sixth sign apparatus; and Figures 21 - 24 are front views of seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth sign apparatus respectively. Referring to Figures 1 - 4, there is shown sign apparatus 2 comprising a first part 4, a second part 6, and a securing arrangement 8 for securing the first and the second parts 4, 6 together. A sign 10 in the form of two apertures 12, 14 is provided in the first part 4. The sign apparatus 2 is such that the first part 4 is of a first colour, and the second part 6 is of a second and different colour. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first part 4 is white, and the second part 6 is black. Other colour combinations may be employed. The sign apparatus 2 is also such that the second part 6 is of a size large enough to block the two apertures 12, 14. Thus, when the sign apparatus 2 is viewed from a viewing face 16, the sign 10 is seen in the second colour. The sign apparatus 2 is further such that the apertures 12, 14 are able to be felt by a person when the sign apparatus 2 is felt from the viewing face 16. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first part 4 is of a thickness which is less than the thickness of the second part 6. The first part 4 is smaller than the second part 6. The first part 4 is secured by the securing arrangement 8 to a front face 18 of the second part 6. The front face 18 of the second part 6 is the face that faces in the same direction as the viewing face 16. The first part 4 is secured in a recess 20 in the front face 18 of the second part 6. The recess 20 in the second part 6 is defined by a peripheral border 22. The peripheral border defines the periphery of the first part 4 when the first and second parts 4, 6 are secured together. The securing arrangement 8 is a releasable securing arrangement 8 whereby the first and second parts 4, 6 are separable and replaceable with other first and second parts of different colours if different first and/or second colours are required. As can best be appreciated from Figure 1, the releasable securing arrangement is a friction-fit securing arrangement. More specifically, the first part 4 is a push fit in the recess 20. As best seen from Figures 1 and 2, the first part 4 is a plate member and the second part 6 is also a plate member. As best seen from Figures 3 and 4, the first part 4 and the second part 6 are circular and in the form of discs. As shown in Figure 4, the second part 6 is provided with a pair of holes 24 for enabling the sign apparatus 2 to be fixed to a surface such for example as a wall or a door, with fixing means such for example as nails or screws. The sign 10 is of a female as shown in Figure 3. Figures 5, 6 and 7 show second sign apparatus 26. Similar parts as in Figures 1 - 4 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. It will be seen that the sign apparatus 26 is of the same general construction as the sign apparatus 2. The sign 10 shown in Figure 2 is of a woman whereas the sign 10 shown in Figure 6 is of a man. Thus the sign apparatus 2 is for indicating a female toilet, and the sign apparatus 26 is for indicating a male toilet. Also, sign apparatus 2 is circular whereas the sign apparatus 20 is square. Figures 8, 9 and 10 shown third sign apparatus 28. The third sign apparatus 28 is again of the same general construction as the sign apparatus 2. The sign 10 shown in Figure 9 is of a person in a wheelchair. Thus the sign apparatus 28 is for indicating wheelchair access. The sign apparatus 28 is of a peripheral shape formed by overlapping a square and a circle. Referring now to Figures 11, 12 and 13, there is shown sign apparatus 30 which is again of the same general construction as the sign apparatus 2. The sign 10 shown in Figure 12 is of a triangle which forms a direction arrow. The sign apparatus 30 is basically a square but it is adapted to be used on its edge so that it forms a diamond shape, which is a good shape for indicating direction. Figures 14 - 17 show fifth sign apparatus 30 which is like the sign apparatus 2 insofar as it comprises a first part 32, a second part 34, and a securing arrangement 36 for securing the first and the second parts 4, 6 together. A sign 38 in the form of two apertures 40, 42 is provided in the first part 32. The sign apparatus 30 is such that the first part 32 is larger than the second part 34. The second part 34 is secured by the securing arrangement 36 to a rear face 44 of the first part 32. The rear face 44 of the first part 32 is the face that faces in the opposite direction to the viewing face 46. As best appreciated from Figure 14, the second part 34 is secured in a recess 48 in the rear face 44 of the first part 32. Figures 18, 19 and 20 show sixth sign apparatus 50 which is constructed like the fifth sign apparatus 30. Similar parts have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In the sign apparatus 50, the sign 10 is of a man rather than a woman as in the sign apparatus 30. Also, the sign apparatus 50 is square rather than circular as in the sign apparatus 30. Figure 21 shows sign apparatus 52 which is triangular and which has a sign 10 in the form of a man, a woman and a direction arrow pointing to the left. The sign apparatus 52 is such that the sign 10 directs both men and women to the location of toilets. Figure 22 shows sign apparatus 54 having a sign 10 in the form of two seated persons, a clock and a direction arrow. The sign 54 is a sign indicating where a waiting room is located. Figure 23 shows sign apparatus 56 having a sign 10 in the form of two seated persons and a clock. The sign apparatus 56 is for identifying the door to a waiting room. Figure 24 shows sign apparatus 58 having a sign 10 in the form of up and down direction arrows and a staircase. The sign apparatus 58 indicates the presence of a staircase, with the two arrows indicating that the stairs go to upper and lower floors. It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the outer peripheral shape of the first part 4 and the second part 6 may be different from that shown. Other signs 10 may be employed. The sign apparatus of the invention can be made from any suitable and appropriate materials including metals and plastics materials. The different colours can be painted on the metals, or mixed in with the plastics materials. Sets of pieces of the sign apparatus of the invention may be produced, with each piece of the sign apparatus having a different sign to the other pieces of the sign apparatus, and with each first part having a different outer peripheral shape to the peripheral shape of the other first parts. With the sign apparatus of the present invention, where there is a border such for example as the border 22, this provides an enhanced visual aspect, and means that the sign apparatus is not restricted by the colour of the surface on which it is placed. Where the sign apparatus of the present invention has the triangular apertures, then the triangular apertures may be blanked or exposed as required at the time of installation. This helps to provide a cost-effective inexpensive installation system, which eliminates the needs for signs to be specifically designed in advance of installation.

Claims

1. Sign apparatus comprising a first part, a second part, a securing arrangement for securing the first and second parts together, and a sign in the form of at least one aperture in the first part: the sign apparatus being such that the first part is of a first colour and the second part is of a second colour; the second part is of a size which is large enough to block the aperture so that, when the sign apparatus is viewed from a viewing face, the sign is seen in the second colour; and the sign apparatus being such that the aperture is able to be felt by a person when the sign apparatus is felt from the viewing face.

2. Sign apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first part is smaller than the second part, in which the first part is secured by the securing arrangement to a front face of the second part, and in which the front face of the second part is the face that faces in the same direction as the viewing face.

3. Sign apparatus according to claim 2 in which the first part is secured in a recess in the front face of the second part.

4. Sign apparatus according to claim 3 in which the recess in the second part is defined by a peripheral border, and in which the peripheral border defines the periphery of the first part.

5. Sign apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first part is larger than the second part, in which the second part is secured by the securing arrangement to a rear face of the first part, and in which the rear face of the first part is the face that faces in the opposite direction to the viewing face.

6. Sign apparatus according to claim 5 in which the second part is secured in a recess in the rear face of the first part.

7. Sign apparatus according to claim 6 in which the second part does not extend to a front face of the second part, in which the front face of the second part is the face that faces in the same direction as the viewing face, and in which the second part is of a thickness which is less than the thickness of the first part so that the aperture is able to be felt by a person when the sign apparatus is felt from the viewing face.

8. Sign apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the securing arrangement is a releasable securing arrangement whereby the first and second parts are separable and replaceable with other first and second parts of different colours if different first and/or second colours are required.

9. Sign apparatus according to claim 8 in which the releasable securing arrangement is a friction fit securing arrangement.

10. Sign apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first part is a plate member.

11. Sign apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second part is a plate member.

12. Sign apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first part is of a square, rectangular or circular peripheral shape.

13. Sign apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the second part is of a square, rectangular or circular peripheral shape.

14. Sign apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the sign is that of a male person or a female person.

15. A set of pieces of sign apparatus, in which the sign apparatus is according to any one of the preceding claims, and in which each piece of the sign apparatus has a different sign to the other pieces of the sign apparatus.

16. According to claim 15 in which each first part has a different outer peripheral shape to the other first parts.

17. A set according to claim 15 or claim 16 in which the first part of one piece of the sign apparatus has the sign in the form of a female person, and in which the first part of another piece of the sign apparatus has the sign in the form of a male person.