WO2000011639A1

WO2000011639A1 - Floor related arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2000011639A1
Application number: PCT/SE1999/001379
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rolf Lennart JÄRLEBRO
Original assignee: JÄRLEBRO, Sandra, Josefin
Priority date: 1998-08-18
Filing date: 1999-08-16
Publication date: 2000-03-02
Also published as: AU5664799A; WO2000011638A1; SE9802781D0; AU5664999A

Abstract

The invention includes a floor related illuminated advertising sign arrangement (1), which consists of a box (1a), a number of light generating instruments or corresponding (1b) imbedded in the box, and if required - a board displaying an advertising message, which is put in front of (on top of) the said light generating instruments in the direction of the light and a board covering the said board (1d), where the said box (1a) and its frame (1s) are put in a floor related opening. The said opening is formed between a number of adjoining tiles ((1) : C, (2) : D, (3) : C, (2) : B). The said box (1a) and its frame (1s) are allocated outer dimensions on the ground level (a) corresponding to or at least somewhat smaller than the corresponding dimensions (b) of the said opening. A frame or a number of frame sections (1s) are fitted to the lower peripheral edges of the said box where the outer peripheral edge areas (1t) of the frame or frame sections are adjusted to bear supportively against the opposite peripheral edge areas of the adjoining tiles ((2) : B).

Description

FLOOR RELATED ARRANGEMENT

TECHNICAL AREA

The presented invention is assigned to a floor related arrangement and especially to a floor related display arrangement that preferably could be illuminated.

The hereinafter-used designation "advertising sign arrangement" should not be interpreted as a display arrangement that is strictly adapted for advertising purposes. The designation should also include various display arrangements that may intended for other applications like decree signs, signs of directions and the like.

The advertising sign arrangement according to this invention assumes that the arrangement consists of a box-shaped unit, hereinafter referred to as box, a number of light-generating instruments or corresponding imbedded in the box and when needed, a board displaying an advertising message which is placed in front of and in the direction of the light of the said light- generating instrument. The said board should be covered by a transparent board, which is intended as a cover of the box.

PREVIOUS TECHNICAL POSITION

Lighted display arrangements of the above-mentioned nature are previously known in several different designs.

This being known, the patent publication GB-A-2 040 534 already knows a big sign arrangement, well defined by measures, using a horizontally oriented box (1) of rectangular shape e.g. 3, * 1.5 m with a thickness of 0.20 - 0,25 m.

This box is adapted to be inserted in an opening in the ground (2) which shape corresponds to that of the box (1) and designed in a pavement (3) where the longitudinal sides of the box could be placed in parallel to the edge of the pavement (4).

The said sign arrangement has a number of light-generating instruments (7) in the form of fluorescent tubes imbedded in the box, and a board (5) displaying an advertisement message placed in front of and in the direction of the said light-generating instruments (7).

What is shown here, is the use of a transparent board (6), covering the said board (5) in doing which it is possible to insert the said box (1) into the opening mentioned. This being done, the transparent board (6) will be on level with the ground surface or the upper surface of the pavement.

REPORT ON THE PRESENT INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Observing the technical considerations that an expert in this technical field must make to be able to offer a solution to one or more technical problems are partly an initial understanding of the actions and/or the series of actions that must be taken, partly a selection of the mean(s) required, the below technical problems ought to be relevant when creating the present object of innovation.

Considering the previous technical position as described above, it should constitute a technical problem to create a floor related lighted advertising sign arrangement that differs from the directions of the technical application and the dimensions assigned to the construction details of the sign arrangement stated in the above mentioned English patent publication, and to be able to assign conditions allowing the use of a significantly smaller advertising sign arrangement intended for e.g. an indoor environment.

It is therefore a technical problem to, through simple means, be able to create the conditions allowing the said box to rest against a flat foundation being completely or partly surrounded by a frame that rests against the foundation. The said frame could be assigned a triangular cross section, where the sections that form a right angle are adjusted to rest against the said flat foundation facing the edge of the said box.

Furthermore, it constitutes a technical problem to understand the importance of assigning the sections of the said frame that form a right angle the same or a significantly like width. Thus, it is a technical problem to understand the importance and advantages of letting a carpet, with openings in it that correspond to the dimensions assigned to the said box and its frame, cover the floor surface for a floor related advertising sign arrangement of the nature described above.

Then, there is a technical problem to understand the importance and advantages of forming the said opening by removing one or more of the floor tiles in case the mat covering the floor consists of tiles when arranging a floor related advertising sign of the above-described nature.

Thus, there is a technical problem to be able to create the conditions for an advertising sign arrangement of this nature by assigning it such limited outer dimensions that it is possible to place the said arrangement in a tile covering merely by removing one or more adjoining tiles or when doing the tiling refrain from placing one or more adjoining tiles.

Then, there is a technical problem in the ability to understand the importance and advantages of forming the said opening by a number of tiles located next to each other. Moreover, to understand that a box and frame that belong to the advertising sign arrangement should be assigned outer dimensions in the horizontal level that are close to, or at least at bit smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the said opening.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance of and advantages associated with the forming or application of a frame or a number of frames to the peripheral edges of the said box. The outer peripheral edges of the said frames should be adjusted to bear supportively against the opposite peripheral edges of the adjoining tiles.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance of and advantages associated with giving the said transparent board a dimension allowing expected strains and to be made from a board that is durable against scratches, like a plastic board sold under the

- Margard - brand.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance of and advantages associated with making the said transparent board of a glass or Plexiglass material, with a thickness adapted to an expected load onto the outer dimensions of the box, like a thickness of up to 12 mm armoured glass.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance of and advantages associated with the fastening of the said transparent board to the said box by a number of strips that are magnetically attracted and activated by, a proposed, low-voltage electric current.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance of and advantages associated with assigning the said box and its frame such outer dimensions on the horizontal level that correspond to one or more, and/or a chosen piece of a whole, floor tile or any other tile of standard measures.

Furthermore, it should be seen as a technical problem to understand the importance of allowing the said frame or parts of frame to be arranged with an adjusted distance of 1-3 cm, preferably about 2 cm, to extend towards one or more of the adjoining tiles' peripheral edges facing the opening.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance of and the advantages associated with the application of one or more, to the upper peripheral edges of the said box, strips that are activated and magnetised by an electric current. Moreover, to apply to the underside of the said transparent board, one or more peripherally oriented metal strips of magnetic nature.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance and advantages of letting the said board consist of a LCD screen, with an advertisement message that is interchangeable, through e.g. a video tape recorder, a selected TV channel and/or CD player or a PC (Personal Computer).

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance and advantages of letting the said light-generating instruments consist of a transparent board that works as a box, and a number of light-emitting bodies that are placed alongside one or more of the board's edges.

There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance of fitting the said transparent board with one or more grooves, like milled grooves, in a Plexiglass material.

There is also a technical problem to, by simple means, create such conditions that another board, serving as a mechanical protection, can be placed above the said transparent board.

There is also a technical problem to create the conditions for the fitting of a lock between the said transparent board and the said box, during the construction as described in the introduction. There is also a technical problem in understanding the importance and advantages of letting the said light-generating instruments be arranged as a discontinuous plug-in for a illuminated advertising sign arrangement of the nature described in the beginning.

THE SOLUTION

To be able to solve one or more of the above described problems, the present innovation is based on a floor related lighted advertisement sign arrangement. It consists of a box and a number of light generating instruments or corresponding within the box. And if required, a board displaying an advertisement message could be placed in front of the said light generating instruments and in the direction of the light and a transparent board covering the said board.

The present invention here recommends that the said box should be adjusted to be able to rest against a flat foundation and that the said box should be completely or partly surrounded by a frame that rests against the said foundation. Moreover, a triangular cross section should be assigned to the frame where the parts of the section that form a right angle are adjusted to rest against the said flat foundation facing the edge part of the said box.

The forms for designs that are within the frame of the present innovation especially recommend that the said right angle that is formed by the cross section of the said frame should be assigned the same, or essentially the same, width.

It is also recommended that any mat that covers the floor should have an opening, the dimensions of which corresponding to the dimensions assigned to the said box and its frame. It is also recommended to cover the floor with a mat that consists of a number of tiles where the removal of one or more tiles forms the said opening.

When the invention is applied in a case where floor tiles or corresponding are used as flooring for a limited space, it is recommended that the said opening be formed by a number of adjoining tiles. Moreover, that the said box and its frame is assigned outer two-dimensional dimensions on the ground plane that meet or are at least a bit smaller than the two- dimensional dimensions that are chosen for the said opening. A frame, or a number of frame sections, that are adjusted to rest supportively against the complementary peripheral edges of the adjoining tiles, are formed or fitted to the peripheral edges of the said box.

The forms for design that are within the frame of the present innovation especially propose that the said transparent board should consist of a board that is durable against scratches, like a plastic board sold under the "Margard" brand.

The said transparent board could also consist of a glass or Plexiglass material of a thickness that is adjusted to the dimensions of the box and the load that can be expected. The thickness could be up to 12 mm of a so-called armoured glass.

It is furthermore recommended that the said transparent board should be fixed to the said box by a number of strips belonging to the box, that are magnetically attracted or activated by an electric current of a low-voltage type.

The invention also recommends that the said box should be assigned outer dimensions on the ground plane that correspond to one or more, or a part of a whole, floor tile of standard measure.

The said frame or frame sections should be co-ordinated to the lower part of the box with a distance of 1-3 cm, preferably approximately 2 cm, which allows them to be covered by the bottom peripheral edges of the adjoining tile.

Furthermore, it is recommended to apply one or more, to the upper peripheral edges of the said box, strips that are activated and magnetised by an electric current. Moreover, to apply to the underside of the said transparent board, one or more peripherally oriented metal strips of magnetic nature.

It is also within the scope of this invention to let the said board consist of a LCD screen with an interchangeable advertisement message.

Thus, a video tape recorder, a selected TV channel and/or a CD player or a PC can generate the interchangeable advertisement message.

The innovation also allows the said light generating instruments to consist of a transparent board with a number of light-emitting bodies that are arranged along one or more of the box's edges.

Moreover, this transparent board could be fitted with on or more grooves, like milled grooves, in a Plexiglas material.

It is also possible to apply another board, as a cover board against mechanical agitation, on top of the said transparent board.

It is furthermore recommended that a mechanical lock should work between the said transparent board and the said box.

ADVANTAGES

The conditions that allow an easy placement of an advertising sign arrangement in an opening, which can easily be formed by removing one or more floor tiles in a tiled area, or when tiling an area leaving out one or more tiles, are the main characteristics of the advantages of a floor related lighted advertising sign arrangement, with the significant characteristics of the present innovation.

It is also recommended to give the advertising sign arrangement outer dimensions that are a bit smaller than the inner dimension of the removed floor tiles. The height should rise above the floor surface with only, say 20 mm, be bridged by a triangular strip and be reduced by the thickness of the floor tile.

The main characteristics of a floor related lighted advertising sign arrangement according to the present invention are stated in the following descriptive part of the patent application 1.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF ILLUSTRATIONS

Some currently proposed designs that show the significant characteristics of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawing where;

Figure 1 Gives a perspective view of a floor area covered by tiles. One tile should be seen as removed and an advertising sign arrangement recommended by the invention is placed in the space or opening

Figure 2 Gives a side view and cut of a parts of a design of an advertising sign arrangement

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENTLY PROPOSED DESIGNS

The present invention thus recommends as design one floor related lighted advertising sign arrangement 1.

The floor related advertising sign arrangement 1 is placed in a tiled surface or floor area. For the sake of simplicity it is here shown as floor tiles that are oriented in rows and columns where the rows are marked (1), (2) and (3) while the columns are marked A, B, C and D respectively.

It should be obvious for any professional that the tiled area could be made larger or smaller than shown in figure 1 , and that the shape of the used tiles could vary and differ from the square ones that are showed.

Figure 1 thus illustrates that a floor tile in position (2) : C, could be seen as removed and replaced by a floor related illuminated advertising sign arrangement 1 , which is typical of the innovation.

It should be obvious for any professional that the advertising sign arrangement designated by the innovation could well cover a larger and more complex surface area.

A simple change will be made by an arrangement where the tile positions (2) : B and (2) : C are removed and the outer shape of the advertising sign is correspondingly changed to a rectangular shape.

For the sake of simplicity, the below description of a currently proposed form of execution should focus on a square or mainly square advertising sign arrangement that needs the space of only one floor tile.

As the ground related lighted advertising sign arrangement 1 needs power supply, this can be provided by a thin feeder cable that is placed under one or more of the tiles. This type of tile is here represented by the position (1) : C.

Referring to figure 2, a side view and cut of a ground related lighted advertising sign arrangement 1 is shown there oriented as described in figure 1.

The floor related lighted advertising sign arrangement 1 consists of a square box 1a, a number of light-generating instruments or corresponding 1b that are imbedded in the box 1a.

And if required, a board 1c displaying an advertising message that is placed in front of (above) the said light-generating instruments 1b in the direction of the light, and a transparent board 1d which covers the mentioned board 1 c.

The said box 1a is adjusted to rest against a flat foundation. The said box 1a is also completely or partly surrounded by a frame 1s resting against the said foundation B. The said frame 1s is assigned a triangular cross section where the sections S1, S2 forming a right angle, are adjusted to rest against the said flat foundation B facing the edge parts of the said box 1a.

The said sections S1 , S2 that form a right angle of the said frame 1s are assigned the same, or essentially the same, width.

A mat M covering the floor surface is fitted with an opening, which is, assigned the dimensions of the said box 1a and its frame 1s.

It is especially shown that the mat, which covers the floor consists of a number of tiles and one or more tiles have been removed forming the said opening.

It is possible to insert or lower the said box 1a and its frame 1s into an opening that is formed by tiles that are adjacent to a removed tile at the position (2) : C.

The said opening (2) : C will thus be formed between a number of adjoining stones in the positions (2) ; B, (1) : C, (2) : D and (3) : C.

On the ground plane, the said box 1a and its frame 1s are allocated two-dimensional outer dimensions, one of which designated -a- and corresponds to or is at least a bit smaller than the dimensions chosen for the said opening, where such a selected dimension or length is designated as -b- in figure 1.

The said frame 1s, or one or more frame sections, are formed or applied to the lower edge of the said box 1a. The outer peripheral edge area 1t of the said frame 1s or said frame sections is adjusted to bear supportively underneath a peripheral edge area of adjoining tiles to which the above stated positions are allocated to form the said opening.

The said transparent board 1d consists of a material that is durable against scratches and formed as a board. A plastic board, which is sold under the brand name "Margard" is one example of boards that are durable against scratches.

The said transparent board 1d may consist of a glass board or a Plexiglas board of a thickness and durability adapted to the dimensions of the box and the estimated load.

It has been revealed that a thickness of approximately 12-mm has been required in some cases when armoured glass was chosen.

It is possible to attach the said transparent board 1d to the box through a number of strips that belong to the board and who are magnetically attracted and activated by an electric current.

One of these strips is designated 1f.

A low voltage like 12 volt or 24 volt DC should preferably supply the said electric current.

As mentioned earlier, the said box 1a should be allocated outer dimensions on the ground plane that correspond to one or more, or parts of one whole, floor tile of standard measures.

The said frame 1s and its edge area 1t are arranged with a distance of 1-3 cm preferably about 2 cm to extend from underneath the box 1a and be covered by and support the peripheral edge area (m) of the adjoining tile M.

Such distance is designated -e- in figure 1 and should be the same around the whole arrangement 1.

One or more, preferably four, strips or sections 1g that are activated and magnetised by an electric current are applied to the peripheral edge area of the said box 1a. One or more, preferably four, peripherally oriented metal strips or sections 1f of magnetic nature are applied to the said transparent board 1d.

The invention also states that the said light-generating instruments 1 b should be plugged in continuously to avoid condensation through an adjusted heat emission. The arrangement should also be locked by an activated magnetic action between the strips 1f and 1g.

The said board 1d could also consist of a LCD screen, the advertising message of which would thus be interchangeable.

For this purpose, the LCD screen could be connected to a video tape recorder, a selected TV channel and/or a CD player or a PC.

The said light-generating instruments 1b could, as shown in the figure, include a transparent board or carrier 1 k and several light-emitting materials, one of which is designated as 1 b, that are arranged along one or more of the edges of the box. The said carrier 1 k serves as a box

1a.

Furthermore, the said transparent board 1d or 1k could be fitted with one or more grooves on its upper surface, like grooves milled in a Plexiglas material.

It could also be possible to apply one more, however not shown, transparent board serving as a mechanical protection, on top of the said transparent board 1d.

A mechanic lock is arranged to work between the said transparent board 1d and the said box

1a. Such locks could be screws, braces or snap-in holders of various types.

The invention also indicates that if the advertising sign arrangement 1 should include four tile positions like (2) : B, (2) : C and (3) : B and (3) : C, it is possible to form an outside going edge that passes outside all four signs and these signs are kept in place by the adjoining tiles.

The use of magnetic sections in the form of strips that are tightly fitted around the upper inside edge of the box, and a number of magnetic sections on the bottom side of the glass 1d in the form of glued iron strips, will have the effect that when a current is applied, the magnetism between the two will hold the glass 1d tight through the magnetic power between the said iron strips 1f and the magnetic sections 1g.

Another function of such a magnetic strip, which is affected by electricity with its iron strip and rubber packing, is to prevent unauthorised persons to access the sign to vandalise it. Only authorised persons can turn on/off the current to the sign and easily remove the glass 1d from the box 1a when the current is turned off.

Another possibility within the scope of the invention is to use a so-called LCD screen, a flat computer screen, a TV screen or the like.

It should be noted that the frame 1s could consist of a number of separate frame sections that are fastened to the lower edge area of the box 1a. Otherwise, the frame 1s could be seen as an extension of the bottom dimensions of the board outside the box 1a.

The section S3 is arranged to bear on the foundation in an angle -a- of 30 to 60 degrees, say between 40 and 50 degrees.

A height of approximately 20 mm should be chosen for the arrangement 1 and the thickness of the mat M is normally about 8 mm.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the above-described forms of execution. Modifications within the idea of the invention that is illustrated in the patent demand below could be allowed

Claims

Patent demand

1. A floor related lighted advertising sign arrangement, consisting of a box, a number of light-generating instruments or corresponding inside the box and if required one board displaying an advertising message or the like that is placed in front of the said light- generating instruments and in the direction of the light, and a transparent board to cover the said board, which is characterised by the adjustment of the board to rest against a flat foundation, that the said box is completely or partly surrounded by a frame, which bears against the foundation and that the frame is allocated a triangular cross section where the sections forming a right angle are adjusted to bear against the said foundation facing the edge area of the said box.

2. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that the

same or essentially the same width is allocated the sections forming the right angle.

3. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that

a mat covering the floor has an opening of the same dimensions as the said box and

its frame.

4. The arrangement according to the patent demand 3, characterised by the fact that

floor mat consists of a number of tiles where the said opening is formed by the

removal of one or more tiles.

5. The arrangement according to the patent demand 4, characterised by the fact that the

said box and its frame is adjusted to be inserted in an opening related to the flooring.

6. The arrangement according to the patent demand 4, characterised by the fact that the

said opening is formed between a number of adjoining tiles. Moreover, that the said

box and its frame are allocated ground level outer dimensions that meets or are at

least a bit smaller than the dimensions selected for the said opening.

7. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that a

board durable against scratches is selected as the said transparent board.

8. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that the

said transparent board consists of a glass or Plexiglas material, of a thickness,

adjusted to the outer dimensions of the box, such as a thickness of 12 mm armoured

glass.

9. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that the

-said transparent board is fastened to the said box by a number of magnetic strips that

are attra e╬▒ and activated by an elect╧Çc current.

10. The arrangement according to the patent demand 9, characterised by the fact that the

said electric current is fed by a low voltage.

11. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that to the said box is allocated outer dimensions on the ground level that correspond to one

or more, or a selected part of a whole, floor tile of standard measures.

12. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that the

said frame or frame sections are arranged to be covered by one or more of the

adjoining tiles' peripheral edge areas facing the opening, with a distance of 1-3 cm,

preferably about 2 cm.

13. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that'one

or more strips that are activated and magnetised by a current are fitted along the

peripheral edge areas of the said box. Moreover, one or more peripherally oriented

metal strips of magnetic nature, in the form of rails, are fitted to the said transparent

board.

14. _ The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that the

said board consists of a LCD screen, the advertising message of which is

interchangeable through a video tape recorder, a selected TV channel and/or a CD

player or a PC.

15. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that the

said light generating instruments and the said box consist of a transparent board, a

number of light-emitting materials, the latter are arranged along on or more of the

sides of the box.

16. The arrangement according to the patent demand 13, characterised by the fact that the said transparent board is fitted one or more grooves, like grooves milled in a

Plexiglas material.

17. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that one

more board, a covering board, is fitted to the said transparent board.

18. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that a

mechanical lock is arranged to work between the said transparent board and the said

box.

19. The arrangement according to the patent demand 1 , characterised by the fact that the

said light-emitting materials are arranged for a discontinued connection.