This invention relates to mounting arrangements for use in mounting articles to a surface.

Suction devices have been proposed in the past for mounting articles to a surface. For example, referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, one such suction device comprises a chassis member 1 having a generally inverted cup shape, and a suction pad 2 which extends across the open base of the chassis member 1. A lever arm 3 extends through and spans the chassis member 1, is mounted for rotation and projects from opposite sides of the chassis member. One end of the lever arm 3 comprises a cranked portion 4 which may be used to manually rotate the lever arm 3. In use, the suction device is placed on a flat surface and the lever arm 3 rotated: a vacuum is created between the suction pad 2 and the flat surface and the suction device becomes affixed to the flat surface.

In order to release the device, the cranked portion 4 of the lever arm 3 is used to manually rotate the lever arm 3 in the opposite direction, thus destroying the vacuum and releasing the device. The fix/release action of the device described above is an effective method of fixing an object to a flat surface. However, such devices are often stolen, vandalised or accidentally released due to the ease with which the vacuum- action may be de-actuated. I have now devised a mounting arrangement which seeks to overcome the problems outlined above.

In accordance with the present invention, as seen from a first aspect, there is provided a suction device for attaching to a surface, said suction device comprising a chassis, a suction pad retained relative thereto, and a lever arm mounted for rotation on the chassis such that a central region of said suction pad may be selectively raised and lowered thereby respectively creating and destroying a vacuum between said suction pad and a flat surface, said lever arm having one end projecting from said chassis and adapted for engagement by a key for turning said lever arm.

Preferably said end of the lever arm is formed with a transverse aperture for engagement of the lever arm with a key.

This end of the lever may alternatively be formed with a splined, hexagonal, or square cross-section, for engagement by a complementary-shaped key.

Preferably the opposite end of the lever arm comprises a cranked portion which co-operates with a pair of stops on the chassis such that the lever arm is prevented from being rotated by more than substantially 180°. The cranked portion can be kept relatively short so that it is very difficult to turn by hand: preferably the cranked portion does not extend past the stops, and preferably the cranked portion and its stops are enclosed within a housing.

It is often necessary for a sign to be temporarily secured to a building or other structure such that no damage is done to that structure when the sign is mounted or removed. Typical examples are 'For Sale ¹ signs for buildings or price indicators for motor vehicles. At present, 'For Sale' signs are often screwed to the side of a building, thus leaving holes in the building when the sign is removed. Metal frames having signs mounted to them are often mounted to motor vehicles in order to indicate their sale price. However, such arrangements can scratch the paintwork of the vehicle.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, as seen from a second aspect, there is provided a sign mounting arrangement comprising a suction device for attaching to a surface, said suction device carrying a mounting means which defines a slot for receiving an edge portion of a sign.

In use, the mounting arrangement enables signs to be securely but temporarily mounted to a surface without damaging it.

Preferably the mounting means is formed of a resiliently flexible material, for example pvc. The flexible nature of the mounting means allows the sign to flex in the wind. Alternatively the mounting means may be rigid and the sign flexible. Apertures may be formed through opposite side walls of the mounting means in order to enable a securing pin or bolt to pass therethrough and through corresponding apertures in the edge portion of the sign: alternative means

may be provided for securing the sign in position within the slot in the mounting means.

The sign mounting arrangement may be mounted by suction to a flat surface, for example the window of a building or the roof of a car, such that the mounting slot can receive a flat sign or display board to mount the latter in a plane generally perpendicular to the mounting surface. It will be appreciated that the sign mounting arrangement can be easily removed (e.g. at the end of the day) and quickly replaced (e.g. at the start of the next day) .

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described way of examples only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a prior art suction device for use in mounting articles to a flat surface;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a suction device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a lever arm used in the suction device of Figure 2; FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the suction pad and lever arm used in the suction device of Figure 2;

FIGURE 5 is a schematic side view to show the operation of the suction device of Figure 2;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a suction device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of a cover for use in the suction of Figure 6;

FIGURE 8 is a side view of a key and lever arm used in the suction device of Figures 2 or 6; FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a suction device used in a sign mounting arrangement according to the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a front view of a sign mounting arrangement according to the present invention and incorporating the suction device of Figure 9; and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view along the line XI-XI Figure 10.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, a suction device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention

comprises a moulded chassis member 10 having a generally inverted cup shape, and a suction pad 12 which is provided across the open base of the chassis member 10. In practice, the top of the chassis member comprises means for mounting one or more articles to it, so that the suction device acts to mount those articles to a flat surface to which the device attaches by creating a vacuum between its suction pad 12 and that surface. A flange 14 is formed around the upper surface of the chassis member 10, a small portion of the flange being formed as a generally straight edge 15. The ends of the straight-edged portion 15 are extended downwards at right- angles and hooked stops 16 are formed at the lower ends thereof.

A lever arm 18, which extends through and spans the chassis member 10, is mounted for rotation and projects from apertures 20 formed on opposite sides of the chassis member. One end of the lever arm is formed with a transverse aperture 25, as shown in Figures 3 to 5. The opposite end of the lever arm 18 comprises a short cranked portion 22, the suction device being assembled such that the lever arm 18 is prevented from rotating by more than about 180° by the hooked stops 16 which provide end stops for the cranked portion 2 of the lever arm 18. The length of the cranked portion 2 is such that it rests on, but does not extend beyond the sides of, the hooked stops 16.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, the lever arm 18 comprises a rod of generally circular cross-section having the short cranked portion 22 formed at one end thereof. The lever arm 18 is formed with a curved section 23 at a generally central position. Mounting members 26 having apertures 24 are mounted at the centre of the suction pad (not shown) , and the lever arm 18 is mounted for rotation within the chassis member by inserting it through the apertures 24 in the mounting members 26, such that the curved section 23 of the lever arm 18 is at a generally central position between the two mounting members 26. The lever arm is retained to the chassis by a spring washer 19 at its apertured end (Figure 5) .

Referring to Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the suction pad 12 has a peripheral groove 28 formed therein, in

which the open base of the chassis member 10 is retained when the suction device is assembled. The lever arm 18 is inserted through apertures 20 and 24 (see Figures 2 and 3) , thus coupling the chassis member 10 and the suction pad 12 together. The inside of the chassis member 10 is formed with retaining means 30 for engaging with the mounting members 26, as shown in Figure 5. In use, the suction device is placed on a flat surface. A key (not shown) is inserted into the aperture 25 at the end of the lever arm 18 and the lever arm 18 is thereby rotated by 180° until the cranked portion 22 comes to rest on the opposite hooked stop 16 (see Figure 2) . This action results in the curved section 23 of the lever arm 18 engaging the tops of the apertures 24 of the mounting members 26 and raising them, thus raising the central portion 32 of the suction pad 12 relative to its periphery and creating a vacuum in the resulting space between the flat surface and the suction pad 12. The suction device remains affixed to the flat surface until the lever arm 18 is rotated back to its original position, thereby destroying the vacuum and releasing the device.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, there is shown a suction device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention, which is similar in most respects to that described above. However, in this case, a moulded cover 34 is provided in order to enclose the end of the chassis member 10 through which the cranked portion 22 of the lever arm 18 projects.

Referring to Figure 7 of the drawings, the cover 34 comprises a generally rectangular moulding which is adapted to fit against the straight edged portion 15 of the flange 14, and cover the hooked stops 16. A support member 36 is provided within the cover moulding, the ends of which are adapted to rest on the hooked stops 16 of the suction device, thereby increasing the strength of the structure. Apertures 38 may also be provided in the lower edge of the cover 34 such that they may be used to clip the cover 34 over the lower portions of the hooked stops 16, thus providing added security.

The actuating means for the lever arm in either of the embodiments disclosed above may take many forms. For example.

referring to Figure 8 of the drawings and as described with reference to Figure 2 - 5 of the drawings, a key 40 adapted to fit into an aperture 25 formed in the free end of the lever arm 18 may be provided. The end 42 of the key 40 is inserted into the aperture 25 and turned such that the lever arm 18 is rotated accordingly. Alternatively, the end of the lever arm 18 may be adapted to co-operate with any other type of key, for example, the end of the lever arm may be of a splined, hexagonal or square cross-section. It will be appreciated that the cranked portion of the lever arm is too short to use for turning the lever arm by hand. Instead, an appropriate key is required for engaging the free end of the lever arm to turn the lever arm easily. These measures minimise the risk of the suction device being tampered with an removed by unauthorised persons.

Referring to Figure 9 of the drawings, there is shown a suction device used in a sign mounting arrangement in accordance with the present invention. The suction device is similar to the suction device of Figure 2, and like parts are given like reference numerals. The upper surface of the chassis member 10 of the suction device is formed with studs 57. The end of the lever arm 18 may be formed with a transverse aperture for engagement of the lever arm with a key, as shown in Figure 8. Alternatively it may be formed with a conventional cranked portion (as shown in Figure 1) , or it may be splined, hexagonal, or square cross-section, for engagement by a complementary-shaped key.

Referring to Figures 10 and 11 of the drawings, the sign mounting arrangement in accordance with this invention comprises a mounting member 50 secured to the upper surface of the chassis member 10 in a generally central position. The mounting member 50 is formed from a resiliently flexible material, for example, pvc, and comprises a base flange 52 and a pair of walls 54 having a space 56 therebetween so as to define a slot. Apertures (not shown) are formed in the lower surface of the base flange 52 in order to enable the mounting member to be mounted on the upper surface of the chassis member 10 by positioning the apertures over the corresponding studs 57 (Figure 9) formed thereon. A holding cover 58 is formed

from a rigid material and has a central generally rectangular aperture 60 which, when the sign mounting arrangement is assembled, passes over the walls 54 of the mounting member 50 and clamps the base flange 52 of the mounting member 50 to the upper surface of the chassis member 10. The holding cover 58 is secured to the chassis member by means of, for example, screws, bolts or rivets.

In use, the sign mounting arrangement is placed on a surface, for example, the roof of a car or a window of a building, and the lever arm 18 is rotated such that a vacuum is created between the suction pad 12 and the surface, thereby securing the arrangement to the surface. A sign 61, which may be flexible or rigid, is inserted in the slot formed between the walls 54 of the mounting member 50 such that a small portion of the edge of the sign 61 is received and held therein.

Apertures 62 may be formed in the walls 54 of the mounting member 50, and the sign 60 may have a corresponding aperture formed therein, such that a securing pin or screw 64 may pass through the walls 54 and the sign 60, thereby retaining the sign relative to the base flange 52. The flexible nature of the mounting member allows the sign to flex in the wind relative to the upper surface of chassis member 10 to which it is mounted.