Sign device for horse carriage The present invention relates to a sign device for horse carriage, such as sulky, with a harness embracing the horse. Such sign devices are known in different embodiments, but only for one sign. There is, however, a demand for sign devices, partly comprising a number sign and partly an exchangeable sign e g for advertising. The object of the present invention is to provide a simple sign device of the art mentioned introductorily, comprising two signs, that is simple to handle and safe in use.
According to the invention a sign device of the art mentioned introductorily is characterised by an upper sign plate with a fastening element provided at its upper portion, intended to be fastened to the upper portion of the harness, and a fastening plate, provided at the lower portion of the sign plate, designed with recess for releasable fastening of a lower sign plate with protrusion, and provided with a lower fastening element, intended to be fastened at the lower portion of the harness. Within the scope of the invention several embodiments are possible. The invention especially relates to a sign device, where the upper fastening element is intended to be fastened to the harness at a fastening point, that may be projected at the back side of the sign plate.
In one advantageous embodiment the upper fastening element comprises a link, journalled in a holder at a fixture at tte back side of the upper sign plate, turnable between a first position with its longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the plane of the sign plate and a second position with the longitudinal direction at an angle to the plane of the sign plate. The angle is suitably within the interval 60-90 degrees. In one further suitable embodiment of the sign device said protrusions are springy, in their upper portion enlarged such, that they after having been inserted into said recesses releasably lock the lower sign plate in the fastening plate. With this design it is easy to replace the lower sign plate when replacing advertising.
The invention is described in the following more in detail, reference being made to the enclosed schematic figures, of which: figure 1 shows, in perspective, the back side of a sign device according to the invention, figure 2 shows, in perspective, a portion of the sign device in figure 1, figure 3 shows, in perspective, a fastening plate, being part of the sign device in figure 1, whilst figure 4 shows a side view of a lower sign plate with protrusions.
In figure 1 an upper sign plate is designated by 1 and an upper fastening element by 2, fastened at the back side of the sign plate 1, at a distance from its upper edge. A fastening plate 3, shown in figure 3, is fastened to the lower edge of the upper sign plate. It is provided with recesses 4 and 5 in the form of channels directed at a right angle to the lower edge of the upper sign plate. A lower sign plate 6 is provided with protrusions 7 and 8, directed upwards, which are designed to be insertable into said recesses 4 and 5. the protrusion 8 is shown in a side view in figure 4. The protrusions are, in their free portion, designed enlarged, in the form of barbs, of which one, marked 9, is seen most easily in figure 4. The protrusions are somewhat springy, such that said barbs lock the protrusions from being drawn downwards, after having been inserted through the recesses 4 and 5. Thereby the lower sign plate is kept in place at a moderate tensile load in relationship to the fastening plate, and thus to the upper sign plate. The barbs may be wedge-formed, such that the lower sign plate may be drawn free from the fastening plate by applying a certain tensile force, alternatively the may be released by pressing them backwards with a chisel or the like. The fastening plate 3 is provided with a channel 10, wherethrough a band 11 may be inserted to be fastened to the lower portion of the harness In one alternative embodiment the recesses may be connected to the lower sign plate and the protrusions be connected to the fastening plate, but the embodiment shown is especially advantageous.
As is obvious from figure 2, the upper fastening element 2 here is designed as a turnable link 12, journalled in a holder 13 with a shaft 14. In the free end of the link 12 there is a snap hook fastened, intended to be fastened at the harness, at a fastening point, that is projected at the back side of the upper sign plate. This means, that a line, drawn from said fastening point perpendicularly to the plane of the upper sign plane, hits the back side of the sign plate. In the figure the link 12 is shown in a first position with the longitudinal direction parallel to the plane of sign plate. The link may be tilted up such that its lower portion 16 will support against the back side of the sign plate. In this case the longitudinal direction of the link forms about 60 degrees to the plane of the sign plate.
