Field of Technology The present disclosure relates to a sign assembly. Background

Signs play an important part in traffic control by conveying information to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers of motor vehicles. Such information may for example be: speed limits, 'stop' signs, 'give way' signs, details of downstream traffic congestion and delays, detours, and street/road names.

A typical sign assembly has a sign portion that bears some indicia and a signpost supporting the sign in a "display position" so that it can be viewed by motorists, pedestrians, cyclists etc. Signposts are typically rigid and fixed to the ground near the road.

PCT/AU2015/000004 discloses a sign assembly having a support arranged to be secured to a road and a sign detachably securable to the support. The disclosed sign has a substantially planar indicia-bearing portion and a lower portion arranged to be received within a slot that opens to a side of the support. The lower portion may comprise a beaded bottom edge or a curved portion received in the slot by sliding from the open side of the support. However, this arrangement does not necessarily provide for the most convenient or efficient procedure for installing the sign.

The present disclosure provides an improvement to the sign assemblies generally described above. It is to be understood that the any description above of known methods, techniques or devices does not constitute an admission that the description forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art in any country. Summary of Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a sign assembly. In broad terms, the sign assembly can be placed at any location including but not limited to on a road, footpath, curb or other surface to give directions or other information to passers-by on foot, riding a bike or in or on another vehicle.

According to a first aspect, there is disclosed a sign assembly, comprising:

a support arranged to be secured to a surface, the support having a first interlocking member; and

an indicia-bearing component having a second interlocking member, the first and second interlocking members arranged to interlock with one another to secure the indicia-bearing component to the support,

the support further comprising a first opening and a passage extending therefrom, wherein the first opening and the passage lie in a common plane and the first interlocking member is located in the passage, and

wherein at least a portion of one or both of the indicia-bearing component and the support is resiliently deformable to allow for the second interlocking member to be received in the passage and engage with the first interlocking member to effect mutual interlocking of the first and second interlocking members.

The second interlocking member may comprise one or more projections that extend transversely from a plane of the indicia-bearing component. The first interlocking member may comprise one or more recesses in the passage for receiving a respective one of the one or more projections.

Each recess may be associated with a respective lip for engaging a portion of the respective projection, thus anchoring the indicia-bearing component to the support.

The indicia-bearing component may be removable from the support by severing the one or more projections from the end portion. The second interlocking member may comprise at least two projections. At least two of the projections may extend transversely from opposite sides of the indicia-bearing component. The at least two projections that extend transversely from opposite sides of the indicia- bearing component may be spaced apart from each other.

The resiliently deformable portion may be a portion of the indicia-bearing component. In other words, the resiliently deformable portion may be only a portion of the indicia- bearing component, component, and not the support

The support may comprise a body with a top side (or upper side) and a base side (or bottom side) opposite the top side. The first opening of the support may be located on the top side. The base side may be arranged to be attached to the surface.

The sign assembly may further comprise a second opening located on the base side of the body. The passage extends from the first opening to the second opening.

The sign assembly may further comprise a cover for covering the second opening prior to the base side being attached to the surface.

One or both of the first and second openings may be enclosed by a periphery of the support. The assembly may be resilient such that the indicia-bearing component returns to a standing position after impact, wherein the support remains secured to the surface during impact and the indicia-bearing component remains attached to the support after impact. The surface may be any suitable surface, such as but not limited to a surface of a road, footpath, curb or other surface.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a sign assembly, comprising: a support having a top side, an underside opposite the top side, and a passage extending through the support and opening onto both the top side and the underside; and

an indicia-bearing component comprising an engaging end portion receivable in the passage;

both the support and the indicia-bearing component comprising cooperatively interlocking parts that interlock with one another when the engaging end portion of the indicia-bearing component is received in the passage, thus anchoring the indicia- bearing component to the support.

At least one of the cooperatively interlocking parts may be resiliently deformable to allow for the engaging end portion of the indicia-bearing component to be received in the passage. The cooperatively interlocking parts may comprise one or more projections that extend transversely from a plane of the indicia-bearing component.

The cooperatively interlocking may comprise one or more recesses in the passage of the support for receiving a respective one of the one or more projections.

Each recess may be associated with a respective lip for engaging a portion of the respective projection, thus anchoring the indicia-bearing component to the support.

The indicia-bearing component may be removable from the support by severing the one or more projections from the end portion.

The cooperatively interlocking parts may comprise at least two projections, wherein two of the projections extend transversely from opposite sides of the indicia-bearing component.

The two projections that extend transversely from opposite sides of the indicia-bearing component may be spaced apart from each other.

The resiliently deformable portion may comprise at least the one or more projections. The sign assembly may comprise a cover for covering the underside of the support prior to the base side being attached to the surface.

The sign assembly may be resilient such that the indicia-bearing component returns to a standing position after impact, wherein the support remains secured to the surface during impact and the indicia-bearing component remains attached to the support after impact.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a method of changing indicia of a sign assembly comprising a support and an indicia-bearing component, the support comprising a passage extending from an opening in an outer surface of the support for receiving an end portion of the indicia-bearing component, the end portion comprising one or more projections that protrude into a recess in the passage thus anchoring the indicia-bearing component to the base, the method comprising:

inserting at least a portion of a cutter into the passage;

cutting, with the cutting portion, the one or more projections from the end portion so that the indicia-bearing component is no longer anchored to the base; pulling the indicia-bearing component from the base. The method may further comprise securing another indicia-bearing component to the support.

Brief Description of Drawings Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosed sign assembly in a standing position.

Figure 1 B is a perspective view of the sign assembly shown in Figure 1A in a collapsed position.

Figure 2A is a perspective view of an indicia-bearing component of the sign assembly shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B.

Figure 2B is a front view of the indicia-bearing component shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2C is a side view of the indicia-bearing component shown in Figure 2A. Figure 2D is a bottom view of the indicia-bearing component shown in Figure

2A.

Figure 2E is a magnified view of detail A shown in Figure 2D.

Figure 2F is a magnified view of detail B shown in Figure 2B.

Figure 2G is a magnified view of detail C shown in Figure 2C.

Figure 3A is a perspective view of a support of the sign assembly shown in Figures 1A and 1 B.

Figures 3B is a bottom view of the support shown in Figure 3A.

Figures 3C is a sectional view through sections C-C shown in Figure 3B.

Figures 3D is a sectional view through sections D-D shown in Figure 3B.

Figures 3E is a sectional view through sections E-E shown in Figure 3B.

Figure 3F is a top view of the sign assembly shown in Figures 1 A and 1 B.

Figure 3G is a magnified view of detail A shown in Figure 3B.

Figure 3H is a magnified view of detail B shown in Figure 3B.

Figure 31 is a front view of the support shown in Figure 3A.

Figure 3J is a side view of the support shown in Figure 3B.

Figure 3K is another bottom view of the support shown in Figure 3A.

Figures 4A and 4B are bottom views of a further embodiment of the disclosed sign assembly.

Figure 5 is a flow diagram of a method according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 6A is a perspective view of a cutter in use according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

Figure 6B is a side view of the cutter shown in Figure 6A.

Figure 6C is a front view of the cutter shown in Figure 6A.

Detailed Description Figure 1A shows a sign assembly 10 comprising a support 12 arranged to be secured to a surface, and an indicia-bearing component 14. The assembly 10 may be secured to any surface including but not limited to the surface of a road, footpath, curb or other surface to give directions or other information to passers-by. Figures 2A and 3A respectively illustrate the indicia-bearing component 14 and the support 12 in isolation. In general terms, the component 14 is removably securable to the support 12 so that the component 14 (and thus indicia) can be replaced. With reference to Figures 2A and 3A, the support 12 comprises a first interlocking member 16. The component 14 comprises a second interlocking member 18. The first 16 and second 18 interlocking members are arranged to interlock with one another to secure the component 14 to the support 12. The support 12 further comprises a first opening 20 and a passage 22 extending therefrom. The first interlocking member 16 is located in the passage 22. The first opening 20 and the passage 22 lie in a common plane "ΡΓ (see Figure 3D). Furthermore, at least a portion of one or both of the indicia-bearing component 14 and the support 12 is resiliently deformable to allow for the second interlocking member 18 to be received in the passage 22 and engage with the first interlocking member 16 to effect mutual interlocking of the first and second interlocking members.

To provide context, in practical operation, the sign assembly 10 is normally in an upright configuration as shown in Figure 1 A so that a person approaching the sign can see the indicia 24 on an upper portion 25 of the component 14. Preferably, the indicia- bearing component 14 is resilient such that if force "F1 " is applied to the sign assembly 10 the component will yield/bend backwards (or forwards) with respect to the upright position, as shown in Figure 1 B, and return to the upright position once the force is removed. The force "F1 " may for example be applied by running over the sign with a vehicle wheel or a person's foot, the component bends into the position shown in Figure 1 B while the support 12 remains attached to the surface 13. Since the component 14 is resilient, it returns back to the standing position shown in Figure 1A once the force is removed. The support 12 on the other hand is preferably rigid. At all times, the support 12 remains secured to the surface 13 and the indicia-bearing component 14 remains attached to the support 12 through the mutual interlocking of members 16 and 18.

The locking mechanism between the component 14 and the support 12 according to a specific embodiment will now be described. With continued reference to Figures 2A and 3A, the second interlocking member 18 comprises two projections 26a and 26b (which may hereinafter be collectively referred to as "projections 26"). The projections 26 extend transversely from a planar portion "P2" (see Figure 2A) of the indicia-bearing component 14. In particular, the projections 26 extend from a lower end portion 30 of the component 14. Wth further reference to Figure 3B, the first interlocking member 16 comprises complementary recesses 28a and 28b (which may hereinafter be collectively referred to as "recesses 28") in the passage 22 for receiving a respective one of the projections 26. In this regard, it is noted that the common plane "ΡΓ in which the first opening 20 and the passage 22 lie can be seen more clearly in Figure 3D and 3J. To assemble the sign assembly 10, the lower portion 30 of the component 14 is squeezed into the opening 20 until the projections 26 snap into the recesses 28. More specifically, the component 14 may be secured to the support 12 by inserting the lower portion 30 into the passage 22 from above. When inserting into the passage 22, the projections 26 are deformed, or in this case compressed, until the component 14 is pushed further such that the projections 26 reach their respective recesses 28, and return or expand back to or at least toward their uncompressed or undistorted state.

The component 14 may be secured to the support 12 with the assistance of an installation device, an embodiment of which is shown in Figures 6A to 6C, which will be described in more detail below.

Wth reference to Figures 2B - 2G, the projections 26 in this embodiment are spaced apart from each other. The projections 26 also extend transversely from opposite sides S1 and S2 of the indicia-bearing component 14, as seen more clearly in the bottom view shown in Figure 2D. Further, the projections 26 are offset from each other. In particular, the projections 26a and 26b are offset such that, when considering the bottom view in Figure 2D, one projection 26a is positioned to the left of a centerline C1 of the component 14, and the other projection 26b is positioned to the right of the centerline C1 . The projections 26 have a rectangular frontal profile as shown in Figures 2B and 2F. The projections 26 also have a tapered side profile as shown in Figures 2C and 2G. In particular, the tapered side profile is such that a thickness "T1 " of a locking shoulder 27 of the projections 26 is greater than a thickness "T2" of a lower part 29 of the projections 26. This tapering of the projections 26 facilitates insertion of the component 14 into the passage 22 of the support 12, which will be described in more detail below.

Wth reference to Figures 3B, which is a bottom view of the support 12, the passage 22 of the support 12 has a periphery corresponding to the bottom view profile of the component 14 shown in Figure 2D. In particular, the passage 22 is defined by a first side wall 32 and a second side wall 34 opposite the first side wall 32. The recess 28a is disposed in the first side wall 32 and the recess 28b is disposed in the second side wall 34. Therefore, like the projections 26, the recesses 28a and 28b are disposed in opposite walls of the passage and 28b are offset from one another.

In Figure 3B it will also be seen that the passage 22 extends completely through the support 12. In other words, the passage 22 opens onto a top side 36 (see Figure 3A) and an underside 38 of the support 12. Thus the support 12 comprises a second opening 40 on the underside 38 of the support 12 opposite to the first opening 20 (see Figure 3J). Accordingly, the first opening 20 and second 40 opening are enclosed by a periphery of the support 12.

Figure 3H shows a close-up of the recess 28a, disposed in the first side wall 32, and its surroundings. It will be appreciated that the features and dimensions of recess 28a in this embodiment as also apply to the recess 28b. The recess 28a has a depth "D" and a width "W". The depth "D" of the recess 28a may be 3mm to 5mm. The width "W" of the recess may be 12mm to 18mm. According to a particular example, the width "W" is 15mm and the depth "D" is 4mm. However, it will be appreciated that the recess 28a and 28b may have any other suitable dimensions.

The recess 28a is associated with a lip 42 extending over the recess 28a. The lip 42 is most clearly seen in Figure 3D, which shows a cross-sectional view of the support 12 along cut "D-D" in in Figure 3B. With additional reference to Figure 3A the lip 42 is contiguous with an upper surface 45 of the support 12. The lip 42 also projects a distance "L1 " over the recess 28a. The distance "L1 " may be 1 mm to 3mm. It is also noted that the lip 42 does not extend so far as to be in line with the first side wall 32 of the passage 22. Therefore a gap 44 is provided between the lip 42 and a plane "P3" of the first side wall 32, as shown in Figure 3F (when the assembly 10 is assembled) and Figure 3D. As a result, the passage 22 is narrower in sections defined by the first 32 and second 34 side walls, and wider where a lip 42 and associated recess is located. For example, with reference to Figure 3E, which shows a cross-section through cut Έ- E" in Figure 3B - a section of the passage 22 defined by the first 32 and second 34 side walls - the depth "D1 " of that section of the passage 22 may be 2mm in this particular embodiment. Furthermore, with reference to Figures 3D and 3H the lip 42 may project a distance "L1 " of 2mm over the recess 28a, while the distance between a back wall 46 of the recess 28a and the second wall 34 may be 6mm. Hence the distance between the lip 42 and the second wall 34 may be 4mm and the gap 44 between the lip 42 and a plane "P3" of the first side wall 32 may be 2mm.

Turning now to the indicia-bearing component 14, it is noted that a locking shoulder 27 of the projection 26a in its uncompressed or non-distorted or rest state is thicker than the gap 44. For example, with reference back to Figure 2G, the thickness "T1 " of the locking shoulder 27 is 2.5mm (compared to the gap 44 being 2mm). The projection 26a then tapers from the locking shoulder 27 to a thickness "T2" of 1 mm of the lower part 29 of the projection 26a. Accordingly, when inserting the lower portion 30 of the indicia- bearing component 14 into the passage 22, the projection 26a will squeeze past the lip 42 until the locking shoulder 27 of the projection 26a occupies the recess 28a. During this operation the lower portion 30 of the component 14 and/or the walls defining the passage 22 will experience some deformation or compression due to the pressure applied on the projections 26 by the narrower gaps 44. The deformed portions will resiliently return to at least towards its rest state once the projections 26 reach the recesses 28 in order to effect mutual engagement. In particular, since the locking shoulder 27 of the projections 26 is thicker than the gap 44, the lip 42 acts as a catch that prevents the projection 26 (and thus the indicia-bearing component 14) from being removed from the support 10.

In relation to the resilient deformation, as previously mentioned it is contemplated that a portion of either or both of the indicia-bearing component 14 and the support 12 is resiliently deformable to allow for the second interlocking member 18 to be received in the passage 22. In this embodiment, the resiliently deformable portion is at least the lower portion 30 of the indicia-bearing component 14. Recall that the component 14 itself is formed from resilient material, which allows the component 14 to bend/yield when tread as shown in Figure 1 B. This resilience also allows the projections 26 to be pressed inwards into a at least a portion of cavity 48 (see Figures 2D and 2F) behind each projection 26 while squeezing through the gap 44 and spring substantially back once received in respective recesses 28. The cavity 48 provides some level of give by allowing the projections 26 to be pushed into the cavity 48 in a direction perpendicular to the plane P1 while moving past the gap 44. In contrast, when attempting to pull the component 14 out from the support 12, the lip 42 and the locking shoulder 27 prevent the component 14 from being pulled out since the locking shoulder 27 is caught on the lip. Since there is no cavity or space for the locking shoulder 27 to move into in order to allow it to move past the lip 42, the projections 26 and thus component 14 is/are prevented from being removed from the support 12 just by pulling the component 14 outwards. According to a specific example shown in Figure 2F, the cavity 48 behind each projection 26, illustrated by a solid line, has smaller length & width dimensions (12mm x 6.5mm) than the projection 26 (15mm x 8mm), illustrated by a dotted line. Examples of suitable material for the component 14 include, but are not limited to spring steel, plastics or other synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and aramid fibre including Kevlar ® aramid fiber; and composite materials such as, fiber glass, and carbon fiber composites.

It may be however be desirable to change the indicia-bearing component 14, for example, if it is worn out or if other indicia are required. Figure 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of a method 500 herein disclosed of changing indicia of a sign assembly. The sign assembly may be the sign assembly 10 described above. The method 500 may comprise, removing the component 14 from the support or base 12 by: inserting at least a cutting portion of a cutter 50 into the passage 22 (step 510). Then, using the cutting portion, the one or more projections 26 may be cut or severed from the end portion 30 so that the component 14 is no longer anchored to the support 12 (for instance, the lip 42 of the support 12) (step 512). The component 14 may be made of a material that can be cut with a non-powered hand tool. According to a specific embodiment, step 512 comprises cutting the projection(s) 26 with a non- powered hand tool. Then, the component 14 may be pulled from the support 12 (step 514). In particular, with reference to Figure 3F, in steps 510 and 512, the cutter 50 may be inserted into the gap 44 between lip 42 and the component 14 to sever the projection(s) 26 from the end portion 30. The cutter 50 may comprise an elongate, rigid portion 52 with a sharp end 54. Once removed, the indicia-bearing component 14 can be replaced with another indicia-bearing component. Also contemplated is a cutter with multiple elongate portions and sharp ends so that a plurality of projections 26 can be severed at the same time.

An embodiment of an installation device 80 to assist in installing the component 14 within the support 12 is illustrated in Figures 6A to 6C. The installation device 80 in this embodiment is a hand-held tool. More specifically, the installation device 80 comprises a handle 82 and two spaced-apart arms 84a and 84b extending from the handle 82. Each arm 84a and 84b comprises a pushing end 86a and 86b, respectively, opposite the handle 82. The arms 84a and 84b lie in respective planes that are parallel to each other. However, the arms 84a and 84b are disposed axially offset from each other in their respective planes. Specifically, with particular reference to the front view shown in Figure 6B, the arm 84a is positioned to the left of a vertical centerline "V" of the installation device 80, and slightly behind the other arm 84b, and the arm 84b is positioned to the right of the vertical centerline "V". A gap 88 between the arms 84a and 84b accommodates for the indicia-bearing portion 14 when the installation device 80 is used, as shown in Figure 6A. Further, the arms 84 are offset in such a manner to allow the pushing ends 86a and 86b to align with projections 26a and 26b, respectively, in use. To secure the component 14 within the support 12, the installation device 80 is positioned such that its arms 84a and 84b are located one on either side of the component, and the pushing ends 86a and 86b are inserted into the passage 22 and located directly above respective projections 26a and 26b. The device 80 is then pushed downwards so that the pushing ends 86a and 86b apply a downward force directly onto the projections 26, thus forcing the projections into respective recesses 28.

The installation device 80 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal. Each arm 84a and 84b may be integrally formed with a portion of the handle 82 and a respective pushing end 86a or 86b. It is contemplated that the installation device 80 may be embodied in other forms. For example, an installation device according to another embodiment may have more than two arms and/or multiple pushing ends on each arm, for pushing down multiple projections on each side of an indicia-bearing component. Alternatively, an installation device may have pushing ends that are wider than the ends 86 shown in Figure 6B for pushing projections that are wider than the projections 26.

It will be appreciated that, alternatively, any other device or tool suitable for applying pressure directly onto the projections 26 from above, and pushing the projections 26 respective recesses 28 in the passage 22, can be used for assembling the sign assembly 10. For example, a screwdriver with a suitable head may be used. With reference to Figure 4A, according to a further embodiment the sign assembly 10 also comprises a cover 55 for covering the second opening 40 prior to attaching the underside 38 of the support 12. In this regard, the support 12 is preferably secured to a surface, such as a road or curb, by a suitable adhesive, such as a hot melt adhesive or an epoxy adhesive. Since the second opening 40 opens up to the underside 38 of the support 12, it would be desirable to prevent the adhesive from entering into the opening 40 and passage 22. In that event, the lower portion 30 of the indicia-bearing component 14 may be fixed to the surface, which would make it difficult to replace the component 14. Therefore, the cover 55 is placed over the second opening 40 to block access of the adhesive to the second opening 40. Preferably, the cover 55 extends at least over a border 56, illustrated in Figure 4B by a dotted line, which abuts the cover 55, the border 56 being provided by supporting ribs 58 of the support 12.

Other features of the assembly 10 according to a specific example will now be described in more detail. With particular reference to Figures 2B - 2E, the upper portion 25 of the component 14 has a generally round, and in this example circular, configuration, with a radius "R" of between 40mm and 90mm, or between 50mm and 80mm, or between 60mm and 70mm. In this particular embodiment the radius "R" is 64mm. On the other hand, the lower portion 30 has a generally rectangular configuration with a height "H" of between 10mm and 20mm, or between 12mm and 18mm. In this particular embodiment, the height "H" of the lower portion is 16mm. The overall height of the component 14 may be between 90mm and 200mm. In this particular embodiment, the overall height of the component 14 is 144mm. A peripheral edge 60 of the component 14, shown as a solid line in Figures 2C and 2E is thicker than the rest of the component 14, shown in dotted lines. For example, with particular reference to Figure 2E, the peripheral edge 60 may be between 3mm and 5mm, and a remaining web 62 surrounded by the edge 60 may be between 1 mm and 3mm thick. In this particular embodiment, the peripheral edge 60 is 4mm wide and a remaining web 62 surrounded by the edge 60 may be 2mm thick. Accordingly, a profile of the cross- section through the peripheral edge 60 and into the web 62 would have a "T" shape configuration, as illustrated in Figure 2E.

To accommodate for this "T" shape configuration, as shown in Figure 3B the passage 22, which is generally elongate, comprises two opposing ends 64a and 64b, each end having a complementary "T" shape as shown in detail in Figures 3G. Accordingly, a web 62 portion of the component 14 would occupy in a narrower portion 66 of the passage 22 defined by first 32 and second 34 side walls of the passage 22, and a portion of the peripheral edge 60 would occupy the transversely extending portion 68 of the "T" shape. Figure 3C shows a cross-section through the transversely extending portion 68 of the "T" shape, in other words, through cut "C-C" in Figure 3B. Therefore, although the passage 22 can generally be described as being situated in a plane "ΡΓ, Figures 3C - 3E demonstrate varying widths along the passage 22 to accommodate for the configuration of the lower end portion 30 of the component 14. With reference to Figures 31 - 3K, according to a specific example, the support 12 may have a width "X1 " of between 100mm and 200mm, for example, 130mm. The support 12 may also have a height "X2" of between 10mm and 30mm, for example, 20mm. The support 12 may also have a depth "X3" of between 50mm and 200mm, for example, 100mm. An upper surface 45 of the support 12 may be defined by ramped surfaces 70a and 70b symmetrically disposed about the plane "ΡΓ. The ramped surfaces 70 may have an acute angle of between 60° - 80° from the vertical, or in other words an angle of elevation of between 10° - 30°. For example, the ramped surfaces 70 may have an acute angle of 67° from the vertical, or in other words a 23° angle of elevation. In addition, the support 12 may comprise curved surfaces 72 to provide a smooth transition between the ramped surfaces 70 and side walls 32 and 34 of the passage 22. The ramped surfaces 70 may provide the advantage that if the assembly 10 placed at a location where it is likely to be overrun by vehicles, a wheel of a vehicle can run relatively smoothly over the assembly 10, thus minimising damage to the assembly 10. Although dimensions of various parts of the sign assembly 10 have been discussed above, it will be understood that these dimensions are exemplary only, and the sign assembly according to other embodiments may have other suitable dimensions.

As previously mentioned, underneath the upper surface 45 of the support 12 is a structure of reinforcing ribs 58 extending from the upper surface 45 to a plane "P4" of the under-side 38 of the support 12. The ribs 58 may provide the advantage of strengthening the support 12 while minimising the amount of material used to fabricate the support 12. It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many

modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the assembly may have any number of projections 36 and corresponding recesses 28. As another example, the support according to another embodiment may not have an opening on an underside of the support, but may instead have only an opening on a tops side of the support.

Furthermore, the support assembly 10 shown in Figures 1A and 1 B show a bicycle symbol displayed on the indicia bearing component 14, for example, to indicate that a particular path on which the assembly 10 may be located is a bicycle path. However, it will be appreciated that support assemblies according to other embodiments may display any indicia on the indicia-bearing component. The indicia may include words, letters, numbers, symbols and/or colours. As another example, a cutter or removing device for removing the indicia-bearing component 14 from the support according to another embodiment may be substantially similar to the installation device 80, except that such a removing device has cutting ends instead of pushing ends 86a and 86b. Therefore, when the cutting ends of the removing device are pushed down onto respective projections, the projections will be severed, allowing the component 14 to be pulled from the support 12. Also, for such a removing device, when the component 14 is placed between the arms of the device, there is still enough clearance in a portion of a gap between the arms and above the component 14 for the removing device to be pushed down, thus severing the projections 26.

Also, while the installation device 80 and removing device are described above as non- powered hand tools, according to other embodiments a powered installation or removing tool could be used to detach the component 14 from the support 12. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.