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The present invention relates to a sign that can be folded. The folding sign includes a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information, such as hazard symbols or words. The flexible cover is supported by a supporting device that is configured to move between a closed or folde

The present invention relates to a sign that can be folded. The folding sign includes a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information, such as hazard symbols or words. The flexible cover is supported by a supporting device that is configured to move between a closed or folded position to an open position. The support device also enables the folding sign to move to a collapsed position. The folding sign additionally includes connecting mechanisms that enable the flexible cover to release as the folding sign moves into the collapsed position.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a supporting device for supporting the flexible cover, wherein the supporting device includes at least two support members that can be moved away from one another to a collapse

What is claimed is: 1. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a supporting device for supporting the flexible cover, wherein the supporting device includes at least two support members that can be moved away from one another to a collapsed position; at least one connecting mechanism that connects the flexible cover to the supporting device, wherein the at least one connecting mechanism is configured to permit the connection to release to allow the supporting device to move to the collapsed position; and wherein the supporting device is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, and further comprising a folding mechanism that permits movement of the supporting device from the open position to the closed position and permits movement of the supporting device to the collapsed position upon application of a predetermined force to the sign. 2. The folding sign of claim 1, wherein the flexible cover includes a sheet of material. 3. The folding sign of claim 1, wherein the surface displays information that warns of a hazard. 4. The folding sign of claim 1, wherein the supporting device includes a plurality of elongated support members. 5. The folding sign of claim 1, wherein the at least one connecting mechanism inhibits movement of the supporting device to the collapsed position. 6. The folding sign of claim 1, wherein the folding mechanism biases the supporting device toward the open position. 7. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a supporting device for supporting the flexible cover, wherein the supporting device can be moved to a collapsed position; and at least one connecting mechanism that connects the flexible cover to the supporting device, wherein the at least one connecting mechanism is configured to permit the connection to release to allow the supporting device to move to the collapsed position, wherein the supporting device is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, and further comprising a folding mechanism that permits movement of the supporting device from the open position to the closed position and permits movement of the supporting device to the collapsed position upon application of a predetermined force to the sign, wherein the supporting device includes a plurality of elongated support members, and wherein the flexible cover extends over first end portions of the elongated support members and a plurality of connecting mechanisms connect the flexible cover to second end portions of the elongated support members when the supporting device is in the open position. 8. The folding sign of claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of elongated support members includes a protrusion at the second end portion of the elongated support member, and the corresponding connecting mechanism includes a ring extending around the elongated support member and configured such that the ring can move along the elongated support member and past the protrusion only after application of the predetermined force. 9. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a supporting device for supporting the flexible cover, wherein the supporting device can be moved to a collapsed position; and at least one connecting mechanism that connects the flexible cover to the supporting device, wherein the at least one connecting mechanism is configured to permit the connection to release to allow the supporting device to move to the collapsed position, wherein the supporting device is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, and further comprising a folding mechanism that permits movement of the supporting device from the open position to the closed position and permits movement of the supporting device to the collapsed position upon application of a predetermined force to the sign, wherein the supporting device includes a plurality of elongated support members, and wherein the folding mechanism includes a block member and a plurality of coil springs, wherein each coil spring is configured to be displaced in a latitudinal direction, a first end of each of the plurality of coil springs being connected to the block member and a second end of each of the plurality of coil springs being connected to a respective one of the plurality of elongated support members. 10. The folding sign of claim 9, wherein the folding mechanism is configured such that a force applied to the folding sign causes the coil springs to be displaced in a latitudinal direction, thereby allowing the elongated support members to move to the collapsed position. 11. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a plurality of support members for supporting the flexible cover; and a folding mechanism including a block member and a plurality of coil springs that are each connected to a corresponding support member, wherein the coil springs each include coils that are coiled about a respective longitudinal axis, a first end of each of the plurality of coil springs is connected to the block member, and a second end of each of the plurality of coil springs is connected to a respective one of the plurality of support members, wherein each coil spring is configured to be displaced in a latitudinal direction such that at least some of the coils move apart from one another to permit movement of the support members from an open position to a closed position and to permit movement of the support members to a collapsed position upon application of a predetermined force to the sign. 12. The folding sign of claim 11, wherein the coil springs bias the support members toward an open position. 13. The folding sign of claim 11, wherein the flexible cover includes a sheet of material. 14. The folding sign of claim 11, wherein the surface displays information that warns of a hazard. 15. The folding sign of claim 11, wherein the support members hold the flexible cover such that the flexible cover has an apex portion, and the flexible cover includes a shield positioned on at least part of the apex portion. 16. The folding sign of claim 11, wherein the flexible cover extends over first end portions of the support members and a plurality of connecting mechanisms connect the flexible cover to second end portions of the support members when the support members are in the open position. 17. The folding sign of claim 11, wherein the folding mechanism is configured such that a force applied to the folding sign causes the coil springs to be displaced in a latitudinal direction, thereby allowing the support members to move to the collapsed position. 18. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a plurality of support members for supporting the flexible cover; and a folding mechanism including a block member and a plurality of coil springs that are each connected to a corresponding support member, wherein a first end of each of the plurality of coil springs is connected to the block member and a second end of each of the plurality of coil springs is connected to a respective one of the plurality of support members, wherein each coil spring is configured to be displaced in a latitudinal direction to permit movement of the support members from an open position to a closed position and to permit movement of the support members to a collapsed position upon application of a predetermined force to the sign, wherein the flexible cover extends over first end portions of the support members and a plurality of connecting mechanisms connect the flexible cover to second end portions of the support members when the support members are in the open position, and wherein at least one of the plurality of support members includes a protrusion at the second end portion of the support member, and the corresponding connecting mechanism includes a ring extending around the support member and configured such that the ring can move along the support member and past the protrusion only after application of the predetermined force. 19. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a plurality of support members for supporting the flexible cover; and a folding mechanism including a block member and a plurality of coil springs that are each connected to a corresponding support member, wherein a first end of each of the plurality of coil springs is connected to the block member and a second end of each of the plurality of coil springs is connected to a respective one of the plurality of support members, wherein each coil spring is configured to be displaced in a latitudinal direction to permit movement of the support members from an open position to a closed position and to permit movement of the support members to a collapsed position upon application of a predetermined force to the sign, wherein the connecting mechanisms inhibit movement of the support members to the collapsed position. 20. A folding sign comprising: a flexible cover having at least one surface for displaying information; a supporting device for supporting the flexible cover; and a handle that facilitates carrying of the folding sign, wherein the handle is disposed at a top of the folding sign and includes an informational area for displaying information, and wherein the handle further includes a device configured to be grasped by a hand and a screw for attaching the device to the folding sign. 21. A method of using a folding sign, comprising: providing a folding sign having an area for displaying location-identifying information; providing a storage container into which the folding sign can be inserted for storage; associating the storage container with a location; associating the folding sign with the storage container; displaying information identifying the location on the area of the folding sign; and wherein the storage container has an area for displaying location-identifying information, and further comprising displaying information identifying the location on the area of the storage container.