Garden Advertising Sign Convertible to a Seat

The problem

Parks, plazas, and commercial districts need both wayfinding information and places for people to rest. Installing separate benches and signposts doubles the material cost and clutters the visual landscape. Traditional folding seats are often manual, requiring users to lift heavy panels, or they remain fixed as either signs or seats, wasting space when not in use. There is a need for a passive system that converts between these two states without complex electronics or manual effort from the end-user.

The solution

1. The device consists of a bottom rack (1) anchored near the ground and a top rack (3) positioned above it. The top rack holds an advertising light box (4).
2. A linkage square rod (5) connects the lower support tubes of the bottom rack to reset mechanisms in the top rack. These rods pivot around fixed points.
3. A push-pull mechanism (6) includes a foot pedal (7) on the side. Pressing the pedal moves a U-shaped movable seat (11) and a push-pull frame (12).
4. This motion drives a linked short square tube (13), which rotates relative to the main frame. As the tube rotates, it pulls the top rack downward and inward.
5. The transformation changes the geometry: the linked short square tube (13) becomes the seat plate, and the top rack (3) tilts to form the backrest.
6. Two reset mechanisms (8 and 10) contain springs (16 and 21). When weight is removed from the seat, these springs expand, pushing the linkage rods and tubes back to their original positions, raising the sign upright.

Who it is for

• Municipal Parks Departments: Replacing static benches with dual-use units that save installation costs and maintain aesthetic uniformity.
• Retail Chains: Brands wanting to place interactive signage in outdoor mall areas where customers wait or rest while viewing ads.
• Campground Owners: Providing seating at trailheads or picnic areas that doubles as directional information boards.
• Urban Furniture Suppliers: Companies looking to add a unique, mechanical product to their catalog of street furniture.

How it works

The main parts

Opening and closing

1. User Steps On: The visitor presses the strip-shaped foot pedal (7) located on the side of the bottom rack.
2. Lever Action: The pedal pushes the U-shaped movable seat (11), which slides vertically along the connecting square tube (9).
3. Rotation: This sliding motion forces the push-pull frame (12) to rotate the linked short square tube (13) downward.
4. Folding: As tube (13) rotates, it pulls the top rack (3) forward via the linkage square rods (5). The entire structure collapses into a low profile.
5. Seating: The user sits on the now-horizontal tube (13), using the tilted top rack (3) as a backrest.
6. Release and Reset: When the user stands, the weight pressure ends. The second spring (16) and first spring (21) in the reset mechanisms expand, pushing the tubes and rods back up. The sign returns to its vertical display position.

Applications

Public Park Entrances

At park gates, visitors often pause to read maps or wait for companions. This unit provides immediate seating while displaying entry rules or local events. The automatic reset ensures the sign remains visible for others when the bench is empty.

Shopping Mall Plazas

Retailers use outdoor plazas for promotional campaigns. Instead of blocking walkways with standalone kiosks, this convertible sign offers a resting spot for shoppers. It integrates lighting for evening promotions and clears itself when not occupied, maintaining open sightlines.

Campground Information Boards

In campgrounds, travelers need directions to sites or facilities. Placing these units at junctions allows hikers to sit and plan their route. The sturdy steel construction withstands outdoor weather, and the mechanical simplicity reduces maintenance compared to electronic kiosks.

Bus Stops and Transit Hubs

Commuters waiting for buses benefit from seating that doesn’t take up extra sidewalk space. The sign portion can display transit schedules or local advertisements. The compact folded state minimizes obstruction when the seat is in use.

Where it is less suitable

• High-Vandalism Areas: Exposed moving parts and pedals may be susceptible to tampering or debris jamming.
• Heavy Traffic Zones: The mechanical reset relies on gravity and springs; constant rapid cycling might wear components faster than static benches.
• Complex Terrain: The buried base requires a flat, stable surface for proper anchoring and level operation.