AU691945B2 - Sign constructions - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicants; Actual Inventors: LIONEL COLIN FULLER and BERIN JOHN BURNETT LIONEL COLIN FULLER and BERIN JOHN BURNETT CULLEN CO., Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, 240 Queen Street, Brisbane, Qld. 4000, Australia.

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Address for Service; Invention Title: Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos. PM7683 filed 24 August 1994 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us 1 SIGN CONSTRUCTIONS 2 BACKGROUND OF TH INVENTION AND RELATED ART 3 This invention relates to sign constructions, and it has 4 particular but not exclusive reference to the basic type of sign assembly in which a message-bearing sheet is secured to 6 the upper part of a supporting frame which is adapted to have 7 its lower end secured to the ground or equivalent base means.

8 In many sign applications, it is required to erect 9 quickly but effectively a sign of simple, inexpensive and useful construction, such as in the real estate industry where 11 it is customary to secure a single sheet of plastic, plywood .s'"12 or other material, such as "CORFLUTE," board, to the upper end 43 of a wooden spike which then has its lower end driven into the 14 ground for example, according to long established systems. It has been found that a number of benefits can be obtained by 0 16 having the message-bearing sheet secured to the upper part of a supporting frame consisting nolly or p:incipally of strip 18 metal, particularly since the lower extremity will be 19 inherently of spike-like form for easy penetration of the 00 ground. Thus, there are currently available a number of sign 21 assemblies of these types which depart from the conventional 22 but still-common type of sign which may have a sheet of rigid 23 plastic fluted material nailed to the upper part of a wooden 24 stake, 1 Notwithstanding the aforementioned advancements in sign 2 constructions, it is believed that there remains a need for 3 further improvements, particularly so that the message sheets 4 can be removably and interchangeably fitted with simplicity but certainty without the use of nails, screws or other 6 fasteners. Also, it is desirable that there may be employed a 7 supporting frame which is more easily but firmly erected by 8 ground penetration than has hitherto been achieved, thus 9 making the sign construction attractive to the growing number I0 of real estate agents who prefer to avoid the use of 11 procedures requiring the application of force by hammering.

12 There is also in our view a need for an improved type of V'.01.3 message sheet which will be inexpensive yet durable; which can have its messages easily and cheaply applied thereto, and which can be used interchangeably on mounting frames which afford easy assembly or disassembly.

too a a 7 UMMARY__QOF THP_ ILTr TIN 0 The prevent invention has been devised with the above 19 describe4 needs in mind, and it therefore has for its principal object to provide a novel combination of message sheet and mounting frame which will posess the advantageous 22 features set out in the preceding paragraph. Further specific 23 objects and advantages of the invention will become clear Crom 24 later discussions of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

3 1 With these and other objects in view, the invention 2 resides broadly in a sign assembly of the type having a 3 message-bearing display sheet for securement to the upper part 4 of a supporting frame which has ground-penetration spikes dt its lower extremity. The display sheet is formed of a 6 flexible material of little or no elasticity and of 7 substantially rectangular form to be disposed vertically in 8 normal use with its side edges each being provided with 9 vertically extending sleeves. The upper part of the supporting frame includes opposite side members engageable in 11 the sleeves. The supporting frame also includes a clamping i2 device selectively operable between a release position and a 13 clamping position. in the latter position, the side members :0.01A are urged apart to cause them to grip within the sleeves and ~i tension the display sheet and to fix the frame members against relative movement in a generally planar configuration.

000# f6,66" 12 The display sheet, supporting frame, spikes and clamping device may take various forms within the broad concepts of the "'19 invention, For example, the display sheet may ie of single .Xq sheet thickness between Glosed-edge sleeves at each side, particularly if the frame side members are not connected at their upper ends or are releasably interconnected by a top bar Z1 formed of ceparable components. On tho other hand, the 24 display sheet may be double thickness in the form of an envelope having its edges accommodating the frame side 26 members. The latter can if desired be connected at their 27 upper ends, in which case the envelope need be open only at 28 its bottom. Then again, the upper edge of the envelope, may be

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4 1 closed but provided with cut-out sections to expose the top 2 bar when the latter is provided, and thus affording a handle 3 in that case.

4 The supporting frame may have rigid bars for the side members, moveable to clamping dispositions by a cam or cams 6 constituting the clamping device. However, it is preferred 7 that the side members be of resilient rod-like form and 8 interconnected at their upper ends by an integral cross rod.

9 Tn that event, the clamping device may comprise a horizontal keeper arranged to be moved to an operative attitude to urge 1 the side rods apart, or to be moved to a release disposition 12 to permit removal of the display sheet.

13 Thus, according to one practical embodiment of the invention it may comprise broadly a sign assembly of the type S15 having a message-bearing display sheet secured to the upper part of a supporting frame. The frame has at least one ground "1:7 penetration spike at its lower extremity. The display sheet .18 is formed of flexible, but substantially inelastic, material too 4 and has a generally rectangular form. The display sheet is adapted to be disposed vertically in normal use with spaced 4

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vertical side edges, each having a sleeve extending *5*9 22 therealong, for mounting to the supporting frame. The

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23 supporting frame includes resilient opposite vertical side

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24 bars adapted to be engaged in associated sleeves nf the display sheet and to be urged apart to hold the inelastic 26 dinplay sheet in taut or tensioned operativa attitude. The 27 upper ends of the side bars are connected by a top frame 28 member for predetermined separation, and the lower ends of the 1 side bars are constructed and arranged so that each has its 2 lower extremity forming a ground-penetration spike. The two 3 lower ends of the side bars are connected by a clamping device 4 or releasable securement in such a manner that they may be moved apart to operative positions to cause tensioning of the 6 display sheet and assume ground-penetration attitudes, or they 7 may be rendered inoperative when the mounting frame is clear 8 of the ground to permit the lower ends of the side bars to be 9 moved to inoperative positions to release tension of the display sheet to facilitate the removal thereof.

11 In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the 12 invention, the supporting frame is a continuous length of 13 spring steel rod having an upwardly-bowed top rod integral *9 4 with oormally parallel and vertical side rods constituting the 5 isaid side bars, each of the latter having an inwardly-returned *"t6 bottom bar so that the aforementioned components can make up a 17 rectangular frame portion to be fitted within a message- 8 display sheet assembly in the form of an envelope open at its 1 bottom only. The envelope-type sheet assembly is suitably made of a flexible but inelastic material which is a printable S fabric, waterproof, tear-resistant and opaque to allow for 2.2 printing on both outer sides, such as high quality plastic wrapping material for industrial use.

24 In this instance, the supporting frame is inserted through the open "bottom" of the envelope, the double 26 thickness of the latter providing a "sleeve" at each side edge 27 to be engaged by the side bars or rods, and the top of the 28 envelope can be closed fully since the top tod of the frame is 1 integral with the side rods. It will be appreciated that 2 flexing of the lower ends of the side rods towards one another 3 will cause an increase in bowing of the curved top rod to 4 reduce the width of the frame and thus facilitate its insertion into the "envelope". On the other hand, separation 6 of the lower ends of the side rods will cause them to engage 7 firmly in their sleeves and bring the frame to a firm 8 rectancp4lar fit within the envelope.

9 In this embodiment, when the side rods are in vertical, substantially parallel operative positions, the reLurn bars at 11 the lower ends terminate a distance apart where they have 12 integral down-turned rod sections, the lower ends of which are 13 connected through horizontally stepped formations to the 0* e 14 terminal spike end portions. The clamping devicQ or &*&SIB releasable securement comprises a keeper bar of such length as to accotmodate the Width of a user's shoe thereon and having 17 vertical apertres near its ends through which the down-turned rod sections pass, these apertures connecting with longitudinal end slots which are longitudinally elongated to extend from the ends of the keeper bar and past the vertical apertures so as to accommodate the said stepped formations 24 when the latter are arranged to extend either inward or outward accordinq to whether the keeper bar is separating the 24 frame ends for operative actions or allowing them to "overlap" for inoperative actions.

26 The keeper is suitably of inverted channel setcion having 27 at each end a slotted hole in its top web through which the 28 spaced rods pass rotatably to permit turning of the keeper in 1 reversed end-to-end manner between operative and inoperative 2 dispositions, the keeper being shaped to assist manual 3 gripping of its lower edge for lifting purposes by hand when 4 so desired, to effect unclamping. The rods may be tapered or vertical as desired to assist the clamping actions, the 6 slotted holes and keeper acting to stop the rods from going 7 inward or outward to tension or slacken the sign. Other 8 features of the invention will become apparent trom the 9 foltowing descriptions, BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 11 In order that the invention may be more readily S12 understood and put into practical effoet, reference Will now 4*e* 3 be made to the accompanying drawings which show several embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, I'1 and wherein; PFig 1I shows the frame for a sign assembly according to the invention, in inoperative attitude, ready to receive the 8 display sheet, and the frame being of spring steel rod; Fig. 2 shows the frame of Fig. 1, together with a display sheet in the form of an envelope, open at the bottom, in the 2 process of being attached over the frame; 22 Pl-,S 3 shows the assembled sign according to the 23 invention, in operative attitude, with the display sheot held 24 on the supporting frame which is secured in the ground, 8 1 Fig. 4 shows~ in enlarged view the Lower coniponerit, ot rche 2 supportin9 fratie, when removed from the ground, and wi-:f 3 comnponents in fu1ly-released attitudes; 4 Fig. 5 is a perspective view of~ a 'olappinq device or keepert 6 Fig. 68 is 4 diAqramnatic view of a Second embodiment or 7 a frame in a relaxed cono.ttion with, the keeper moved to an A upper display sihoot loading condition in accordanco witth tlhe 9 invontion; iFiq. 6b is a diagraimat.io view Simil~ar to Fjq, 6a showing 11 the keeper rotated about 7$0 in a right-hand direction; 12 Fig. 6c is a di~igraminatic View similatr to Fig, 6a showinq J3 the keeper rotated about IUOO in a right-hand direc~tion to s..,4redce the width dimnion ot the framec and dispose it in a 0:041 diplay sheet loading condition$- and iFiq. 7 is a ffrarpfentary view, partl.y in section and On an 1.7 enl~arged scaei, corrot.,ponding with the area desuignated "All jin ib Fig. 60i And showing~ tho, removab~le connfeiction in the top bar~ of 009I thca frame of the ate-ond embodiment of thei nvention.

0000 '2 1aeerring to triqr, t-41 the sign ttunombly a4hown q*,-n'Ally 22 by the numer'al 10 includes a meiisago bearinqj displaiy a.heet 11 23 in the f orm of an envelope an previously deiu:ribod, of d~ouble' 24 thioJknes- or~ bag typei configuration ao that the sidu edges constitute 8,16eve meana. Thet displiay shorni it la to be 26 mounted elt a supportinq frame indicated1 i(enorally at 12, the, 9 1 frame having an upper part 13, while qround-penetration spikes 2 indicated. generally at 14 are provided at the lower end 15 of 3 the frame 12. The side edges 16 and 17 of the dieplay sheet 4 11 respectively provide sleevef, 18 and 19. It will be seen that the frame 12 includes side members 20 and 21 which are 6 engageable in the respective sleeves Is and 19, while a 7 clamping device, indicated generadlly at 22 can be utilized to 8 hold the display sheet 31 on the tramiie 12 as shown in Fig. 3, 9 or to release the components as shown in Figs, 1, 2 and 4.

The display aheet 11 may seutably measure about 600 mm 11 wide and 450 umi high, with the other components of the frame 12 12 being to corresponding proportions, The display sheet 11 13 may inuclgde corner cut-outs III to Faoilitato alignment at the -1:4 frame oorners and a aentral cut-out 111" that exposes a portion of the frame for use as a handle.

*2(Z~F6 It will be seen that the frame 12 consisUt. of a single 4* OS *107 continuous length of spring stoel of 6 mm diameter and having an intogral top rod 23 and two sida rods which ce-ontitUte the 1 sida memtbers 20 and 21 which when oporative are vertical in the respective oleavas 18 and t9. The loi1et ends of the side rods 20 and 21 havet integral intul-od $;ections 24 and 22 rUepeatively, with down-turnod oeactions 26 and 27 leading S through horizontally stepped portion,.,, or formations 28 and 29 24 to termin8x tpikos 30 and 31.

24) ~There, to provided a bride pieoe or keeper bar 32 26 0nstituting part of the, clampinq devio:a 2 and being long 21 enough to allow a portionr. sheo to, pros it down, there being A vertAcI aporturoel ndtar its enda connecting With elongated

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1 longitudinal slots to accommodate the stepped formations, whether extended in the direction shown in Fig. 3 or with the 3 keeper reversed so that the frame ends overlap as shown in 4 Fig. 1, 2 and 4, 9 The unique features of the sign will be clear from the 6 drawings, when considered In conjunction with the foregoing I descriptions. Fig, 3 shows the operative disposition wherein 8 the bottom frame ends are separated to the extent necessary to 9 maintain the display sheet 11 tensioned, whereupon the keeper 32 can be pressed down by the foot and the stepped formations 11 will be held in the end apertures and groove of the keeper as 12 the bottom extremities are pressed into the ground and the 13 complete sign becomes rigid. However, when the sign assembly 10 is lifted from the ground, the keeper 32 can be lifted to "unlock" the frame ends which can then be moved to overlapping relationship as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 the keeper being hinged to reverse its attitude end to end as apparent from the 18 drawings.

Sign assemblies as described and illustrated will be seen

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to provide all the principal advantages as discussed above.

I' The flexible display sheet will be retained neatly over the 22 outside of the spring loaded tramo. The bridge piece or keeper 32 may be used to turn the bottom roda to attitudes or 4 orientations permitting ease of entry and removal of the 2 display sheet from the frame, and the keeper 32 enables the 26 user to tread the sign into the ground or to lift the sign out 27 of the ground. The keQper may be color coded to identify the 28 sign frame, thus making it an integral part of the frame to 11 1 deter theft and so that it cannot be removed without damage to 2 the trame, 3 A simple looking action results from the keeper being of 4 inverted channel cros-section and arranged to restrain the legs of the frame so that it may be easily inserted into the 6 ground, and the frame will be prevented from turning clockwise 7 or counter-clolwise when viewed from above. As best shown in 8 Fiyq. 5, the keeper 32 comprises a generally U-shape or q channel-shape rigid member including a bight 33 and opposed legs 35, Apertures 37 extend through the b.qht 33 to receive 11 the lower ends of the side rods 20 and 21. The looking action 12 is prnvlded by the receipt of the stepped portions 28 and 29 0.13 w thin the channel between the legs 35 of the keeper 32.

",cR4 eferring to Figs, 6 and 7, a second embodiment of the 0"0is frame of the present invention is illustrated. For convenience, similar reference numeraLs are ued to designate 9 t 9 17 parts which correspond to similar parts in the first t embodiment However, the letter tat is added to the reference numeralt to indicate nodified elements of the second 2 emnbodiment of Figs* 6 and 7.

The sign jOa includes a supporting frame 12a formed of wire rod stock such as that doesribed in connection with the first embodiment. The frame 12a comprisaes symmetrical tranm 24 halved 40 and 42, The frame halven 40 and 42 are joined adjacent the top rod 23a by a connector 44 with each side 26 member 20 and t exteiiding to form about onoshalf of the top 27 rod 234.

1 As best shown in Fig. 7, the connector 44 comprises a 2 rigid metal tube 46 having a bore 48 sized to receive with 3 hand assembly the rod stock of the frame 12a. The connector 4 44 is pinched at a central longitudinal location to provide a reduced diameter bore stop 50 that limits the insertion of the 6 rod stock of the frame halves 40 and 42 into the bore 48 to 7 assire the proper assembly configuration, 8 As noted abovz, the frame halves 40 and 42 may be 9 assembled by hand using the connector 44. Upon assembly, the frame halves 40 and 42 cooperate to provide a construction 11 similar to that of the first embodiment. Accordingly, the 12 assemblied frame 12a includes Upper part 13 and lower part 13 The upper part 13 includes side members 20 and 21 which S14 cooperate to receive and mount the display sheet 11 in the

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same manner as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the top rod 23a is formed by the extensions ot the side Se..

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17 members 20 and 21 joined by the connector 44.

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18 The side members 20 and 21 of the trame 12a include

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:19 inturned sections 24 and 25 which extend to down-tutrned sections 26a and 27a. As shown, the sections 26a and 27a ,"12 1 preferably diverge outwardly at a slight angle from the stepped portions 28 and 29 to inhibit unintentional upward movement of the keeper 32 which may tend to occur in buffeting wind conditions. An opening angl. of 6 to 7 dgreqtes from th( vertical or an outward pitch of about 1/9 is satisfactory for 26 thit purpose.

27 The preparation of the frame 12a for the mounting thereon f8 of the display sheoot 11 is shown in Figs. 6a, 6b and 6c. AS 1 shown in Fig. 6a, the keeper 32 is initially moved up the 2 down-turned sections 26a and 27a of the lower part 15 to 3 disengage the horizontal stepped portions 28 and 29.

4 In preparation for mrving the inturned sections 24 and into overlying position, the top rod 23a of the frame 12a may 6 be gripped with the left hand, The opposite sides of the 7 keeper 32 may be gripped from the bottom using the right hand 8 thumb to engage one of the sides of the keeper and the fingers 9 to engage the other side of the keeper in a "key-winding" type grip that allows the right hand to twist or rotate the keeper 11 to the right.

12 As shown in Fig. 6b, the keeper 32 has been turned about 13 750 to the right and the top rod 23a has been held rotationally stationary (or retained in the plane of the drawing page) by 0 5 the left hand. It should be appreciated that the inturned *0ee sections 24 and 25 are free to rotate within the apertures in *Ot the keper 32 as the keeper is rotated, and the keeper 18 operates to laterally move the sections without twisting or a applying a torque load to the wire rod of the frame 12a.

so 9 Referring to Fig. 6b. the inturned sections 24 and 00 1 have been moved inwardly to reduce the width of the spacing 0 *000 22 between the side members 20 and 21. The lateral spacing of :4"03 the side members 20 and 21 or width of the upper part 13 of *4 the frame 12a progressively decreases in a direction extending towards the lower end 15 of the frame 12a with slight outward 26 bowing or deflection of the side members and top rod 23a. The 27 connector 44 ic sized to accommodate this detlection.

14 1 Referring to Fig, 6c, the frame i~a is shown in the 2 display sheet loading or mounting condition with the keeper 23 3 rotated 18O U to the right and the inturned sections 24 and 4 moved to their full overlying position, As the keeper 32 is moved to this position, the overlying portions of tie inturned 6 sections 24 and 25 may also be grasped within the right hand 7 together with the keeper 32. In this manner, the frame 12a is 8 fully supported in the display sheet mounting condition by the 9 user's right hand, and the user's left hand is free to slip the dispLay sheet 11 over the upper part 13 of the frame 12a.

11 In the display sheet mounting condition shown in Fig, 6c, the 12 lateral spacing of the side members 20 and 21 and the width of 13 the frame 12a are reduced fully, and the display sheet 11 may :14 be easily slipped over the upper part 13 of the frame 12a.

.15 After the display sheet 11 has been mounted on the upper 'co.o.

S S part 13 of the frame 12a, the keeper 32 is rotated to the left :17 or returned to its starting position and the frame 12a i. resiliently moves to its normal position wherein the display sheet It is held in tension in a planar condition between the side members 20 and 21. The keeper 32 is then moved to its lower or locking position with the horizontally stepped 22 portions 28 and 29 disposed within the keeper channel. As 3 noted above, the keeper 32 may be used as a step or pedal to 24 drive the spikes 30 and 31 into the ground or other toundation for purpioses of mounting the sign 26 The frame 12a and the conneotor 44 aire. constructed to 27 enable the sign 10a to be collapsed for storage or 28 transportation. The display sheet 11 may be removed from the I frame 12a using the above discussed technique to reduce the 2 width of the upper part 13 of the frame. After removal of the 3 display sheet 11, the frame halves 40 and 42 may be 4 disconnected at the connector 44, One of the horizontally stepped portions, e.g. the portion 29 of the frame half 42, 6 may be moved clear of the keeper 32 and the frame half 42 may 7 then be rotated onto the frame half 40 to reduce the collapsed 8 sign width by about one-half, Also, the out-out 11" in the 9 display sheet 11 may be used to provide access to the connector 44 to enable the frame halves to be separated 11 without removing the display sheet from its mounted position 12 over the upper-part 13 of the frame 12a.

13 It will be appreciated that the frame could be molded 14 from plastics or fiberglass, and while it is preferably made ;5 or resilient steel, it could even be 'made from bent cane, The o50515 siqn itself could be laminate fabric, a film rubber, or of any

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VS material having the desired characteristics for little or no ,1 stretch or elasticity, and being printable for sign purposeso oo. V Tho frame could also be made in two pieces by joining it at .20 the top with a simple tube strong enough to take the bending upwards, thus also acting as a handle. It will be clear that 22 the sign may be made simply without he necessity for nails, GV**4 "3 screws or other fittings to connect the display sheet to the 24 frame, and without the need for any hammering since the user's 115 foot may press the sign into position. The sign avoids the V6 danger of splinters common with rough wooden stakes, and the 7 total cost will be much less than to. rigid signs.

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The display sheets are interchangeable quickly and easily on site so that different messages can be provided as required. The display sheet can be rolled up for storage purposes, thus requiring less space in the trunk of any automobile or in a store room, The user will find it convenient to have to deal solely with two components with minimum effort and ease of assembly within a few seconds. The signs will last longer since they will not be subject to damage, and the use of metal spikes will avoid damage to footpaths or laws since they do not leave large holes. The signs will be found lighter and easier to carry and handle compared with conventional stake signs, and the dimensions can be kept small when inoperative, an advantage where space is limited for storage purposes.

A modified frame assembly is depicted in Figure 8. This modification differs from the previous embodiments in that the clamping means comprises a jointing rod 50 which is integrally connected to lower 20 support elements 51, 52 of the frame. The jointing rod functions to retain side members 53, 54 of the frame in spaced apart relationship with a display sheet (not shown) extending therebetween.

It will be understood that the invention may be 25 subject to even further modifications, as will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, without departing from the broad scope and ambit of the invention, the general nature of which has been herein set out.

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Claims (9)

1. A frame assembly for removably supporting a display sheet to form a sign adapted to be secured to a foundation during use thereof, said frame comprising resilient rod means including sign supporting side elements extending to lower support elements, said lower support, elements being operable between release and clamping positions for respectively mounting or dismounting the display sheet between said side elements and for retaining the display sheet in a substantially planar orientation between said side elements during use of the sign, wherein said lower suipport elements in said release position operate to resiliently bias said side V. 15 elements toward each other a sufficient amount to facilitate the mounting or dismounting of said display sheet, said frame also including clamping meanP, r.,Opted to ccoperate with the frame in said clamping ~~to retain said side members in spaced apart relL~, .thip 20 with said display sheet extending therebetween in a tensioned condition and to inhibit relative movement of said side elements.

2. The frame of claim 1, wherein said clamping 25 means art- operable to move said lower support elements *.:between said release and clamping positions.

3. The f rame of claim 2, wherein said clamping means also provide a working surface for applying a load to said frame to secure it to said fotundation.. 4, The frame of claim 3 wherein said clamping means are operable to move said lower support elements between said release and clamping positions. 3$ S. The frame of claim 4, wherein said clamping means comprise a rigid member having a length extending in the direction of the w'idth of the sign, said rigid I I~la~ l~-~llrryl member engaging said lower support elements at spaced locations along its length, said rigid member being movable to dispose at least a portion of said lower support members in overlying relationship to reduce the width of said sign,

6. The frame of claim 5, wherein said lower elements are spaced apart in the direction of the width of said sign, and said rigid member includes apertures spaced along its length for receiving said lower elements.

7. The frame of claim 6, wherein each of said lower elements includes an angularly offset portion, and said rigid member receives said angularly offset portions sin said clamping position to retain said side members in spaced apart relationship with said display sheet extending therebetween in a tensioned condition.

8. The frame of claim 7, wherein said resilient 0 e rod means include at least one resident rod forming a rectangular shape including said side elements for mounting said display sheet, said lower elements include inturned sections of said side elements that extend to 25 down-turned portions having said angularly offset portions, said offset portions extending to spike S' portions adapted to be inserted in said foundation, and said rigid member comprises a channel-shape member having apertures in its bight and opposed channel legs, said channel-shape member apertures receiving said down-turned portions during operation of said lower elements to said release position, said channel legs receiving said offset portions therebetween upon operation of said frame to said clamping position. 9, The frame of claim 8, wherein said resilient rod means including a second resilient rod member, said first and second rod members being symmetrically shaped I and connectable to temporarily form said frame. A sign assembly comprising a display sheet removably mountable on a frame adapted to be secured to a foundation for supporting said sig., during use thereof, said frame comprising resilient rod means including sign supporting side elements extending to lower support elements, said lower support elements being operable between release and clamping positions respectively for mou~nting or dismounting the display sheet between said side elements and for retaining the display sheet in a substantially planar orientation between said side elements during use of the sign, whotein said lower support elements in said release position operate to 15 resiliently bias said side elements tovard each other a 0:600:sufficient amount to facilitate the mounting or Ce.' 4 dismounting of said. display sheet, said frame also :444 including clamping means adapted to cooperate with the frame in said clamping position to retain said side members in spaced apart relationship with said display sheet extending therebetween in a tensioned condition, 4 The sign of claim 9, wherein said clamping means are operable to move said lower support elements :25 between said release and clamping positions.

12. The sign of claim 11, wherein said clamping means also provide a working surf ace for applying a load to sad frame to secure it to said foundation.

13. The sign of claim, 12, wherein said clamping means are operable to move said lower nupport elements between naid release and clamnping positions. :14, Trhe sign. of claim. 1L3,, wherein said clamping meanu comprise a rigid member having a length extending in the direction of. the width of the sign, said rigid member engaging said lower support elements at spaced I locations along its length, and said ric~rid member being movable to dispose at least a portion of said lower support members in overlying relationship to reduce the width of said sign. is. The sign of clailm 14, wherein said lower elements are spaqe~d apart it the direction of the width of said sign, and said rigid member includes apertures spaced along its length for receiving said lower elements.

16. The sign of claim 15, wherein each of said lower elements includes an angularly offset poirtion, and said rigid member receives said angularly offset portions is1 in said clamping position to retain said side members in spaced aparffl relationship with said display sheet A extending therebetween in a tensioned condition. 17 h in fcam16e.ri ec fsi of sai lowe The nt of ai rweeinea stof, said lowne eleetgs eaeivod sapeandssaidorgid mhemberhas a$ chneThae higng caertures hin i b itad opsiledt ro chann legrss, a eslan etae mebeopdu ofLINE COLIN lowerR emnt1 oad MelaN pOiion BUaidT B th5chneelg rci ig aen ofsttorios te ewe CULN o 1 aBTACT OF THE DiSCLooURE 2 A resilient rod frame for a sign includes side elements 3 for removably supporting a sign display sheet ana a keeper 4 operable between a release position to move the side elements together for mounting/removing the display sheet and a 6 clamping position to retain the side elements in spaced apart 7 relationship with the display sheet extending therebetween in 8 a tensioned condition and to inhibit relative rotation of said 9 aide elements. The keeper may also be used as a step or pedal to drive spikes formed by terminal rod portions into the 11 ground or other supporting foundation. o 4 A 4 4@ 4 4 4* 4 S0@** 4 4 4. 4: I