CA2221046A1 - Split frame sign - Google Patents

Split frame sign Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2221046A1
CA2221046A1 CA 2221046 CA2221046A CA2221046A1 CA 2221046 A1 CA2221046 A1 CA 2221046A1 CA 2221046 CA2221046 CA 2221046 CA 2221046 A CA2221046 A CA 2221046A CA 2221046 A1 CA2221046 A1 CA 2221046A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
vertical
sign
pair
members
channel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2221046
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ervin Lowe
Ken Anklovitch
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2221046 priority Critical patent/CA2221046A1/en
Publication of CA2221046A1 publication Critical patent/CA2221046A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F15/00Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
    • G09F15/0006Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like planar structures comprising one or more panels
    • GPHYSICS
    • G09EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09FDISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F15/00Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
    • G09F15/0006Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like planar structures comprising one or more panels
    • G09F15/0012Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like planar structures comprising one or more panels frames therefor

Abstract

A split frame display sign is disclosed that allows the information contained on the sign to be changed easily so that changing the sign information several times each day is practical. The sign can be viewed from both sides, and is lightweight and so manually portable and easily placed into position. Interchangeable sign boards are employed which simply slide through a vertical gap in the sign frame, to be engaged by horizontal support channels. The sign is easier to move and to change than those in the prior art, and the improved ease of changing;
the sign will allow for changing the sign more often to keep or re-capture audience attention which might otherwise be lost if the sign were more difficult to change, thus being changed less often.

Description

Page 1 of 13 SPLIT FRAME STGN

This invention deals with the field of signs and in particular with a sign having a split frame allowing quick and easy ch~nging of the sign information.

0 BACKGROUND:

Signs wherein the message can be changed by the owner are becoming more popular. Such signs are often portable and set up near the street to advertise business specials and so forth, and may also be mounted directly to a wall or sign support structure. For the most part the present signs are plain and merely provide channels for holding letters which are provided in a box and are used to spell out the message desired. Spelling out the message is time consuming and so the message is not changed often. After people have looked at a sign several times and seen the same message, they will tend to ignore it.

A sign that allowed incorporation of colourful logos and designs would attract more attention. It would also be an advantage for many businesses to change the message several times during the day. One message could be directed at people going to work in the morning, and another to those on their way home in the evening. Restaurants could advertise ~ elll breakfast, lunch and dirmer specials. A sign that could be changed very quickly would be a valuable alternative. In many situations both sides of a sign are visible and it would be an advantage to be able to change both sides of a sign .~imlllt~neously, thereby reducing the time required. Commonly signs are two sided, however the letters must be arranged on each side separately.

Page20f 13 Presently known portable signs are most often rather large and cumbersome, and are often mounted on trailers to allow easy movement of same. Considerable space is needed to manoeuvre and place such signs. It would be an advantage to have a sign which is light and m~ml~lly portable, and which could be sized appropriately for the space available. Such a sign would be more economical to mslmlf~cture as well.

SUMMARY OF TE[E INVENTION:

It is an obj ect of the present invention to provide a sign that allows the information contained on the sign to be changed easily so that chslngin~ the sign information several times each day is practical.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a sign that may be viewed from both sides.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a sign that is lightweight and so m~n~ lly portable and easily placed into position.

The invention accomplishes these objects providing a sign comprising a split frame comprising a first pair of vertical members at the first side thereof and a second pair of vertical members at the second opposite side thereof, the members of each pair being separated by a vertical gap, a top horizontal member and a bottom horizontal member; a plurality of horizontal channel members defining a plurality of horizontal ~h~nn~ , said channels oriented to be open alternately upwards and downwards with the open sides facing each other so as to engage a sign board, said channels being in alignment with said vertical gaps, and at least one sign board inserted through said gap on one side ofthe sign and engaged in said ch~nnel~ having open sides facing each other.

" CA 0222l046 l997-ll-l4 Page 3 of 13 The top and bottom horizontal members of the split frame could also be horizontal channel members. The sign could be built so that the top horizontal member defines a charmel open dowllw~lds and the bottom horizontal member defines a channel open upwards.

The horizontal channel members could include a middle channel member, defining two horizontal channels being a first channel open upwards and a second channel opendownwards. The middle channel member could itself comprise a rectzln~~ r portion having a first end protruding between the vertical members of the first vertical pair and attached to each said member of the first vertical pair, and a second end protruding between the vertical 0 members ofthe second vertical pair and attached to each said member ofthe second vertical pair, thereby holding the vertical members of each pair in a spaced apart relationship separated by a vertical gap; and ~lat portions attached to each vertical face ofthe rect~n~ll~r portion, and extending above and below said rect~n~ll~r portion thereby forming a channel open upwards along the upper side ofthe horizontal member, and a channel open downwards along the lower side of the horizontal member.

One embodiment ofthe top horizontal member comprises a rect~nglll:~r portion having a first end protruding between the vertical members of the first vertical pair and attached to each said member of the first vertical pair, and a second end protruding between the vertical members of the second vertical pair and attached to each said member of the second vertical pair, thereby holding the vertical members of each pair in a spaced apart relationship separated by a vertical gap; and right angle portions attached to each vertical face of the rect~nglll~r portion, and extending below said rectangular portion thereby forming a channel open dowllw~lds along the lower side of the top horizontal member. Similarly the bottom horizontal member might comprise a rect~n~ r portion having a first end protruding between the vertical members of the first vertical pair and attached to each said member of the first vertical pair, and a second end protruding between the vertical members of the second vertical pair and attached to each said member of the second vertical pair, thereby holding the vertical members of each pair in a spaced apart relationship separated by a vertical . CA 02221046 1997-11-14 Page 4 of 13 gap; and right angle portions attached to each vertical face of the rect~n~ll~r portion, and e~n(lin~ above said rect~n~ r portion thereby forming a channel open upwards along the upper side of the bottom horizontal member.

The sign boards could have information on one or both sides.

Legs might be added to the sign to make it sit on the ground or another surface.
The members of the sign might be made of alllminllm, plastic, or any other suitable material.

The sign boards simply slide through the gap between the vertical members and are engaged at the top and bottom by the channels. The user can have a variety of sign boards economically available to install in the sign. The signs may be printed on both sides and also of such a thickness that two of them could fit in the same channels, providing more display options.

DESCRIPTION OF TElE DRAWI~GS:

While the invention is claimed in the ct-nc.llltling portions hereof, pl ~r~ d embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers, and where:

ri~ure 1 is an exploded fiollt vie-w- ofthe embodillîellt;

Figure 2 is a plane top view of the sign showing details;

Figure 3 is a plane front view of the sign showing details;

,~ CA 02221046 1997-11-14 Page 5 of 13 Figure 4 is a plane side view with a cross-section view of the horizontal members expanded to show details;

Figure 5 is a plane side view of the embodiment with legs attached;
s Figure 6 is a plane front view of the embodiment showing the sign boards partially inserted.

0 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT:

The invention provides a sign comprising a split frame comprising a first pair of vertical members at the first side thereof and a second pair of vertical members at the second opposite side thereof, the members of each pair being separated by a vertical gap, a top horizontal member and a bottom horizontal member; a plurality of horizontal channel members defining a plurality of horizontal ch~nn~,ls, said channels oriented to be open alternately upwards and downwards with the open sides facing each other so as to engage a sign board, said channels being in ~lignm~,nt with said vertical gaps; and at least one sign board inserted through said gap on one side ofthe sign and engaged in said channels having open sides facing each other.

Figures 1-6 show one pl~relled embodiment ofthe invention. Vertical members 1 are right angled members arranged in pairs on each side of the sign 2. The right angled form of the vertical members 1 provides the strength needed to resist wind and such other forces as are exerted on the sign. It is contemplated that the members could be tubing, barstock or any other shape that provides sufficient strength. The paired vertical members provide a split frame which provides a finished sign that looks the same from both sides and is therefore balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

Middle horizontal charmel members 3 extend from one side of the sign to the other. To form .. CA 02221046 1997-11-14 Page 6 of 13 middle horizontal channel members 3, square tubing 4 is attached between the vertical members 1 of each pair by bolts 5, lockwashers 17 and nuts 18, thereby creating a gap 6 between the vertical members 1 of a pair. A plate 7 is attached to each vertical side of the square tubing 4 by bolts S, lockwashers 17 and nuts 18. Plate 7 extends above and below the s square tubing 4, creating an upper channel 8 and a lower channel 9 along the upper and lower sides of the middle horizontal channel member 3 . In this way, the upper and lower channels 8 and 9 are aligned with the gap 6 to allow for insertion ofthe sign boards 19 through the gap 6 and into the channels 8 and 9.

0 Bottom horizontal member 10 is formed by bottom spacer 11 attached bet~,veen the bottoms of the vertical members 1 of each pair by bolts 5, lockwashers 17 and nuts 18, m~int~ining the gap 6. A right angle member 12 is bolted to each vertical side of the bottom spacer 11, so as to form the bottom channel 13 . Bottom horizontal member 10 is then a horizontal channel member.

Figure 1 shows that the top horizontal member 14 is constructed by an alternative method wherein a short top spacer 15 is attached between the tops of the vertical members 1 of each pair by bolts S, lockwashers 17 and nuts 18. A right angle member 12 is attached by bolts 5, lockwashers 17 and nuts 18 to each vertical side of each top spacer 15, so as to complete top channel memberl4. Top channel 16 is open at the top and bottom between the top spacers 15. Top horizontal member 14 is then a horizontal channel member.

The sign boards 19 are inserted through the gap 6 into the channels in the adjacent channel members. To prevent wind or vandals from dislodging them, the sign boards 19 may be 2s secured by a screw or pin through the channel and the sign board 19. Alternatively a removable cap could be provided to cover the gap 6 on each side of the sign. In interior locations it may be that no securing means is necessary, and this may be desirable where frequent sign changes are to be done.

~ CA 02221046 1997-11-14 .

Page 7 of 13 Sign boards 19 are made from a corrugated plastic material, providing a very light yet strong sign with a surface that can be laminated or painted with information on both sides. Designs or logos may be easily incorporated into the sign boards. One or more ofthe sign boards 19 may be designed to be left in place, with others designed to be changed daily or however often the user wishes. The sign boards may be two-sided, or of a thickness such that two sign boards can fit in one channel with one facing each direction, providing increased options for display. It can be seen that the sign boards 19 can be changed very quickly. A user could have a number of cli~Tere~L signs with di~er~lL messages, designs and colours that would attract attention much better than a sign with letters only. Ch~lnging the sign often makes it more noticeable as well, since regular passers-by tend to ignore a sign they have been seeing for some time without any change.

It is contemplated that the sign boards 19 could be made from any material that is stiffenough to m~int:~in its shape when mounted in the channels and will stand up to the conditions to which it is exposed, such as plywood, particle board and so forth.

The illustrated embodiment is designed as a free stzln(1ing portable unit and includes legs 20, one end of which are secured to vertical members 1 at a midpoint, and the opposite end of which sits on the ground. Cross brace 21 joins the legs 20 at a midpoint and the bottoms of the vertical members 1, providing a rigid profile. The legs 20 can be anchored to the ground by weights 22 or pegs in order to resist wind forces and so forth.

Alternatively it is contemplated that the split frame sign could be mounted fiat against a wall, exposing only one face, or extending perpendicular from a wall or post thereby exposing both faces.

In this embodiment the sign boards 19 have information on both sides. The upper sign board 1 9A is app~ llately twice as deep as the lower sign boards 1 9B, and is designed as such to show a business name or logo. The three lower sign boards l9B are the same size and are . .~ CA 02221046 1997-11-14 Page 8 of 13 interchangeable. Any combination of sign board sizes could be accommodated by the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment, the material used to make all the members and channels is s alllminllm It is contemplated that many other materials would be s~ti~f~ctory in different applications, including steel and plastics.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes all of its stated objectives. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous o changes and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all such suitable changes or modifications in structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

Claims (10)

1. A sign comprising:

a split frame comprising a first pair of vertical members separated by a vertical gap at the first side thereof and a second pair of vertical members separated by a vertical gap at the second opposite side thereof; a top horizontal member; and a bottom horizontal member;

a plurality of horizontal channel members defining a plurality of horizontal channels, said channels oriented to be open alternately upwards and downwards with the open sides facing each other so as to engage a sign board, said channels being in alignment with said vertical gaps; and at least one sign board inserted through said vertical gap on one side of the sign and engaged in said channels with open sides facing each other.
2. The invention of Claim 1 wherein said horizontal channel members include a middle channel member, said middle channel member defining two horizontal channels being a first channel open upwards and a second channel open downwards.
3. The invention of Claim 2 wherein said top horizontal member defines a channel open downwards and wherein said bottom horizontal member defines a channel open upwards.

Page 10 of 13
4. The invention of Claim 3 wherein said middle channel member comprises:

a rectangular portion having a first end protruding between the vertical members of the first vertical pair and attached to each said member of the first vertical pair, and a second end protruding between the vertical members of the second vertical pair and attached to each said member of the second vertical pair, thereby holding the vertical members of each pair in a spaced apart relationship separated by a vertical gap; and flat portions attached to each vertical face of the rectangular portion, and extending above and below said rectangular portion thereby forming a channel open upwards along the upper side of the horizontal member, and a channel open downwards along the lower side of the horizontal member.
5. The invention of Claim 4 wherein said top horizontal member comprises:

a rectangular portion having a first end protruding between the vertical members of the first vertical pair and attached to each said member of the first vertical pair, and a second end protruding between the vertical members of the second vertical pair and attached to each said member of the second vertical pair, thereby holding the vertical members of each pair in a spaced apart relationship separated by a vertical gap; and right angle portions attached to each vertical face of the rectangular portion, and extending below said rectangular portion thereby forming a channel open downwards along the lower side of the top horizontal member.
6. The invention of Claim 5 wherein said bottom horizontal member comprises:

a rectangular portion having a first end protruding between the vertical members of Page 11 of 13 the first vertical pair and attached to each said member of the first vertical pair, and a second end protruding between the vertical members of the second vertical pair and attached to each said member of the second vertical pair, thereby holding the vertical members of each pair in a spaced apart relationship separated by a vertical gap; and right angle portions attached to each vertical face of the rectangular portion, and extending above said rectangular portion thereby forming a channel open upwards along the upper side of the bottom horizontal member.
7. The invention of Claim 6 wherein the sign boards have information on both faces thereof.
8. The invention of Claim 7 including legs attached to said split frame, and extending downwards from the sign.
9. The invention of Claim 8 wherein the members are made of aluminum.
10. The invention of Claim 8 wherein the members are made of plastic.
CA 2221046 1997-11-14 1997-11-14 Split frame sign Abandoned CA2221046A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2221046 CA2221046A1 (en) 1997-11-14 1997-11-14 Split frame sign

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2221046 CA2221046A1 (en) 1997-11-14 1997-11-14 Split frame sign

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2221046A1 true CA2221046A1 (en) 1999-05-14

Family

ID=29275212

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2221046 Abandoned CA2221046A1 (en) 1997-11-14 1997-11-14 Split frame sign

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2221046A1 (en)

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