US2073975A - Sign - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1937. v H. G. HAM'MAR 2,073,975

SIGN

Filed July 25, 1936 I 2 Sheets-Sheet l um!!! i mu!!!" jr vlaenfar ,Harberi Gflammat Patented Mar. 16, 1937 NTED STATES SIGN Herbert G. Hammar, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Federal Electric Company, corporation of New York Application July 25,

9 Claims.

My invention relates in general to display devices and has more particular reference to a sign.

An important object of the invention is to provide a sign-of improved and simplified construction and providing sightly appearance; the invention relating further to the provision of simplified means for mounting the sign in position.

Another important object is to provide improved and relatively inexpensive means for mounting a sign, more especially a street sign, post or upright in a manner facilitating removal of the sign from mounted position for 15 repair or replacement; a further object being to provide a. sign-mounting bracket of inexpensive construction on which a sign element may be removably attached with a minimum of effort. Another important object is to provide a sign mounting readily attachable on a support in relatively permanent fashion, including means projecting from the support, and adapted to receive and carry a sleeve-like sign element, with the sign element embracing the projecting support portion and being secured thereto in a readily removable manner.

Another important object is to provide a sign element comprising a hollow, sleeve-like memher of x rectangular sectional configuration adapted to receive sign indicia in its oppositely facing surface and to snugly receive a projecting sign-supporting portion whereby to facilitate the mounting of the sign element; a further object being to form the sleeve-like element with upstanding means forming a panel adapted to receive sign indicia to supplement the information conveyed by the indicia on the opposing faces of the sleeve element, such sign element being particularly well adapted for use as a street indicating sign, the opposing faces of the sleeve-like element being adapted to receive the name of a main street, and the opposing faces of the upstanding panel secting street.

Another important object is to facilitate the manufacture of street signs carrying the name of a main street as well as the name of an in- 50 tersecting street, by fabricating a plurality of sleeve-like elements having the name of the main street on the opposing faces of the sleevelike element forming separate panels carrying the namesof intersecting streets, and finally 5 5 assembling the panels on the sleeves.

Inc., Chicago, 111., a

1936, Serial No. 92,513 (Cl. 40-145) Numerous other objects, advantages and inherent functions of the invention will become apparent as the same is more fully understood from the following description which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of my present invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective View of a sign embodying my present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of parts of the sign shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line e 4 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a sign embodying my present, invention;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line l-l in Figure 6; v

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a part of the sign shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 9 is a perspective View of a sign element embodying my present invention.

To illustrate my invention I have shown on the drawings signs more particularly adapted for use in designating street names, although it will be apparent that the novel features of construction may be applied in signs for other purposes than the designation of street names. The illustrated signs comprise sign elements ll, preferably of sleeve-like character having substantially rectangular cross sectional configuration. The sign elements I I may, as shown in Figures 1 through 4, be of substantially seamless construction or, as shown in Figures 5 through 8, may be formed by bending a sheet metal strip to the desired hollow sleeve-like form, the opposed edges of the strip being brought into registration and secured together in any suitable fashion, as by welding. If desired, the opposed edges may be flanged, as at l3, to provide an upstanding bead along the top of the element H, or the flanges may be inwardly turned to hide the same within the sleeve-like element ll.

The sleeve-like elements II are preferably formed of sheet metal and may be enameled, painted or otherwise treated to prevent deterioration of the same upon exposure to the weather, and the painting or enameling may be utilized to form indicia H5 in the opposed side faces of the elements II, it being understood, of course, that the rectangular sectional configuraforming the i of intersecting streets, because tion of the sleeve-like elements may provide relatively wide sign-carrying side faces I1 and relatively narrower top and bottom faces l9, and the sign indicia may be formed in any suitable or preferred fashion on the oppositely facing outer surfaces of the relatively wide side walls H.

The signs of my present invention are particularly adapted for use in designating street names, and to this end may be mounted at street intersections. It is desirable in such a sign to provide means for indicating the name of the intersecting street, preferably in relatively smaller sign characters than the indicia |5, which may indicate the main street. To this end, I may extend one or both of the flanges l3 upwardly to provide a panel 2|, indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7. I prefer, however, to form the panel 2| as a separate element, formed preferably of sheet metal and painted, enameled or otherwise treated to provide indicia 23 in its opposing faces, the indicia 23 comprising the name of an intersecting street where the sign is used as a street marker. To this end, the panel 2|-where the same is applied on a seamless sign element of the character shown in Figures 14-may be formed along its lower edge with a flange or other suitable means providing for attachment of the panel on one of the walls IQ of the sleeve-like sign element. I prefer, however, to form the panel 2| as a flat plate, as shown in Figure 9, the lower edge of which may be received and secured, as by welding, between the opposed edges of the sheet from which the sleeve-like element is made. By

parts in this manner, I may separately fabricate a plurality of sign elements ll, including the formation of the characters l5, and a plurality of panel elements 2|, including the formation thereon of the indicia 23, and then assemble the panel 2| on the sleeve-like element H by fastening the lower edge of the panel 23 between the abutting edges of the element II. This procedure provides considerable economy in manufacturing signs for a plurality although all of the signs on a street will contain the same name characters l5, the name characters 23 are necessarily different in signs at the different street intersections along the street designated by the characters |5. Consequently, if the sign elements are not fabricated separately, it is necessary to make individual signs for each street intersection, whereas by forming the elements H and 2| to finished condition separately, it is 1 possible to utilize mass production methods in fabricating the parts; This condition arises from the fact that in a given area a number of panels 2|, carrying the name of an intersecting street, will be needed in association with panels carrying the names of a number of main streets which are intersected by the street carrying the name designated by the indicia 23.

The signs of my present invention may be mounted in any suitable, convenient or preferred manner, however, I prefer to utilize bracket means 25 having portions adapted to enter at least one end of the sleeve element including means to secure the sleeve on the projecting bracket portion in a fashion such that, when mounted, the sign will be firmly secured in position and held in place by and on the projecting portion of the bracket. At the same time, by merely removing fastening elements, the sign element may be readily removed for inspection, repair and replacement, and I have provided 2.

sign mounting by means of which the time required to remove and replace a sign element on its mounting is greatly minimized and rendered highly eificient.

The sign mounting 25 also includes means whereby the projecting sign-carrying element may be mounted on a support in relatively permanent fashion. At the same time, the structure of my present invention permits the signcarrying bracket means 25 to be readily removed in the event that it becomes necessary to change the location of the sign. Since street indicating signs are ordinarily mounted on upright posts or standards, such as are usually provided in street lighting, 1 have shown a mounting support adapted to secure the sign-carrying members 25 on a post, although it will be apparent that analogous means may be utilized to mount the sign-carrying bracket wherever mounting thereof is desired.

In Figures 1 through 4 the bracket 25 comprises an element formed as a metal casting, providing a portion 29 by means of which the same may be secured on a carrying support, and to this end the portion 23 comprises a lug formed with perforations 3| and 33. The bracket 21 also comprises a sign-carrying portion 35 of sectional configuration adapted to fit snugly within one end of the sleeve-like sign element The portion 35 also is preferably provided with a pair of spaced apart fingers 31 adapted to extend a substantial distance into the sleeve-like sign element H and to engage the inner surfaces of the wall portions l9 of said sign element, the fingers 31 having preferably threaded openings 39 in position to receive fastening studs 4| which may be applied through suitable openings in the wall portions I9 of the sleeve-like element and threaded into the openings 39 in order to firmly secure the sleeve-like sign element upon the bracket. It will be seen, therefore, that mounting of the sign element merely requires application of the same upon the carrying portion 35 of the bracket, and the application of the holding elements 4|. Removal of the sign element is accomplished merely by reversing the mounting operation. The bracket 21 may be mounted in position by securing the mounting portion thereof in position by means of ing elements applied in the openings 3| and 33. Where the bracket is used in mounting a street name sign on an upright post, I prefer to provide sheet metal strap elements adapted for application on the upright and formed with flanged portions 43 adapted to engage the opposite sides of the mounting portion 29, said portion being secured between the flanges 43 by means of bolts 45 which penetrate the flanges 43 and extend in the openings 3| and 33. In mounting signs at street intersections, it is usually necessary to provide at least a pair of sign elements extending in intersecting planes; that is to say, the sign elements are mounted in position extending radially from the post on which the same are mounted. To this end the metallic strip means, which secure the brackets 21 in position on the post, comprise a plurality of strips 41 curved in conformation with the shape of the upright and each having its opposed ends provided with flanges 43, the sign supporting brackets 21 being secured between flanges 43 at the abutting ends of adjacent straps, said strap assembly providing means for clamping the same on and in position encircling sign-carrying 21 preferably fasten- 1 to snugly hold the the upright post, as by means of a bolt 49, applied in position to directly secure flanges 5| formed at the abutting ends. of apair of the straps 41. Preferably at least a pair of strap assemblies 53 and 55 is provided, one of which secures the upper portions of the brackets 21, the other assembly 55 securing the lower portions of the brackets, and the straps forming the assembly 53 are fastened to the brackets 27 by bolts penetrating the openings 3|, while the lower strap assembly 55 is attached on said brackets by bolts passing through the openings 33.

In Figures 5 through 8, the bracket means 25 comprises a projecting portion fabricated of preferably sheet metal strips of width adapted to fit snugly between the walls l1, said projecting sign-supporting portion comprising, in the illustrated embodiment, a sheet metal strap 6|, the medial portions of which are arranged to underlie the upper wall IQ of the sign-carrying element, the opposite ends of said strap 6| being bent substantially at right angles with respect to its medial portion to form a mounting portion 63 comprising one end of said strap BI and a sign-securing portion 65 at its other end. The bent portions 63 and 55 of the strap may be relatively braced with respect to the medial portions of the strap 6! by means of astructure element 56, as shown in Figure 7, and the mounting portion 63 is preferably formed with openings for the reception of fastening elements 67 by means of which the bracket 25 may be secured on a support, although any suitable means may of course be employed for mounting the bracket 25. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket portion 63 is secured on a bracket mounting preferably comprising a channel-like element 69, which in turn is or may be fastened in any suitable or preferred fashion upon the support on which the bracket is mounted. The sign-carrying element I I may be assembled on the bracket 25 by sliding the same upon the support strap 5| so that one end of the sign element ll engages the channel 59, the other end extending opposite the fastening portion 65 of said bracket. The portion 65 is preferably provided with means H for securing the outer end of the sign element. In the illustrated embodiment, the means 7| comprises a plate 13 formed as a cover for the open end of the signcarrying element H, the plate being formed also for attachment on the bracket portion 65. To this end, the plate 73 has marginal portions 15 adapted to overlie the end edges of the signcarrying element H, and a portion 11 adapted to enter the end of the sign-carrying element and engage the bracket portion 65, threaded means 19 being provided for securing the cover plate 73 on thebracket portion 55 in position sign-carrying element in mounted position on its carrying bracket. The threaded means 1'9, in the illustrated embodiment, comprise bolts, preferably secured as by welding in the bracket portion 65, said bolts extending outwardly of said bracket portion in position to penetrate openings 8| formed in the plate 13, said plate being held on the bracket portion 55 by nuts applied on the bolts 19 outwardly of the plate 13. It will be seen, therefore, that to mount the sign-carrying element H on its bracket it is merely necessary to slide the element on the bracket, apply the plate 13 upon the bolts 19, and attach nuts on the projecting ends of the bolts 19. To dismount the signcarrying element merely requires reversal of the mounting operation.

The bracket 25 may of course be secured on an upright or other support in any suitable or preferred fashion. I prefer, however, to utilize preferably sheet metal strap means, comprising strap assemblies 83 and 85 comparable to the strap assemblies 53 and 55 shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-4. The strap assembly 83 may be utilized to secure the upper ends of the channel elements 69 upon the upright, while the lower assembly is utilized to securethe lower ends of the channels. Each of said assemblies 83 and 85 comprises strap portions 81 configurated in accordance with the shape of the upright and having flanged portions 89 at the opposite ends of the straps 81. These flanges 89 may be secured together by means of bolts 9| so that the straps 81 cooperate to encircle and clamp upon the upright post. also may be formed with looped portions 93 for receiving the channels 69 in order to clampingly secure the same upon the post. The looped portions 93 may of course be formed at any desired place in the strap assemblies in order to permit the sign support brackets 25 to extend from the post in a desired radial direction.

It is thought that the invention and numerous of its attendant advantages will be apparent from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its attendant advantages, the forms herein described being preferred embodiments for the purpose of demonstrating my invention.

Having thus described my invention, What'I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: r

1. A sign comprising a hollow sleeve-like element formed by bending a strip of material to a sleeve-like form, the opposed edges of said strip being arranged in abutting relationship, and a sign panel secured by and between said abutting edges of the sleeve-like element and extending outwardly of said element.

2. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof and aifording means for securing the sign element in mounted position on a support, said bracket including a metallic casting including spaced portions engaging opposite walls of said sleeve-like element, readily detachable means for securing said opposite walls to said spaced bracket portions, said bracket including a lug extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element, strap means adapted to encircle and to clamp upon an upright support, said strap means having a projecting portion, and means to secure said lug on said projecting portion.

3. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embracedby said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extendingoutwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof and affording means for securing the sign element in mounted position on one of said offset ends a support, said bracket including a metallic casting including spaced portions engaging opposite walls of said sleeve-likeelement, readily detachable means for securing said opposite walls to said spaced bracket portions, said bracket including a lug extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element, strap means adapted to encircle and clamp upon an upright support, said strap means including a pair of outstanding flanges, and means to clamp said flanges upon the opposite 'faces of said lug.

4. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof and affording means for securing the sign element in mounted position on a support, said bracket including a sheet metal strap having offset ends and adapted to fit within said sleeve-like portion with the offset ends of the strap registering substantially with the opposed ends of the sleeve-like portion, means to secure on a support whereby to mount the sleeve-like element on said support, and means operatively associated with the other offset end for securing said sleeve-like element against sliding movement with respect to said strap.

5. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof and affording means for securing the sign element in mounted position on a support, said bracket including a sheet metal strap having offset end portions and adapted to extend within said sleeve-like element, with said ofiset ends substantially registering with the opposed ends of the sleeve-like element, mounting means secured to one of said offset ends and extending outwardly of the sleeve-like element and adapted for attachment upon a support, and means secured to the other offset portion and extending outwardly of and engaging the sleeve-like element to secure the same on said bracket.

6. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affording means for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support, said bracket including a sheet metal strap having offset end portions and adapted to extend within said sleeve-like element with said offset ends substantially registering with the opposed ends of the sleeve-like element, means for relatively bracing at least one of said offset ends with respect to the intermediate portions of said strap, and means secured to said braced portion and extending outwardly of the sleeve-like element and adapted for attachment upon a support.

7. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like ele ment, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affording means for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support, said bracket including a sheet metal strap having oifset end portions and adapted to extend within said sleeve-like element with said offset ends substantially registering with the opposed ends of the sleeve-like element, means comprising a bar secured to one of said offset ends and extending outwardly of the sleeve-like element, said bar having its opposed ends extending above and below said sign element, and strap means adapted to encircle and clamp upon a support member and to receive the opposed ends of said bar whereby to secure the bracket mounted sign element on said support in position extending substantially radially thereof.

8. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affording means for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support, and means for clamping the outwardly extending portions of said bracket on a support rod or pole comprising strap means forming a clamp adapted to encircle and clamp upon the rod, and having portions adapted to clampingly engage the outwardly extending portions of said bracket.

9. A sign comprising a sleeve-like sign element, a bracket having portions extending within and snugly embraced by said sleeve-like element, means to secure the sleeve-like element to said bracket, said bracket having portions extending outwardly of said sleeve-like element at one end thereof, said outwardly extending bracket portions affording means for attaching the sign element in mounted position on a support, and mounting means to secure said bracket on a support comprising a rod or pole, said mounting means comprising metallic strap elements including at least a pair of identical strap elements, each formed with a portion adapted to be clampingly secured together whereby to mount the same upon the rod or pole, and each having a portion formed to clampingly receive a bracket of a sign element whereby said mounting element may secure a pair of sign elements on the rod or pole in position extending radially outwardly thereof in diverging directions.

HERBERT G. HAMMAR.

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