US2196105A

US2196105A - Sign

Info

Publication number: US2196105A
Application number: US166400A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lyman E Cunningham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-09-29
Filing date: 1937-09-29
Publication date: 1940-04-02
Anticipated expiration: 1957-04-02

Description

| E. CUNNINGHAM .April 2, 1940.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1940. CUNNINGHAM 5, 0

SIGN

Filed Sept. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-$11601. 2

| I I I I Illlll l van ml April 2, 1940. L. E. CUNNINGHAM SIGN I Filed Sept. 29,

1937 4 Shepts-Sheet 3 Lyman E. Gummy/1am L. E. CUNNINGHAM April 2, 1940.

' SIGN Filed Sept. 29, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Lyn Gummy/9am Patented Apr. 2,

. SIGN- Lyman E. Cunningham, Cleveland, Ohio Appllcationseptember 29, 1937, Serial No. 166,400

37 Claims.

structure which may be readily knocked down,

or altered in shape, size ,and design, and which lends itself readily to variation-in the display features by permitting. a quick and ready. change of elements forming a portion of the display,

whether illuminable or not, as well as ail'ording a ready means for varying the actual physical structure other than the display portions thereof.

In the variation of the structure it is contemplated that the display elements will be arranged in groups ofreadily interchangeable units,-

and that the individual elements may be changed and interchanged within a unit, and from unit to unit, to the end that various compositions and arrangements may be made with the same or additional display elements and units.

- It is also an object of the invention to produce a series of standard parts which may be formed in a variety of lengths and shapes so designed that an infinitesimal number of sizes, shapes and designs of completed structures may be formed,

constructed or assembled from the same or like parts, either-with or without the subtraction or addition ofelements.

Another object contemplates a method of as-' sembling the parts efliciently and economically to produce a great number and variety of structures from standard parts, which structures will 40 be pleasing in appearance and productive in reasonable quantity at low cost; and which method will permit quick dissembling of all or part of any structure for the purpose of shipping, repair, service, replacement of any part, or change of design. In a copending application, Ser. No. 107,493, filed October 24, 1936, there is disclosed a method of shaping, curving, bending and polarizing sections or pieces of glass, crystal or equivalent transparent and translucent, light transmitting material for the production of sign elements, in which light may be transmitted through an edge of said. element in one direction and carried through another plane of the element to illuminate a letter or design which may be etched or sand-blasted upon a surface of the element,

,and an important feature of the present invention resides in the production of a type of sign, display, advertising or decorative structure,

- which is particularly designed and adapted'to'the 5 use of such curved or bent elements, and upon which elements, the letters, compositions, designs, etc., have been etched or sandblasted upon a sur-. face in a planeat an angle to the axial surface or length thereof. 1 That is to say, it is contem- 10 plated that the present invention isparticularly adapted to theuse of polarized glass elements having angularly I disposed portions extending through at least two planes and upon one of which portions is placed a design. Such an element 16 lends itself well to illuminating efiects and permits thev transmission of light through an edge of an angular portion for transmission tothe design upon the other surface, and the element per se forms an important part of this invention. 20

The objects of the invention further include the production ofa structure in which suchcurved or bent glasssections may be easily removed, replaced, changed and interchanged in various sizes, positions and arrangements without changing or adjusting the main structure of the device, and contemplate a-method of inserting or applying said sign elements in position so that the inserted edge of a radial axis of the element is exposed to a source of light.

Still another object of the invention resides in a sign structure comprising acurved or bent section of glass or equivalent light transmitting vitreous material having a letter, design, or other composition etched or sandblasted thereon, and having the edge of the radial axis of said glass inserted or'held in the signal structure in such a manner as to expose that edge to a source of lightgand causing the sandblasted or etched portion to be illuminated on a substantially vertical plane from the light source disposed at right angles or horizontal thereto with respect to the illuminable portion.

In addition to the arrangement of standard parts and assemblage thereon, interchangeably, the objects of the invention include in a such a sign structure,-a series of curved or bent sections having individual letters, designs, etc., thereon andilluminable, as heretofore set out, which sec-- tions are changeable and interchangeable so as to form new compositions with the same or additional sections, and adapted for arrangement in groups each forming a unit, and for changing and interchanging the sections not only. with an individual unit but from one unit to another.

To this end, means are provided for supporting the sections solidly, but in such a manner as to permit ready removal and replacement thereof within the sign structure.

1 It is also contemplated that the sign or other structure of this invention will be of the type particularly designed and constructed to facilitate the changing, interchanging, and illumination of the said sections to form a variety of compositions and arrangements with the same or additional sections, and to facilitate changing and interchanging a variety of sizes of illuminable sections, as well as to facilitate changing and interchanging the groups or units of compositions, and the color or colors of the illumination of said compositions. I

One of the important features of the invention resides in the type of curved or bent glass or light transmitting vitreous material, having a certain degree of so-called polarization or internal reflection over and through the area where the bend occurs, the elements being polarized, in a manner that permits only those rays of light. which are projected in a plane parallel to the opposing surfaces of the glass from an axial edge thereof to pass through and beyond said bent area, and in illuminating the etched or sandblasted section which is disposed at right angles to the axial edge and surfaces thereof, while restricting the passage of light rays which are projected on other planes not parallel to the radial surfaces of the bend. For a description of the method or manner ,of furnishing polarization, reference may be made to my co-pending application, Serial No. 107,493, above mentioned.

The restriction of these non-parallel rays at the bend prevents their escape which otherwise would impair the effectiveness and visibility of the internal illumination of the sandblasted portion.

From a structural standpoint, the invention also includes means for preventing light being conducted along and reflected from the marginal port ons of the element bordering the edge where illumination is introduced.

To the attainment of the foregoing and other objects which will appear as the description proceeds, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

F g. 1 is a front elevation of an assembled structure;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of Fig. 2, taken on the line s -s of Fig. 5;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of an intermed ate portion of Fig, 2, illustrating aslightly different mode of assemblage;

FiFig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of F1Fig. 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. '7 is a plan view of the structure illustrating a section on the line l-'! of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating disassembled structural details, arranged in proper relation to each other for assembling;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a display element;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of a modified form of assembled structure, on the line llll0 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 11 is a section thereof taken'on the line ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a structural detail;

m. 13. is a fragmentary perspective view of another structural detail; and

Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of an intermediate portion of Fig. 10, illustrating a mode of assemblage.

In explaining the manner of assembling a sign, or other structure of the type referred to, it should be noted that the purpose of this method of construction, and the design of the parts adapted thereto is one that possesses the advantages of fabricating standard parts for a large variety of structural arrangements and sizes and greatly improves the methods employed in ordinary sign or tin shop practice.

All of the structural elements going to the make-up of the structures may be designed as standard parts, not limited to use solely in one position or location, but adapted for arrangement in various combinations, units, or groups of parts to form various effects either in horizontal or vertical positions. They are adapted to single or multiple lines of compositions in a variety of sizes and illuminable color effects relative to the compositions and combinations thereof.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts, there is shown for purposes of illustration a sign such as might be used for lunch room or cafe display. This sign comprises generally a supporting enclosure or frame formed of a base l0, an upright standard or support H at either end, and a top l2, within which will be arranged a variable dis- 1 play consisting of a desired composition, illuminated from vthe rear, and arranged so that the rays of light will be passed through the display. A top d splay may be provided, the display element l3 thereof being positioned to receive illumination through its lower edge from the same or similar source of illumination for the main or central display.

A back plate l4 serves to complete the general member I! may assume the form of a channel iron of a depth approx mating the width of the flange I60, and the member l8, which forms a key for cross members, hereinafter described. may be'a channel iron of a depth approximating the width of the flange lGb. The member I9 is in the form of a, stepped angle iron having an overall width approximating that of the flange I 8b, and is used to hold the back plate ll in position.

If desired, a foot plate or shoe 20 (Fig. 1) may be provided for the base of an upright unit II. this shoe 20 being merely an angle bracket which may be positioned with one flat side across the base of the unit, and the other flat side extending upwardly againstan upright wall of the unit, such as an inner face of the member ii.

To assemble the structural members and form a complete upright, one vertical flange of the member 19 will be secured to the outer face of the flange Nb andany convenient manner, as by welding, and the shoe or foot plate 20 is then welded or otherwise attached to one end a: the member I! to provide a support therefor. Two such units, one right and one left, are then of the foot plate or *shoe 20.

The channel iron I! may then be inserted with its open side against the inner face of the member 2 and secured in place. a

The variable display itself, within the enclosure or frame, and the illuminating media therefor, are supported by a series of cross members which may be assembled into units to form as many rows or lines as may be desired in a given structure, and by particular reference to Figs. 2, 3 and 8 the nature of these cross members may be bestobserved.

The main member of each unit is a reticulated or lattice-like channel iron 23, the edges of which are turned inwardly to form flanges 24, the side wall opposed to the flanges 24 being cut out to form flange-like portions 25 separated by struts 29. Spacer channel irons 21, cooperative therewith, are formed with out-turned edges, providing flanges 28. The dimensions of the members 23 and 21 are relatively proportioned such that the member 23 may rest on one side wall of the member 21, with a flange portion 25 extending coextensively with aflange 28, without however obscuring the reticulated portion towards which i the flange 28 extends.

The member 23 serves to enclose and support a gripping means for securing the display elements. in position. This means comprises a pair of opposed resilient friction members 29, preferably formed of strips of rubber, or like material extending throughout the length of the member 23 and clamped in place by .a pair of channel irons 33 which may be interleaved in inverted relation, as best shown in Fig. 3; Naturally, the proportions of the channel iron and the thickness of the strip 29 will be such that when assembled the strip will be clamped in position. Duplicate units .each comprising a strip 29 and channel irons 30 and 3| will be provided for each cross member 23, one unit being placed in the top between the

flanges

24 and 25, andthe other unit being similarly placed in reverse position in the bottom of the member 23.

A bottom cross member 32 similar to the member 21 is provided, this member 32 having butone edge turned outwardly to form a flange 33 similar to theflange 28. A top member 34 in the form of a stepped angle iron serves to complete the main series of cross members or units. In assembly of the cross members with the main supporting enclosure or frame,'it is simply necessary to place the member 32 on the base It], with its ends extending into the enclosures of the right and left structural members IS. The closed side of the member 32 will extend across the rear of the channel irons ll, into engagement with the inner faces of the members l6. Then an assemblage consisting of the reticulated member 23 with the strips 29 and clamping members 39-- 3l will be placed on top of the member 32, the flange portions 25 and struts 29 being disposed toward the rear, and the strips 29 toward the front of the structure. top of this unit may be placed a spacing member 21, with its open side and flanges 23 toward the rear. The spacer 21 may be topped with another reticulated unit 23, and these spacing members 21 and reticulated units may be stacked upon and parallel to each other until the desired height, 1

and number of rows of design are attained. The stack may then be surmounted with the top member 34 to equal the total height of the up! 3 right assembly II. This mei iiber u may be suitably bolted to the upright columns ii through openings Na and 34a by 'a'"bolt 35.

Once the stack of cross members is assembled,

with, their ends extending into the respective uprights Ii the channel iron l8, which forms a key for holding the cross members in place, may be forced into the right and left hand channels of the uprights ii, and between the rear internal surfaces of the flanges lib of said channels and the rear of the stacked up cross members, thereby to force the front surfaces-of the cross members against the rear of the channel member H which, of course, has previously been insertedin the member l6.

If no top display is desired, the assemblage is now capped ,by the member i2, but in the preferred form where it is desired to provide a top display l3, a unit similar to the reticulated unit 23 is first mounted on the stepped member 34. 20

This unit will be positioned with the reticulated or cut-out side of its member 23 downwardly, and

instead of a single pair of strips 29 and clamping irons 30-3 l two or more superposed sets of strips and clamping members may be used, to afford the 25 necessary strength for holding the display ele--' ment l3 in position. Any suitable spacing and holding means, such as composition or rubber blocks 36, may be secured at the rear of the top display holding unit, to brace same. so

Illuminating means are provided at the rear of the stacked cross members, preferably in the form of neon, or equivalent gas tubes 39, and

. while not essential, these illuminating tubes are desirably clamped adjacent to andacross the reticulated portions of the members 23. This is effective to block passage oflight along and reflected from marginal portions of the display elements.

Suitable leads 40 serve to supply current from a control box H which may serve to house any conventional form of flasher, or other control mechanism for producing variable illuminating effects.

The display itself is preferably in the form of curved or bent elements of glass, crystal, or equivalent transparent or translucent vitreous material, upon which letters, compositions, de' signs, or the like, have been etched or sandblasted upon a surface at right angles, or any intermediateangle, to the axial surface or length thereof. I

In Fig. 9, such an element 44 is illustrated. and it will be observed that this element comprises amain body portion or surface 45, carrying a letter 48, and a flange 41, angularly disportion 49 thereof and down through the body .70

portion 45, producing a very pleasing effect on the, etched or blasted letter 43. 1

A series of'these elements 44 may be readily inserted and-removed from the face of the entire structure, merely by forcing the portion 4] g;-

laterally between strips II, which conveniently yield to receive same andfrictionally hold the elements 44 in position.

If the display is to be used outdoors, an upper one of the strips 29 may be bent outwardly, in-

stead of inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to

afford a rain shed, and to protect the display from the weather.

The element It will, of course, be similarly inserted from the top of the structure through a suitable slot Ila, as will be seen from Fig. 3, until the lower edge thereof rests in part upon the cross member 34. The space afforded between the rear of the cross member 34 and the flange portion of the top reticulated unit permits light to reach the element i3, from within the structure.

The foregoing description of a preferred form is, of course, not intended as limiting but as illustrative of one mode and arrangement of sign elements. Many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art, and as illustrative of an alternate construction embodying the inventive features, reference may be made to Figs. 11 to 14, inclusive, wherein an alternate "sign face assembly is illustrated. Where elements of these figures are the same as the elements of Figs. 1 to 9, the same reference numerals are used; where additional elements are introduced, new reference numerals have been applied.

A principal portion of this alternate face assembly is shown in Fig. 13, wherein l9 designates a face or spacer plate secured to a channel member 50 in any suitable manner, as by spot weld-' ing. The member 50 comprises a pair of shoulders or angles II which are shaped to merge into walls 62 disposed in substantially parallel relation to the main body portion of the channel member 50. The walls 52 will be oppositely spaced 9. predetermineddistance on both sides of. and formed as part of the body of the member Bil, whereupon when the spacer plate 49 is longitudinally secured to the body of the member 50, as shown in Fig. 13, a pair of channels or grooves 54 will be formed. In Fig. 12 is shown one of the strips 29 which, when placed in a channel 54 and wedged or snugly fitted therein by means of a strip 55 (corresponding somewhat in function to the channel clamps serves to complete the. assembly of a cross member. This cross member corresponds to the cross members illustrated in Fig. 8.

, the element I 6 against the face of the member H, when positioned properly therein and clamped at both ends by the member II.

A preferred method of arranging the cross member assembled to form a sign face of any predetermined size is shownclearly in Fig. 10, wherein the cross assemblies are arranged in the desired number and length upon the face of the channel element l1, and secured in fixer. position thereto by spot welding, or bolting. (Spot welding is illustrated in Fig. 11.)

It will thus be observed that the parts If, 49 and may be fastened together in one operation and that all of the parts for any mode of assembling are adapted to standardization, and. may be cut to any predetermined length just as the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8.

As shown in Fig. 10, each of the pair of strips 2|, positioned in the channels ll, of a cross assembly serves to close one-half of one retaining slot for the display element 44, and the other half is similarly closed by a strip 28 in an adjacent cross assembly, all of which is quite similar to the arrangement of Figures 1 to 8. This permits a variable spacing of the retaining or gripping slot adapted to receive a display element 44 of any predetermined thickness.

The use, advantages, mode of assemblage and operation will be obvious from the foregoing. The parts necessary for a given structure are standard and interchangeable in the construction of other signs of different size, shape and style. All parts can be carried as stock, and no special elements are necessary for any individual structure. Hence it follows that the designs of one complete sign may be dismantled and the parts used in the construction of a different assemblage. Because of these features, a method of assemblage that is efllcient, pleasing in appearance, and economical in production is afforded, permitting a great number and variety of structures to be formed from standard parts at low cost in reasonable quantity.

By the same token, quick disassemblage for purpose of shipping, repairs, service, or replacement, is obtained.

With all of these advantages, there is found the additional factor of a very attractive sign display, or advertising device in which an individual design may be readily varied and changed without disassembling the component structural elements of the frame or individual supports for the display members.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like relatively interchangeable display units mounted in predetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements and supporting means therefor, said elements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane in advance of the supporting means, and having a marginal edge extending into said supporting means at an angle to the display face, said supporting means including a bendable, opaque friction strip extending longitudinally of a unit, in position to frictionally engage the elements thereof, and means to illuminate said elements. I

2. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units I mounted in predetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements formed of light-transmitting material and supporting means therefor, said elements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane in advance of the supporting means, and having a maginal edge extending into said supporting means at an angle to the display face, and' means positioned to illuminate said elements through said marginal edge.

3. A sign structure comprising a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units mounted in predetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements and supporting means therefor, said elements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane in advance of the supporting means, and having a marginal edge extending into said supporting means at an angle to the display face, said elements each being illuminable from said marginal edge, means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge, and means to block passage of light except through said elements. i

4. A sign structure comprising-a plurality of like, relatively interchangeable display units mounted in predetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements and supporting means therefor, said elements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane in advance of the supporting means, and having'a. marginal edge extending into said supporting means at an angle to the display face, said. supporting means including a bendable, opaque friction strip ex' tending longitudinally of a. unit in position to frictionally engage the elements thereof, and means to illuminate said elements, the illuminating means -for the elements of each unit being supported by and forming part of the respective unit.

5. A sign structure comprising a plurality of changeable and interchangeable display means of vitreous material, each having a plurality of edges disposed in different planes, means to support said display means by a marginal portion adjacent one of said edges; means to illuminate said display means through said edge and marginal portion, and means carried by said supporting means for blocking passage of light along and reflected from marginal portions of said display means adjacent the remaining edges, when the illumination of the display means is effected.

6. A sign structure comprising a plurality, of display units mounted in predetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable, light transmitting vitreous display elements and supporting means therefor, said elements being disposed with a display face extending through a plane in advance of the supporting means and having a marginal edge portion extending into said supporting means at an angle to the display face, said elements having a design etched on the display face and each being illuminable from said marginal edge portion, and means to illuminate'said elements from said marginal edge portion.

7. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display'units mounted in predetermined relation to each other-and each comprising, a plurality of similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable, light transmitting vitrebus display elements and supporting means therefor, said elements being disposed with a display face extending through a planein advance of the supporting means and having a marginal edge portion extending into said supporting means at an angle to the display face, said elements having a design etched on the displayface and each being illuminable from said marginal edge portion, said elements being polarized whereby light entering the marginal edge will be transmitted throughsaid edge and into the display portion thereof,

and means to illuminate said elements from said marginal edge portion.

8. In a sign structure having illuminable display elements,a holder for said elements having a passage for the lateral insertion therein of the elements, and a lattice-like portion opposing the passage, a pair of edgewise aligned, normally abutting, resilient members having opposed sec tions arranged in the path of and bendable by .will extend across the holder, and a luminous element arranged exteriorly of said lattice-like portion for illuminating the inserted display element through the edgeof itsinserted end.

9. A display element for signs comprising a vitreous, light transmitting body having a portion with a design etched in one face thereof. a marginal portion, and a curved portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend the marginal portion through a plane. angularly disposed with respect to the plane of said design, said marginal portion forming a supporting medium for attachment of the element inoperative position, and the curvature of the curved portion being such as'to transmit light entering the marginal portion, into the design portion.

10. A'- display element for signs comprising a.

vitreous light transmitting body having a design etched in one face thereof, and a marginal portion bent from said design to extend through a' plane angularly disposed with respect to the plane of said design, said marginal portion forming a supporting medium for' attachment of the element in operative position, said element having the characteristic that light entering. the marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend and through the face carrying the design.

11. A sign structure of tife class described comprising a base, upright columns each formed of a series of standard, interchangeable elements, in-

terleaved and nested to form the column, and a,

12. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, upright columns each formed of a series of standard, interchangeable elements,

interleaved and nested to form the column, and a top elementinterconnecting said columns and forming a frame'with said columns and base; a variable display within said frame, comprising elements of lighttransmitting material each having a body portion adapted to receive a design, and a marginal portion extending at an,

angle to the body portion to form a supporting medium for the element; supporting means for said element extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normallyabutting, resilient members adapted-to receive therebetween, the marginal portions of the elements, and means to illuminate said elements thrdugh said marginal portions. a v

13. A si%struoture of the class described comprising a b e, upright columns each formed of a series of standard, interchangeable elements,

interleaved and nested to form the column, and

a top element interconnecting said col and forming a frame with said columns and ase; a variable display within said frame, comprising elements of light transmitting material each havinga body portion adapted to. receive a design,

and a marginal portion extending at an angle to the body portion to form a supporting medium for th element; supporting means for said element extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted to receive therebetween, the marginal portions of the elements.

14. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, upright columns each formed of a. series of standard, interchangeable elements, interleaved and nested to form the column, and a top element interconnecting said columns and forming a frame with said columns and base; a variable display within said frame, comprising elements of light transmitting material each having a body portion adapted to receive a design, and a marginal portion extending at an angle to the body portion to form a supporting medium for the element; supporting means for said element extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted to receive therebetween, the marginal portions of the elements, and a reticulated channel member enclosing said resilient members, having its openings opposite to the resilient member, and illuminating means positioned adjacent the openings of said reticulated member and effective to illuminate said elements through the marginal portions thereof.

15. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, upright columns each formed of a series or standard interchangeable elements, interleaved and nested to form the column, and a top element interconnecting said columns and forming a frame withlsaid columns and base; a variable display within said frame, comprising changeable and interchangeable display elements each having a body portion adapted to receive a design and a marginal portion extending at an angle to the body portion to form a supporting medium for the element; supporting means for said element extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted to receive therebetween the marginal portlonsoi the elements.

16. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, upright columns each formed of a series ofstandard interchangeable elements,

angle to the body portion to form a supporting medium for the element; supporting means for said element extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted toreceive therebetween the marginal portions oi the elements, and a reticulated channel member enclosing said re-.

silient members, having its openings positioned at the rear of said resilient members.

1'7. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, upright columns each formed of a series of standard interchangeable elements, interleaved and nested to form the column, a top element interconnecting said columns and forming a frame with said columns and base; aw

variable display within said frame, comprising changeable and interchangeable display elements each having a body portion adapted to receive a design and a marginal portion extending at an angle to the body portion to form a supporting memos medium for the element; supporting means for said element extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted to receive therebetween the marginal portions or the elements, and a top display element extending through said top element, and supporting means therefor comprising a plurality of sets of opposed normally abutting resilient members adapted to receive therebetween an edge portion of said top display element.

18. A sign structure of the class described comprising a base, upright columns each formed of a series of standard interchangeable elements, interleaved andrnested to form the column, a top element interconnecting said columns and forming a frame with said columns and base; a variable display within said frame, comprising changeable and interchangeable display elements each having a body portion adapted to receive a design and a marginal portion forming asupporting medium for the element; supporting means for said element extending between said columns and comprising opposed, normally abutting, resilient members adapted to receive therebetween the marginal portions of the elements, and a top display element extending through said top element, and supporting means therefor comprising a plurality of sets of opposed normally abutting resilient members adapted to receive therebetween an edge portion of said top display element 19. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a frame, cross members extending transversely thereof, and display elements supported by said cross members, said cross members being composed of a plurality of standard, interchangeable and replaceable elements including a reticulated channel element, and yieldable strips detachably clamped in said retlculated member in an edge abutting relation, and said display elements having a marginal portion insertable between said strips, and a body portion disposed in angular relation to said marginal portion, whereby to extend and display a design thereon over said cross member.

20. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a frame havingupright columns formed of standardinterchangeable and replaceable elements, interleaved and nested to form a single unit, cross members extending transversely thereof, and display elements'supp rted by said cross members, said cross members being=comp06ed of aplurality of standard, interchangeable and replaceable elements including a reticulated channel element, and yieldable strips detachably clamped in said reticulated member in an edge abutting relation, and said display elements having a marginal portion insertable between said strips, and a body portion disposed in angular relation to said marginal portion, whereby to extend and display a design thereon. over said cross member.

21. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a frame having unitary sections composed of a plurality of standard, interchangeable andreplaceable structural elements, interleaved and nested to form the unitary sections, and cross supports for the reception and mounting of display means, composed of interchangeable and replaceable structural elements, interleaved and nested to form single units.

22. A knock down structure oi the class described comprising a frame having unitary sections composed of a plurality oi standard, interstrips of the two members and held in place by reception and retention of display elements.

23. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a framehaving unitary sections composed of a plurality of standard, interchangeable and replaceable structural elements,

interleaved and nested to form the unitary sections, and cross supports for the reception and mounting of display means, composed of interchangeable and replaceable structural elements, interleaved and nested to form single units, said cross supports including as component parts of each unit, yieldable sections adapted for the receptionand retention of display elements, and means to supply illumination throughsaid cross supports. r

24. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a frame having unitary sections composed of a plurality of standard, interchangeable and replaceable structural elements interleaved and nested to form the unitary sections, cross supports for the reception and mounting of display means, composed of interchangeable and replaceable structural elements, interleaved and nested to form single units, said cross supports including as component parts of each unit, yieldable sections adapted for the reception and retention of display elements; display elements formed of light transmitting, vitreous material carried by said supports, and means carried by said supports for illuminating said display elements.

25. A knock down structure of the class described comprising a frame, cross members extending transversely thereof, and display elements supported by said cross members, said cross members being composed-of a plurality of standard, interchangeable and replaceable elements including a reticulated channel element,

and yieldable strips detachably clamped in said reticulated member in an edge abutting relation,

said strips being bendable both inwardly and outwardly of said frame, and said display elements having a marginal portion inset-table between said strips, and a body portion disposed in angular relation to said maginal portion, whereby to extend and display a design thereon over said cross member.

26. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display units mounted in predetermined relasaid supporting means comprising a member 7 formed of a flat plate having secured to it a channel member formed with flanges, said plate and flanges cooperating to receive and retain a frictional strip, with the edge of said strip extending beyond the flanges, and a second member similarly constructed and positioned in juxtaposition to the first member, whereby said elements may be inserted between the frictional po'rtion. 31. In a sign structure, a display element said. strips.

27. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display units mounted in predetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality of 5 similar, relatively changeable and interchangeable display elements and supporting means therefor, said elements being provided with a portion arranged to extend into said supporting means, and said supporting means comprising a 10 member formed of a flat plate having secured to it a channel member formed with flanges, said plate and flanges cooperating to receive and retain a frictional strip, with the edge of said strip extending beyond the flanges, and a second 15 member similarly constructed and positioned in juxtaposition to the first member, whereby said elements may be inserted between the frictional strips of the two members and held in place by said strips. 1

28. A sign structure comprising a plurality of display units mounted in predetermined relation to each other and each comprising a plurality vitreous, light transmitting body formed from sheet material, and having a portion with a design formed therein, a marginal portion forming a support for the body spaced from said design portion, and a bent portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend the marginal portion through a plane angularly disposed with respect to the plane of said design, said bent portion having the characteristic that light rays entering the marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend and into the design portion.

30. In a sign structure,- a display element comprising a vitreous, light transmitting plate-like body having a portion presenting a surface with a design formed therein, a marginal portion spaced from said design portion, and a curved r52 means for said display element engageable with said marginal portion, and means positioned to illuminate said design through said marginal comprising a vitreous, light transmitting platelike body having a portion presenting a surface with a design formed therein, a marginal portion spaced from said design portion, anda bent portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend the margdnal portion through a plane angularly' disposed with respect to the plane of said design, said element having thecharacteristic that light entering the marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend to the design, supporting means for said display element engageable with said marginal portion, and means positioned to illuminate said design through said marginal portion.

portion into the design portion, supporting 32. In a sign structure, a display element comprising a vitreous, light transmitting body having a portion with a design etched in one face thereof, a marginal portion, and a curved portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend the marginal portion through a plane angulariy disposed with respect to the plane of said design, said marginal portion forming a supporting medium for attachment ollhe element in operative position, supporting means for said display element engageable with said marginal portion, the curvature of the curved portion being such as to transmit light entering the marginal portion into the design portion, and means positioned to illuminate said design through said marginal portion.

33. In a sign structure, a display element comprising a vitreous, light transmitting body having a design etched in one face thereof, and a marginal portion bent from said design to extend through a plane anguiarly disposed with respect to the plane of said design, said marginal portion forming a supporting medium for attachment of theeiement in operative position. said element having the characteristic that light entering the marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend and through the face carrying the design, supporting means for said display element engageabie with said marginal portion, and

means positioned to illuminate said design through said marginal portion.

34. In a sign structure, a display element comprising a vitreous, light transmitting body formed from sheet material, and having a portion with a design formed therein, a marginal portion spaced from said design portion, and a bent portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend the marginal portion through a plane anguiarly disposed with respect to the plane of said design, said bent portion having the characteristic that light rays entering the marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend and into the design. portion, supporting means for said display element engageable with said marginal portion, and means positioned to illuminate said design through said marginal portion.

35. A display element for a sign having sup porting means for the element and means located toiiluminate the element to a marginal portion thereof when said element is in its supported position, said element comprising a vitreous, light transmitting body formed from sheet material, and having two portions disposed in relatively diiferent planes, and a portion connecting the aforesaid portions, one of said first two portions having a design formed therein, and the other thereof providing a supporting medium for attachment of the element in operative position, the connecting portion having the characteristic that light entering the supporting portion will be transmitted into the design of the other por-.

tion.

36. A display element for signs comprising a vitreous, light transmitting body formed from sheet material, and having two portions disposed in relatively different planes, and a portion connecting the aforesaid portions, one of said first two portions having a design formed therein, and the other thereof providing a supporting medium for attachment of the element in operative position, the connecting portion having the characteristic that light entering the supporting portion will be transmitted into the design of the other portion.

37. A display'eiement for signs comprising a light transmitting body formed from sheet material, and having a portion with a design formed therein, a marginal supporting portion spaced from said design portion, and a bent portion connecting the aforesaid portions to extend the marginal portion through a plane angularly, disposed with-respect to the plane of said design, said element having the characteristic that light entering the marginal portion will be transmitted around the bend to the design.

LYMAN E. CUNNINGHAM.