US2624143A

US2624143A - Display device with interchangeable characters

Info

Publication number: US2624143A
Application number: US82369A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kail Simon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-03-19
Filing date: 1949-03-19
Publication date: 1953-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 1970-01-06

Description

Jan. 6, 1953 s. KAlL DISPLAY DEVICE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE CHARACTERS Filed March 19, 1949 INVENTOR. SIMON KAIL.

AY'TORNEYS- Patented Jan. 6, 1953 DISPLAY DEVICEIWITH INTERCHANGEABLE 'cHAnAcTERs 1 Simon Kail, East Cleveland, Ohio Application Mar-ch 19, 1949, Serial No. 82,369

, 1 claim. (01. [40-140) This invention relates broadly to display'devices for the support of interchangeable characters, and is particularly useful as a holderafor house numbers mounted on or adjacent to residential buildings or other structures.

The principal objects of the invention reside in the simplification of the assembly of selected characters upon the display device, the provision of a sturdy and effective supporting mechanism for the characters at any desired spacing, and the provision of a structure which will enhance the visibility of the characters. These objects are accomplished by mounting the characters on an elongated channel carried by the display background plate and arranging the channel so that the characters may be moved in aligned relation thereover and clamped in any position thereon. The channel is arranged so that the letters are supported in a plane parallel to the display surface, but are suitably spaced therefrom to stand out conspicuously and produce the effect of hanging in mid-air, particularly when the device is subjected to artificial illumination. This separation of the letters from the backplate, together with the shadows cast thereby, sharpens the definition of the digits and greatly increases the range of visibility thereof.

Another object resides in the provision of a number of like parts and sub-assemblies which are fabricated for interchangeable assembly so that various displays may be produced by the requisite grouping of such parts as satisfy the needs of the purchaser. To this end the assembly embodies the mounting plate, a selection of numbers or characters which are formed for attachment thereon, one or more ground stakes machined for attachment to the plate, or in lieu thereof a bracket which is fabricated for attachment to the plate and post or other building structure, or a chain or chains for the suspension of the plate assembly, and a decorative ornament in silhouette machined for securement upon a marginal edge of the plate.

The manner in which these and other objects and advantages may be attained will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred form of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an assembled display device arranged for mounting in the ground;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of Fig. 2 showing the character mounting structure;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the mounting structure having parts thereof cut away; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the section taken through the character-mounting means.

As seen best in Fig. 1, a complete display device may comprise a background 'or mounting plate P, stake members S for piercing the ground to support the assembly, a plurality of interchangeable characters C, and an ornamental figure F. The plate member P is formed of any suitable material having the requisite mechanical characteristics, such as sheet metal, cast aluminum, brass or iron, or any of the so-called plastic materials.

The supporting plate P is provided with a channel H] which constitutes a clamping strip for the characters C. The channel is disposed in the major axis of the plate and extends throughout the length thereof. In the preferred embodiment, the channel [I] comprises a web H, side walls l2, and a pair of inturned spaced flanges I3 whose outer surfaces lie in a plane parallel to the web ll. Rivets M or similar securing means may be employed for the attachment of the channel to the plate P. If desired, the channel ill may be cast integral with the supporting plate P.

The characters C are secured to the channel by fiat head machine screws l5 seated flush with the face of the characters and by square nuts it formed for snug Sliding engagement between the side Walls [2 of the channel. With this arrangement, the numbers, letters, or other characters may be positioned at will along the channel I!) and the screws l5 then tightened to draw the nuts into clamped engagement with the rearward face of the flanges I3.

The ornamental figure F is preferably formed with a base strip l8 which is drilled for the reception of bolts l9 seated in the plate P. The stake members S may likewise be secured to the plate by bolts 20, and are formed with sharpened ends 2| to accommodate the ready installation of the holder. The opening 22 in the sides of the plate may alternately be employed to facilitate the suspension of the assembly by chains or the attachment thereof to a bracket, post, or other vertical support.

Not only does the letter mounting structure, as shown, greatly facilitate the assembly and clamped support of the characters, but also sets the letters above the surface of the plate and throws them into bold relief so they will be clearly visible at a distance. Under poor conditions of illumination visibility may be assisted by coating the outer surfaces of the characters 7 C with luminous paint and by painting the plate P and its appurtenance with a dark contrasting color.

With the arrangement shown the vendor may stock an assortment or kit of various parts of the assembly, including the various ornamental figures, sets of numerals or other characters, brackets, stakes, and so forth, and thus enable the purchaser to compose the combination suited to his taste and needs.

Although the foregoing description is necessarilylof a detai fid character. in order-that the invention ,may be completely set ,forth, it wis itO be understood that the specific terminology is not intended to be restrictive or confining, and that various rearrangements or parts and modifications of detail may be resorted to without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as herein claimed.

I claim:

A display device for interchangeable *characters comprising a background plate for -,the characters, an elongated open-ended slotted tubular support of rectangular cross section attached to the front of the plate, a plurality of interchangeable characters of a color contrasting with the color of said plate in abutting relationship with '4 the slotted wall of said support and spaced a substantial distance from said plate, and screw means extending through said characters with non-circular nut means threaded to said screw means at the rear surface of said characters, said screw means extending through the slot in the support, said support providing shoulder means for engaging said non-circular nut means (:9 prevent rotation of thev -latter.

SIMON KAIL.

'lflle or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Number Name Date 1,587,966 Le Feure June 8, 1926 1,649,249 Newman Nov. 15, 1927 1,668,805 Findlater May 8, 1928 1,892,998 Overholtz Jan. 3, 1933 "2,345,650 Attwood Apr. 4, 1944 2,501,474 Martin Mar. 21, 1950 12,520,648 Newman Aug. '29, 1950