US3704535A

US3704535A - Sign construction including novel section assemblies and section joinders

Info

Publication number: US3704535A
Application number: US63543A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hugh V Penton; Gerald P Dunphy
Original assignee: CALIFORNIS METAL ENAMELING CO
Current assignee: CALIFORNIS METAL ENAMELING CO
Priority date: 1970-08-13
Filing date: 1970-08-13
Publication date: 1972-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 1989-12-05

Abstract

A plurality of sign various sizes of sections are similarly formed so that a plurality of selected sign sections may be positioned vertically and/or horizontally abutting such as a lower first and intermediate second both secured to spaced, vertical ground supporting posts and the intermediate second and an upper third both secured to spaced, vertical tying members. Each sign section has spaced, front and rear, sheet-like face panels adhesively secured internally to a honeycomb core and at edge portions to upper, lower and side border members extending between the face panels. Each sign section has opposite unitary border members having in transverse cross section upper U-shaped and lower inverted U-shaped portions vertically spaced by a central vertical portion, a longitudinally extending, C-shaped chamber being formed between the upper and lower portions and rearwardly of the vertical portion opening rearwardly through a vertically intermediate, horizontal slot formed by flange extensions of the upper and lower portions. These C-shaped chambers are dimensioned for slidably and nonrotatably receiving heads of fastening bolts therein through enlarged slot openings with shanks of the bolts projecting rearwardly through the slots for securement to the ground supporting posts or tying members or both. In vertically abutting sign sections, the side border members are vertically extending and outwardly opening, U-shaped cross section extending vertically upwardly covering end extremities of the upper border members with water drain openings being formed through the side border members horizontally into the upper portions of the upper border members. Between abutting sign sections, H-shaped cross section alignment members are positioned partially in each of the opposed open border member portions retaining alignment between the abutting sign sections.

Description

United States Patent Penton et al.

[451 -Dec. 5,1972

[72] Inventors: Hugh V. Penton, San Marino;

Gerald P. Dunphy, Anaheim, both of Calif.

73 Assignee: California Metal Enameling Company, Los Angeles, Calif.

22' Filed: Aug. 13, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 63,543

52111.s.c|. .Q ..4o/12sx [51] Int. Cl ..G09f 7/20 [58] Field of Search ..40/125 F, 125 H, 125 K;

I [56] h References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS [57] ABSTRACT v Aplurality of sign various sizes of sections are sin ilarly formed so that a plurality of selected sign sections may be positioned vertically and/or horizontally abutting such as a lower first and intermediate second both secured to spaced, vertical ground supporting-posts and the intermediate second and an upper third both secured to spaced,-vert ical tying members. Each sign-section has spaced, front and rear, sheet-like face panels adhesively secured internally to' a honeycomb core and at edge portions to upper, lower and side border members extending between the face panels. Each sign section has opposite unitary border members having in transverse cross section upper U-shaped and lower inverted U- shaped portions vertically spaced by a central vertical portion, a longitudinally extending, C-shaped chamber being formed betweenthe upper and lower portions and rearwardly of the vertical portion opening rearwardly through a vertically intermediate, horizontal slot formed by flange extensions of the upper and lower portions. These C-shaped chambers are dimensioned for slidably and nonrotatably receiving heads of fastening bolts therein through enlarged slot openings with shanks of the bolts projecting rearwardly through the slots for securement to the ground supporting posts or tying members or both. In vertically abutting sign sections, the side border members are vertically 3,544,417 12/1970 Corzine ....161/68 UX extending and outwardly opening U- haped cross sec- 2,993,289 7/1961 M11161 6! 31. ..40/125 K (ion extending vertically upwardly covering end ex- 2,780,574 2/1957 Ott etal ..l6l/2l7X tremities of the upper border members with water drain openings bein formed through the side border members horizontal y mto the upper portions of the primary Examiner Robefl w Michell upper border members. Between abutting sign sec- Assistam Examiner Richard'Carter trons, H-shaped crosssectlon alignment members are Att0mey Mah0ney Hombaker & Schick positioned partially 1n each of the opposed open border member portions retaining alignment between the abutting sign sections.

6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures r m t u w I ll. L/es n l 3 o 7 l4 E C a autw fill v .i] nnai-t'fl'm J I v 11 3, l yt 66- v |I E 2 a c E E k p 3 W E D I I 3 l] 1 1! "ill 1 1 F seeg 1 F o I. 5 long l I 1 i1 a c g i l} )D DTDutn t J t J nnuuuuuuuuuuu 071D!) vo liii 70 SHEET 2 BF 2 PATENTED D 5 I973 1, SIGN CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING NOVEL SECTION ASSEMBLIES AND SECTION JOINDERS BACK GROUND OETHE INVENTION This invention relates to a sign construction including novel section assemblies and section joinders and more particularly, to such a sign construction having a unique form of sign section adhesively secured honeycomb core assembly including fastening bolt mounting therewith wherein a complete selected adjustment of fastening bolts for the honeycomb core strengthened sign construction is permitted adapting the completed sign to virtually-any arrangement of vertically and horizontally extendingsupports, both for attachment to single or multiple vertical ground supporting posts and vertical or horizontal supporting members between abutting sign sections. Further, the sign construction according to the present. invention is completely versatile for arrangement in single or any combination of multiple vertically or horizontally stacked sign sections, all formed in a similarmanner and from similar construction elements, andv allsupported by any one of a wide variety of selected single or multiple sign support post arrangements and sign sec tion tying support member arrangements. Thus, according to certain of the principles of the present inconditions discussed, requiring many signs to be individually and specially constructed at the factory including the mounting posts therefor and then transported to the erection site of the sign for final installation. Obviously, not only is this factory special sign construction relatively expensive, but a length of time is required between when the specifications are supplied to the factory and when the sign is completed by the factory since the fabrication cannot commence until it is known exactly where the sign is to be installed and the conditions of such installation.

Additionally, with all of the sign parts forming integral, nonadjustable elements of the sign construction, it is difficult to alter a sign in any major manner once the same has been installed. It is true that minor additions or alterations might be made, assuming the sign supportposts are of sufficient strength and the various elements of the particular sign lend themselves to such additions or alterations, but his obvious that if any major additions are required which would require additional supportingjpost strength, the original sign must be completely replaced with a new sign. At the same time, it is easily appreciated the various hazards to vention, quantities of the sign sections of various sizes may be manufactured and stocked, and thereafter, as order-specifications require, any combination of sign sections may be withdrawn from stock and signs constructed of virtually any form and using any type of support post arrangement, all of the stocked sign sections being compatible for use singularly or in multiple sections of a wide variety of forms and combinations and in all cases, with a wide variety of supporting post and section tie members arrangements. 7

As is well-known to those skilled in the highway sign construction arts, highway signs are used for many purposes and under a multitude of conditions, depending onthe particular highways involved and the desired purpose of such highway signspwhere the highway signs are merely small directional signs as are used along low speed highways, no great problems are encountered and the signs may be of extremely simple form, but where the signs are used along high speed highways, such as freeways and turnpikes, such signs are frequently relatively large and must be positioned at relatively high locations so as to present a series of distinct difficulties. For instance, with the sign sizes increased and the heights thereof increased, wind and other weather conditions can be an important factor from the sign strength standpoint, and furthermore, the signs are required to be of various sizes and at various heights in order to convey the directions or other information to the vehicle operators passing at high speeds thereby.

Most prior forms of the large type highway signs have been heretofore constructed with the support posts thereof positioned internally of and as an original integral part of the sign panels with the result that the final sign panels and supporting posts become permanent, nonadjustable integral parts of the completed sign. Thus, in many cases, each sign at each location must be individually constructed according to its individual specificationsas determined by the various which highway signs are subjected including damage by severe weather conditions and damage by highway vehicle accidents. Since the various'elements of the prior sign constructions are permanent and not easily altered or replaced, any appreciable amount of damage to a particular sign requires a complete sign replacement, again making highway sign maintenance cost demands a major factor in overall highway maintenance costs.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore,an object of this invention to provide a sign construction which is greatly strengthened over prior constructions, yet makes use of a simplified form of assembly. An embodiment of the present invention may include an overall sign formed of a single or of multiple sign sections each having spaced sheet-like sign panels secured by an adhesive to upper, lower and side border members at edge portions thereof, and internally of said border members by said adhesiveto a honeycomb core. Thus, despite the simplicity of the sign section construction and assembly, the completed sign construction is better able to withstand the extreme weather conditions of high winds and other weather elements, as well as the abuse of normal vehicle traffic hazards.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a sign construction having a fully selectively adjustable mounting arrangement formed as an original integral part thereof adapting the entire sign construction and the individual sign sections thereof to virtually any form of exterior support post mounting. According to certain of the principles of the present invention, the various signs and if multiple section, the various sign sections thereof are originally formed at the factory having the mounting means thereof completely versatile and permitting the signs and sign sections to be supported by single supporting posts, multiple supporting posts and supporting posts of any heighth. Thus, when the signs and sign sections are originally fabricated, it is not necessary to integrate the supporting posts into such construction and it is, therefore, not

. 3 necessary to know the particular form of final sign required, but rather the sign construction is adaptable to various sign forms and various sign mounting arrangements reducing costs and time factors in both original sign fabrication and sign maintenance.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sign construction having the foregoing unique selectively adjustable mounting means formedas an integral part thereof wherein the mounting means also serves as a fully adjustable tie member mounting meansbetween multiplesign sections of composite sign constructions, again reducing original sign-fabrication costs and time requirements, maintenance costs and time require-' ments and alteration costs and time requirements. For instance, where a highwayrsign is installed to serve a particular purpose and it is later discovered that additional sign sections are required in order to meet changing traffic conditions, it is a simple matter to add additional sign sectionsto the original sign and even if additional sign supporting posts are required since all of these changes and additions can be made directly at the site of sign installation without any major replacements of the original signs. At the same time, if a particular highway sign is damaged by vehicle accidents,

.many portions of the originally installed sign are easily replaceable including support posts therefor and individual sign sections. I

" It is still a further object of this invention to provide a sign construction having all of the foregoing advantages wherein uniquely formed upper and lower border members forming integral parts of each of the sign sections are not only arranged for complete versatility in I mounting of the sign sections with single or multiple supporting post arrangements, but each of the upper and lower border members are specifically adapted to receive a unique construction of alignment members maintaining alignment between vertically stacked sign sections serving to maintain vertical alignment between multiple sign sections of a particular sign installation and adding overall strength to the completed sign construction to better withstand the relatively severe abuses to which such highway signs must be subjected. According to certain of the principles of the present invention, the individual sign section upper and lower border members are formed with upwardly and downwardly opening channels therein, respectively, each arranged for receiving portions of vertical alignment members therein during assembly of a series of such sign sections in a vertical stack to form a particular overall sign arrangement. By the use of this unique border member construction in sign sections despite the particular size thereof either as to vertical or horizontal extensiomcomposite signs may be assembled from stock sign sections reducing overall sign sections are formed with-side border members, thereof, required for sign strength and final appearance, extending upwardly covering the end extremities of the uniquely formed sign section upper border members, that is, the sign section upper border members having the upwardly opening channels therein,for receiving the vertical. alignment members as hereinbefore discussed. In view of the fact that these upwardly opening channels of the upper border members are subject to receivingwater therein during adverse weather conditions,-the side bordermembers in this sign section arrangement are formed with drain openings horizontally therethrough aligned with the upper border member channels making. it virtually impossible for water to remain in the exposed channels of the upper border members which could cause undue deterioration of the particular sign sections.

' Other objects and advantages of this invention vwill be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawing which are for the purpose of illustration only. I I

BRIEF DESCRIPTION or THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of sign construction incorporating. vertically stacked, multiple sign sections constructed according to the principles of the present invention, spaced, vertically extending supporting posts of the sign being shown in fragmentary view for illustrating the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the sign construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, rear perspective view of the sign construction of FIGS. 1 and 2'looking in the direction of the arrows 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged,-fragmentary, vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 4+4 in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, vertical sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 5-5 in FIG.

2; and v FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal sectional view looking in the direction of the arrows 66 in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST EMBODIMENT CONTEMPLATED terrnediate section sign section generally indicated at 12 and an upper third sign section generally indicated at 14. From the construction element standpoint to be hereinafter discussed in detail, all of the first, second and third sign sections may be substantially identically formed. but not necessarily of the same dimensions. In the particular embodiment shown, the first and

second sign sections

10 and 12 are of substantially the same vertical and horizontal dimensions with the third sign section being smaller dimensions both vertically and horizontally, although perfectly adaptable to integration into the sign constructionwith the first and second sign sections, thereby illustrating certain of the important versatility of the present invention.

Each of the first, second and

third sign sections

10, 12 and 14, therefore, includesfrontand rear, generally rectangular, metal, sheet-

like base panels

16 and 18 supported spaced apart internally over the major portions thereof by a honeycomb core 20 and at edge portions thereof. preferably horizontally and vertically abutting the honeycomb core by opposite upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 and opposite

side border members

26 and 28. All of the upper, lower and

side border members

22, 24, 26-and 28 are preferably metal extrusions, such as aluminum extrusions, cut to proper lengthfor that particular of the sign sections. Furthermore, the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 extend longitudinally horizontally and are virtually identical in transverse or vertical cross section, with the

side border members

26 and 28 extending longitudinally vertically overlapping the end extremities of the upper and lower border members and, in this case,

being generally U-shaped, outwardly opening in horizontal cross section. I I I Still as to the overall signsection assemblies, the honeycomb cores 20 may be formed of a resin impregnated paper to provide the required stiffness and rigidity for the support strength thereof, and the honeycomb core individual elements are positioned with the longitudinal axes thereof parallel to each other in usual fashion and perpendicular to the covering surfaces of the sheet-

like panels

16 and 18. The internal covering surfaces of the sheet-

like panels

16 and 18 are adhesively secured to the ends of the honeycomb core individual elements by a suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting adhesive, such as a neoprene thermoplastic resin adhesive, the sheet-like panels at edge portions thereof being similarly adhesively secured to and at least partially overlapping side surfaces of the upper, lower and

side border members

22, 24, 26 and 28. As shown in the drawings and hereinbefore pointed-out, the honeycomb cores 20 preferably extend to and abut the inwardly exposed edge surfaces of the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 and the surfaces of the side border members Y26 and 28, thereby provide an extremely strong, but simplified overall assembly.

More specifically to the cross sectional configurations of the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24, these border members, preferably being unitary members, each include a horizontally extending, upwardly opening, U-shaped cross section upper portion 30, a horizontally extending, downwardly opening, inverted U-shaped cross section lower portion 32 and a horizontally extending intermediate straight or vertical portion 34, the latter vertical portion maintaining the upper and lower portions spaced vertically apart and being located spaced forwardly from rear

vertical flanges

36 and 38 of the upper and lower portions, respectively. Furthermore, the rear

vertical flanges

36 and 38 of the upper and lower portions and 32 are provided with downward and upward

vertical extensions

40 and 42, respectively, which extend vertically equally and terminate spaced apart providing a shaped cross section bolt chamber 48 is formed vertically between the upper and

lower portions

30 and 32 and rearwardly of the intermediate vertical portion 34, said chamber opening rearwardly preferably vertically midway thereof through the slot 44.

The U-shaped cross section

side border members

26 and 28 of each of the

sign sections

10, 12 and 14, having the U-shaped sections thereof opening outwardly of the sign sections, extend longitudinally vertically upwardly and downwardly preferably completely side overlapping the end extremities of the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 so as to form end closures for the upper and lower border members and particularly the upwardly or the vertically outwardly opening upper portions 30 of the upper border members 22,being secured thereto by fastening screws 50 passing through the

side border members

26 and 28 and into thickened fastening portions 52 of the upper and lower border members forwardly adjacent upper extremities of the intermediate vertical portions 34 and beneath the outwardly opening upperportions 30. Important to certain of the principles of the present invention, a drain opening 54 is formed through each of the

side border members

26 and 28 at least at the upper portions 30 of the upper border members 22, said drain opening having lower extremities aligned with the lower extremities of the U-shaped channels on the upper border member upper portions for draining any water therefrom any time a collection of water occurs.

In the integrated sign sections, the front face panel 16 forwardly covers all of the upper, lower and

side border members

22, 24, 26 and 28, while the rear face panel 18 rearwardly covers the side border members, but only rearwardly covers the upper and lower border members upwardly and downwardly, respectively, to the edge extremities of the bolt entrance openings 46 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, rearwardly exposing these bolt entrance openings and the slots'44. Thus, as shown, in each sign section, the upper portions 30 of the upper border members 22, the lower portions 32 of the lower border 24, and the

side border members

26 and 28 all open outwardly, while the lower portions 32 of the upper border members 22 and the upper portions 30 of the lower border members 24 open inwardly against the honeycomb core 20, at least parts of all of the upper, lower and side border members and the honeycomb core being adhesively secured to the front and rear face panels.

Mounting bolts generally indicated at 56 have preferably rectangular cross section heads 58 and pro jecting threaded shanks 60, the heads thereof being formed dimensioned for forward reception through the bolt entrance openings 46 of the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 and into the C-shaped bolt chambers 48 for horizontal slidable movement along said bolt chambers, but nonrotatable therein. With the bolt heads 58 thusly positioned, the bolt shanks 60 extend rearwardly through the upper and lower border member slots 44 projecting rearwardly of the particular of the

sign sections

10, 12 and 14. Other than the particular dimensioning and formation of the bolt heads 58, and possibly varying projecting lengths of the bolt shanks 60 depending on the particular use, the mounting bolts 56 conventionally receive washers 62 and nuts 64 secured to projecting ends of the bolt shanks in usual fastening relationship.

ln assembly of the

sign sections

10, 12 and 14 into a completed composite sign as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sign sections, in this case, are vertically stacked vertically abutting and prior to such assembly, once the final sign specification has been determined, reflective borders 66 may be secured to the front face panel 16 as shown. In any event,in the particular embodiment of final sign shown, the upper third sign section 14 which is slightly smaller is securedto the intermediate second sign section 12 byspaced, vertically extending, tying support members 68 rearwardly overlying the rear face panels 18, the particular sign sections and tying support members being secured together by the mounting bolts 56, washers 62 and nuts 64. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, for the tying support members 68,- the mounting bolts-56 have bolt heads 58 slidably received in the C- shaped bolt chambers 48 'of the upper and lower border members 22 and 24.with the bolt shanks 60 extending rearwardly through the border member slots 44,

through the tying support members 68 and receiving the washer 62 and the nuts 64. v I

In the assembly, the lower first sign section 10 and the intermediate second sign section 12. are secured together by horizontally spaced, vertically extending ground support posts or members 70, the border mem-' bers being clamped to such support posts by certain'of the mounting bolts 56, the washers 62 and nuts 64 therefor, and unique pivotal clamping members 72 as best seen in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. As best shown in FIG. 2, the bolt heads 58 are received in the same C-shaped bolt chambers 48 of the intermediate second sign section'12 and into the C-shaped bolt chambers 48 of the lower first sign section 10, the chambers in the former case serving for the bolts in clamping both the tying support member 68 and the ground support post 70, in all cases, the bolt shanks .60 projecting 'rearwardly through the border member slots 44.

In the case of the groundsupport post 70, the bolt shanks 60 extend rearwardly, as shown in FIGS; 2, 5 and 6, through horizontally elongated bolt holes 74 of the clamping members 72, said bolt holes being formed rearwardly through clampingmember pivotal portions 76 with clamping portions 78 ofsaid clamping members projecting horizontally from the bolt shanks and rearwardly overlying flanges 80 of the ground support posts. During the securement of the bolt washers and

nuts

62 and 64 over the projecting ends of the mounting bolts 56 at these clamping members 72, the washers force the clamping members to pivot over the clamping member pivotal portions 76 against the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 forcing the clamping member clamping portions 78 forwardly against the flanges 80 of the ground support post 70, the positioning of the clamping members and the forward clamping movement of the clamping portions thereof being maintained and guided by guide portions 82 projecting forwardly into the upper and lower border member slots 44, that is, the same slots through which the bolt shanks 60 extend. In all cases, due to the particular dimensioning of the heads 58 of the mounting bolts 56 relative to the C-shaped bolt chambers 48 in the upper and lower border members 22 and '24, the mounting bolts 56 are retained nonrotable in the border member C-shaped bolt chambers so that the securement of the nuts 64 with the mounting bolts is easily accomplished.

As clearly shown in FIGS. 4and 5,.during the vertical stacking or vertical assembly of the

sign sections

10, 12 and 14 and prior to the clamping assembly thereof to the tying support members 68 and the ground support posts 70, it is preferred to insert unique horizontally extending, H-shaped cross section alignment members 84 between the vertically abutting, horizontally extending edges of the lower first and intermediate

second sign sections

10 and 12 and between the intermediate second and upper

third sign sections

12 and 14 in order to strengthen such abutting joinders and maintain the proper vertical alignment between the various signsections. The H-shaped alignment members 84 are again preferably metal extrusions,such as aluminum, and may be of long horizontal extension or may be a series of short horizontal extensions, the same purpose served in either case. As shown in FIG. 5, the l-I-shaped alignment member 84 is positioned partially downwardly-in the upper portion 30 of the'upper border member 22 on the lower first sign section 10 and partially upwardly in the lowerportion 32 of the lower border member 24 on the intermediate second sign section 12, the H- shaped alignment member 84 in FIG. 4 having the same positioning relationship with the upper border member 22 on the intermediate second sign section 12 and the lower border member 24 on the upper third sign section'14. Thus, the unique H-shaped alignment members 84 maintain the vertical alignment between'the

various sign sections

10, 12 and 14 in the composite sign assembly, while also adding strength to such assembly.

' As' hereinbefore pointed out, although the embodiment illustrated herein includes vertically stacked sign porting post or posts directly at and beneath the sign assembly itself similar to the embodiment shown, the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 could either remain the same as shown with the side border members replaced with border members similar to the upper and lower border members for use of horizontal tying members between horizontally stacked sign sections, or the repositioning of the form of sign sections shown could be used .with a modified form of clamping arrangement for securement to the vertical supporting posts, the latter being obvious to those skilled in the art.

According to the principles of the present invention, therefore, a sign construction is provided of an extremely simplified, but high strength form, while additionally having unique mounting means for securing sign sections in virtually any vertically or horizontally stacked arrangement both together in a multiple sign section arrangement, as well as to exterior ground supporting posts and sign supporting beams, the choice of arrangement being possible at the time of actual sign erection and not requiring-special consideration during fabrication of the various signsections. As has been clearly illustrated in the particular vertically stacked arrangement shown, the intermediate second sign'section 12 and the upper third sign section 14 are secured together by the tying support members 68, themounting bolts 56 therefor being adjustably received and retained nonrotable in the C-shaped bolt "chambers 48 of the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 of each of the sign sections. These same C-shaped' bolt chambers 48 of the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 of certain of the sign sections may also receive additional mounting bolts 56, preferably acting through'uniqueclamping members 72, for clamping certain of the sign sections together and to ground support posts 70, in the case illustrated, the mounting bolts 56 with the ground support posts 70 securing thelower first sign section and the intermediate second sign section 12 together vertically stacked and both to the ground support posts 70.

Further according to the principles of the present invention, the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 of each of the

sign sections

10, 12 and 14 in this vertically stacked relationship are further formed for receiving unique sign section alignment members extending vertically between vertically stacked and abutting sign sections for maintaining vertical alignment between sign sections and increasing the overall strength of the finished composite sign construction. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the H-shaped alignment members 84 project partially downwardly into the upper border members 22 and partially upwardly into the lower border members 24 of the vertically abutting sign sections insuring that the sign sections will remain vertically aligned in proper vertically stacked arrangement once the sign sections are secured together by the tying support members 68-and the ground support post 70. Obviously, where the various sign sections are horizontally stacked or aligned, and whether the particular side border members are of the more complex form of the upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 or the simplified form of the

side border members

26 and 28 shown in the present embodiment, the use of the l-l-shaped alignment members 84 would be the same except partially in each of mating side border members.

Still in addition and according to the principles of the present invention, in this vertically stacked relationship, the unique sign section upper and

lower border members

22 and 24 uniquely cooperate with the

side border members

26 and 28 of said sign sections for insuring an extremely strong sign section assembly while still guarding against damage to such sign section by the elements of weather. As hereinbefore discussed, even though the upper border members 22 in the finished sign sections have upwardly opening channels therein which are closed at the end extremities by the side border members, any water collecting in the upper border members may drain therefrom through the specifically provided drain openings 54 of the

side border members

26 and 28, thereby insuring that such water cannot cause damage to the sign construction.

We claim:

1. In a highwaysign construction of the type having front and rear sheet-like face panels supported at least at edge portions thereof by opposite, longitudinally ex- I v 10 tending border members extending edgewise along said face panels, the improvements comprising: both of said opposite border members'being formed of metal and including flanges forming front and rear border surfaces, said flanges of at least one of .said opposite border members forming a longitudinally elongated chamber extending longitudinally along said one border member generally C-shaped in cross section and opening rearwardly through said member rear border surfaces in a generally longitudinal slot intermediate said chamber; at least one bolt positioned with an enlarged bolt head longitudinally. slideable in said one border member chamber and a bolt shank extending rearwardly through and longitudinally slideable along said one border member slot; engagement surface means on certain of said one border member flanges forming said chamber and said slot cooperating with surfaces on said bolt forwardly and rearwardly confining said bolt head in said chamber and restricting said bolt nonrotata'ble relative to said one border member; fastening means operably connected to said bolt for securing said bolt retaining said sign to a supporting member extending generally transversely across said one border member; said face panels being formed of metal and said face panel edge portions outwardly overlapping and abutting at least portions of said front and rear border surfaces of each of said border members, said overlapping and abutment of said face panel edge portions with said border member surfaces exposing said one border member slot; a honey-comb core substantially filling between said metal face panels and border members having axes of honeycomb elements perpendicular to said face panels; and adhesive means adhesively securing said face panels to said honeycomb core throughouta major inwardly exposed area of both of said metal face panels, and adhesively securing said face panel edge portions to said front and rear surfaces of said metal border members.

2. A highway. sign construction as defined in claim 1 in which said honeycomb core is formed of a resin impregnated paper; and in which said adhesive means is a resin adhesive securing said metal face panels to said paper honeycomb core and said metal face panel edge portions to said metal border members.

3. A highway sign construction as defined in claim 1 in which said at least one of said opposite metal border members includes both of said border members; in which said at least one bolt includes at least one bolt positioned with said enlarged bolt head thereof longitudinally slideable in each of said border member chambers; in which each of said border members is formed with said slots thereof having enlarged portions providing bolt entrance openings into said chambers having dimensions spaced larger than said bolt heads; and in 'which said overlapping and abutment of said face panel edge portions with said border member surfaces exposes both said border member slots.

4. A highway sign construction as defined in claim 1 in which said honeycomb core is formed of a phenolic resin impregnated paper; and in which said adhesive means is a neoprene thermoplastic resin adhesive securing said metal face panels to said paper honeycomb core and said metal face panel edge portions to said metal border members.

each of said border members is formed with said slots thereof having enlarged portions providing bolt entrance openings into said chambers having dimensions spaced larger than said bolt heads; and in which said overlapping and abutment of said face panel edge portions with said border member surfaces exposes both said border member slots. v

6. A highway sign construction as defined in claim 1 in which said honeycomb core is formed of a phenolic resin impregnated paper; in which said adhesive means is a neoprene thermoplastic resin adhesive securing said metal face panels to said paper honeycomb core and said metal face panel edge portions to said metal border members; in which said at least one bolt includes at least one bolt positioned with said enlarged bolt head thereof longitudinally slideable in each of said border member chambers; in which each of said border members is formed with said slots thereof having enlarged portions providing bolt entrance openings into said chambers having dimensions spaced larger than said bolt heads; and in which said overlapping and abutment of said face panel edge portions with said border member surfaces exposes both said border member slots.

l06009 Ol 00

Claims

1. In a highway sign construction of the type having front and rear sheet-like face panels supported at least at edge portions thereof by opposite, longitudinally extending border members extending edgewise along said face panels, the improvements comprising: both of said opposite border members being formed of metal and including flanges forming front and rear border surfaces, said flanges of at least one of said opposite border members forming a longitudinally elongated chamber extending longitudinally along said one border member generally C-shaped in cross section and opening rearwardly through said member rear border surfaces in a generally longitudinal slot intermediate said chamber; at least one bolt positioned with an enlarged bolt head longitudinally slideable in said one border member chamber and a bolt shank extending rearwardly through and longitudinally slideable along said one border member slot; engagement surface means on certain of said one border member flanges forming said chamber and said slot cooperating with surfaces on said bolt forwardly and rearwardly confining said bolt head in said chamber and restricting said bolt nonrotatable relative to said one border member; fastening means operably connected to said bolt for securing said bolt retaining said sign to a supporting member extending generally transversely across said one border member; said face panels being formed of metal and said face panel edge portions outwardly overlapping and abutting at least portions of said front and rear border surfaces of each of said border members, said overlapping and abutment of said face panel edge portions with said border member surfaces exposing said one border member slot; a honey-comb core substantially filling between said metal face panels and border members having axes of honeycomb elements perpendicular to said face panels; and adhesive means adhesively securing said face panels to said honeycomb core throughout a major inwardly exposed area of both of said metal face panels, and adhesively securing said face panel edge portions to said front and rear surfaces of said metal border members.

2. A highway sign construction as defined in claim 1 in which said honeycomb core is formed of a resin impregnated paper; and in which said adhesive means is a resin adhesive securing said metal face panels to said paper honeycomb core and said metal face panel edge portions to said metal border members.

3. A highway sign construction as defined in claim 1 in which said at least one of said opposite metal border members includes both of said border members; in which said at least one bolt includes at least one bolt positioned with said enlarged bolt head thereof longitudinally slideable in each of said border member chambers; in which each of said border members is formed with said slots thereof having enlarged portions providing bolt entrance openings into said chambers having dimensions spaced larger than said bolt heads; and in which said overlapping and abutment of said face panel edge portions with said border member surfaces exposes both said border member slots.

5. A highway sign construction as defined in claim 1 in which said honeycomb core is formed of a resin impregnated paper; in which said adhesive means is a resin adhesive securing said metal face panels to said paper honeycomb core and said metal face panel edge portions to said metal border portions; in which said at least one bolt includes at least one bolt positioned with said enlarged bolt head thereof longitudinally slideable in each of said border member chambers; in which each of said border members is formed with said slots thereof having enlarged portions providing bolt entrance openings into said chambers having dimensions spaced larger than said bolt heads; and in which said overlapping and abutment of said face panel edge portions with said border member surfaces exposes both said border member slots.