US3883972A

US3883972A - Universal mounting for various signage

Info

Publication number: US3883972A
Application number: US294657A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert L Propst; William E Stumpf; Michael A Wodka
Original assignee: Herman Miller Inc
Current assignee: MillerKnoll Inc
Priority date: 1972-10-03
Filing date: 1972-10-03
Publication date: 1975-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1992-05-20

Abstract

Front and rear sign panels are joined together by a spacer element recessed from the outer margins but extending generally around the entire periphery of the sign. The spacer includes a keeper portion which cooperates with an adapter having a tongue portion insertable in the recess and engageable with the keeper to rigidly attach the adapter to the sign. A second portion of the adapter cooperates with a support to anchor the adapter and sign to the support. The sign can be mounted by the adapter from any side and ribs on the tongue portion of the adapter engage the inner surfaces of the panel to stablize the entire assembly. Preferably, the adapter and spacer elements are extruded from plastic with the latter element being affixed to the inner surfaces of the sign panels by an adhesive.

Description

United States Patent Propst et al.

[75] Inventors: Robert L. Propst, Ann Arbor;

William E. Stumpf. Zeeland; Michael A. Wodka, Ypsilanti. all of Mich.

[731 Assignee: Herman Miller, Inc., Zeeland, Mich.

[221 Filed: Oct. 3. [972 [21] Appl. No: 294,657

[52] US. Cl. 40/128 [51 Int. Cl. G09f 7/22 [58] Field of Search 40/128, 10, 140, 142, 125; 248/490, 475

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,154.870 11/1964 Hopp et al. .4 40/140 X 3.208 170 9/1965 Madey 40/10 R 3.327.414 6/1967 Hill v r 40/128 X 3.671723 7/1972 Lazar 4/128 [451 May 20, 1975 Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell Assistant ExaminerWenceslao J. Contreras Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper 57 1 ABSTRACT Front and rear sign panels are joined together by a spacer element recessed from the outer margins but extending generally around the entire periphery of the sign. The spacer includes a keeper portion which cooperates with an adapter having a tongue portion insertable in the recess and engageable with the keeper to rigidly attach the adapter to the sign. A second portion of the adapter cooperates with a support to anchor the adapter and sign to the support. The sign can be mounted by the adapter from any side and ribs on the tongue portion of the adapter engage the inner surfaces of the panel to stablize the entire assembly. Preferably, the adapter and spacer elements are extruded from plastic with the latter element being af' fixed to the inner surfaces of the sign panels by an adhesive.

24 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 1 UNIVERSAL MOUNTING FOR VARIOUS SIGNAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved sign and mounting assembly providing universal support of the sign from any side.

The principal object of this invention is a signage sys tem which permits a sign of arbitrary configuration to be quickly and easily supported, cantilevered or suspended from a variety of support configurations by a unique adapter element which can be interconnected to the sign from the top, bottom or sides. The rate of change in an active organization causes frequent shifts in jobs and work environments. Conventional signage practices that require extensive turn-around time from need-identification to installation are cumbersome for active change-oriented organizations.

There is a great variety of signage sources and com ponents in the prior art that are available to organizations trying to cope with signage problems. It is often difficult to put together a smooth-running signage process. Unless sign components can be arranged in some managable process, a lack emerges, with attendant confusion and delay. The custom-made sign is the traditional response to the signage problem. Even when graphic consultants create a corporate identity program for an organization, the components are generally custom'made. While the initial signs may look good and function well for the situation they were designed for, subsequent organizational changes will render them obsolete.

The time to procure and install custom signs frequently spans days. weeks, and months and, as a result, conflicts with an active organization. A secondary consideration is that although initial signage applications in large facilities offer volume-price reductions, the manager soon becomes alarmed at the high replacement and/or new signage cost of custom-made components. The pressures created by time/cost problems inherent in custom installations can lead to improvised signage practices. The consistency of good graphics and identity often degenerates into a conglomeration of handwrought messages. The result and impact upon the visitor is one of an inconsistent dog-cared collection of signs that satisfy no criteria. Trying to keep pace with change, the manager who falls victim to custom signage, whise signs display a plethora of letter forms, symbols, and materials, must risk good communications effect for his organization.

An additional problem with sign systems of the prior art is that frequently, well intentioned information becomes lost in visually complex or noisy surroundings. The mind suffers from a sensory overload of too much information presented too quickly. Signs also lose their effectiveness when they are timidly displayed in a sterile environment. The mind needs obvious visual triggers to alert visitors to changes in orientation, to conditional situations that caution, direct, or suggest destinations.

In addition to the preceding problems, one of the most serious problems remains that of low grade hardware. Low grade hardware components do not possess modular compatibility with other signs, the prevailing architecture, andfor are often cumbersome and cannot be reused. Thus, there is a need in this art for an improved signage and mounting assembly which can be quickly and easily installed; has a high degree of interchangeability; provides a positive stable anchoring l f the sign to a support; provides an aesthetically clean appearance not encumbered by distractful hardware; and accomplishes the foregoing at an economical mass production rate not heretofore possible. In a related aspect, there is an additional need for an adapter element which can be supported, cantilevered or suspended from a variety of support configurations and interconnected to the sign from any desired side. While the prior art suggests various hardware for mounting a vari ety of different size signs or advertising display indicia, none provide the flexibility, stability or economics of the sign assembly contemplated herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, a spacer element having an elongated generally tubular configuration is secured to one side of a sign panel recessed from the outer margin thereof. The spacer includes a keeper means exposed toward the outer margin from which it is recessed. An adapter having a tongue portion is receivable in the keeper means to rigidly secure the adapter to the spacer at selected positions along a side of the sign. The second portion of the adapter is cooperable with a support to anchor the sign and adapter to the support.

In narrower aspects of the invention. the sign is comprised of front and rear panels separated by the spacer. the latter being visually shielded by its recessed posi tion. The spacer element preferably extends generally around the entire periphery of the sign so that the adapter can be secured to the spacer along any edge of the sign. The tongue portion of the adapter includes an enlarged free end which fits behind the keeper means on the spacer by sliding engagement. The tongue portion also includes one or more ribs which engage the interior surfaces of the panels to provide positive lateral stability. Various types of adapters differ from one another only in the configuration of the second portion to permit the sign to be anchored to a variety of supports having dissimilar physical configurations without the necessity of mechanical fasteners. In yet narrower aspects. the spacer and adapter elements are preferably comprised of an extruded plastic.

As a result of this invention, signs of arbitrary shapes and sizes bearing selected visual indicia thereon can be quickly and easily mounted to or removed from a variety of different types of supports without requiring the manipulation of any mechanical fasteners. This is accomplished simply by sliding the tongue portion of the adapter into or out of engagement with the keeper of the spacer portion of the sign. The second portion of the adapter is designed to cooperate with a particular type of physical support configuration. For example, this invention is particularly applicable in connection with what is known as environmental office groupings. Such groupings generally utilize privacy panels from which it is desirable to suspend or support various types of identification or directional signage. Depending on the desired position and location of the sign relative to the panel, a variety of different types of adapters are provided in that the second portion thereof is specifcally designed to cooperate with the panels to locate the sign at the desired location. Other types of adapters are provided which can be utilized to support a sign from other types of supports such as ceilings, walls or semipermanent or portable supports. Thus, a particular advantage of the invention is the wide flexibility provided without requiring changes in the sign configuration except for perhaps the particular type of adapter required. In so doing, significant economical advantages are achieved in that the spacers and adapters are mass produced of a light-weight economical extruded plastic. At the same time they provide total flexibility featuring quick-change capability.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of one of the adapter elements of the invention being inserted into one of the signs of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view ofa sign like the one illustrated in FIG. I showing the spacer element of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an end view of an alternative spacer element;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view ofa sign illustrating in hidden lines the positioning of the spacer elements of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an edge view of the sign illustrated in FIG. 4 taken generally along line V-V;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adapter illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative adapter element;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another alternative adapter;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another alternative adapter; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still yet another alternative adapter element.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates one type of a sign l0 specifically designed for interconnection with an adapter element 120. The sign illustrated in FIG. I is comprised of front and rear panels 14, I4 a spaced from each other by a spacer element 16 illustrated in FIG. 2. The spacer element also interconnects the two panels since the outer surfaces of 18, 18a of the spacer are preferably flat and secured to the

inner surfaces

20, 20a of the panels by an adhesive or the like. One or both of the

outer surfaces

21, 21a of panels 14, [4a bear some type of visual indicia thereon to portray the particular message of the sign.

Panels 14, 14a, in accordance with a preferred em bodiment ofthis invention, are preferably formed from colored plastic. the indicia being either permanently or removably placed thereon by any one of numerous well known techniques.

Spacer element I6 has a keeper portion 22 recessed from the outer margin 24 (FIG. 2) of the sign for receipt of a tongue portion 26a (FIG. 1) of adapter 120 to rigidly lock the adapter to the sign. The details of keeper portion 22 and tongue portion 26 will be described hereinafter. Adapter 12a also has a second portion 280 cooperative with a particular type of support to anchor the adapter and sign to the support. This will also be described in more detail hereinafter.

Referring briefly to FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of spacer elements 16 are utilized in interconnecting and spacing panels 14 and 14a of sign l0. Spacers 16 are in effect continuous about the periphery of the sign except that they are interrupted at each corner so that an adapter can be interconnected with sign 10 along any edge. Thus, sign 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 shows a horizontal spacer element 16 with two adjacent vertical spacers l6 and I6". Adapter 12a can be inserted along any edge of sign 10 by inserting the tongue portion 26 into either

keeper portion

22, 22' or 22" as illustrated in FIG. 4. Although FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of sign 10, it will be appreciated that a second horizontal spacer corresponding to spacer 16 illustrated in FIG. 4 is positioned along the bottom portion of sign It). An important consideration however is that a particular sign 10 can be supported from above. below or the sides.

Referring now in more detail to FIG. 2, spacer element 16 of the invention is comprised of an elongated tubular member having a general rectangular cross section with a restricted opening through one of its shorter sides. More specifically, the overall cross sectional configuration is a general U-shape comprising a pair of

sides

30 and 32 interconnected by a web portion 34. The free ends of

sides

30 and 32 include inwardly projecting

flange portions

36 and 38 spaced from each other to define an elongated restricted opening 40.

Flanges

36, 38 and opening 40 extend longitudinally the length of spacer 16 to define keeper portion 22 for receipt of the tongue portion 26 of adapter 120. As mentioned earlier, the

outer surfaces

18 and 19 of

sides

30 and 32 are flat so that they can be easily interconnected to the

surfaces

20, 20a of the side panels by an adhesive or the like. In this fashion, panels 14 and 14a are spaced from each other a distance equal to the width of spacer 16 which is defined by the width of web portion 34.

Preferably, spacer element 16 including its sides is generally rigid so that a uniform spacing of panels 14 and 14a is achieved. Web portion 34 provides one rigid cross support, and a second is provided by a wall 42 spaced from web portion 34 near the center of spacer l6. Spacer element 16 illustrated in FIG. 2 is preferably formed from a light-weight extruded metal such as aluminum.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of spacer element 16, identified in FIG. 3 by the reference numeral 16a. The construction shown in this figure is preferred where the spacer element is relatively small since it can be extruded more easily. Element 16a is similar to element 16 illustrated in FIG. 2 and corresponding parts are identified by corresponding numer als with the suffix a attached. Hence, element 16a is comprised ofa pair of

sides

30a, 32a joined together by a web portion 34a having flanges 36a and 380 formed inwardly along the free ends of sides 30a and 320. Also, outer surfaces 18a and 19a of the sides are flat to per mit panels 14 and 14a of sign It) to be secured together by an adhesive or the like.

Spacer element 16a is preferably comprised from an extruded plastic material. The wall portion 42 of spacer I6 in FIG. 2 is replaced in the alternative arrangement shown by a latch mechanism 44 comprising a pair of hooks or L-shaped portions 46 and 48 facing inwardly toward each other and extending longitudinally along the inner surface 50 of side 19a. The feet portions of hooks 46 and 48 are spaced from each other to define a resticted opening 52. Extending from the inner surface 54 of side 30a is a longitudinally extending rib 56 having an enlarged end portion 58 which is flexible along with hook portions 46 and 48 to permit the enlarged end 58 to be snapped into the restricted opening 52 provided by hooks 46 and 48. Once the foot portions of the hooks are cleared, the resiliency of the hook portions snaps around the enlarged end 58 to lock sides 30a and 320 into a rectangular configuration identical to that of spacer l6 illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, it will be appreciated that there are various alternative ways of constructing the spacer element of the inven tion with a

keeper portion

22 or 22a cooperahle with adapter 12a.

Referring to FIG. 6. the adapter element 121! illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown in more detail. The second portion 280 is particularly adapted to fit across the width of a privacy panel 90 shown in phantom in FIG. 6. Adapter 12a is designed to support the sign from the bottom so that it extends above and in the plane of the privacy panel.

Tongue portion 26a extends centrally from portion 280 and has an enlarged free end 60 characterized by a flange portion 62 extending to each side of the tongue forming a general T-cross section. Spaced laterally along tongue portion 26 intermediate flange 62 and portion 280 is a rib 64 having portions projecting in the same direction as the flange 62 from each side of tongue portion 26a defining

rib portions

66 and 68.

Portions

66 and 68 are spaced laterally from flange 60 a distance equal to the thickness of

lip portions

36 and 38 of keeper 22 so that adapter element 12a can be engaged with the lip portions of the spacer element in a tongue and groove fashion by inserting the tongue portion endwise and sliding it along

lip portions

36 and 38 of the spacer element. The spacing between flange portion 62 and

rib portions

66 and 68 of the adapter element form a pair of

keeper grooves

70 and 72 for tongue and groove receipt engagement with

lips

36 and 38 of the spacer element. In effect. a trackway is formed so that adapter element 120 can be moved endwise relative to spacer element 16 to any position therealong. Preferably. the outermost edge surface 74 and 76 of

rib portions

66 and 68 fit snugly against the inner surfaces of

sides

30 and 32 of the spacer element while the wall portions forming the sides of

grooves

70 and 72 lock snugly around

lip portions

36 and 38 so that a positive stable interconnection is formed between the keeper and receiver portions of the spacer element and the adapter.

A second rib 80 corresponding to rib 64 includes

rib portions

82 and 84 formed on tongue portion 26a to provide lateral stability of adapter element 120 when it is engaged with spacer element 16. The overall width of rib 80 like rib 64 equals the spacing between

panels

14 and 140 so that when tongue portion 26a is inserted for engagement with spacer element 16, the outer edge surfaces of

rib elements

82 and 84 abut against the inner surfaces and 20a of panels 14 and 14a. This provides a positive interconnect between adapter 120 and sign it). Rib 80 is spaced from rib 64 along tongue 26 so that when inserted properly in spacer 16, it rests in abutment with sign 10 just inside its outer margin 24 as shown in FIG. 1. This provides a firm positive engagement between tongue portion 26 and Sign 10 at both its inner and outer end with regards to its length.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, it is noted that spacer element 16 is recessed a substantial distance from the outer margin 24 of sign 10. Tongue portion 26a of adapter 12a is inserted within this recess so that the interconnect portion of the hardware is completely shielded from the eye of an observer of the sign unless it is viewed endwise. This of course will not be the case in the normal installation environment. The insertion and removal of adapter 120 with sign 10 is illustrated clearly in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the offset interruption areas 25 at each corner permit endwise insertion and removal of adapter 12a along any side of the sign.

As noted earlier, the second portion 280 of adapter element 120 is adapted to connect the adapter and a sign attached thereto to a support such as a privacy panel illustrated in phantom in FIG. 6. Second portion 28a extends outwardly from each side of tongue portion 26a along its lower end 92. The

portions

94 and 96 which extend outwardly from tongue portion 264 terminate in a lip portion 98 and [00 which portions are spaced from each other the approximate width of privacy panel 90. Preferably, each lip portion includes a

tooth

102 and 104 extending inwardly toward each other which forms a wedge flt with the sides of the privacy panel to assure a positive grip when adapter element portion 280 is wedged down over the upper end of privacy panel 90.

In accordance with the particular adapter element illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 6, a sign 10 of arbitrary configuration as illustrated in FIG. 1 can be interconnected to a support such as a privacy panel by an adapter which does not require any mechanical fastening elements. By simple sliding tongue portion 260 into keeper engagement with the selected spacer element l6, 16', 16'' etc.. the sign can be positioned onto a support for observation in any desired configuration.

Referring to FIG. 7. an alternative adapter 12b is illustrated which is particularly adapted to suspend the sign from the top of a privacy panel 90 such as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7. In this configuration, the sign is positioned below the upper margin of panel 90. The tongue portion 26b of adapter element 12b is identical to that described with regards to adapter element 12a and includes an enlarged outer end 60, first and

second ribs

64 and 80, each of which includes

rib portions

66, 68 and 82, 84. The second portion 28!) however is modified in the following fashion. A single flange portion extends to one side only of tongue portion 26b and has a lip portion 112 at its outer end, which is turned downwardly so that it extends in the same direction as tongue 26b. Lip 112 has an inwardly turned tooth portion 114 corresponding either to

portions

102 or 104 of the adapter element 120 illustrated in FlG. 6. A corresponding tooth portion 116 extends in the direction of tooth 114 along the base portion of tongue portion 26b so that a similar wedge engagement is provided over the upper edge of privacy panel 90 except that the sign is suspended beneath this upper edge along one side of privacy panel 90 instead of being supported above as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 8. an adapter element 12c is illustrated comprising a tongue portion 260 identical to tongue portions 260 and 26b. The second portion 280 of adapter 120 is defined by a slight extension of tongue 26c which extends above the sign margin when tongue 26c is inserted therein. An aperature permits the sign to be supported by a wire or the like which is looped through aperture 115 and anchored to any overhead support such as a ceiling beam. it will be appreciated that one or more adapters 12c may be utilized.

Referring to H0. 9, an alternative adapter element [2d is illustrated having a tongue portion 26d identical to

tongue portions

26a, 26b, and 26c. The second por tion 28d however comprises a flat plate-like flange 118 having

portions

120 and 122 extending from each side of the base end of tongue 26d. Each flange portion I and 122 includes one or more apertures I24 to permit adapter 12d to be anchored to a wall or the like by threaded fasteners (not shown). While adapter 12d utilizes mechanical fasteners. it provides a more permanent installation which may be desired in certain installations. The mounting of course is not limited to a wall. but rather can be permanently anchored from a support surface in any position.

Referring to FIG. 10, an adapter element 120 is illustrated which permits two or more signs similar to the one illustrated in FIG. l to be interconnected together for joint display by utilizing one of the additional adapter elements illustrated in FIGS. 6-9. Adapter element 120 is comprised of a pair of oppositely extending

tongue portions

26e and 26e'. Each of the tongue portions are identical to those described previously and include respectively enlarged

free end portions

60, 60", and spaced

rib portions

64, 64 and 80, 80'. By inserting each respective tongue portion into a sign, it will be appreciated that two signs can be rigidly interconnected to each other both of which lie essentially in the same plane.

In summary, all of the adapter elements described herein are particularly susceptible to mass production techniques such as extruding. Although they are preferably comprised of a relatively rigid plastic, they can also be extruded of metal. Plastic is preferred in that it provides better wear and appearance characteristics. For that same reason, the spacer element embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is preferred over the illustrated in FIG. 2. All of the hardware however is susceptible to standard sizing so that it can be ordered and utilized in a variety of situations thereby eliminating the high cost and time element in custom signage.

Although several embodiments have been shown and described in detail, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in this art that the details of construction of these particular embodiments may be modified in a great many ways without departing from the unique concepts presented. It is therefore intended that the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims rather than by particular details of construction shown. except as specifically stated in the claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

l. A display assembly comprising. in combination: a sign having front and rear panels spaced from each other by a spacer element, said element being recessed from the outer margins of said panels, said spacer element including means defining a keeper; and an adapter having a first portion defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with said keeper to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign, and a second portion cooperable with a support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support, said tongue means further including one or more raised portions on each side, said raised portions abutting the inner surfaces of said panels between said spacer element and the outer margin of said panels to provide lateral supportive stability of said sign and spacer to said adapter.

2. The display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spacer element has a general U-shaped cross section defining a pair of legs joined by a web portion, said keeper comprising mating lip portions extending inwardly toward each other from the free ends of said legs, the tongue portion of said adapter element having an enlarged portion on the free end thereof adapted to fit behind said lip portions to interconnect said adapter element to said spacer.

3. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein said legs, lip portions and tongue are generally rigid. the cross-sectional width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip portion so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from said spacer by endwise sliding engagement of said adapter and spacer relative to each other to permit said enlarged portion to be positioned behind said lip portions.

4. The display assembly according to claim 3 wherein one of said raised portions on each side of said tongue is spaced from said enlarged portion a distance corresponding to the thickness of said lip portions so that said one of said raised portions abuts both the inner surface of said panels and said keeper when said adapter is interconnected to said spacer element.

5. The display assembly according to claim 4 wherein said one of said raised portions defines a continuous rib extending the length of said enlarged portion to form a laterally extending pocket in which said lip portions are seated.

6. The display assembly according to claim 5 wherein the other of said raised portions defines one or more continuous ribs extending the length of said adapter.

7. The display assembly according to claim 3 wherein said spacer element is generally continuous about the periphery of said signal to permit said adapter to be interconnected to said sign from any side, said spacer element being interrupted at each corner of said sign to permit endwise insertion or removal of said adapter relative said spacer element.

8. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein said spacer element is comprised of an extruded material.

9. The display assembly according to claim 8 wherein said material is plastic, each of said legs being generally rigid but movable toward and away from each other about said web portion, the inner surfaces of said leg portions including means defining a latch positioned intermediate said lip portions and web portion to anchor said leg portions in parallel relationship to each other.

10. The display assembly according to claim 9 wherein said latch means includes a pair of resilient flange portions extending from the inner surface of one of said legs toward the other of said legs and including inwardly turned end portions defining a latch having a restricted opening, the other of said leg portions including a tongue portion extending toward said other flange portion and including an enlarged free end receivable through said restricted opening by flexing said latch portions outwardly whereupon said enlarged free end is captured behind said inwardly turned end portions to clamp said leg portions in parallel relationship to each other.

H. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein the outer surfaces of said leg portions comprise a flat surface permanently secured to the inner surfaces of said panels by an adhesive or the like.

[2. The display assembly according to claim I wherein said spacer element extends generally around the entire periphery of said panel so that said adapter can be interlocked to said spacer element and sign along any edge of said sign.

l3. A display assembly comprising. in combination: a sign having a keeper ioined to one side. said keeper being recessed from the outer margins of said sign: and an adapter having a first portion defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with said keeper to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign along an edge of said sign. and a second portion cooperable with a support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support. said tongue means further including one or more raised portions. said raised portions abutting the sign between said keeper and the outer margin of said sign to provide lateral supportive stability of said sign and keeper.

14. A display assembly according to claim 13 wherein said keeper has a generally U-shaped cross section defining a pair of legs joined by a web portion. the outer surface of one of said legs being affixed to said one side of said sign by an adhesive or the like. said keeper comprising mating lip portions extending inwardly toward each other from the free ends of said legs. the tongue portion of said adapter element having an enlarged portion on the free end thereof adapted to lit behind said lip portions to interconnect said adapter to said spacer element.

15. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said legs. lip portions and tongue are generally rigid. the crosssectional width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion corresponding dimen sionally to the spacing between said lip portions so that Said adapter is interconnected or removed from said keeper by cndwise sliding engagement of said adapter and keeper relative to each other, said keeper being interrupted at the corners of said sign to permit endwise insertion and removal of said adapter from said keeper along any edge of said sign.

16. The display assembly according to claim l4 wherein said sign is comprised of a pair of panels spaced by said keeper. said keeper being positioned intermediate said panels and recessed from the outer margins thereof 17. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said keeper and adapter are comprised of an extruded plastic material.

18. A display assembly comprising. in combination: a sign having from and rear panels spaced from each other by a spacer element. said element being recessed from the outer margins of said panels and extending generally around its entire periphery. said spacer element including means defining a keeper; and an adapter having a first portion defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with said keeper to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign along any peripheral edge of said sign. and a second portion cooperable with a support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support.

19. The display assembly according to claim [8 wherein said spacer element has a general Ushaped cross section defining a pair of legs joined by a web portion. said keeper comprising mating lip portions extending inwardly toward each other from the free ends of said legs. the tongue portion of said adapter element having an enlarged portion on the free end thereof adapted to fit behind said lip portions to interconnect said adapter element to said spacer.

20. The display assembly according to claim I) wherein said legs. lip portions and tongue are generally rigid. the cross-sectional width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip portion so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from said spacer relative to each other to permit said enlarged portion to be positioned behind said lip portions.

21. The display assembly according to claim I) wherein said spacer element is comprised of an extruded material.

22. The display assembly according to claim 2i wherein said material is plastic. each of said legs being generally rigid but movable toward and away from each other about said web portion. the inner surfaces of said leg portions including means defining a latch positioned intermediate said lip portions and web portion to anchor said leg portions in parallel relationship to each other.

23. The display assembly according to claim 22 wherein said latch means includes a pair of resilient flange portions extending from the inner surface of one of said legs toward the other of said legs and including inwardly turned end portions defining a latch having a restricted opening. the other of said leg portions including a tongue portion extending toward said other flange portion and including an enlarged free end receivable through said restricted opening by flexing said latch portions outwardly whereupon said enlarged free end is captured behind said inwardly turned end portions to clamp said leg portions in parallel relationship to each other.

24. The display assembly according to claim 19 wherein the outer surfaces of said leg portions comprise a flat surface permanently secured to the inner surfaces of said panels by an adhesive or the like.

Claims

1. A display assembly comprising, in combination: a sign having front and rear panels spaced from each other by a spacer element, said element being recessed from the outer margins of said panels, said spacer element including means defining a deeper; and an adapter having a first portion defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with said keeper to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign, and a second portion cooperable with a support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support, said tongue means further including one or more raised portions on each side, said raised portions abutting the inner surfaces of said panels between said spacer element and the outer margin of said panels to provide lateral supportive stability of said sign and spacer to said adapter.

3. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein said legs, lip portions and tongue are generally rigid, the cross-sectional width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip portion so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from said spacer by endwise sliding engagement of said adapter and spacer relative to each other to permit said enlarged portion to be positioned behind said lip portions.

11. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein the outer surfaces of said leg portions comprise a flat surface permanently secured to the inner surfaces of said panels by an adhesive or the like.

12. The display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spacer element extends generally around the entire periphery of said panel so that said adapter can be interlocked to said spacer element and sign along any edge of said sign.

13. A display assembly comprising, in combination: a sign having a keeper joined to one side, said keeper being recessed from the outer margins of said sign; and an adapter having a first portion defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with said keeper to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign along an edge of said sign, and a second portion cooperable with a support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support, said tongue means further including one or more raised portions, said raised portions abutting the sign between said keeper and the outer margin of said sign to provide lateral supportive stability of said sign and keeper.

14. A display assembly according to claim 13 wherein said keeper has a generally U-shaped cross section defining a pair of legs joined by a web portion, the outer surface of one of said legs being affixed to said one side of said sign by an adhesive or the like, said keeper comprising mating lip portions extending inwardly toward each other from the free ends of said legs, the tongue portion of said adapter element having an enlarged portion on the free end thereof adapted to fit behind said lip portions to interconnect said adapter to said spacer element.

15. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said legs, lip portions and tongue are generally rigid, the cross-sectional width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip portions so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from said keeper by endwise sliding engagement of said adapter and keeper relative to each other, said keeper being interrupted at the corners of said sign to permit endwise insertion and removal of said adapter from said keeper along any edge of said sign.

16. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said sign is comprised of a pair of panels spaced by said keeper, said keeper being positioned intermediate said panels and recessed from the outer margins thereof.

17. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said keeper and adapter are comprised of an extruded plastic material.

18. A display assembly comprising, in combination: a sign having front and rear panels spaced from each other by a spacer element, said element being recessed from the outer margins of said panels and extending generally around its entire periphery, said spacer element including means defining a keeper; and an adapter haviNg a first portion defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with said keeper to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign along any peripheral edge of said sign, and a second portion cooperable with a support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support.

19. The display assembly according to claim 18 wherein said spacer element has a general U-shaped cross section defining a pair of legs joined by a web portion, said keeper comprising mating lip portions extending inwardly toward each other from the free ends of said legs, the tongue portion of said adapter element having an enlarged portion on the free end thereof adapted to fit behind said lip portions to interconnect said adapter element to said spacer.

20. The display assembly according to claim 19 wherein said legs, lip portions and tongue are generally rigid, the cross-sectional width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip portion so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from said spacer relative to each other to permit said enlarged portion to be positioned behind said lip portions.

21. The display assembly according to claim 19 wherein said spacer element is comprised of an extruded material.

22. The display assembly according to claim 21 wherein said material is plastic, each of said legs being generally rigid but movable toward and away from each other about said web portion, the inner surfaces of said leg portions including means defining a latch positioned intermediate said lip portions and web portion to anchor said leg portions in parallel relationship to each other.

23. The display assembly according to claim 22 wherein said latch means includes a pair of resilient flange portions extending from the inner surface of one of said legs toward the other of said legs and including inwardly turned end portions defining a latch having a restricted opening, the other of said leg portions including a tongue portion extending toward said other flange portion and including an enlarged free end receivable through said restricted opening by flexing said latch portions outwardly whereupon said enlarged free end is captured behind said inwardly turned end portions to clamp said leg portions in parallel relationship to each other.