Sign structure

• US 4,547,987 A
• Filed: 04/11/1984
• Issued: 10/22/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johann Stilling
• Original Assignee: Johann Stilling
• Inventors: Stilling, Johann
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Robert P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stone, Cary E.
• Application Number:
  US06/598,981
• Time in Patent Office: 559 Days
• Field of Search: 40/549, 40/603, 40/574, 160/391, 160/395, 160/398
• US Class Current: 40/574
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0413 Frames or casing structures therefor

Abstract

An intermediate frame for a sign box of the type having a first hinging member around its perimeter, and having an outer face frame for supporting a face panel, the intermediate frame having a generally rectangular construction with two ends, and a top and bottom joining at corners, each of them having an outer wall, a face panel support connected with the outer wall and extending inwardly, for supporting a face panel, a first hinging portion connected to the outer wall, and extending in a rearward direction for hinging interengagement with the first hinging member on the sign box, a second hinging member connected to the outer wall, and extending in a forward direction, to receive a second hinging portion carried on the outer face frame.

Also included are a series of face frames for supporting a panel of flexible sign material, and panel tensioning members for use therewith. Such face frames may be hingedly mounted to a sign box, fixed to a vertical structure, and retrofitted to an existing sign box.

Claims

1. A face frame construction for use in association with a sign box of the type having a hinge recess, said face frame being adapted to support a thin flexible sign face material thereon, and comprising:

a generally rectangular frame having two end members, and top and bottom members, joining one another at corners, each said member having outer walls, said rectangular frame defining an inner zone and an outer zone;

face panel supporting means connected with said outer wall and having a continuous forwardly extending cantilever member defining a rim around said face frame for supporting such thin flexible material therein, said rim defining a foward edge;

a hinge formation connected to said outer wall along said top member at least, and extending in a rearward direction for hinging interengagement with said hinge recess aforesaid;

holder means for engaging edges of said thin flexible material and comprising at least one generally elongated channel formation, having side walls, and a generally curved bottom wall, defining a generally U-shaped cavity, with a reduced width open mouth portion, and a generally outwardly angled lip portion adjacent said reduced width mouth portion, whereby said flexible material may be formed around one of said outwardly angled lip formations;

anchoring means whereby said flexible material may be secured within said cavity;

a recess defined by said face panel supporting means adapted to receive said holder means, and,

fastening means adapted to extend from said holder means and openings in said frame, for receiving said fastening means whereby said holder means may be adjustably tightened up, thereby tensioning said material around said rim.

2. A face frame construction as claimed in claim 1 wherein said anchoring means comprises a wrapping member adapted to loosely fit within said cavity and to receive therearound a loop of said material, whereby said wrapping member may wedge said material against said side walls at said reduced width mouth portion.

3. A face frame construction as claimed in claim 1 including a front face cover portion removably attachable to said face frame, for at least partially covering said rim.

4. A face frame construction as claimed in claim 3 including retaining means on said sign box, for retaining said hinge formation in association with said hinge recess.

5. A face frame construction as claimed in claim 4 including sealing means associated with said sign box, adjacent said hinge recess, for sealing the same against entry of moisture during adverse weather conditions.

6. A face frame construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein said hinge recess on said sign box is of generally curved concave construction, and wherein said hinge formation on said face frame is of generally curved convex construction, mating with said hinge recess.

7. A face frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein said recess is oriented essentially perpendicular to the plane of said frame.

8. A face frame as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ends and inner side of said side walls define ridge and groove formations extending along the length of said channel formation.

9. A face frame construction for use in association with a structure defining an upper, essentially right-angled edge and an essentially vertical surface said face frame being adapted to support a thin flexible sign face material thereon, and comprising:

a generally rectangular frame having two end members, and top and bottom members, joining one another at corners, each said member having outer walls, said rectangular frame defining an inner zone and an outer zone;

essentially right-angled bracket means connected with said outer wall adapted to be secured to said edge by suitable fastening means;

bearing bracket means connected with said outer wall adapted to bear against said vertical surface;

face panel supporting means connected with said outer wall and defining a continuous forwardly extending rim;

holder means for engaging edges of said thin flexible material said holder means to be supported by said frame and adapted to hold said material around said rim, and,

securing means for adjustably securing said holder means at different distances from the forward edge of said rim, thereby tensioning said material.

10. A face frame as claimed in claim 9 wherein said face panel supporting means further defines a holder surface oriented essentially perpendicular to the plane of said frame, and wherein said holder means is adapted to be supported adjacent said holder surface.

11. A face frame as claimed in claim 10 wherein said holder means comprises at least one channel formation, having side walls, said side walls defining an internal cavity therebetween and a reduced width open mouth portion whereby said cavity is able to communicate with the exterior, anchoring means whereby said flexible material may be secured within said cavity and reduced width open mouth portion and wherein said securing means comprises threaded fastening means adapted to extend through holes defined in said channel formation and threaded openings in said frame for receiving said fastening means, whereby said channel formations may be adjustably moved towards and away from said rim thereby adjusting the tension in said material.

12. A face frame as claimed in claim 11 wherein said anchoring means comprises a wrapping member adapted to loosely fit within said cavity and to receive therearound a loop of said material, whereby said wrapping member may wedge said material against said side walls at said reduced width mouth portion.

13. A face frame as claimed in claim 10 wherein the ends and inner side of said side walls define ridge and groove formations extending along the length of said channel formation.