Two-position signal device

• US 4,885,857 A
• Filed: 02/17/1989
• Issued: 12/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: David Leflet
• Original Assignee: David Leflet
• Inventors: Leflet, David
• Primary Examiner(s): WEHNER, CARY ELLEN
• Application Number:
  US07/311,043
• Time in Patent Office: 298 Days
• Field of Search: 16/319, 16/306, 16/380, 16/386, 40/486, 40/492, 40/530, 40/533, 40/535, 40/359, 40/324, 40/447, 40/450, 40/449, 40/536, 232/34, 232/35, 232/37
• US Class Current: 40/533
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/00 Signs, name or number plates, letters, numerals, or symbols vehicle registration number plates B60R13/10; Panels or boards show-cards G09F1/00; indicating arrangements for variable information G09F9/00, G09F11/00; illuminated signs G09F13/00; boards for notices or posters G09F15/00

Abstract

The novel two-position signal device comprises a generally rectangular base plate, a pair of substantially parallel flanges upstanding along opposite edges of the base plate, a signal panel pivotally mounted on the flanges and adapted to be rotated between two different signaling positions against the base plate between the flanges.

Claims

1. A signal device adapted for use with a primary object comprising:

a generally rectangular base plate having a major plate surface,

a pair of substantially parallel flanges upstanding along opposite edges of said major plate surface,

a signal panel having two major opposed panel surfaces, said panel being pivotally mounted on said flanges and adapted to be rotated between two different signaling positions against said base plate between said flanges,

means for releasably holding said signal panel in each of said two different positions against said base plate by a press fit between said flanges,

and means for attaching said base plate to a primary object, such as an office file or the like.

2. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said releasable holding means includes said flanges and pairs of bumps on at least one intermediate edge of said panel and the adjacent flanges, said bumps being located to press fit said panel between said flanges when said signal panel is in each of said signalling positions.

3. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said panel has a pair of bumps and said flanges have a mating pair of detents in each of said signalling positions.

4. The device defined in claim 2 wherein said panel has a first pair of opposed bumps on the panel edges thereof opposite said flanges, and said flanges have a second opposed pair of bumps on the flange surfaces thereof opposite said panel edges when said signal panel is in each of said signalling positions.

5. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said attaching means is selected from the group consisting of a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive on a surface of said base plate, a clip, a pin and a staple.

6. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said signal panel has a proximal edge and an opposite distal edge, said signal panel being pivotally mounted along said proximal edge to each of said flanges.

7. The device defined in claim 6 wherein said proximal edge of said signal panel is rounded to allow improved clearance when said signal panel is rotated between said signaling positions.

8. The device defined in claim 6 wherein said distal edge of said signal panel extends beyond the edge of said base plate when said signal panel is in either of said signaling positions.

9. The device defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of (a) the two areas of said plate surface covered by said signaling panel in said two signalling positions and (b) said two major signal panel surfaces themselves, have two contrasting signalling media selected from the group consisting of colors, words, letters, numbers, or symbols.

10. The device defined in claim 1 wherein said base plate and said signal panel are each constituted of a relatively rigid plastic material.

11. A signal device adapted for use with a primary object comprising:

a generally rectangular planar base plate having two major opposed plate surfaces,

a pair of substantially parallel flanges integral with and upstanding along substantially the entire length of opposite edges of one of said major plate surface,

a generally rectangular signal panel having major opposes panel surfaces, a proximal edge, a distal edge, and intermediate edges between said proximal edge and said distal edges, said panel being pivotally mounted along said proximal edge thereof to said flanges, said panel being of such dimensions as to fit between said flanges when said panel is pivotally rotated to each of two signaling positions adjacent said one of said major plate surfaces,

means for releasably holding said panel in each of said signaling positions by press fit between said flanges,

and means for attaching the other of said plate surfaces to a primary object, such as an office file or the like.

12. The signal device defined in claim 11 wherein said attaching means is a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive coated on the other of said major plate surfaces.

13. The device defined in claim 11 wherein the distal edge of said signal panel extends beyond said base plate when it is in each of said signaling positions to permit easier digital engagement with said distal edge.

14. The device defined in claim 11 wherein the intermediate edges of said signal panel between said proximal edge and said distal edge thereof lie close to said flanges in each of said signaling positions, and said releasable holding means comprises mating bumps and detents in said flanges and said intermediate edges, which bumps and detents press fit said panel between said flanges in each of said signalling positions.

15. The device defined in claim 14 wherein said bumps extend outward from said intermediate edge into mating detents in said flanges when said signal panel is in either of said signaling positions.

16. The device defined in claim 15 wherein said flanges contain base slots adjacent to said base plate and terminating at the proximal edge of said signal panel.

17. The device defined in claim 11 wherein the intermediate edges of said signal panel between said proximal edge and the distal edge thereof lie close to said flanges in each of said signalling positions, and said releasable holding means comprises a first pair of opposed bumps on said intermediate panel edge opposite said flanges, and a second pair of bumps on the flange surfaces thereof opposite said intermediate panel edges, which bumps press fit said panel between said flanges in each of said signalling positions.

18. The device defined in claim 11 wherein said proximal edge is rounded to increase the clearance between said proximal edge and said base plate when said signal panel is rotated between said signaling positions.

19. The device defined in claim 11 wherein said pivotal mounting for said signal panel includes an aperture through said signal panel closely spaced from and substantially parallel to said proximal edge, an aperture in each of said flanges at about the middle of each of said flanges, a rod positioned in said panel aperture and said flange apertures, and means preventing said rod from moving out of said apertures.

20. The device defined in claim 11 wherein said pivotal mounting for said signal panel includes said flanges, each flange having a pivot slot therein at about the middle of said flanges, said pivot slots being opposite one another, a pivot rod integral with and extending from each of said intermediate panel edges adjacent to said proximal panel edge, each of said rods being press fit into and rotatable in a different one of said pivot slots, said pivot slots opening away from said one major plate surface, whereby said pivot rods maybe pressed out of and into said pivot slots.

21. The device defined in claim 11 wherein the base plate and said signal panel each consist essentially of a relatively rigid plastic material.