Hinge assembly for sign box face

• US 6,976,330 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 12/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Milliken & Milliken
• Original Assignee: Milliken & Milliken
• Inventors: Milliken, K. Blair
• Primary Examiner(s): Davis, Cassandra
• Application Number:
  US10/406,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20040035032A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 405/74, 405/64, 405/90, 407/91, 407/82, 527/304, 527/305, 527/306, 527/312, 527/317, D25119-126
• US Class Current: 40/574
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0018 panel clamping or fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 15/0025 display surface tensioning means

Abstract

A hinged sign face assembly is provided for use on a standard sign box. The assembly may be retrofitted on an existing sign box to facilitate access to fluorescent light tubes and other components inside the sign box. The assembly pivots the face of a sign box to an open position to allow interior components to be accessed without the need for disassembling the sign box frame. The assembly includes a hinge adapter that mounts to a standard sign box. The hinge adapter is operable with commercially available components to convert a rigid standard sign box to a hinged sign box. The assembly may also include a hinge connector secured with the sign face that may be connected to the adapter in a hinged manner without fasteners. The hinge connector supports the sign face and cooperates with the adapter to allow the sign face to pivot on the sign box.

Claims

1. A hinged sign face assembly including a sign box, comprising:

(a) an adapter mountable on the sign box, comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a second end;

(2) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, and a middle section, said bottom wall extending generally parallel to the top wall;

(3) a first side wall extending from the first end of the top wall to the middle section of the bottom wall;

(4) a second side wall extending from the second end of the top wall to the second end of the bottom wall;

(5) a third side wall extending from the first end of the bottom wall, said third side wall being generally parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall; and

(6) a pivot arm extending from the third side wall, said pivot arm being generally parallel to the bottom wall and having a terminal end with a rounded curvature; and

(b) a sign support for a sign face mountable on the adapter in a pivotable manner, said sign support comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a middle section;

(2) a first side wall extending from the middle section of the top wall in a direction generally perpendicular to the top wall; and

(3) a second sidewall extending from the first end of the top wall and forming a rounded interface with the top wall, said rounded interface having a curvature that slidably engages the curvature of the terminal end of the pivot arm to permit pivotal movement of the sign support.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sign support is pivotal on the pivot arm between a closed position, in which the top wall of the sign support contacts the pivot arm on the adapter in substantially parallel engagement, and an open position, in which the top wall of the sign support is displaced at an acute angle relative to the orientation of the pivot arm.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the adapter further comprises a pivot stop extending outwardly from the adapter to engage the sign support in the open position and limit the extent to which the sign support is pivoted on the pivot arm.

4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the first side wall of the sign support contacts the third side wall of the adapter in substantially parallel engagement when the sign support is pivoted to the closed position.

5. A hinged sign face assembly including a sign box, comprising:

(a) an adapter mountable on the sign box, comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a second end;

(2) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, and a middle section, said bottom wall extending generally parallel to the top wall;

(3) a first side wall extending from the first end of the top wall to the middle section of the bottom wall;

(4) a second side wall extending from the second end of the top wall to the second end of the bottom wall;

(5) a third side wall extending from the first end of the bottom wall, said third side wall being generally parallel to the first side wall and the second side wall; and

(6) a pivot arm extending from the third side wall, said pivot arm being generally parallel to the bottom wall and having a terminal end with a rounded curvature;

(b) a sign support pivotally mountable on the adapter, said sign support comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a middle section;

(2) a first side wall extending from the middle section of the top wall in a direction generally perpendicular to the top wall; and

(3) a second sidewall extending from the first end of the top wall and forming a rounded interface with the top wall, said rounded interface having a curvature that slidably engages the curvature of the terminal end of the pivot arm to permit pivotal movement of the sign support; and

(c) a sign face mountable to the sign support.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the sign support comprises a channel adjacent to the top wall of the sign support, and the sign face comprises a flexible sign material that is secured within the channel by an anchor.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the anchor comprises a flexible insert configured for removable insertion into the channel over the flexible material of the sign face.

8. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the sign support is pivotal on the pivot arm between a closed position, in which the top wall of the sign support contacts the pivot arm on the adapter in substantially parallel engagement, and an open position, in which the top wall of the sign support is displaced at an acute angle relative to the orientation of the pivot arm.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the adapter further comprises a pivot stop extending outwardly from the adapter to engage the sign support in the open position and limit the extent to which the sign support is pivoted on the pivot arm.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein the first side wall of the sign support contacts the third side wall of the adapter in substantially parallel engagement when the sign support is pivoted to the closed position.

11. An adapter for retrofitting a sign face assembly to an existing sign box in a hinge-like manner, comprising:

(a) a top wall having a first end and a second end;

(b) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, and a middle section, said bottom wall extending generally parallel to the top wall;

(c) a first side wall extending from the first end of the top wall to the middle section of the bottom wall;

(d) a second side wall extending from the second end of the top wall to the second end of the bottom wall;

(e) a third side wall extending from the first end of the bottom wall, said third side wall being generally parallel to the first side wall and second side wall; and

(f) a pivot arm extending from the third side wall, said pivot arm being generally parallel to the bottom wall and having a terminal end with a rounded curvature.

12. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the third sidewall is shorter than the first sidewall, and shorter than the second sidewall.

13. The adapter of claim 11, wherein the pivot arm is recessed relative to the top wall.

14. The adapter of claim 11 comprising a pivot stop extending outwardly from the adapter.

15. A hinged sign face assembly including a sign box, comprising:

(a) an adapter mountable on the sign box, comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a second end;

(2) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, and a middle section, said bottom wall extending generally parallel to the top wall;

(3) a first side wall extending from the first end of the top wall to the middle section of the bottom wall;

(4) a second side wall extending from the second end of the top wall to the second end of the bottom wall; and

(5) a fulcrum extending from the first end of the bottom wall, said fulcrum having a pivot end with a rounded curvature; and

(b) a sign support for a sign face mountable on the adapter in a pivotable manner, said sign support comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a middle section;

(2) a first side wall extending from the middle section of the top wall in a direction generally perpendicular to the top wall; and

(3) a second sidewall extending from the first end of the top wall and forming a rounded interface with the top wall, said rounded interface having a curvature that slidably engages the curvature of the pivot end of the fulcrum to permit pivotal movement of the sign support.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the sign support is pivotal on the fulcrum between a closed position, in which the top wall of the sign support is generally parallel to the top wall of the adapter, and an open position, in which the top wall of the sign support is pivoted at an acute angle with respect to the top wall of the adapter.

17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the adapter further comprises a pivot stop extending outwardly from the adapter to engage the sign support in the open position and limit the extent to which the sign support is pivoted on the fulcrum.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first side wall of the sign support contacts the fulcrum when the sign support is pivoted to the closed position.

19. A hinged sign face assembly including a sign box, comprising:

(a) an adapter mountable on the sign box, comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a second end;

(2) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, and a middle section, said bottom wall extending generally parallel to the top wall;

(3) a first side wall extending from the first end of the top wall to the middle section of the bottom wall;

(4) a second side wall extending from the second end of the top wall to the second end of the bottom wall; and

(5) a fulcrum extending from the first end of the bottom wall, said fulcrum having a pivot end with a rounded curvature;

(b) a sign support pivotally mountable on the adapter, said sign support comprising;

(1) a top wall having a first end and a middle section;

(2) a first side wall extending from the middle section of the top wall in a direction generally perpendicular to the top wall; and

(3) a second sidewall extending from the first end of the top wall and forming a rounded interface with the top wall, said rounded interface having a curvature that slidably engages the curvature of the terminal end of the fulcrum to permit pivotal movement of the sign support; and

(c) a sign face mountable to the sign support.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the sign support is pivotal on the fulcrum between a closed position in which the top wall of the sign support is generally parallel to the top wall of the adapter, and an open position in which the top wall of the sign support is pivoted at an angle with respect to the top wall of the adapter.

21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the adapter further comprises a pivot stop extending outwardly from the adapter to engage the sign support in the open position and limit the extent to which the sign support is pivoted on the fulcrum.

22. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the first side wall of the sign support contacts the fulcrum when the sign support is pivoted to the closed position.

23. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the sign support comprises a channel adjacent to the top wall of the sign support, and the sign face comprises a flexible sign material that is secured within the channel by an anchor.

24. The assembly of claim 23, wherein the anchor comprises a flexible insert configured for removable insertion into the channel over the flexible material of the sign face.

25. An adapter for retrofitting a sign face assembly to an existing sign box in a hinge-like manner, comprising:

(a) a top wall having a first end and a second end;

(b) a bottom wall having a first end, a second end, and a middle section, said bottom wall extending generally parallel to the top wall;

(c) a first side wall extending from the first end of the top wall to the middle section of the bottom wall;

(d) a second side wall extending from the second end of the top wall to the second end of the bottom wall; and

(e) a fulcrum extending from the first end of the bottom wall, said fulcrum having a cantilevered portion extending toward, but terminating short of, said first side wall, said cantilevered portion having a pivot end with a rounded curvature separated from the first side wall by a gap, said gap having a width less than the length of said cantilevered portion.

26. The adapter of claim 25 comprising a pivot stop extending outwardly from the adapter.

27. The adapter of claim 25 wherein the pivot end of the cantilevered portion of the fulcrum is recessed below the top wall.