Overlay for signs

• US 7,877,912 B1
• Filed: 02/20/2009
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lorraine C. Ley-Owens
• Original Assignee: Lorraine C. Ley-Owens
• Inventors: Ley-Owens, Lorraine C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoge; Gary C
• Application Number:
  US12/390,004
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 405/82, 406/12
• US Class Current: 40/582
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/16 Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape

Abstract

The present invention provides an overlay for conventional signs that provides multi-dimensional visibility. The overlay includes a number of individual trim sections disposed around the peripheral edge of the sign. The trim sections have an interior slot that engages the peripheral edge, and a reflective surface on the rear portion, and optionally on the edge portion, of each trim section. A connecting cable is received in a channel of each trim section, and the free ends of the cable and connected to secure the trim sections in place around the sign.

Claims

1. An overlay for a conventional sign having a front surface, a rear surface, and a peripheral edge, the overlay comprising:

a plurality of trim sections disposed around the sign, each of the trim sections including a front portion, an edge portion, and a rear portion, the front, edge, and rear portions each having an outer face and an inner face;

a first reflective surface carried on the outer face of the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim members;

an interior slot formed by the inner faces of the front, edge, and rear portions of each of the plurality of trim members, the interior slot being disposed to matingly engage the peripheral edge of the sign;

a channel disposed on the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim sections, the channel having an opening disposed to face the interior slot;

an elongated connecting cable having free ends, the cable being disposed to be received in the channel of each of the plurality of trim sections through the openings; and

a coupler disposed to releasably connect the free ends of the cable.

2. The overlay of claim 1, wherein the front portion of each of the plurality of trim sections is transparent.

3. The overlay of claim 1 wherein the outer face of the edge portion of each of the plurality of trim sections carries a second reflective surface.

4. The overlay of claim 2, wherein the outer face of the edge portion of each of the plurality of trim sections carries a second reflective surface.

5. The overlay of claim 1, wherein the sign is a stop sign having eight sides.

6. The overlay of claim 5, wherein the sign is mounted on a post disposed to engage the rear surface of the sign between a lowermost side of the eight sides of the sign and a point spaced below an uppermost side of the eight sides of the sign, and wherein seven adjacent trim sections are attached to the sign leaving a space at the lowermost side of the sign.

7. The overlay of claim 1, wherein the channel is disposed to extend out from the inner face of the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim sections.

8. The overlay of claim 2, wherein the channel is disposed to extend out from the inner face of the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim sections.

9. The overlay of claim 3, wherein the channel is disposed to extend out from the inner face of the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim sections.

10. The overlay of claim 4, wherein the channel is disposed to extend out from the inner face of the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim sections.

11. The overlay of claim 5, wherein the channel is disposed to extend out from the inner face of the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim sections.

12. The overlay of claim 6, wherein the channel is disposed to extend out from the inner face of the rear portion of each of the plurality of trim sections.

13. The overlay of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of trim sections is formed of extruded plastic.

14. The overlay of claim 1, wherein the first reflective surface includes a reflective tape.

15. The overlay of claim 1, wherein the first reflective surface includes a reflective paint.

16. The overlay of claim 3, wherein the first reflective surface includes a reflective tape.

17. The overlay of claim 3, wherein the first reflective surface includes a reflective paint.