Variable position sign
First Claim
1. A sign comprising:
- a character mounting frame; and
a plurality of characters interconnected with the character mounting frame, including at least one variable position character movably coupled to the character mounting frame via a pivot connection for movement to a plurality of positions relative to the frame, wherein the variable position character is defined by a housing having exterior walls that define the shape of the variable position character, wherein the pivot connection is positioned between the frame and the housing and is located interiorly of boundaries of the character defined by the exterior walls of the housing, wherein the pivot connection enables the at least one variable position character to be moved with respect to the character mounting frame such that the sign may be read in a plurality of positions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sign for the displaying of a number of characters in either a first orientation or at least one additional orientation. The sign includes a frame and a series of characters, including at least one variable position character, mounted to the frame. The variable position character is movable relative to the frame such that it may be read in different positions, to display a message when the variable position character is either in a first orientation or a second orientation. The variable position character may be interconnected with the frame via a pivoting mechanism for adjusting the orientation of the variable position character. The pivoting mechanism may include a latching mechanism that secures the variable position character in a selected orientation. The characters may each include a source of illumination, such as LEDs, that are interconnected with a power supply for selectively illuminating the LEDs.
106 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A sign comprising:
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a character mounting frame; and a plurality of characters interconnected with the character mounting frame, including at least one variable position character movably coupled to the character mounting frame via a pivot connection for movement to a plurality of positions relative to the frame, wherein the variable position character is defined by a housing having exterior walls that define the shape of the variable position character, wherein the pivot connection is positioned between the frame and the housing and is located interiorly of boundaries of the character defined by the exterior walls of the housing, wherein the pivot connection enables the at least one variable position character to be moved with respect to the character mounting frame such that the sign may be read in a plurality of positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A message display sign that is configured to be displayed in more than one orientation, the message display sign comprising:
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a frame defining at least one mounting area; and at least one pivoting character rotatably mounted to the at least one mounting area via a pivot connection, wherein the at least one pivoting character is defined by a hollow housing having exterior walls that define the shape of the pivoting character, wherein the pivot connection is positioned between the frame and the housing and is located interiorly of boundaries of the character defined by the exterior walls of the housing, wherein the pivot connection enables the pivoting character to be pivoted with respect to the frame between a first position wherein the pivoting character may be read in a first orientation and a second position wherein the pivoting character may be read in a second orientation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A sign comprising:
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a frame having a plurality of supports, each of the supports receiving one of a pivoting character or a non-pivoting character, wherein the pivoting characters and non-pivoting characters comprise illuminating members comprising, a housing defining a back wall interconnected between a pair of opposed exterior side walls and defining an opening opposite the back wall, wherein the exterior walls define the shape of the character; a plurality of LEDs supported between the back wall and the opening and positioned to emit light generally toward the opening; a waveguide secured within the opening and configured to allow light received thereby to be emitted therefrom so that the pivoting characters or non-pivoting characters have an illuminated appearance; and a pivoting assembly disposed between each of the pivoting characters and the corresponding support, the pivoting assembly configured to selectively permit rotation of the pivoting characters between a first position and at least one additional position, wherein the pivoting assembly is positioned between the frame and the housing and is located interiorly of boundaries of the character defined by the exterior walls of the housing; wherein the non-pivoting characters and pivoting characters are arranged so as to be readable as a message in a first orientation, and wherein the non-pivoting characters and the pivoting characters are arranged so as to be readable as a message in at least a second orientation different from the first orientation. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A sign comprising:
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a character mounting frame; at least one variable position character coupled to the character mounting frame and rotatable relative to the character mounting frame via a pivot connection, wherein the variable position character is configured to be movable with respect to the character mounting frame such that the sign may be read in a plurality of positions, wherein the variable position character comprises a housing defining a back wall interconnected between a pair of opposed exterior side walls and defining an opening opposite the back wall, wherein the exterior walls define the shape of the character, and wherein the pivot connection is positioned between the frame and the housing and is located interiorly of boundaries of the character defined by the exterior walls of the housing; at least one source of illumination associated with the at least one variable position character for emitting light through the opening; and a conductor electrically connected to the at least one source of illumination and extending between the character mounting frame and the at least one variable position character at the pivot connection between the at least one variable position character and the frame.
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Specification