Sign for displaying changeable messages

• US 6,108,955 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 08/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Impact Sign Manufacturing LLC
• Original Assignee: Impact Sign Manufacturing LLC
• Inventors: Maskiw, Glenn A., Folsom, Lonnie K.
• Primary Examiner(s): DAVIS, CASSANDRA HOPE
• Application Number:
  US08/451,552
• Time in Patent Office: 1,922 Days
• Field of Search: 40/618, 40/620, 40/611, 40/658, 40/657, 248/488, 248/490, 248/316.7, 248/500
• US Class Current: 40/618
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/10 and slideably mounted

Abstract

A sign for displaying changeable messages. The sign includes a generally planar backboard having a plurality of tracks affixed thereon. The tracks define channels for receiving first portions of a plurality of interchangeable panels. Affixed to each panel is a visible character. The panels are aligned side-by-side along the tracks such that the visible characters define visible messages. The sign also includes fastening members which extend through second portions of the panels for affixing the second portions to the backboard.

Claims

1. A sign for displaying changeable messages, comprising:

a generally planar backboard;

a flexible track affixed to said backboard and providing an elastic panel receiving channel;

a panel for displaying a visible character of said changeable messages, said panel having a first edge adapted to be inserted manually into said channel for retaining said panel to said backboard and precisely locating said panel relative to said flexible track; and

a discrete fastener distal to said first edge rigidly securing said panel to said backboard.

2. The sign of claim 1 wherein said discrete fastener further comprises a screw.

3. The sign of claim 1 wherein said panel further comprises corrugated plastic.

4. The sign of claim 3 wherein said panel extends beyond a perimeter of said backboard.

5. The sign of claim 1 further comprising a removable and adjustable fastener affixing said flexible track to said backboard.

6. The sign of claim 1 further comprising a high-contrast vinyl pattern adhered to said corrugated plastic, thereby defining said visible character.

7. A method for changing the message displayed upon a changeable message sign having a backing board supporting a track for locating a plurality of visible character panels with respect to said track, comprising the steps of:

selecting a desired visible character panel from an assortment of visible character panels containing a variety of visible characters displayed thereon;

locating an undesired visible character panel atttached to said changeable message sign for replacement by said desired visible character panel;

releasing a fastener from rigidly fastening said backing board to said undesired visble character panel to allow said undesired visible character panel to slide relative to said backing board;

sliding said undesired visble character panel in a direction transverse to and away from said track, thereby releasing said visible character panel from said track;

sliding said desired visible character panel in a direction transverse to and towards said track adequately for said track to retain said visible character panel against said backing board; and

installing a fastener to rigidly fasten said backing board to said desired visible character panel and prevent relative motion therebetween.

8. The method for changing the message displayed upon a changeable message sign of claim 7 wherein said step of sliding is further comprised by sliding until a minor edge of said visible character panel contacts said track.

9. The method for changing the message displayed upon a changeable message sign of claim 7 wherein said panel extends beyond a perimeter of said backing board.

10. The method for changing the message displayed upon a changeable message sign of claim 7 wherein said panel resiliently recieves said fastener.