Channel letter and trim cap retaining clip therefor

• US 8,756,841 B2
• Filed: 02/05/2013
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Signcomp LLC
• Original Assignee: Signcomp LLC
• Inventors: Boyer, Clyde H.
• Primary Examiner(s): KIM, SHIN H
• Application Number:
  US13/759,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20130255119A1
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 405/52, 242/91, 242/93, 242/95, 292 80- 91, 292/303, 349/58
• US Class Current: 40/552
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2/22 of resilient material, e.g. rubbery material F16B2/205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0404 the light source being enclosed in a box forming the character of the sign
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0413 Frames or casing structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/16 Letters, numerals, or other symbols adapted for permanent fixing to a support
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 7/18 Means for attaching signs, plates, panels, or boards to a supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44376 Spring or resiliently biased about pivot
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A channel letter has a rear surface for mounting against a raceway, wall, or a structure for supporting the signage, and sheet metal sides defining the figuration of the letter or shape to be depicted. A lighting element is positioned against the rear surface of the enclosure, and a lens is retained to the open front of the enclosure. The lens is retained by a plurality of retainer clips. Each of the retainer clips has a first and a second side extending from an arched back with the sides spaced a distance sufficient for the sides to fit around the end of the walls.

Claims

1. A channel letter comprising:

an enclosure having at least two opposing walls, wherein said at least two opposing walls defining the shape of said letter and having an open front;

said at least two opposing walls having an inner surface and a forward end;

a lens having a forward surface and an outer edge in said shape of said letter;

a plurality of selectively positioned and oriented retention clips adjacent said forward end frictionally engaged with said enclosure walls;

each said clip includes an outwardly extending leg relative to said walls;

a retainer cap against said forward surface of said lens for retaining said lens adjacent said enclosure and said walls;

said retainer cap comprises an extrusion readily formable into a variety of shapes;

said retainer cap includes an interior face having a first edge and an opposing second edge;

said first edge having an overhang engaged to said forward surface of said lens; and

,

said second edge having channel, wherein said channel adapted to securely engage a plurality of said legs along an outer surface of said enclosure walls.

2. A channel letter in accordance with claim 1, wherein each said clip includes a plurality of opposing barbs extending inwardly for frictional engagement with said walls;

and,

said barbs oriented to facilitate mounting to said walls in a first direction while prohibiting dismounting from said walls in a second direction.

3. A channel letter in accordance with claim 1, wherein said clip comprises a unitary rigid body having a first side and a second side, said first and second sides extend from a back;

said first and second sides spaced from each other by a distance greater than a given thickness of said walls;

said first side includes at least one barb of rigid material and said second side includes at least one barb of rigid material; and

,

said barb from said first side and said barb from said second side spaced from each other by a distance less than said thickness of said walls prior to mounting said clip.

4. A channel sign assembly comprising:

an enclosure having at least two opposing walls, said at least two opposing walls defining the shape of said sign assembly and having an open front;

said at least two opposing walls having an inner surface and a forward end;

said walls including a plurality of intermittent retention clips mounted adjacent to said forward end;

each said clip includes an outwardly extending leg relative to said walls;

said legs are aligned with and offset from said forward end;

a planar lens having a forward surface, and an outer edge in said defined shape of said sign and sized to fit within said at least two opposing walls of said enclosure;

a retainer cap against said forward surface of said lens for retaining said lens within said enclosure and against said walls;

said retainer cap comprises an extrusion readily formable into a variety of shapes;

said retainer cap includes an interior face having a first edge and an opposing second edge;

said first edge having an overhang engaged with said forward surface of said lens; and

,

said second edge forming a retention channel, wherein said channel adapted to securely engage a plurality of said legs along an outer surface of said enclosure walls.

5. A channel sign assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein said channel of said second edge includes a receiver adapted to receive said plurality of said legs, wherein said receiver is positioned at an angle from about 3 degrees to about 9 degrees from a horizontal plane wherein said horizontal plane is substantially perpendicular to said enclosure walls.

6. A channel sign assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said receiver includes partially flexible material extending inwardly from said interior face of said retainer cap, wherein said legs wedge between said retention channel and said exterior face of said enclosure walls when said retainer cap is fitted against said enclosure walls.

7. A channel letter in accordance with claim 4, wherein each said clip includes a plurality of opposing barbs extending inwardly for frictional engagement with said walls;

and,

said barbs oriented to facilitate mounting to said walls in a first direction while prohibiting dismounting from said walls in a second direction.

8. A channel letter in accordance with claim 4, wherein said clip comprises a unitary rigid body having a first side and a second side, said first and second sides extend from a back;

said first and second sides spaced from each other by a distance greater than a given thickness of said walls;

said first side includes at least one barb of rigid material and said second side includes at least one barb of rigid material; and

,

said barb from said first side and said barb from said second side spaced from each other by a distance less than said thickness of said walls prior to mounting said clip.

9. A channel sign assembly comprising:

an enclosure having at least two opposing walls, said at least two opposing walls defining the shape of said sign assembly and having an open front;

said at least two opposing walls forming a forward end;

said walls including a plurality of intermittent retention clips mounted adjacent to said forward end;

each said clip mounted in a first orientation includes a first outwardly extending leg relative to said walls;

said legs are aligned with and offset from said forward end;

a planar lens having a forward surface and an outer edge in said defined shape of said sign;

a retainer cap mounted against said forward surface of said lens for retaining said lens within said enclosure and against said walls;

said retainer cap comprises an extrusion readily formable into a variety of shapes;

said retainer cap includes an interior face having a first edge and an opposing second edge;

said first edge having an overhang engaged with said forward surface of said lens; and

,

said second edge forming a retention channel, wherein said channel adapted to securely engage a plurality of said legs along an outer surface of said enclosure walls.

10. A channel sign assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein said channel of said second edge includes a receiver adapted to receive said plurality of said legs, wherein said receiver includes partially flexible material extending inwardly from said interior face of said retainer cap.

11. A channel sign assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein each said clip is mounted in a second orientation includes a second outwardly extending leg relative to said walls.

12. A channel sign assembly in accordance with claim 9, wherein said receiver includes partially flexible material extending inwardly from said interior face of said retainer cap, wherein said legs wedge between said retention channel and said exterior face of said enclosure walls when said retainer cap is fitted against said enclosure walls.

13. A channel sign assembly in accordance with claim 11, wherein said clip is selectively mountable in said first orientation and said second orientation.

14. A channel letter in accordance with claim 9, wherein each said clip includes a plurality of opposing barbs extending inwardly for frictional engagement with said walls;

and,

said barbs oriented to facilitate mounting to said walls in a first direction while prohibiting dismounting from said walls in a second direction.

15. A channel letter in accordance with claim 9, wherein said clip comprises a unitary rigid body having a first side and a second side, said first and second sides extend from a back;

said first and second sides spaced from each other by a distance greater than a given thickness of said walls;

said first side includes at least one barb of rigid material and said second side includes at least one barb of rigid material; and

,

said barb from said first side and said barb from said second side spaced from each other by a distance less than said thickness of said walls prior to mounting said clip.