Sign assembly
AssigneeAmerican Louver Company
InventorsGeoffrey M. Glass, JR., Carol Salas
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sign assembly includes a base, a pair of spring members, and a panel. The spring members include a resilient portion that includes attachment means at a first end to enable attachment of the spring member to the base. The spring members also include a generally straight rod that extends from a second end of the resilient portion. The panel defines a pair of openings at a lower edge configured to slidably receive the rod of the spring members. The amount by which the rod slides into the panel is configured to secure the panel in an upright position.
Claims11
1-20. (canceled)
A sign assembly comprising:
- a base;
- at least one spring member, wherein said at least one spring member includes a resilient portion that includes attachment means at a first end to enable attachment of said at least one spring member to said base and a generally straight rod extending from a second end of said resilient portion;
- and
- a panel that defines a front surface and a back surface and at least one opening at a lower edge configured to slidably receive said rod of said at least one spring member, wherein an amount by which said rod slides into said panel is configured to secure said panel in an upright position,
- wherein said panel defines at least one channel on the front surface and at least one channel on the back surface through which said rod extends and is interwoven, wherein at least one of said at least one channel on the first surface and said at least one channel on the back surface has a cross-section that complements a cross-section of the rod and that provides a frictional force against said rod that substantially prevents movement of said panel relative to said rod,
- wherein said at least one channel on said front and said at least one channel on said back surface are open at respective panel surfaces so that different portions of said rod are visible from both of the front and back surfaces of the panel .
A method for manufacturing a sign assembly:
- providing a base;
- forming at least one spring member that includes a resilient portion with a first end configured to attach to said base and a generally straight rod extending from a second end of said resilient portion;
- forming a panel that defines a front surface and a back surface and at least one opening at a lower edge configured to slidably receive said rod of said at least one spring member, wherein an amount by which said rod slides into said panel is configured to secure said panel in an upright position;
- and
- forming at least one channel on the front surface and at least one channel on the back surface of said panel through which said rod extends and is interwoven, wherein at least one of said at least one channel on the first surface and said at least one channel on the back surface has a cross-section that complements a cross-section of the rod and that provides a frictional force against said rod that substantially prevents movement of said panel relative to said rod,
- wherein said at least one channel on said front and said at least one channel on said back surface are open at respective panel surfaces so that different portions of said rod are visible from both of the front and back surfaces of the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.