# US 2014/0196329 A1 · Multi-Paneled Signage Substrate and Method for Making the Same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196329 A1 - Document ID: US20140196329A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/155,348 - Filed: 2014-01-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-14 - Assignees: Image Microsystems, Inc. - Applicants: Image Microsystems, Inc. - Inventors: Alex Abadi - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196329A1 ## CPC - G09F 13/00: Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising (G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G) - G09F 15/0018: {panel clamping or fastening means} - G09F 2007/1878: {Traffic orientation, street markers} - Y10T 29/49947: by applying separate fastener - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An article (101) is provided which includes a plurality of panels (103), wherein each panel comprises a first edge having a first longitudinally extending protrusion (107) adjacent thereto and a second edge having a second longitudinally extending protrusion (109) adjacent thereto, wherein each of the first and second protrusions has a planar exterior surface (131) and an interior surface (133) having an indentation (135) therein, and wherein the plurality of panels are arranged in an abutting manner such that the planar exterior surface of at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion are disposed in an opposing relation to each other. A coupler (113) is also provided which extends over said first and second protrusions. The coupler is equipped with at least a first protuberance (145) which engages the indentation on the interior surface of the first protrusion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article, comprising: a plurality of panels, wherein each panel comprises a first edge having a first longitudinally extending protrusion adjacent thereto and a second edge having a second longitudinally extending protrusion adjacent thereto, wherein each of said first and second protrusions has a first surface and a second indented surface, and wherein said plurality of panels are arranged in an abutting manner such that the first surface of at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion are disposed in an opposing relation to each other; and a coupler which extends over said first and second protrusions, wherein said coupler is equipped with a first protuberance which engages the indented surface of said first protrusion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein said coupler is equipped with a second protuberance which engages the indented surface of said second protrusion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The article of claim 2, wherein said coupler has first and second opposing walls, wherein said first protuberance is disposed on said first wall, and wherein said second protuberance is disposed on said second wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The article of claim 3, wherein said coupler is U-shaped in a cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said coupler. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The article of claim 3, wherein each of said first and second protuberances contains a first edge, wherein the indented surface of each of said first and second protrusions contains a second edge, and wherein the coupler engages said first and second protrusions such that the first edges of said first and second protuberances pressingly engage the second edges of said first and second protrusions. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The article of claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of panels has a first major surface which is planar, wherein said coupler has an interior which is complimentary in shape to the combined shape of said first and second protrusions when said plurality of panels are arranged in an abutting manner such that the first exterior surface of at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion are disposed in an opposing relation to each other and such that the first major surfaces of the plurality of panels are coplanar. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of panels has a first major surface which is planar, and wherein each of said plurality of panels has a second major surface having said first and second protrusions disposed thereon. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The article of claim 7, wherein said first major surface is rectangular, and wherein said first and second protrusions have longitudinal axes that are parallel to the major axis of said first major surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second protrusions are planar and face outward from the panel, and wherein the second indented surfaces face inward. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The article of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of panels has a first major surface, wherein said plurality of panels are arranged in an abutting manner such that the first major surfaces of said plurality of panels forms a substrate, and further comprising an indicia disposed over said substrate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The article of claim 10, wherein said substrate is planar. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The article of claim 10, wherein said article is a traffic sign. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The article of claim 10, further comprising a reflective layer. ### Claim 14 A method for making an article, comprising: providing a plurality of panels, wherein each panel comprises a first edge having a first longitudinally extending protrusion adjacent thereto and a second edge having a second longitudinally extending protrusion adjacent thereto, and wherein each of said first and second protrusions has a first surface and a second indented surface; arranging the panels in an abutting manner such that the planar surface of at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion are disposed in an opposing relation to each other; and applying a coupler to said first and second protrusions, wherein said coupler extends over said first and second protrusions and is equipped with a first protuberance which engages the indented surface of said first protrusion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein said coupler is equipped with a second protuberance which engages the indented surface of said second protrusion. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein said coupler has first and second opposing walls, wherein said first protuberance is disposed on said first wall, and wherein said second protuberance is disposed on said second wall. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein said coupler is U-shaped in a cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said coupler. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second protuberances contains a first edge, wherein the indented surface of each of said first and second protrusions contains a second edge, and wherein the coupler engages said first and second protrusions such that the first edges of said first and second protuberances pressingly engage the second edges of said first and second protrusions. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, wherein each of said plurality of panels has a first major surface which is planar, wherein said coupler has an interior which is complimentary in shape to the combined shape of said first and second protrusions when said plurality of panels are arranged in an abutting manner such that the planar exterior surface of at least one first protrusion and at least one second protrusion are disposed in an opposing relation to each other and such that the first major surfaces of the plurality of panels are coplanar. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of panels has a first major surface which is planar, and wherein each of said plurality of panels has a second major surface having said first and second protrusions disposed thereon. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein said first major surface is rectangular, and wherein said first and second protrusions have longitudinal axes that are parallel to the major axis of said first major surface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first planar surfaces of the first and second protrusions are planar and face outward from the panel, and wherein the second indented surfaces of the first and second protrusions face inward. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of panels has a first major surface, wherein said plurality of panels are arranged in an abutting manner such that the first major surfaces of said plurality of panels forms a substrate, and further comprising an indicia disposed over said substrate. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein said substrate is planar. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The article of claim 23, wherein said article is a traffic sign. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The article of claim 23, further comprising a reflective layer. ### Claim 27 An article, comprising: a plurality of panels, wherein each panel comprises a first edge having a first longitudinally extending protrusion adjacent thereto and a second edge having a second longitudinally extending protrusion adjacent thereto, wherein each of said first and second protrusions are arranged in an abutting manner such that said first protrusion and said second protrusion are disposed in an opposing relation to each other, and wherein said first protrusion is equipped with an indented surface; and a coupler which extends over said first and second protrusions, wherein said coupler is equipped with a first protuberance which engages the indented surface of said first protrusion. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The article of claim 27, wherein said first protrusion is also equipped with an indented surface, and wherein said coupler is equipped with first and second protuberances which engage the indented surfaces of said first and second protrusions.