# US 2014/0196334 A1 · Movable signage apparatus and method

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- Number: US 2014/0196334 A1
- Document ID: US20140196334A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/158,623
- Filed: 2014-01-17
- Published: 2014-07-17
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-17
- Inventors: James Gibson; Wendy Gibson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196334A1

## CPC

- G09F 7/22: for rotatably or swingably mounting, e.g. for boards adapted to be rotated by the wind
- G09F 15/0037: {supported by a post}
- G09F 15/005: {for orientation or public information}
- G09F 15/0087: {including movable parts, e.g. movable by the wind}
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS

## Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system that includes a support member and a sign supported by the support member. The sign may have a generally planar shape and may extend in a plane. The system also includes a repositioning mechanism coupled to the sign and the support member. The repositioning mechanism rotates the sign substantially in-plane. The system may further include a controller for controlling rotation of the sign. In one implementation, the repositioning mechanism is retrofitted on an existing sign and an existing support member. The repositioning mechanism may include a power source attached to the support member that provides power to the repositioning mechanism. The repositioning mechanism may further include a linkage attached to the sign and a transmission for transferring rotational power to the sign, wherein the transmission is interconnected between the power source and the linkage.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a support member;
a sign supported by the support member, the sign having a generally planar shape and extending in a plane and;
a repositioning mechanism coupled to the sign and the support member, wherein the repositioning mechanism rotates the sign substantially in-plane.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising a controller for controlling rotation of the sign.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the repositioning mechanism is retrofitted on an existing sign and an existing support member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the repositioning mechanism comprises
a power source providing power to the repositioning mechanism, wherein the power source is attached to the support member;
a linkage attached to the sign; and
a transmission for transferring rotational power to the sign, wherein the transmission is interconnected between the power source and the linkage.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the sign is rotatable in a substantially continuous motion.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the sign is rotatable in a substantially discontinuous motion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the sign is rotatable 360 degrees in-plane.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the sign is rotatable back and forth between predetermined angled position limits.

### Claim 9

A method comprising:
providing a support member;
supporting a sign on the support member, the sign having a generally planar shape and extending in a plane; and
rotating the sign substantially in-plane.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein rotating the sign is a substantially continuous motion.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein rotating the sign is a discontinuous motion.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the sign rotates 360 degrees in-plane.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the sign rotates back and forth between predetermined angled position limits.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the sign rotates at a rate that captures attention of passersby while still allowing the passersby to perceive the message on the sign.

### Claim 15

A sign repositioning apparatus comprising:
a power source providing power to the apparatus, wherein the power source is attachable to a support member;
a linkage attachable to a sign; and
a transmission for transferring rotational power to the sign, wherein the transmission is interconnected between the power source and the linkage.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a disconnect mechanism for disconnecting the transmission from one or more of the power source and the linkage.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a disconnect mechanism for disconnecting the linkage from one or more of the transmission and the sign.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a brake mechanism for securing the sign in a specific position.

### Claim 19 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transmission comprises a pinion and gear assembly.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is retrofittable on an existing support member and an existing sign.