Sign support stake

#This invention relates to a sign supporting device and more particularly to a ground engaging post or stake designed to support one or more signs on each side of the stake and comprising a dual functioning offset brace and a dual functioning fastener for attaching signs thereto through apertures and projections embodied therein eliminating tools.

#A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and inproved sign supporting stake which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install in the ground and less time consuming to use.

#A further object of the invention is to provide an improved sign support stake device employing new designed dual functioning offset brace or braces and dual functioning sign fasteners providing means for attaching and removing signs from a stake without the use of hand tools.

#FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a narrow elongated pointed sign supporting stake with offset braces attached thereto;

#FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of this sign supporting stake device of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 a view observing the cross-sectional hat-shape formed stake with a offset brace attached thereto between the attached signs;

#Now referring to the drawings, 10 designates the front side of a narrow, elongated, roll formed, hat shaped in cross-section, support stake device with a pointed end 13 for easy ground penetration. Positioned at the upper and lower sections of the stake and projecting laterally beyond the edges thereof are a pair of offset braces 12A attached to the back side of the stake 16 by partially stamped out projecting sections embodied within the brace as in FIG. 3A herein referred to as attaching hooks 12C. However, one brace can be used per stake and perform both functions as now described:

#First attach the brace to the back side of the stake 16 in the lower section of the stake by passing the hooks 12C thru openings 11 in the stake and pressing downward into a holding position attached flat against the stake and positioned horizontally to be engaged by the foot of the person driving the stake into the ground. Then remove the brace and attach it to the back side of the upper section of the stake in the same manner. Whereupon the brace 12A becomes a support at the back sides of the signs 22 that are flat against the brace and thereby preventing them from swinging in a strong wind and becoming damaged. Futhermore, in each end of the brace is a partially stamped out section embodied within the part and protruding in an upright position therefrom, shown in FIG. 3A, are hooks 12B which are designed to receive the bottom edge of the top sign when it is attached to the stake 10 on the front side thereby preventing the sign from tilting out of a true horizontal position on the stake.

#When attaching signs to the front side of the stake 10, pass the end 17 of the fastener 21 through the horizontal slot 23 in the center of the sign 22 and into an opening 14 in the front side of the stake 10. The depth of the penetration of the fastener 21 will be determined by the thickness of the sign 22 material and this also will determine which slot 18 or 19 in the fastener 21 engages the sides of the graduated opening 14 in the stake thereby allowing the fastener 21 with sign to slide downward into a secure holding position on the stake. The notches 18 and 19 in the fastener 21 are designed so signs of differing thicknesses can be attached to the front side of the stake 10 using only the one fastener, to remove the signs reverse the procedure.