Sign apparatus with improved mounting of message panels
AssigneeAPCO Graphics, Inc.
InventorsRonald W. Cobb, Benjamin H. Bell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Sign apparatus for directory or other applications and having removable sign inserts positionable at any location along a dimension of the sign. The sign inserts are held in place by a number of elongated rails located behind the inserts. Each rail contains an elongate track with a slotted opening facing the back side of the sign inserts. The tracks receive an end of an elastically-deformable fastener attached to the back of the sign insert. Each fastener expands within the track to prevent unimpeded removal of the insert, while permitting the insert to slide within the track for longitudinal positioning of the insert along the rails.
Claims20
Sign apparatus having a positionable sign insert, comprising:
- a sign insert having a front surface and a back surface;
- an elongated support member disposed for juxtaposition with the back surface of the sign insert, the support member having a channel and a slot facing the back surface and providing access to the channel;
- a fastener on the back surface of the sign insert for alignment with the slot;
- the fastener being elastically deformable to pass through the slot and enter the channel and thereafter expanding within the channel to a configuration exceeding the width of the slot;
- and
- the fastener thereafter being slidable within the channel so that the sign insert is retained against the support member in sliding relation to the slot and can be positioned along the support member by sliding the fastener.
Sign apparatus comprising:
- a holder having sides defining a perimeter for the sign apparatus;
- a plurality of elongate support members associated with the holder within the perimeter and parallel to each other within the holder;
- each support member including an elongate channel;
- at least one sign insert having a front surface and a back surface operative for placement in predetermined juxtaposition with the support members;
- fasteners on the back surface of the sign insert for alignment with the channels of the respective support members;
- the fasteners being elastically deformable to enter the channels and thereafter expandable within the channels to a configuration substantially inhibiting withdrawal from the channels;
- and
- the fasteners thereafter being slidable within the channels so that the sign insert is retained in juxtaposition against the support member in sliding relation to the channels and can be positioned to any desired location along the support member by sliding the fasteners within the channels.
Apparatus for selectively attaching a panel to a workpiece, the apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of elongated support members supported by the workpiece, each support member having a channel and a slot providing access to the channel, and the slot facing outwardly from the workpiece on which the channel is supported;
- a panel;
- a fastener having means attached to the panel and elastically deformable by application of a first amount of force to pass through the slot and enter the channel;
- the fastener means being expandable within the channel to a configuration exceeding the width of the slot and being withdrawable from the channel only in response to force greater than the first amount, thereby impeding removal of the panel from the elongated support member;
- and
- the fastener thereafter being slidable within the channel so that the panel is retained in sliding relation to the channel and can be positioned relative to the workpeice by sliding the fastener along the length of the elongated support member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.