US2841902A - Panel sign frame - Google Patents

Description

July 8, 1958 G. M. PFUNDT PANEL SIGN FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 1, 1955 .fi 5 m mm N a... g M w w FF m w 9 L w w A ii 4 i v| JL (1 L fi 9 H A TTORNEYS.

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United States Patent 1 2,841,902 T APJEL SIGN FRAME George M. lifundt, Churchville, Pa. Application September 1, 1955, Serial No. 531,957 2 Claims. (1. 411 125) This invention relates to structures commonly used for providing space for advertising or other display material. it particularly relates to that type of sign display struc ture adapted to rest upon the ground. Display sign c is type are commonly placed in the open, along roadways and highways, and particularly suit able for use in roadside gasoline stations. Since the display space necessarily presents a large surface area, these structures must be adapted to resist wind. They must also be sufiiciently sturdy to withstand occasional bumping and the like from motor vehicles.

It is accordingly the principal object of this invention to provide an outdoor panel sign frame which will be surlicicntly light to be transportable without lifting machinery, but which will resist wind forces and withstand heavy structural stress caused by occasional contact with motor vehicles.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings.

Fig. l is a front view of a panel sign frame made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial plan View of the panel sign frame of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the panel sign frame of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view partially broken and partially cut away along the line of lV-IV VllVll of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view along the line Jill-VIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view along the line lX-IX of Fig. 2.

A panel sign frame made in accordance with the invention is shown in Fig. 1. The display panel 10 is supported by means of pins 11 and 12 from the vertical columns 13 and 14 respectively. The columns 13 and 14 are supported at their bases by the foot bars 15 and 16 respectively, which are connected by the cross bar 17.

The panel sign frame is adapted to withstand relatively high wind by virtue of the rotatable suspension of the display panel 10 from the vertical columns 13 and 14. As shown in the upper part of Fig. 4, the vertical column 14 is provided with interior opening 20 formed in the shape shown in Fig. 6. Column 13 is provided with a similar opening 21. The upper part of the opening 20 is adapted to receive the cylindrical pin 12. The pins 11 and 12 are recessed at 22 to enable the pins to fit the lower part of openings 20 and 21 as shown in Figs. 4 and'6. The recess 22 is slightly wider than the thickness of the column material, enabling the pins 11 and 12'to straddle the column at the baseof the openings 20 and 21. Pins 11 and 12 are attached to the display panel 10 at opposite sides thereof as shown in Fig. 1. The display panel 10 may be removed from the vertical columns 13 and 14 by raising the display panel until the pins 11 and 12 are in the upper enlarged portion of the openings 20 and 21 and then sliding the display panel to either side, withdrawing the pins 11 and 12 from the openings 20 and 21.

As shown in Fig. 7, vertical column 14 is provided with a reinforcing channel member which spans the ii atenlfed July 55, 1958 extended legs of the column 14. The column 13 is likewise provided with a similar reinforcing member. Cross beam 17 is reinforced by the channel section 41 as shown in Fig. 8. Foot bar 15 is reinforced by channel member similar reinforcement is provided in foot bar 16. The reinforcements in members 13, 14, iii, 16 and 17 conside y increase the strength of these members with little additional weight. it will be noted that in each case the reinforcing member connects the extended legs of the channel shaped beam thereby preventing the legs from spreading under pressure upon the top surface of the channel members. The reinforcements are easily assembled by welding them across the legs of the structural members.

The connection between the vertical column 14, cross bar 17 and foot bar 16 is illustrated in the lower part of Fig. 4. This connection is similar to that between vertical column 13, cross bar 17 and foot bar 15. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the vertical column 14 and its associated reinforcing member 40 are formed to fit over the end of the cross bar 17, contacting it at the points 32, 33 and 34. The end of the cross bar 17, its reinforcing member 41 and the lower end of the vertical column 14 rest upon the upper surface of bracket 45 which straddles foot bar 16 at that point. Aligned openings are provided through the cross bar 17 and its reinforcing member 41, bracket 45, and foot bar 16 and its reinforcing member 42. Threaded plate 46 is fitted in the opening of cross bar 17 and is adapted to receive bolt 47. The head of the bolt 47 is separated from reinforcing member 42 by the Washer 48. By means of this construction, a rigid connection is provided between the principal structural members of the panel sign frame. The entire assembly is thus accomplished by means of the two threaded bolts.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a panel sign, a frame provided with horizontal supporting legs each comprising elongated channel members, reinforcing channel members disposed across the opening of each of said elongated members, reinforcing brackets disposed across the backs of said legs, said legs and reinforcing members having aligned openings therein adapted to receive fastening means and a transverse channel member having openings at its ends aligned with said first mentioned openings, fastening means adapted to pass through said aligned openings to connect s aid transverse member to said horizontal legs, vertical columns attached to each of the said fastening means and extending upward from said supporting leg, a tapered opening in the upper portion of each of said columns, a display panel, pins attached to said display panel extending outwardly toward said openings, said pins adapted to be inserted in said opening and retained in the tapered parts thereof.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fastening means comprises a threaded plate disposed in the opening in said transverse channel member and. an elongated threaded bolt disposed through the openings in said horizontal supporting leg and adapted to engage: said threaded plate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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