U.S. patent number 3,620,496 [Application Number 04/866,682] was granted by the patent office on 1971-11-16 for support structures for signs and the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bonel Co., Elmhurst, IL. Invention is credited to Henry Bolt, Richard Nelson.
United States Patent |
3,620,496 |
|
November 16, 1971 |
SUPPORT STRUCTURES FOR SIGNS AND THE LIKE
Abstract
There is disclosed a support structure for road warning signs
and the like including a first tubular bar, a second tubular bar
telescopically disposed within the first bar, first sign engagement
means mounted on the upper end of the second tubular bar, second
sign engagement means movably disposed on the first tubular bar,
sign stabilizing means movably disposed intermediate the first and
second sign engagement means and a plurality of legs provided
adjacent the lower end of the first tubular bar, the legs being
adapted for movement into a retracted position and a supporting
position.
Inventors: |
Henry Bolt (Elmhurst, IL),
Richard Nelson (La Grange Park, IL) |
Assignee: |
Bonel Co., Elmhurst, IL
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
25348162 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/866,682 |
Filed: |
October 15, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/171; 40/903;
248/488 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F
9/688 (20160201); F16M 11/16 (20130101); F16M
11/245 (20130101); F16M 11/30 (20130101); Y10S
40/903 (20130101); F16M 2200/028 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E01F
9/012 (20060101); E01F 9/011 (20060101); F16M
11/30 (20060101); F16M 11/20 (20060101); F16m
011/38 () |
Field of
Search: |
;248/171,172,121,125,126,488,473,464,453,452,451,449,316A
;40/125N |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
214604 |
|
May 1, 1957 |
|
AU |
|
460778 |
|
Oct 1, 1913 |
|
FR |
|
881317 |
|
Jun 1, 1953 |
|
DE |
|
Primary Examiner: Marion Parsons, Jr.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Basil E. Demeur
Claims
We claim:
1. A support structure for signs and the like for seatment upon an
underlying support surface comprising first tubular means having an
upper and a lower end, first yoke means slidably disposed on said
first tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof, a plurality of
legs having the inner ends thereof mounted on said first yoke means
and the outer ends thereof provided for seatment upon the
underlying support surface, second tubular means telescopically
disposed within said first tubular means and having an upper and a
lower end, second yoke means mounted on said second tubular means
adjacent the upper end thereof, said second yoke means provided
with first engagement means for engaging one edge of a sign mounted
on said structure, said second yoke means being movably responsive
to the movement of said second tubular means, third yoke means
slidably disposed on said first tubular means above said first yoke
means and including holding means for maintaining said third yoke
means in any desired position along the length of said first
tubular means, said third yoke means provided with second sign
engagement means for engaging the opposite edge of a sign supported
on said structure, and fourth yoke means slidably disposed on said
second tubular means intermediate said second and third yoke means
respectively, said fourth yoke means provided with stabilizing
means for stabilizing a sign supported on said structure, whereby
said first yoke means may be slid downwardly to spread said legs
apart into a support position for supporting said structure upon an
underlying support surface and said first and second engagement
means and stabilizing means are independently movable with respect
to one another in order to engage two opposing edges of a sign for
supporting a sign on said structure and for adjusting the relative
distance between the lower edge of the sign and the underlying
support surface, and said stabilizing means is engageable with
corresponding receiving means in the sign intermediate said first
and second engagement means respectively for stabilizing the sign
thereon.
2. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
first sign engagement means comprises slot means movably disposed
with respect to said sign support means and adapted for engaging
the upper edge of a sign supported on said structure and said
second sign engagement means comprises slot means movably disposed
with respect to said sign support means and adapted for engaging
the lower edge of a sign supported on said structure.
3. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of
said legs further includes a support bar having an outer end
pivotally mounted on said leg intermediate the outer and inner end
thereof respectively, and an inner end mounted on said first
tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof.
4. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, which further
includes first stop means associated with said first yoke means
thereby to limit the downward movement of said first yoke
means.
5. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, which further
includes stop means associated with said second tubular means for
locking said second tubular means in telescoped relation with
respect to said first tubular means.
6. The support structure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said
fourth yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly
greater than the diameter of said second tubular means and slightly
smaller than the diameter of said first tubular means slidably
mounted on said second tubular means whereby the diameter of said
collar permits sliding movement only along the length of said
second tubular means, said collar including a stabilizing rib
fixedly mounted thereon and extending angularly outwardly therefrom
and adapted for engagement with a sign supported on said structure
intermediate the engaged upper and lower edges of the sign
respectively.
7. The support structure as set forth in claim 6, which further
includes adjustable second stop means provided on said fourth yoke
means for locking said fourth yoke means in any desired position
along the length of said second tubular means.
Description
Many forms of stand structures are shown and described in the prior
art. Hence, various forms of stands are known for roadway warning
signs, for portable movie screens, for telescopes, for portable
tables, and other such multifarious uses. However, many problems
exist with the stands employed for particular use in connection
with roadway warning signs for the reason that these stands must be
easily portable, extremely durable and subject to rough treatment
and easily assembled and disassembled.
Currently, many of the stands which are commercially available are
easily assembled and disassembled but these are usually either
formed of such lightweight material as to be unsuitable for highway
use, or have so many moving parts as to be easily damaged upon
repeated use and when handled in a rough manner. Other stands which
currently are in use require the use of sandbags or other
extraneous weighted elements for holding the stand with a sign
supported thereon erect. In this connection, it is to be noted that
roadway warning signs must be able to withstand excessive vacuum
pressures of the magnitude generated when large vehicles, such as
semitrailer trucks, pass these structures on an open highway at
high speeds. However, the forms of stands which require additional
weighted elements to hold them erect pose a problem for
construction and/or utility companies and the like since the crews
using these stands must carry sandbags or such other weights with
them to the job site. Hence, such stands are neither economically
efficient nor are they easily assembled and disassembled. Still
other stands which are in use are not designed for easy portability
since they are not collapsible into compact form for easy transport
to and from the job site. In addition, such stands require a great
deal of space in the transporting vehicle thereby often
necessitating the use of an extra vehicle for carrying such stands
and accompanying signs to and from the job site, which is
economically inefficient.
It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an
improved stand construction for roadway signs and the like.
Another object of this invention is to provide a novel stand
construction which is heavy weight and durable while being easily
assembled and disassembled.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a stand
construction which includes a minimum number of moving parts while
being easily collapsible into a compact form for facilitating
storage and transportation to and from a job site.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure for signs and the like which includes sign support means
having upper and lower ends respectively, stand means movably
mounted on the sign support means adjacent the lower end thereof
and adapted for movement into a support position for supporting the
sign support means upon an underlying support surface, first sign
engagement means movably mounted on the sign support means adjacent
the upper end thereof, second sign support means movably mounted on
the sign support means adjacent the lower end thereof, and
sign-stabilizing means movably mounted on the sign support
intermediate the first and second sign engagement means whereby the
sign support means is supported upon an underlying support surface
by moving the stand means into the support position thereof, and
the first and second sign engagement means are movable with respect
to each other thereby to engage a sign therebetween, and the
stabilizing means is movable along the sign support means thereby
to engage and stabilize a sign mounted thereon between the first
and second sign engagement means respectively.
A further object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure for signs and the like of the type described above
wherein the sign support means comprises a shaft having the first
and second sign engagement means respectively and the sign
stabilizing means movably disposed on the shaft.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure for signs and the like of the type described wherein the
sign support means comprises a first tubular bar having the stand
means for supporting the structure movably disposed adjacent the
lower end thereof, and a second tubular bar telescopically disposed
within the first tubular bar adjacent the upper end thereof.
In connection with the foregoing object, it is yet another object
of this invention to provide a novel support structure for signs
and the like of the type set forth wherein the first sign
engagement means is mounted on the second tubular bar adjacent the
upper end thereof whereby the first sign engagement means is
movably responsive to the movement of the second tubular bar.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel
support structure for signs and the like wherein the stand means
comprises a yoke movably mounted on the sign support means and
having a plurality of legs mounted thereon adjacent the inner ends
thereof and the outer ends thereof provided for seatment upon an
underlying support surface, each of the legs including a support
bar having one end thereof pivotally mounted on the respective leg
at a point spaced from the inner and outer ends thereof
respectively, and the outer end thereof pivotally mounted on the
sign support means adjacent the lower end thereof, and stop means
mounted on the sign support means below the yoke thereby to prevent
movement of the yoke downwardly below the stop means.
Another object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the
first and second sign engagement means respectively comprise slot
means, each of the slot means being movably disposed with respect
to the sign support means, the first slot means being adapted for
engaging the upper edge of a sign supported on the structure and
the second slot means being adapted for engaging the lower edge of
a sign supported on the structure.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel
support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth
wherein the sign stabilizing means comprises a yoke movably
disposed on the sign support structure and having a rib extending
outwardly therefrom for engagement with corresponding receiving
means provided in the sign supported thereon.
A further object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure for signs and the like for seatment upon an underlying
support surface comprising first tubular means having an upper and
a lower end, first yoke means slidably disposed on the first
tubular means adjacent the lower end thereof, a plurality of legs
having the inner ends thereof mounted on the first yoke means and
the outer ends thereof provided for seatment upon an underlying
support surface, second tubular means telescopically disposed
within the first tubular means and having an upper and a lower end,
second yoke means mounted on the second tubular means adjacent the
upper end thereof, the second yoke means provided with first
engagement means for engaging one edge of a sign mounted on the
structure, third yoke means slidably disposed on the first tubular
means above the first yoke means and including holding means for
maintaining the third yoke means in any desired position along the
length of the first tubular means, the third yoke means provided
with second engagement means for engaging the opposite edge of a
sign supported on the structure, and fourth yoke means slidably
disposed on the second tubular means intermediate the second and
third yoke means respectively, the fourth yoke means provided with
stabilizing means for stabilizing a sign supported on the
structure, whereby the first yoke means may be slid downwardly to
spread the legs apart into a support position for supporting the
structure upon an underlying support surface and the first and
second engagement means are movable with respect to one another in
order to engage two opposing edges of a sign for supporting a sign
on the structure and for adjusting the relative distance between
the lower edge of the sign and the underlying support surface, and
the stabilizing means being engageable with corresponding receiving
means in the sign intermediate the first and second engagement
means respectively for stabilizing the sign thereon.
Another object of this invention is to provide a support structure
of the type set forth above wherein the first tubular means
comprises a substantially hollow bar and the second tubular means
comprises a bar having a diameter slightly smaller than the
diameter of the first tubular means thereby to be telescopically
disposed therein.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel support
structure of the type set forth wherein the first yoke means
comprises a collar having a diameter slightly greater than the
diameter of the first tubular means thereby to be slidably disposed
thereon, and having attachment means mounted thereon for attaching
each of the legs to the collar, the attachment means comprising a
series of U-shaped flanges mounted on the collar in circumferential
relation with respect to each other and extending laterally
outwardly therefrom, and the inner ends of each of the legs having
a flat section adapted for pivotal mounting between the respective
arms of the U-shaped flanges.
A further object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure of the type set forth which includes first stop means
associated with the first yoke means thereby to limit the downward
movement of the first yoke means, and second stop means associated
with the second tubular means for locking the second tubular means
in telescoped relation with respect to the first tubular means.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel
support structure for signs and the like of the type set forth
wherein the second yoke means comprises a support member fixedly
mounted on the second tubular means adjacent the upper end thereof,
the support member including first sign engagement means fixedly
mounted thereon whereby the first sign engagement means and the
support member are movably responsive to the movement of the second
tubular means.
In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of
this invention to provide a novel support structure of the type
described wherein the first sign engagement means comprises an
inverted V-shaped slot for receiving and engaging the top edge of a
sign mounted upon the structure.
A further object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the
third yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly
greater than the diameter of the first tubular means whereby the
collar is slidably disposed thereon, the collar including lock
means for locking the collar in any desired position along the
length of the first tubular means, and further including second
sign engagement means fixedly mounted on the collar.
In connection with the foregoing object, it is still another object
of this invention to provide a support structure of the type set
forth wherein the second sign engagement means comprises a V-shaped
slot for receiving and engaging the opposed edge of a sign
supported on the structure.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a novel support
structure for signs and the like of the type set forth wherein the
fourth yoke means comprises a collar having a diameter slightly
greater than the diameter of the second tubular means and slightly
smaller than the diameter of the first tubular means slidably
mounted on the second tubular means whereby the diameter of the
collar permits sliding movement only along the length of the second
tubular means, the collar further including a stabilizing rib
fixedly mounted thereon and extending angularly outwardly therefrom
and adapted for engagement with a sign supported on the structure
intermediate the engaged upper and lower ends of the sign.
In connection with the foregoing object, it is still another object
of this invention to provide a novel support structure of the type
set forth wherein the fourth yoke means also includes adjustable
stop means disposed thereon for locking the fourth yoke means in
any desired position along the length of the second tubular
means.
Further features of the invention pertain to the particular
arrangement of the elements and parts whereby the above-outlined
and additional operating features thereof are attained.
The invention both as to its organization and method of operation,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be
understood by reference to the following specification taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the support structure
embodying the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational fragmented view of the support
structure taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 2--2
in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the support structure taken in the
direction of the arrows along the line 3--3 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the support structure taken in
the direction of the arrows along the line 4--4 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the support structure taken in
the direction of the arrows along the line 5--5 in FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the support structure taken in
the direction of the arrows along the line 6--6 in FIG. 1.
Generally, the novel support structure of the present invention
includes a first hollow tubular bar 10, stand means 20, having
first yoke means 21, and legs 25, for supporting the structure upon
an underlying support surface, a second tubular bar 40,
telescopically disposed within the first bar 10, the second bar 40,
having second yoke means 45, including first sign engagement means
50, disposed thereon, third yoke means 60, having second sign
engagement means 62, disposed thereon for receiving and engaging a
sign 100, between the first sign engagement means 50, and the
second sign engagement means 62, and fourth yoke means 80, having
stabilizing means 85, mounted thereon for stabilizing the sign 100,
mounted thereon.
Referring more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there
is shown a support structure for supporting a sign 100, thereon
comprising a first hollow tubular bar 10, having an upper end 11,
and a lower end 12. The first bar 10, is in the form of a hollow
substantially square tube. A pair of apertures 13 (see FIG. 4) are
disposed through opposing sides of the first bar 10, proximate the
upper end 11 thereof. Each side of the first bar 10, is provided
with a first U-shaped attachment flange 14, mounted thereon by any
suitable means, such as weldments, adjacent the lower end 12 of the
first bar 10. The first bar 10 is also provided with first stop
means 15, which consists of a rectangular plate 16, also mounted
thereon by any suitable means, such as a weldment. In the
embodiment of this invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
first bar 10, is also provided with a tube guide 17 mounted thereon
at the upper end 11 of the first bar 10. The tube guide 17 is also
hollow, substantially square in form, relatively short in height
and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the first
bar 10, but of sufficient dimensions in order to permit the tube
guide 17, to be welded to the top surfaces of the upper end 11 of
the first bar 10.
The support structure is also provided with stand means, generally
designated by the numeral 20, and generally including first yoke
means 21, a series of four legs 25, and support bars 30, for
supporting the legs 25, with respect to the first bar 10. The first
yoke means 21, consists of a collar 22, having a substantially
square configuration and a diameter slightly greater than the
diameter of the first bar 10. The collar 22, due to its slightly
greater diameter, is slidably disposed on the first bar 10. Each
side of the collar 22, is provided with a second U-shaped flange 23
mounted thereon by any suitable means, such as a weldment, and
extending laterally outwardly therefrom.
The stand means 20, also includes a series of four legs 25, each of
which has an upper flattened section 26, and a lower support
section 27. Each of the upper flattened sections 26, of each leg
25, is adapted to be received between the arms of the associated
second U-shaped attachment flange 23, on the collar 22, and secured
therein by lock bolts 28, whereby each leg 25, is pivotally mounted
to the collar 22, at its upper flattened section 26. Each leg is
further provided with a U-shaped support flange 29, mounted thereon
by any suitable means, such as a weldment, intermediate the upper
flattened section 26, and the lower support section 27. A support
bar 30, is provided for each leg 25, the support bar having an
outer end 31, and an inner end 32. The outer end 31, of the support
bar 30, is sufficiently flat whereby it is inserted between the
arms of the associated support flange 29, and pivotally mounted
therebetween by outer lock bolts 33. Similarly, the inner end 32 of
the support bar 30, is flattened whereby it is inserted between the
arms of the associated first U-shaped attachment flange 14 on the
first bar 10 and pivotally mounted therebetween by inner lock bolts
34.
The support structure further includes a second tubular bar 40
having an upper end 41 and a lower end 42 telescopically disposed
within the first tubular bar 10. The second bar 40, also has a
substantially square configuration. However, the diameter of the
second bar 40, is slightly smaller than the diameter of the tube
guide 17, whereby the second bar 40 is telescopically slidable
within the first bar 10. The lower end 42, of the second bar 40 has
a bottom guide plate 43, mounted thereon which again has a diameter
slightly smaller than that of the first bar 10, such that the
telescopic movement of the second bar 40 is unimpeded. In the
embodiment illustrated herein the second tubular bar 40 is hollow
although it may be constructed of a solid tubular bar as well.
The upper end 41 of the second bar 40 is provided with a second
yoke means 45 consisting of a central tubular housing 46 enveloped
thereover and mounted thereon by means of lock bolts 47. A first
angular tube 48, extends angularly laterally from the central
tubular housing 46, and a second angular tube 49, extends angularly
laterally therefrom in a direction opposed to the first angular
tube 48 the first and second angular tubes 48 and 49 respectively
forming a Y-shaped configuration with the central tubular housing
46. The central tubular housing 46, and the first and second
angular tubes 48 and 49 respectively, are each hollow for a purpose
to be described more fully hereinafter.
The second yoke means 45, further includes first sign engagement
means 50 consisting of a facing plate 51 mounted on the outer
surfaces of the central tubular housing 46 the first angular tube
48 and the second angular tube 49 respectively by any suitable
means, such as weldments. The facing plate 51, has a first top
flange 52, mounted thereon extending laterally outwardly therefrom
and angularly between the upper end of the central tubular housing
46, and the upper end of the first angular tube 48. The first top
flange 52, terminates at its outer edge in a first downturned
flange 53. The facing plate 51, similarly includes a second top
flange 54, mounted thereon extending laterally outwardly therefrom
and angularly between the upper end of the central tubular housing
46, and the upper end of the second angular tube 49, the second top
flange 54, also terminating at its outer edge in a downturned
flange 55. The facing plate 51, and the first and second downturned
flanges 53 and 55 respectively therefore cooperate to form an
inverted V-shaped slot 56.
The downward movement of the second tubular bar 40, within the
first tubular bar 10, is arrested by means of second stop means 57.
The second stop means 57, consists of a pin 58, which is inserted
through the apertures 13, provided in opposing faces of the first
tubular bar 10, as previously described. Once the pin 58, is
inserted through the apertures 13, the bottom guide plate 43, rests
against the pin 58, as more clearly shown in FIG. 2. The pin 58, is
carried on the support structure by a chain 59, mounted at its one
end on the pin 58, and at its other end on a suitable mounting
point.
The support structure is provided with third yoke means 60, which
similarly consists of a collar 61, formed in a substantially square
configuration and having a diameter slightly greater than the
diameter of the first tubular bar 10, thereby to be slidably
disposed thereon. The collar 61, carries second sign engagement
means generally designated by the numeral 62. The second sign
engagement means 62, consists of a facing plate 63, mounted on the
front face of the collar 61, in linear alignment with the facing
plate 51, mounted on the second yoke means 45. The facing plate 63,
has a first bottom plate 64, mounted thereon extending laterally
outwardly therefrom and angularly upwardly from the lower edge of
the facing plate 63. The first bottom plate 64, terminates at its
outer edge in a first upturned flange 65. Similarly, the facing
plate 63, includes a second bottom plate 66, mounted thereon
extending laterally outwardly therefrom and angularly upwardly from
the lower edge of the facing plate 63, in a direction opposed to
the first upturned flange 65, the second bottom plate 66, also
terminating at its outer edge in a second upturned flange 67. The
facing plate 63, and the first and second upturned flanges 65 and
67 respectively, cooperate to form a V-shaped slot 68 disposed in
linear alignment with the inverted V-shaped slot 56, on the second
yoke means 45.
The second sign engagement means 62, is therefore movable along the
length of the first tubular bar 10, as the collar 61, is moved. The
collar 61, is provided with lock means 70 thereon in order to lock
the collar 61 in the desired position along the first tubular bar
10. The lock means 70, consists of an aperture (not shown) disposed
through one side of the collar 61, with a threaded nut 71, mounted
on the outside surface of the side having the aperture, the nut 71,
being mounted directly over the aperture. A set screw 72, is
threadedly mounted in the nut 71, whereby the inner end of the
setscrew 72, may contact the first tubular bar 10, when it is
screwed in thereby to lock the collar 61 in position.
The support structure further includes a fourth yoke means 80,
consisting of a collar 81, disposed on the second tubular bar 40,
and having a substantially square configuration, the diameter of
the collar 81, being slightly greater than the diameter of the
second tubular bar 40, and approximately equal to the diameter of
the tube guide 17, and the central tubular housing 46, whereby the
collar 81, is slidably disposed on the second tubular bar 40,
between the central tubular housing 46, and the tube guide 17.
The collar 81, includes stabilizing means 85, mounted thereon for
stabilizing the sign 100, supported by the structure. The
stabilizing means 85, consists of a rib 86, mounted on one side of
the collar 81, by means of a weldment 87. The rib 86 extends
angularly outwardly and upwardly with respect to the collar 81 and
is adapted for insertion through an aperture 101, provided in the
sign 100 thereby to stabilize the sign 100, supported on the
structure. The collar 81 is further provided with third stop means
90, for locking the collar 81, in the stabilizing position. The
third stop means 90, consists of an aperture 91 disposed in one
side of the collar 81, and having a threaded nut 92, mounted on the
outside surface of the collar 81, overfacing the aperture 91. A set
screw 93, is threadedly mounted through the nut 92, whereby the
inner end of the set screw 93, will contact the second tubular bar
40, when the screw 93, is screwed into the nut 92.
In FIG. 3, the details of the second yoke means 45, and more
particularly, the central tubular housing 46, the first angular
tube 48, and the second angular tube 49, are illustrated. In this
embodiment, the tubular housing 46, and the first and second
angular tubes 48 and 49 respectively, are shown to be in the form
of substantially square tubes. These structures function as warning
flag holders, and in the preferred embodiment, are substantially
square in order to accommodate both square and round shaft
flags.
FIG. 4 illustrates the relative positioning of the third yoke means
60, consisting of the collar 61, and having the lock means 70,
engaged, the first tubular bar 10, the tube guide 17, and the
second tubular bar 40. In addition, the positioning of the pin 58,
is shown in the engaged position thereby to maintain the second
tubular bar in the telescoped position. Finally, the relative
diameters of the various parts can be more clearly observed,
showing the collar 61, having the greatest diameter and the second
tubular bar 40, having the smallest diameter.
In FIG. 5, the details of the pivotal mounting of the legs 25 on
the first yoke means 21 is illustrated in detail. As shown, the
flattened section 26 of the leg 25 is mounted between the arms of
the associated second U-shaped attachment flange 23 by means of a
lock bolt 28 in a loose-fitting arrangement. With such
construction, lateral movement of the legs 25 is facilitated which
adds to the stability of the structure when carrying a sign 100
thereon.
Finally, FIG. 6 illustrates the details of the pivotal mounting of
the support bar 30 on the leg 25. The outer end 31 of the support
bar 30 is mounted between the arms of the associated U-shaped
support flange 29 by means of an outer lock bolt 33, once again in
a loose-fitting arrangement to add stability. FIG. 6 further
illustrates the preferred construction for the legs 25 to be in the
form of a 90.degree. angle iron. With this construction, each leg
25 has two support points at its lower end 12 for resting upon an
underlying support surface thereby once again adding to the
stability of the structure.
In operation, the support structure is transported to the situs of
use in the collapsed position wherein the pin 58 is withdrawn and
the second tubular bar 40 telescoped downwardly until the lower end
of the central tubular housing 46 is resting against the upper edge
of the collar 81 of the fourth yoke means 80, and the collar 22 of
the first yoke means 21 is slid upwardly along the first tubular
bar 10 until the legs 25 and the support bars 30 are substantially
flush against the first tubular bar 10. In order to erect the
structure and support the sign 100 thereon, the collar 22 of the
first yoke means 21 is slid downwardly along the first tubular bar
10 until the legs 25 are spread apart to the distance permitted by
the support bars 30. The second tubular bar 40 is then telescoped
upwardly until the bottom guide plate 43 is raised above the
apertures 13 in the first tubular bar 10 and then the pin 58 is
inserted therethrough. The upper edge of the sign 100 is then
placed in the inverted slot 56 of the first sign engagement means
50 and the lower edge thereof is placed in the slot 68 of the
second sign engagement means 62. The fourth yoke means 80 is then
slid along the second tubular bar 40 until the rib 86 is inserted
through the aperture 101 in the sign 100. The relative distance
between the lower edge of the sign 100 and the underlying support
surface is then adjusted to the desired height and then the
setscrew 72 of the lock means 70 is tightened and the setscrew 93
of the third stop means 90 is also tightened, and the structure is
now in operation.
To disassemble the structure, the steps are merely reversed whereby
the sign 100 is easily removed and the structure collapsed for easy
transport to another location or for storage. The first stop means
15 is provided in order to prevent the accidental inversion of the
legs 25 and support bars 30 should an operator lift the entire
structure off of the underlying support surface. In this event, the
first yoke means 21 would tend to travel downwardly thereby causing
the legs 25 and the support bars 30 to become inverted. In this
position, some difficulty could be encountered by the operator in
attempting to right the structure.
It will be apparent from the foregoing description that various
modifications may be made to the structure without departing from
the spirit and scope of this invention. For example, the sign
engagement means may be constructed in the form of heavy-duty clips
rather than slots; the various stop means and lock means may be
varied; the stand means may be varied; the stabilizing means may
consist of clips mounted on the rear surface of the sign with clip
receiving means on the fourth yoke means in place of the rib
structure disclosed in the preferred embodiment herein.
The various component parts of the support structure are preferably
formed of steel bar stock in order to produce a relatively
heavyweight structure. For example, the first tubular bar 10 is a
hollow bar formed of steel tubing while the second tubular bar 40
is formed of a solid steel bar. Hence, the weight of the second
tubular bar 40 urges the inverted slot 56 of the first sign
engagement 50 into intimate contact with the top edge of the sign
100. Similarly, the legs 25 and associated elements of the stand
means 20 are formed of heavyweight steel bar stock whereby the
center of gravity of the structure as a whole is sufficiently close
to the lower end thereof whereby good stability is achieved.
In accordance with the foregoing description, it is apparent that
there has been developed a support structure for signs and the like
which is heavy duty while yet collapsible and easily transported.
Furthermore, the support structure of this invention is provided
with sign engagement means which are adjustable in order to
accommodate various sizes of signs and adjustable whereby the
relative distance between the lower edge of the sign and the
underlying support surface may be adjusted to the desired height.
This feature is of great importance in view of the fact that the
various government agencies both federal and state, have different
requirements in terms of the distance the sign must be raised from
the road surface whereby this support structure may be used for
jobs in all states. In addition, the support structure of this
invention minimizes the number of moving parts which must be
manipulated by the operator for assembly and disassembly thereof.
Also, this support structure eliminates the need for additional
weighted elements for stabilizing the structure on an underlying
support surface by virtue of the manner of construction.
In summary, a support structure accomplishing all of the foregoing
objects and advantages has been developed and described herein.
While there has been described what is at present considered to be
the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood
that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended
to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall
within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
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