U.S. patent number 3,883,972 [Application Number 05/294,657] was granted by the patent office on 1975-05-20 for universal mounting for various signage.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Herman Miller, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert L. Propst, William E. Stumpf, Michael A. Wodka.
United States Patent |
3,883,972 |
Propst , et al. |
May 20, 1975 |
Universal mounting for various signage
Abstract
Front and rear sign panels are joined together by a spacer
element recessed from the outer margins but extending generally
around the entire periphery of the sign. The spacer includes a
keeper portion which cooperates with an adapter having a tongue
portion insertable in the recess and engageable with the keeper to
rigidly attach the adapter to the sign. A second portion of the
adapter cooperates with a support to anchor the adapter and sign to
the support. The sign can be mounted by the adapter from any side
and ribs on the tongue portion of the adapter engage the inner
surfaces of the panel to stablize the entire assembly. Preferably,
the adapter and spacer elements are extruded from plastic with the
latter element being affixed to the inner surfaces of the sign
panels by an adhesive.
Inventors: |
Propst; Robert L. (Ann Arbor,
MI), Stumpf; William E. (Zeeland, MI), Wodka; Michael
A. (Ypsilanti, MI) |
Assignee: |
Herman Miller, Inc. (Zeeland,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
23134362 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/294,657 |
Filed: |
October 3, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
40/617 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F
7/18 (20130101); G09F 2007/1847 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G09F
7/18 (20060101); G09f 007/22 () |
Field of
Search: |
;40/128,10,140,142,125
;248/490,475 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Michell; Robert W.
Assistant Examiner: Contreras; Wenceslao J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Price, Heneveld, Huizenga &
Cooper
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A display assembly comprising, in combination: a sign having
front and rear panels spaced from each other by a spacer element,
said element being recessed from the outer margins of said panels,
said spacer element including means defining a deeper; and an
adapter having a first portion defining a tongue means
cooperatively engageable with said keeper to rigidly connect said
adapter to said sign, and a second portion cooperable with a
support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support, said tongue
means further including one or more raised portions on each side,
said raised portions abutting the inner surfaces of said panels
between said spacer element and the outer margin of said panels to
provide lateral supportive stability of said sign and spacer to
said adapter.
2. The display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spacer
element has a general U-shaped cross section defining a pair of
legs joined by a web portion, said keeper comprising mating lip
portions extending inwardly toward each other from the free ends of
said legs, the tongue portion of said adapter element having an
enlarged portion on the free end thereof adapted to fit behind said
lip portions to interconnect said adapter element to said
spacer.
3. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein said legs, lip
portions and tongue are generally rigid, the cross-sectional width
of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion
corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip portion
so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from said spacer
by endwise sliding engagement of said adapter and spacer relative
to each other to permit said enlarged portion to be positioned
behind said lip portions.
4. The display assembly according to claim 3 wherein one of said
raised portions on each side of said tongue is spaced from said
enlarged portion a distance corresponding to the thickness of said
lip portions so that said one of said raised portions abuts both
the inner surface of said panels and said keeper when said adapter
is interconnected to said spacer element.
5. The display assembly according to claim 4 wherein said one of
said raised portions defines a continuous rib extending the length
of said enlarged portion to form a laterally extending pocket in
which said lip portions are seated.
6. The display assembly according to claim 5 wherein the other of
said raised portions defines one or more continuous ribs extending
the length of said adapter.
7. The display assembly according to claim 3 wherein said spacer
element is generally continuous about the periphery of said signal
to permit said adapter to be interconnected to said sign from any
side, said spacer element being interrupted at each corner of said
sign to permit endwise insertion or removal of said adapter
relative said spacer element.
8. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein said spacer
element is comprised of an extruded material.
9. The display assembly according to claim 8 wherein said material
is plastic, each of said legs being generally rigid but movable
toward and away from each other about said web portion, the inner
surfaces of said leg portions including means defining a latch
positioned intermediate said lip portions and web portion to anchor
said leg portions in parallel relationship to each other.
10. The display assembly according to claim 9 wherein said latch
means includes a pair of resilient flange portions extending from
the inner surface of one of said legs toward the other of said legs
and including inwardly turned end portions defining a latch having
a restricted opening, the other of said leg portions including a
tongue portion extending toward said other flange portion and
including an enlarged free end receivable through said restricted
opening by flexing said latch portions outwardly whereupon said
enlarged free end is captured behind said inwardly turned end
portions to clamp said leg portions in parallel relationship to
each other.
11. The display assembly according to claim 2 wherein the outer
surfaces of said leg portions comprise a flat surface permanently
secured to the inner surfaces of said panels by an adhesive or the
like.
12. The display assembly according to claim 1 wherein said spacer
element extends generally around the entire periphery of said panel
so that said adapter can be interlocked to said spacer element and
sign along any edge of said sign.
13. A display assembly comprising, in combination: a sign having a
keeper joined to one side, said keeper being recessed from the
outer margins of said sign; and an adapter having a first portion
defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with said keeper
to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign along an edge of said
sign, and a second portion cooperable with a support to anchor said
adapter and sign to the support, said tongue means further
including one or more raised portions, said raised portions
abutting the sign between said keeper and the outer margin of said
sign to provide lateral supportive stability of said sign and
keeper.
14. A display assembly according to claim 13 wherein said keeper
has a generally U-shaped cross section defining a pair of legs
joined by a web portion, the outer surface of one of said legs
being affixed to said one side of said sign by an adhesive or the
like, said keeper comprising mating lip portions extending inwardly
toward each other from the free ends of said legs, the tongue
portion of said adapter element having an enlarged portion on the
free end thereof adapted to fit behind said lip portions to
interconnect said adapter to said spacer element.
15. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said legs,
lip portions and tongue are generally rigid, the cross-sectional
width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion
corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip
portions so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from
said keeper by endwise sliding engagement of said adapter and
keeper relative to each other, said keeper being interrupted at the
corners of said sign to permit endwise insertion and removal of
said adapter from said keeper along any edge of said sign.
16. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said sign is
comprised of a pair of panels spaced by said keeper, said keeper
being positioned intermediate said panels and recessed from the
outer margins thereof.
17. The display assembly according to claim 14 wherein said keeper
and adapter are comprised of an extruded plastic material.
18. A display assembly comprising, in combination: a sign having
front and rear panels spaced from each other by a spacer element,
said element being recessed from the outer margins of said panels
and extending generally around its entire periphery, said spacer
element including means defining a keeper; and an adapter having a
first portion defining a tongue means cooperatively engageable with
said keeper to rigidly connect said adapter to said sign along any
peripheral edge of said sign, and a second portion cooperable with
a support to anchor said adapter and sign to the support.
19. The display assembly according to claim 18 wherein said spacer
element has a general U-shaped cross section defining a pair of
legs joined by a web portion, said keeper comprising mating lip
portions extending inwardly toward each other from the free ends of
said legs, the tongue portion of said adapter element having an
enlarged portion on the free end thereof adapted to fit behind said
lip portions to interconnect said adapter element to said
spacer.
20. The display assembly according to claim 19 wherein said legs,
lip portions and tongue are generally rigid, the cross-sectional
width of said tongue portion except for said enlarged portion
corresponding dimensionally to the spacing between said lip portion
so that said adapter is interconnected or removed from said spacer
relative to each other to permit said enlarged portion to be
positioned behind said lip portions.
21. The display assembly according to claim 19 wherein said spacer
element is comprised of an extruded material.
22. The display assembly according to claim 21 wherein said
material is plastic, each of said legs being generally rigid but
movable toward and away from each other about said web portion, the
inner surfaces of said leg portions including means defining a
latch positioned intermediate said lip portions and web portion to
anchor said leg portions in parallel relationship to each
other.
23. The display assembly according to claim 22 wherein said latch
means includes a pair of resilient flange portions extending from
the inner surface of one of said legs toward the other of said legs
and including inwardly turned end portions defining a latch having
a restricted opening, the other of said leg portions including a
tongue portion extending toward said other flange portion and
including an enlarged free end receivable through said restricted
opening by flexing said latch portions outwardly whereupon said
enlarged free end is captured behind said inwardly turned end
portions to clamp said leg portions in parallel relationship to
each other.
24. The display assembly according to claim 19 wherein the outer
surfaces of said leg portions comprise a flat surface permanently
secured to the inner surfaces of said panels by an adhesive or the
like.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved sign and mounting
assembly providing universal support of the sign from any side.
The principal object of this invention is a signage system which
permits a sign of arbitrary configuration to be quickly and easily
supported, cantilevered or suspended from a variety of support
configurations by a unique adapter element which can be
interconnected to the sign from the top, bottom or sides. The rate
of change in an active organization causes frequent shifts in jobs
and work environments. Conventional signage practices that require
extensive turn-around time from need-identification to installation
are cumbersome for active change-oriented organizations.
There is a great variety of signage sources and components in the
prior art that are available to organizations trying to cope with
signage problems. It is often difficult to put together a
smooth-running signage process. Unless sign components can be
arranged in some managable process, a lack emerges, with attendant
confusion and delay. The custom-made sign is the traditional
response to the signage problem. Even when graphic consultants
create a corporate identity program for an organization, the
components are generally custom-made. While the initial signs may
look good and function well for the situation they were designed
for, subsequent organizational changes will render them
obsolete.
The time to procure and install custom signs frequently spans days,
weeks, and months and, as a result, conflicts with an active
organization. A secondary consideration is that although initial
signage applications in large facilities offer volume-price
reductions, the manager soon becomes alarmed at the high
replacement and/or new signage cost of custom-made components. The
pressures created by time/cost problems inherent in custom
installations can lead to improvised signage practices. The
consistency of good graphics and identity often degenerates into a
conglomeration of hand-wrought messages. The result and impact upon
the visitor is one of an inconsistent dog-eared collection of signs
that satisfy no criteria. Trying to keep pace with change, the
manager who falls victim to custom signage, whise signs display a
plethora of letter forms, symbols, and materials, must risk good
communications effect for his organization.
An additional problem with sign systems of the prior art is that
frequently, well intentioned information becomes lost in visually
complex or noisy surroundings. The mind suffers from a sensory
overload of too much information presented too quickly. Signs also
lose their effectiveness when they are timidly displayed in a
sterile environment. The mind needs obvious visual triggers to
alert visitors to changes in orientation, to conditional situations
that caution, direct, or suggest destinations.
In addition to the preceding problems, one of the most serious
problems remains that of low grade hardware. Low grade hardware
components do not possess modular compatibility with other signs,
the prevailing architecture, and/or are often cumbersome and cannot
be reused. Thus, there is a need in this art for an improved
signage and mounting assembly which can be quickly and easily
installed; has a high degree of interchangeability; provides a
positive stable anchoring of the sign to a support; provides an
aesthetically clean appearance not encumbered by distractful
hardware; and accomplishes the foregoing at an economical mass
production rate not heretofore possible. In a related aspect, there
is an additional need for an adapter element which can be
supported, cantilevered or suspended from a variety of support
configurations and interconnected to the sign from any desired
side. While the prior art suggests various hardware for mounting a
variety of different size signs or advertising display indicia,
none provide the flexibility, stability or economics of the sign
assembly contemplated herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a spacer element having an
elongated generally tubular configuration is secured to one side of
a sign panel recessed from the outer margin thereof. The spacer
includes a keeper means exposed toward the outer margin from which
it is received. An adapter having a tongue portion is receivable in
the keeper means to rigidly secure the adapter to the spacer at
selected positions along a side of the sign. The second portion of
the adapter is cooperable with a support to anchor the sign and
adapter to the support.
In narrower aspects of the invention, the sign is comprised of
front and rear panels separated by the spacer, the latter being
visually shielded by its recessed position. The spacer element
preferably extends generally around the entire periphery of the
sign so that the adapter can be secured to the spacer along any
edge of the sign. The tongue portion of the adapter includes an
enlarged free end which fits behind the keeper means on the spacer
by sliding engagement. The tongue portion also includes one or more
ribs which engage the interior surfaces of the panels to provide
positive lateral stability. Various types of adapters differ from
one another only in the configuration of the second portion to
permit the sign to be anchored to a variety of supports having
dissimilar physical configurations without the necessity of
mechanical fasteners. In yet narrower aspects, the spacer and
adapter elements are preferably comprised of an extruded
plastic.
As a result of this invention, signs of arbitrary shapes and sizes
bearing selected visual indicia thereon can be quickly and easily
mounted to or removed from a variety of different types of supports
without requiring the manipulation of any mechanical fasteners.
This is accomplished simply by sliding the tongue portion of the
adapter into or out of engagement with the keeper of the spacer
portion of the sign. The second portion of the adapter is designed
to cooperate with a particular type of physical support
configuration. For example, this invention is particularly
applicable in connection with what is known as environmental office
groupings. Such groupings generally utilize privacy panels from
which it is desirable to suspend or support various types of
identification or directional signage. Depending on the desired
position and location of the sign relative to the panel, a variety
of different types of adapters are provided in that the second
portion thereof is specifically designed to cooperate with the
panels to locate the sign at the desired location. Other types of
adapters are provided which can be utilized to support a sign from
other types of supports such as ceilings, walls or semipermanent or
portable supports. Thus, a particular advantage of the invention is
the wide flexibility provided without requiring changes in the sign
configuration except for perhaps the particular type of adapter
required. In so doing, significant economical advantages are
achieved in that the spacers and adapters are mass produced of a
light-weight economical extruded plastic. At the same time they
provide total flexibility featuring quick-change capability.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one of the adapter elements of the
invention being inserted into one of the signs of the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary end view of a sign like the one illustrated
in FIG. 1 showing the spacer element of the invention;
FIG. 3 is an end view of an alternative spacer element;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a sign illustrating in hidden
lines the positioning of the spacer elements of the invention;
FIG. 5 is an edge view of the sign illustrated in FIG. 4 taken
generally along line V--V;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the adapter illustrated in FIG.
1;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative adapter element;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another alternative
adapter;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another alternative adapter;
and
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of still yet another alternative
adapter element.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 illustrates one
type of a sign 10 specifically designed for interconnection with an
adapter element 12a. The sign illustrated in FIG. 1 is comprised of
front and rear panels 14, 14 a spaced from each other by a spacer
element 16 illustrated in FIG. 2. The spacer element also
interconnects the two panels since the outer surfaces of 18, 18a of
the spacer are preferably flat and secured to the inner surfaces
20, 20a of the panels by an adhesive or the like. One or both of
the outer surfaces 21, 21a of panels 14, 14a bear some type of
visual indicia thereon to portray the particular message of the
sign.
Panels 14, 14a, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this
invention, are preferably formed from colored plastic, the indicia
being either permanently or removably placed thereon by any one of
numerous well known techniques.
Spacer element 16 has a keeper portion 22 recessed from the outer
margin 24 (FIG. 2) of the sign for receipt of a tongue portion 26a
(FIG. 1) of adapter 12a to rigidly lock the adapter to the sign.
The details of keeper portion 22 and tongue portion 26 will be
described hereinafter. Adapter 12a also has a second portion 28a
cooperative with a particular type of support to anchor the adapter
and sign to the support. This will also be described in more detail
hereinafter.
Referring briefly to FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of spacer elements
16 are utilized in interconnecting and spacing panels 14 and 14a of
sign 10. Spacers 16 are in effect continuous about the periphery of
the sign except that they are interrupted at each corner so that an
adapter can be interconnected with sign 10 along any edge. Thus,
sign 10 illustrated in FIG. 4 shows a horizontal spacer element 16
with two adjacent vertical spacers 16' and 16". Adapter 12a can be
inserted along any edge of sign 10 by inserting the tongue portion
26 into either keeper portion 22, 22' or 22" as illustrated in FIG.
4. Although FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view of sign 10, it will be
appreciated that a second horizontal spacer corresponding to spacer
16 illustrated in FIG. 4 is positioned along the bottom portion of
sign 10. An important consideration however is that a particular
sign 10 can be supported from above, below or the sides.
Referring now in more detail to FIG. 2, spacer element 16 of the
invention is comprised of an elongated tubular member having a
general rectangular cross section with a restricted opening through
one of its shorter sides. More specifically, the overall cross
sectional configuration is a general U-shape comprising a pair of
sides 30 and 32 interconnected by a web portion 34. The free ends
of sides 30 and 32 include inwardly projecting flange portions 36
and 38 spaced from each other to define an elongated restricted
opening 40. Flanges 36, 38 and opening 40 extend longitudinally the
length of spacer 16 to define keeper portion 22 for receipt of the
tongue portion 26 of adapter 12a. As mentioned earlier, the outer
surfaces 18 and 19 of sides 30 and 32 are flat so that they can be
easily interconnected to the surfaces 20, 20a of the side panels by
an adhesive or the like. In this fashion, panels 14 and 14a are
spaced from each other a distance equal to the width of spacer 16
which is defined by the width of web portion 34.
Preferably, spacer element 16 including its sides is generally
rigid so that a uniform spacing of panels 14 and 14a is achieved.
Web portion 34 provides one rigid cross support, and a second is
provided by a wall 42 spaced from web portion 34 near the center of
spacer 16. Spacer element 16 illustrated in FIG. 2 is preferably
formed from a light-weight extruded metal such as aluminum.
FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of spacer element 16,
identified in FIG. 3 by the reference numeral 16a. The construction
shown in this figure is preferred where the spacer element is
relatively small since it can be extruded more easily. Element 16a
is similar to element 16 illustrated in FIG. 2 and corresponding
parts are identified by corresponding numerals with the suffix a
attached. Hence, element 16a is comprised of a pair of sides 30a,
32a joined together by a web portion 34a having flanges 36a and 38a
formed inwardly along the free ends of sides 30a and 32a. Also,
outer surfaces 18a and 19a of the sides are flat to permit panels
14 and 14a of sign 10 to be secured together by an adhesive or the
like.
Spacer element 16a is preferably comprised from an extruded plastic
material. The wall portion 42 of spacer 16 in FIG. 2 is replaced in
the alternative arrangement shown by a latch mechanism 44
comprising a pair of hooks or L-shaped portions 46 and 48 facing
inwardly toward each other and extending longitudinally along the
inner surface 50 of side 19a. The feet portions of hooks 46 and 48
are spaced from each other to define a resticted opening 52.
Extending from the inner surface 54 of side 30a is a longitudinally
extending rib 56 having an enlarged end portion 58 which is
flexible along with hook portions 46 and 48 to permit the enlarged
end 58 to be snapped into the restricted opening 52 provided by
hooks 46 and 48. Once the foot portions of the hooks are cleared,
the resiliency of the hook portions snaps around the enlarged end
58 to lock sides 30a and 32a into a rectangular configuration
identical to that of spacer 16 illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, it will
be appreciated that there are various alternative ways of
constructing the spacer element of the invention with a keeper
portion 22 or 22a cooperable with adapter 12a.
Referring to FIG. 6, the adapter element 12a illustrated in FIG. 1
is shown in more detail. The second portion 28a is particularly
adapted to fit across the width of a privacy panel 90 shown in
phantom in FIG. 6. Adapter 12a is designed to support the sign from
the bottom so that it extends above and in the plane of the privacy
panel.
Tongue portion 26a extends centrally from portion 28a and has an
enlarged free end 60 characterized by a flange portion 62 extending
to each side of the tongue forming a general T-cross section.
Spaced laterally along tongue portion 26 intermediate flange 62 and
portion 28a is a rib 64 having portions projecting in the same
direction as the flange 62 from each side of tongue portion 26a
defining rib portions 66 and 68. Portions 66 and 68 are spaced
laterally from flange 60 a distance equal to the thickness of lip
portions 36 and 38 of keeper 22 so that adapter element 12a can be
engaged with the lip portions of the spacer element in a tongue and
groove fashion by inserting the tongue portion endwise and sliding
it along lip portions 36 and 38 of the spacer element. The spacing
between flange portion 62 and rib portions 66 and 68 of the adapter
element form a pair of keeper grooves 70 and 72 for tongue and
groove receipt engagement with lips 36 and 38 of the spacer
element. In effect, a trackway is formed so that adapter element
12a can be moved endwise relative to spacer element 16 to any
position therealong. Preferably, the outermost edge surface 74 and
76 of rib portions 66 and 68 fit snugly against the inner surfaces
of sides 30 and 32 of the spacer element while the wall portions
forming the sides of grooves 70 and 72 lock snugly around lip
portions 36 and 38 so that a positive stable interconnection is
formed between the keeper and receiver portions of the spacer
element and the adapter.
A second rib 80 corresponding to rib 64 includes rib portions 82
and 84 formed on tongue portion 26a to provide lateral stability of
adapter element 12a when it is engaged with spacer element 16. The
overall width of rib 80 like rib 64 equals the spacing between
panels 14 and 14a so that when tongue portion 26a is inserted for
engagement with spacer element 16, the outer edge surfaces of rib
elements 82 and 84 abut against the inner surfaces 20 and 20a of
panels 14 and 14a. This provides a positive interconnect between
adapter 12a and sign 10. Rib 80 is spaced from rib 64 along tongue
26 so that when inserted properly in spacer 16, it rests in
abutment with sign 10 just inside its outer margin 24 as shown in
FIG. 1. This provides a firm positive engagement between tongue
portion 26 and sign 10 at both its inner and outer end with regards
to its length.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, it is noted that spacer element 16 is
recessed a substantial distance from the outer margin 24 of sign
10. Tongue portion 26a of adapter 12a is inserted within this
recess so that the interconnect portion of the hardware is
completely shielded from the eye of an observer of the sign unless
it is viewed endwise. This of course will not be the case in the
normal installation environment. The insertion and removal of
adapter 12a with sign 10 is illustrated clearly in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 4, the offset interruption areas 25 at each
corner permit endwise insertion and removal of adapter 12a along
any side of the sign.
As noted earlier, the second portion 28a of adapter element 12a is
adapted to connect the adapter and a sign attached thereto to a
support such as a privacy panel 90 illustrated in phantom in FIG.
6. Second portion 28a extends outwardly from each side of tongue
portion 26a along its lower end 92. The portions 94 and 96 which
extend outwardly from tongue portion 26a terminate in a lip portion
98 and 100 which portions are spaced from each other the
approximate width of privacy panel 90. Preferably, each lip portion
includes a tooth 102 and 104 extending inwardly toward each other
which forms a wedge fit with the sides of the privacy panel to
assure a positive grip when adapter element portion 28a is wedged
down over the upper end of privacy panel 90.
In accordance with the particular adapter element illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 6, a sign 10 of arbitrary configuration as illustrated
in FIG. 1 can be interconnected to a support such as a privacy
panel by an adapter which does not require any mechanical fastening
elements. By simple sliding tongue portion 26a into keeper
engagement with the selected spacer element 16, 16', 16" etc., the
sign can be positioned onto a support for observation in any
desired configuration.
Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative adapter 12b is illustrated
which is particularly adapted to suspend the sign from the top of a
privacy panel 90 such as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7. In this
configuration, the sign is positioned below the upper margin of
panel 90. The tongue portion 26b of adapter element 12b is
identical to that described with regards to adapter element 12a and
includes an enlarged outer end 60, first and second ribs 64 and 80,
each of which includes rib portions 66, 68 and 82, 84. The second
portion 28b however is modified in the following fashion. A single
flange portion 110 extends to one side only of tongue portion 26b
and has a lip portion 112 at its outer end, which is turned
downwardly so that it extends in the same direction as tongue 26b.
Lip 112 has an inwardly turned tooth portion 114 corresponding
either to portions 102 or 104 of the adapter element 12a
illustrated in FIG. 6. A corresponding tooth portion 116 extends in
the direction of tooth 114 along the base portion of tongue portion
26b so that a similar wedge engagement is provided over the upper
edge of privacy panel 90 except that the sign is suspended beneath
this upper edge along one side of privacy panel 90 instead of being
supported above as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6.
Referring to FIG. 8, an adapter element 12c is illustrated
comprising a tongue portion 26c identical to tongue portions 26a
and 26b. The second portion 28c of adapter 12c is defined by a
slight extension of tongue 26c which extends above the sign margin
when tongue 26c is inserted therein. An aperature 115 permits the
sign to be supported by a wire or the like which is looped through
aperture 115 and anchored to any overhead support such as a ceiling
beam. It will be appreciated that one or more adapters 12c may be
utilized.
Referring to FIG. 9, an alternative adapter element 12d is
illustrated having a tongue portion 26d identical to tongue
portions 26a, 26b, and 26c. The second portion 28d however
comprises a flat plate-like flange 118 having portions 120 and 122
extending from each side of the base end of tongue 26d. Each flange
portion 120 and 122 includes one or more apertures 124 to permit
adapter 12d to be anchored to a wall or the like by threaded
fasteners (not shown). While adapter 12d utilizes mechanical
fasteners, it provides a more permanent installation which may be
desired in certain installations. The mounting of course is not
limited to a wall, but rather can be permanently anchored from a
support surface in any position.
Referring to FIG. 10, an adapter element 12e is illustrated which
permits two or more signs similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 1
to be interconnected together for joint display by utilizing one of
the additional adapter elements illustrated in FIGS. 6-9. Adapter
element 12e is comprised of a pair of oppositely extending tongue
portions 26e and 26e'. Each of the tongue portions are identical to
those described previously and include respectively enlarged free
end portions 60, 60'; and spaced rib portions 64, 64' and 80, 80'.
By inserting each respective tongue portion into a sign, it will be
appreciated that two signs can be rigidly interconnected to each
other both of which lie essentially in the same plane.
In summary, all of the adapter elements described herein are
particularly susceptible to mass production techniques such as
extruding. Although they are preferably comprised of a relatively
rigid plastic, they can also be extruded of metal. Plastic is
preferred in that it provides better wear and appearance
characteristics. For that same reason, the spacer element
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is preferred over the illustrated
in FIG. 2. All of the hardware however is susceptible to standard
sizing so that it can be ordered and utilized in a variety of
situations thereby eliminating the high cost and time element in
custom signage.
Although several embodiments have been shown and described in
detail, it will be obvious to those having ordinary skill in this
art that the details of construction of these particular
embodiments may be modified in a great many ways without departing
from the unique concepts presented. It is therefore intended that
the invention is limited only by the scope of the appended claims
rather than by particular details of construction shown, except as
specifically stated in the claims.
* * * * *