The present invention is directed to a customizable sign assembly in the form of a mountable sign and a method of securely displaying interchangeable information, generally, and, more specifically, to a low profile sign assembly to display selective information in a tamper resistant and visually appealing manner.
It is desirable for architectural signs to have customizable and/or interchangeable information displayed. Such signs are placed on structures, such as buildings, either on its exterior or interior, or are self-standing. Signs are used to display a variety of information, such as way finding and identification information. As used herein, “signs” refers to any sign conveying information including, for example, identification signs, regulatory signs, information signs and directional signs. These signs may provide a single informational message or may provide more than one informational message.
Customizable signs are often manufactured and are customized by providing interchangeable informational indicia depending upon the information to be displayed. It is desirable to also provide a sign assembly wherein the informational indicia may be interchanged while also preventing unwanted tampering of the sign assembly. Prior art mechanical signs include interchangeable indicia displays in the form of plates which are mechanically or magnetically secured to a frame. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,722 is representative of a conventional display sign including hanging indicia plates positioned on a frame and having a clear cabinet front. A shortcoming of these type of displays, however, is that they have large and obtrusive profiles which may be undesirable in many settings, such as passageways, and not visually appealing. Other signs include metallic frames for receiving magnetic display plates. Such systems, however, lack the ability to ensure proper alignment of the various indicia displays and the overall appearances may be negatively impacted. A shortcoming of these prior art interchangeable signs, however, is that much care must be used to ensure that the informational indicia applied to the sign by the user is done so in a correct manner wherein the informational indicia are readily aligned. Another shortcoming of the prior art sign systems is that such systems may be bulky and, therefore, not visually appealing in all settings, particularly in interior passageways. The integrity of sign systems must also be considered to prevent unintentional alteration of the display and to also prevent intentional tampering of the sign system, such as the removal or rearrangement of any information display positioned on the sign, or the sign itself. These and other objectives are met by the present invention.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, the present invention obviates shortcomings of the prior art by providing a low profile, sell-aligning, and tamper resistant sign assembly. These and other objectives are met by the present invention which is directed to a sign assembly which may be mounted to an architectural structure for displaying customizable information such as identification and way finding. The sign assembly includes a chassis assembly and an indicia display assembly.
The chassis assembly supports the indicia display assembly and includes at least one or more side chassis members and a support panel extending there between. According to one aspect of the invention, the support panels is removably received within a medial receptacle defined by each chassis member to provide customizable dimensions. According to another aspect of the invention, the support panel is integral with the chassis members, such as for standardized frame dimensions. Each chassis member includes an additional receptacle for receipt of an alignment member. The receptacle for receipt of the alignment member preferably is a channel and defines a distal channel of a first chassis member and an intermediate channel of a second chassis member. The alignment member according to one aspect of the invention is an alignment guide having a front surface defining tines or ribs and indentations having predetermined dimensions, for example, equidistantly positioned tines or ribs. The chassis assembly provides a low-profile sign assembly wherein the chassis assembly is obscured from view when the sign assembly is assembled.
The indicia display assembly includes at least one or more indicia plates which bear the information to be displayed. Each indicia plate includes at least one, and preferably two, mating members on opposing distal ends mounted on a rear surface thereof. The mating members include a mating flange on the distal end and which define alignment contacts on a rear surface for cooperating with the alignment guide mating surface positioned within the chassis members. The mating members also include a locking flange for cooperating with either the intermediate or distal receptacles of the respective chassis member. According to another aspect of the present invention, a positioning member or locator may be utilized to facilitate positioning of at least one indicia plate. The novel configuration of the mating member and alignment guides facilitates assembly of the indicia plates wherein the indicia plates will be in horizontal alignment.
A tamper resistant assembly including a locking pin is provided to prevent accidental or intentional tampering of the assembled sign assembly. The locking pin is inserted into one of the channels of at least one chassis member so as to diminish the clearance between the mating member and the chassis member and to secure the connection there between. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the locking pin is positioned within the distal channel of one of the chassis members.
The method includes assembling the chassis assembly and the indicia display assembly. The mating members are positioned on distal ends of the rear surface of the indicia plates, such as with the assistance of a template. The alignment guides are positioned within respective channels of the first and second chassis members. Alternatively, the alignment guides may be permanently provided within the chassis member. The indicia plate mating members are then positioned on the chassis assembly by applying the mating member flange so as to cooperate with the alignment guide of one chassis member. The other distal end of the indicia plate and its mating member are applied to the alignment guide of the opposing chassis member. Subsequent indicia plates may be similarly applied and the novel configuration of the sign assembly substantially ensures proper alignment of adjacent plates. The indicia plates thereby cover and extend beyond the width and the height of the chassis assembly to present a low-profile, “frameless” appearing sign assembly. The locking pin may then be positioned within a respective chassis member and removed to reassemble the sign assembly.
The present invention will now be described in detail hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described; rather, this detailed description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and practice the invention.
The indicia plates 22 may be formed of any rigid or semi-rigid material. According to one aspect of the present invention, indicia plates 22 are formed of a composite material which may include an aluminum or plastic core and a printable material, such as an extruded plastic material. Accordingly, the extruded, printed layer may be formed with greater dimensions than the rigid or semi-rigid core such that end surface of the printed layer may be wrapped around the edges of the core for a cohesive appearance. According to another aspect of the present invention, the indicia plates are formed of a polymeric material, for example, acrylic,
As shown in
The chassis assembly 12 will now be described in detail with reference to
Preferably, one of each the first and second chassis members 20 are provided, but it is not a departure from the scope of the present invention to provide two first chassis members 20 or two second chassis members depending, for example, upon the degree of tamper resistance desired. Moreover, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide the chassis member 20 having the tamper resistant means on the right side of the sign assembly rather than the left, one neither chassis member 20, or on both chassis members.
At least one chassis member 20 and, preferably each chassis member 20, includes a plurality of alignment guides 25 to position the indicia plates 22 on the sign assembly 10 so as to be properly aligned with each other. As shown, three alignment guides 25 are provided for each chassis member 20, but a single guide extending substantially the length of the chassis member 20 or a portion thereof is within the scope of the present invention. Any number of slides 25 may be provided depending upon manufacturing constraints and/or the size and number of indicia plates 22 to be displayed. Additionally, spaced apart slides may also be provided. In operation, the alignment guides 25 are positioned within the distal channel 30 of the chassis members 20 either from the bottom, as shown, or the top. The alignment guides 25 may then move, or slide, along the length of the distal channel 30 until properly positioned.
Alignment guides 25 include a substantially flat rear surface which contacts, and may guide along the length of, the interior of the distal channel 30 of the chassis members 20. The opposing, or front surface, of the alignment guides 25 define tines or teeth 36 defining indentations between adjacent teeth. Once positioned, the locking member 34 may be depressed by a conventional tool (not shown) to cooperate with the teeth of the alignment guide 25 and secure its position. According to one aspect of the invention, however, the alignment guides 25 may be properly positioned by an adhesive member 26 and the need to secure its position by the locking member 34 is obviated. Accordingly, this member 34 may not be present.
Each indicia plate 22 includes a mating member 24 on distal sides thereof. At least one of the mating members 24, and preferably both, include a main body 40, a mating flange 38 and a locking flange 42 as best shown in
According to an exemplary sign assembly, by way of example, the width between adjacent teeth corresponds with a particular size of the indicia plates 22. For example, for a roughly 12″ sign assembly, the teeth may be selected to be about 1/16″ on center and the indicia plates will selectively have 1/16″ between adjacent plates. Alternatively, the plates may be positioned flushed to one another. The smaller the teeth of the various members, the more precise the spacing. This unique configuration and unique placement of the alignment guides ensures a positive vertical alignment of and proper spacing between indicia plates 22.
One aspect of the chassis assembly 12 is shown in
The chassis assembly 12 shown in
As shown, the sign assembly 10 includes a single column of indicia plates 22 having first and second chassis members 20. It is within the scope of the present invention, however, to provide a chassis assembly 12 with more than one column of indicia plates 22 (not shown). Accordingly, one (or more) chassis members 20 may be doubled wherein opposing sides have mirror or reverse configurations to support a support panel 16 on either side thereof. As such, one or more sides of the doubled chassis member may include the tamper resistant assembly.
According to one aspect of the present invention, as shown in
The locator 45 comprises a front surface defining a guide 48 which, as shown, preferably is a horizontally and outwardly extending flange which is configured to extend between and cooperate with side edges of adjacent indicia plates 22 to provide conformity in spacing after the installation of the first plate. One side edge of the locator 45 includes a mounting flange 48 shown in the form of teeth which are configured to cooperate with the alignment guides 25 positioned within chassis members 20. The teeth 46 are configured as described above with regard to the mating member 24 so as to cooperate with the alignment guides 25 in intermittent positions as defined by the dimensions of the teeth 46 to facilitate alignment. Therefore, the method may further include the step of positioning at least one, or a pair, of locators 45 between adjacent indicia plates 22 to facilitate removal of one or more plates 22 so as to access mounting members or apertures 46 and any securing means positioned therein.
According to the invention shown, one chassis member 20 (left chassis member 20 as shown) includes a locking assembly as in
The method of displaying the customizable information includes providing the sign assembly 10 including the chassis assembly 12 and indicia display assembly 14 as described above. The chassis assembly 12 is constructed, in one aspect, by positioning the support panel 16 within the medial channels 32 of the side chassis members 20 and securing the assembly with the rivets 17 positioned within respective apertures 18, 19 and securing the rivets. According to another aspect, these members may be integrally formed. The alignment guide or guides 25 are positioned within a respective channel 31, either from a front surface or from an open lower end.
The support panel 16 may be formed of any suitable material, but preferably, is formed of an aluminum composite material or an extruded plastic. Support panel 16 includes mounting means in the form of at least one, a preferably at least two, mounting members 46. As shown, mounting members comprises at least two apertures for receipt of connection means (not shown) which may be mounted to the supporting surface or surface panel 28 for the sign assembly 10.
The indicia display assembly 14 is assembled by securing at least one, and preferably at least two, mating members 24 to each indicia plate 22. Securing means, such as adhesive members 26, are preferably utilized to secure the mating member to the rear side (opposing the information display side) of the indicia plates 22. Utilizing other securing means would not be a departure from the scope of the present invention.
To facilitate proper placement of the mating members 24 and adhesive members 26, a template 50 as shown in
Template 50 may be provided for an indicia plate 22 having a predetermined length. Side interfaces 51 may be adjusted to accommodate indicia plates having different widths. To accommodate an indicia plate with a different length, a different template 50 may be provided. By way of example, and not being intended to be bound by any dimensions herein, for an 8½ inch length band having a width of 2 inch (plus or minus an inch), the mating members 24 (having securing members 26 secured thereto) will be positioned within the guides 55 and the indicia plate 22 will be positioned so as to abut flange 54. The side interfaces 51 will be adjusted to accommodate the plate 22. By way of example, the relevant dimensions for the guides 55 is to position the guides 55 adjacent the flange 54 approximately 1.196 inches from the flange 54 and the second guide 55 approximately 2.109 inches from the other template edge. This arrangement ensures that the mating members 24 will be properly positioned to mate with a respective alignment guide 25 within the chassis member 20. It also ensures that the desired reveal, or overhang of the plates 22 (for example, 1 inch) is uniformly achieved.
Upon assembly of the chassis assembly 12 and the indicia plates 22, the indicia plates 22 are individually positioned onto the chassis members 20 of the chassis assembly 12. Preferably beginning with the top-most indicia plate 20, the indicia plate 20 is positioned by inserting one side edge thereof over the corresponding side chassis member 20 wherein the teeth of the mating member 24 will mate with teeth of the alignment guide 25. The other side of the plate 22 will then be press fit into the opposing side chassis member 20 wherein the second mating member 24 will cooperate with the opposing alignment guide 25. Sufficient tolerances are provided wherein the application of pressured against the plate 22 (in the direction of the rear of the sign assembly 10) will secure the indicia plate 22 to the chassis member 20 due to the tolerances and configuration of the mating members 24 and the respective chassis assembly channels. The additional indicia plates 22 may be positioned onto the chassis assembly 12 in a similar fashion. Optionally, a pair of locators 45 may be positioned after the first indicia plate 22 is assembled.
To substantially minimize tampering of the sign assembly 10, the locking pin 58 may be inserted. If it is desired to alter the information displayed, the indicia plates 22 may be removed on site. This is accomplished by removing the locking pin 58 and removing a first indicia plate 22, such as the top-most plate 22. It may be necessary to access the mounting members such as the apertures 46 wherein the top indicia plate 22 or bottom indicia plate 22 may be removed. Removal of individual indicia plate 22 is accomplished by utilizing tolerances provided and urging the respective plate 22 in one direction while lifting and removing the opposing side of the plate 22. The removed indicia plate may be re-assembled as described above. Use of optional locators 45 may facilitate re-application of the indicia plates 22 to the chassis assembly 12.
While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described above for the purpose of disclosure, modifications to the disclosed embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art. The disclosure, therefore, is not limited to the above precise embodiments and that changes may be made without departing from its spirit and scope.