Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
The present invention relates to an illuminated sign assembly.
The cabinet or casing for illuminated siqns has traditionally
been oF box-like configuration formed by aluminum extrusions, and
is generally arranged so that the assembly is weatherproof for
outside use.
The cabinet has either one open face, ~or mounting a single-faced
illuminated sign, or opposed open faces for mounting double-faced
illuminated signs.
However, the use o-E aluminum extrusion for the cabinet has two
disadvantages.
First, the aluminum is a rigid material, and if the sign frame is
to be hingeable outwardly to open the cabinet for maintenancei
some leeway must be provided where the sign frame hooks on~o the
top of the cabinet. Any such leeway will prevent a snug fit when
the sign frame is closed against the cabinet, allowing the sign
to rattle, with consequent potential damage, in heavy winds.
Also, different widths of extr~sion require separate extrusion
moulds at a substantial cost per mould. Because of this cost, a
relatively small variety of standard widths of aluminum extrusion
are available for manufacturing illuminated sign cabinets. In
addition, there is a physical limit on the width of aluminum
extrusion which can be extruded of 12 to 14 inches. For
illuminated sign assemblies with deeper cabinets, widths of
extrusion must be fastened together, with consequent loss of
weather-proofing.
The present invention is therefore directed to providing an
illuminated sign assembly with a self-hinging sign frame which
snap fits onto the cabinet and does not require a conventional
hinge, and can also be assembled utili~ing concealed fasteners to
provide a clean and uninterrupted visual appearance meeting
architectural standards.
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The cabinet for the iLluminated sign assembly in a first embodi~
ment of the present invention is formed of a somewhat resilient
sheet material, such as sheet metal. One advantage achieved by
using sheet metal is that the cabinets for such sign assemblies
can be formed of almost any width or profile, and of many dif-
ferent profiles to achieve various lighting and styling effects
according to the user's requirements.
The invention is also directed to an improved assembly for secur-
ing and tensioning the vinyl sheet of a sign face onto a brace
for inclusion ln an illuminated sign assembly.
In one embodiment, an illuminated sign assembly is provided con-
sisting of a cabinet for holding an illuminating device, formed
of resilient sheet material and having side walls and an opening
in one face. At least one side wall of the cabinet is provided
with an inwardly directed flange adjacent the open face of the
cabinet r a forwardly directed flange extending from the inwardly
directed flange, and an outwardly directed flange extending from
the forwardly directed flange and forming with the inwardly and
forwardly directed flanges an outwardly opening channel. A
return flange extending rearwardly from the outwardly directed
flange is also provided. A sign frame is provided for mounting
adjacent the open face. The sign frame has a rearwardly directed
lip provided with a laterally extending abutment. The sign frame
snaps from an inclined position, in which the lip e~tends inward-
ly into the channel, to a position parallel to the opening, in
which the abutment and lip are compressed between the inwardly
directed flange and the return flange.
~referably, the return flange of the cabinet is offset inwardly
from the at least one side wall. When the sign frame is in the
position parallel to the opening, the sign frame has an outer
wall which is then also parallel to the opening. The lip of the
sign frame is preferably offset inwardly Erom this o~1ter wall~
Means may also ~e provided for releaseably securing the sign
frame to a wall of the cabinet opposite the at least one wall
when the sign frame is in the position parallel to the opening.
In a separate e~bodi~ent o~ the invention, a vinyl retainer frame
for an illuminated sign assemb~y is provided consisting of a
rigid brace of substantially C-shaped configuration extending
from one side of the frame to an opposite side; an internally
serrated clip for receiving a longituclinal fold of one end of a
vinyl sheet, a serrated retainer adapted to be received in the
fold and the clip for snuyly positioning the longitudinal fold of
vinyl in the clip, and means for attaching and tensioning the
clip at one end of the brace, ~hile the sheet is secured at the
opposite end of the brace. Preferably, a second c]ip ancl
retainer are provided for attaching and tensioning a longitudinal
fold of vinyl at the opposite end of the brace, in order to
tension the vinyl sheet between the clips.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described~ by
way of example, in association with the accompanying drawings, in
which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an illuminated sign assembly
according to the invention showing the sign frame in closed
position and F in phantom outline, showing the sign frame in
hinged-open position;
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the assembly
of Figure 1, taken along line 2-2, showiny the assembly in closed
position;
Figures 3 and 4, on the same page as Figure 1, are fragmentary
cross-sectional views of the snap-fit and hinge structure,
showing the assembly in closed and open positions, respectively;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vinyl-retaining
assembly, accordiny to the invention;
Figures 6 and 7 are fragmentary cross-sectional views showing the
vinyl retaining assembly mollnted on a cabinet in closed and open
positions, respectively; and
Figure 8 is a f~agmentary cross-section through the upper por~ion
of an alternative ernbodiment cf sign assembly, illustrating
alternative cabinet confiyurations.
In Figure 1, an illuminated sign assembly is illustrated
consisting of a cabinet 1 on which is mounted a sign frame 2.
~he ca~inet is p~ovided with opposed side walls 3, top wall 4 and
bottom wall 5. ~he front face is left open and the back may be
eithe-r enclosed, for a single faced illuminated sign, or left
open as well for a double faced illuminated sign.
Whilst preferably ~he cabinet is formed of bent sheet metal, or
of some other suitable sheet material which is strong,
sufficiently weatherproof and somewhat resilient, the use of
other fabrication techniques such as extrusion or roll forming is
not excluded.
Each wall of the cabinet terminates in a peripheral, outwardly
opening channel 6 adjacent the open face of the cabinet 1.
If the cabinet is intended as a double-faced illuminated sign, a
corresponding channel to channel 6 will also be formed adjacent
an opposed open face.
Channel 6 is formed by inwardly directed flange 7, forming a
resilient rear wall to the channel, forwardly directed flange 8
and outwardly directed flange 9. Although the cabinet is formed
of resilient material, this arrangement of flanges serves to
stiffen the structure of the cabinet while still allowing
sufficient flexibility for the spring action which will be
described below.
Outwardly directed flange 9 is bent inwardly to form shoulder 10
and inwardly directed flange 11, which may be hemmed~ as shown at
5~;4
11a, for rigidity and extra strength. Preferably lip 11 is
offset inwardly from the cabinet wall 4.
In one embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, the sign frame 2
is formed of alu~inum extrusion lengths 19 of configuraton.
The sign face is formed of a rigid translucent plastic or acrylic
sheet 21, which has a peripheral abutment 22, preferably formed
of the same material as the sheet. Edges of the sheet 21 with
abutment 22 may be inserted snugly along a channel 19a of a
length of the aluminum extrusion 19, the abutment 21 acting to
retain the sheet 21 in the extrusion channel 19a.
The ends of the lengths 19 may be mitred as seen in Figure 1, and
internal L-shaped corner brackets 29a and 29b (see Figure 3)
having opposite arms connected in channels 20a and 20b adjacent
their ends, in conventional fashion, may serve to hold the
lengths 19 together.
Each length of extrusi~n 19 is further formed with a rearwardly
projecting right angle lip, generally designated by 23, which is
preferably offset inwardly from the top of extrusion 19 to sit on
lip 1 lo
Metal screws 24, which are substantially shorter than the depth
of channel 6, may be inserted through top lip 23a to provide an
abutment engaging the edge of flange 11 at the same time that the
opposite edge of top lip 23a compressingly engages rear wall 7,
for a spring or snap fit to positively locate the sign frame 2 on
the cabinet. These screws may be self-tapping, or aperture may
be pre-formed in the flange.
It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that the abutment
may be constituted by posts or other similar structures formed
with the lip 23a.
Once the sign frame 2 is closed in place on cabinet 2, longer
metal screws 25 may be inserted through bottom lip 23b, to pass
-- 5 --
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', .,: ` ~ . , ~ ,: , ''; , '` :
through wall 8a, ~o secure the sign frame 2 on the cabinet 1
(Fiyure 2). Again, self-tapping screws may be utilised, or
apertures pre-formed to accommodate the screws.
Flange 26 extending at a right angle from lip 23 acts to channel
water off the edges of the sign frame when the sign assembly is
closed. Flange 26 also provides an aesthetically neater
appearance to the sign assembly construction.
The outer surface of the extrusion l9 is extended rearwardly to
form a flange 2~ outwa~d of the lip 23 which serves to hide
fasteners such as screws 2~a utilized to secure the ~rac~ets 29a.
The flange 28 gives the sign assembly construction a finished
appearance, to provide a clean architectural appea~ance. Flange
28 also functions to channel water, thereby improving the
weatherability of the assembly~
As illustrated in ~igure 4, the sign frame may be hinged outward-
ly to allow maintenance on the illuminating device inside the
cabinet 1. When the sign frame 2 is tilted outwardly from the
open face of cablnet 1, the end of top lip 23a will engage flange
7 in order to provide support to tne forward portion of lip 23a
hinging on flange 11 and the rear wall 27 of extrusion 19 hinging
on shoulder 10. The abutment or screw 24 simultaneously engages
the end of lip 11, and suspended s~lpport of the sign frame 2 in
the hinged open position is achieved by compression of the screw
24 against the end of flange 11 and the end of flange 23a against
the somewhat resilient surface of flange 7.
In this manner, sign frame 2 may be hinged on cabinet 1 without
the necessity for any additional props or stops.
In Figure 5, a second embodiment for the sign frame 2 is
illustrated. In this case, the sign itself is formed of a
flexible material such as vinyl.
The main component of the sign frame is generally a C-shaped
brace 30 which is Eormed of two brace brackets 31 connected to
intermediate rigicl column 32 by bolts 33. The brace brackets 31
are thus usable to connect to an intermediate column 32 of any
length, and the sign can thus be easily modified by size.
Braces 30 may be placed at approximately four to five feet
intervals along the length of a sign to provide ade~uate support
for the structure.
Each brace bracket 31 is inserte~ into a frame 34 provided with
blunt end 35 over which vinyl 36 passes. Frame 34 is a
continuous frame, assembled at mitered corners, to provide a
four-sided structure. L-shaped corner brackets may be inserted
into channel 46a to secure the corners of frame 34r
Along the top and bottom edges, a longitudinal fold is formed in
the vinyl 36, and each fold inserted into a clip 37 provided with
internal serrations. Each clip 37 is approximately three inches
in length, and it has been found most advantageous to place a
clip 37 approximately every ten inches around the perimeter of
frame 34.
A serrated retainer 38, of the same length as the clip 37, is
forced, in the middle of the fold, into the mouth of clip 37 to
snugly secure the fold of vinyl in the clip 37.
The two clips 37 are affixed to opposed frames 34a and 34b with
the vinyl sheet 36 at first slack between them~ Long bolts or
screws 39, which are used to attach the clips 37 to the frame 34,
may be adjusted to tension or loosen the vinyl sheet 36 held
between them. As tension is applied to the sheet 36, it pulls
the serrated retainer 38 and the folded edge portion of the vinyl
against the clip thus providing a secure fastening.
Cover 40 is a continuous length of extrusion attached over the
frame 34 around its perimeter by bolts 41, in order to protect
the internal sign assembly from the weather.
A].ternatively, cover 40a~ having a right-angle f].ange 42 -traming
all or a portion of the perimeter o the face of the sign, may be
substitute-l.
As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7l it is intended that the vinyl
sign frame be mountable and self-hingeable on the cabinet 1 in
the same manner as previously described.
An overhang 43 may also be provided, extending rearwardly from
cover 40/ providing aesthetic finish and water channelling as
described above in relati.on to overhand 26 illustrated in Figu~es
2 to 4.
In this embodiment, it is pointed out tha~ lip 23 is actually a
composite structure constructed of flange 44 rearwardly
projecting from cover 40 overlying flange 45 rearwardly
projecting from frame 34. The two fl.anges 44 and 45 are held
together both by bolt 41 connecting cover 40 and frame 34 and
also by metal screw 24, which also acts as the abutment against
flange 11 in the hinging action of the sign frame 2.
Flange 44 is provided with water-channelling flange 26 extending
outwardly at a right angle.
Figure 8 illustrates an example of how the configuration of the
outside walls of the cabinet 1 may be altered to suit customer
requirements. In the example shown, the depth of the flanges 7
is increased so as to move the wall 4 outwardly. The housing so
formed can provide a raceway for the mounting of receptacles 50
for lumps 52, and may be profiled, as by a bevel 54, to provide a
desired appearance.
