With Wind Spilling Feature Patents (Class 40/602)
  • Patent number: 4783921
    Abstract: A wind resistant sign for display purposes includes a base and a resilient panel having a base portion supported by the base for extending outwardly from the base in a direction perpendicular to the base, the panel being thin and of such resilience and strength as to undergo bending deflection responsive to wind forces. First and second oppositely disposed mounting members of the base are clamped together by screw and nut fasteners to define between the members a throat for receiving the panel base portion. The throat opens upwardly on opposite faces of the panel in smoothly outwardly diverging relationship to the panel with radius of curvature much less than the natural bending radius of curvature of the panel to provide a strain-relieving support on opposite faces of the panel when undergoing bending deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Stout Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary P. George
  • Patent number: 4766686
    Abstract: A poster display, subject to out-of-door wind forces that will develop substantial overturning forces against the poster display, is provided with a self-righting feature by using a hollow support base, with a convex support side that permits of rocking motion and that is ballasted by a flowable ballast material such as water, and upon which base, an upright, wind-catching, panel is mounted to project away from the convex support side. The base and panel are molded of inexpensive plastics. The base and panel may be formed as separate parts, or as an integral assemblage. In one preferred construction the base and panel are separate parts, have interfitting tongue and socket provided on adjacent portions of the two parts. The panel is preferably provided with a transverse edge flange that bound the region adapted to receive a removable display sheet thereonto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1988
    Assignee: Dynagraphics Merchandising Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Glasener
  • Patent number: 4691892
    Abstract: An improved warning sign and sign stand assembly is disclosed and includes apparatus for attaching and retaining the sign to a stand member of the assembly. The various embodiments of the assembly also include various mechanisms for permitting the sign panel to pivot or swing under side-directed loads in order to allow a resilient portion of the stand base to deflect generally along a predetermined plane, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand assembly from tipping over. The various embodiments are applicable in sign and sign stand assemblies equipped with provisions for selectively collapsing the entire assemblies into compact and conveniently stored configurations, as well as being applicable in assemblies not so equipped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Grewe, David U. Hillstrom, James R. Seely, Cecil Ursprung
  • Patent number: 4686785
    Abstract: The device comprises at least one reflective flag carried by a lateral rod in its turn carried by a lower bracket. The bracket is constituted by a strip of stainless steel sheet or other weather-resistant material, shaped as an arcuate hairpin for gripping the upper part of the guard rail resiliently. In one embodiment, the flag is mounted on the rod so as to be pivotable and is biassed by a spring into a position in which it projects towards the carriageway.Preferably the flag includes a frame in which replaceable reflective sheets are inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Ovas S.a.s. di A. Obbermito & C.
    Inventor: Antonio Obbermito
  • Patent number: 4658526
    Abstract: A poster display, subject to out-of-door wind forces that will develop substantial overturning forces against the poster display, is provided with a self-righting feature by using a hollow support base, with a convex support side that permits of rocking motion and that is ballasted by a flowable ballast material such as water, and upon which base, an upright, wind-catching, panel is mounted to project away from said convex support side. The base and panel are molded of inexpensive plastics. The base and panel may be formed as separate parts, or as an integral assemblage. In one preferred construction the base and panel are separate parts, have interfitting tongue and socket means provided on adjacent portions of the two parts. The panel is preferably provided with a transverse edge flange that bounds the region adapted to receive a removable display sheet thereonto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Assignee: Dynagraphic Merchandising Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Glasener
  • Patent number: 4593879
    Abstract: An improved compact warning sign and stand are disclosed which include apparatus for attaching and retaining the sign to an upstanding frame member of the stand. The preferred attachment apparatus includes a pair of channels on each of opposite sides of the frame member into which a vertical cross-brace on the sign may be inserted. The preferred frame member also includes means for permitting the sign panel to laterally pivot or swing under side-wind loads in order to allow a resilient portion of the frame base to deflect generally along a predetermined plane, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand assembly from tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Seely, Cecil E. Ursprung
  • Patent number: 4575040
    Abstract: An improved sign and sign stand assembly is disclosed wherein the sign stand includes means for mounting the sign on a frame member of the stand. The frame membr includes means for permitting the sign to laterally pivot or swing under side-wind loads in order to allow a resilient portion of the frame member to deflect generally along a predetermined plane, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand assembly from tipping over. Means are also provided for displaying warning flags or other warning devices on said sign and stand assembly without restricting or impeding such laterally pivoting or swinging of the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4572473
    Abstract: An improved sign and sign stand assembly is disclosed wherein the sign stand includes means for mounting the sign on a frame member of the stand. The frame member includes means for permitting the sign to laterally pivot or swing under side-wind loads in order to allow a resilient portion of the frame member to deflect generally along a predetermined plane, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand assembly from tipping over. Means are also provided for displaying warning flags or other warning devices on said sign and stand assembly without restricting or impeding such laterally pivoting or swinging of the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1986
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4569499
    Abstract: An improved sign and sign stand assembly is disclosed wherein the sign stand includes means for mounting the sign on a frame member of the stand. The frame member includes means for permitting the sign to laterally pivot or swing under side-wind loads in order to allow a resilient portion of the frame member to deflect generally along a predetermined plane, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand assembly from tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4553346
    Abstract: A poster display, subject to out-of-door wind forces that will develop substantial overturning forces against the poster display, is provided with a self-righting feature by using a hollow support base, with a convex support side, that is ballasted by a flowable ballast material such as water, and upon which base, an upright, wind-catching, panel is mounted to project away from said convex support side. The base and panel are molded of inexpensive plastics. The base and panel may be formed as separate parts, or as an integral assemblage. In one preferred construction the base and panel are separate parts, have interfitting tongue and socket means provided on adjacent portions of the two parts. The panel is preferably provided with transverse edge flange means that bound the region adapted to receive a removable display sheet thereonto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Dynagraphic Merchandising Corp.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Glasener
  • Patent number: 4548379
    Abstract: An improved compact warning sign and stand are disclosed which include apparatus for attaching and retaining the sign to an upstanding frame member of the stand. The preferred attachment apparatus includes a pair of channels on each of opposite sides of the frame member into which a vertical cross-brace on the sign may be inserted. The preferred frame member also includes means for permitting the sign panel to laterally pivot or swing under side-wind loads in order to allow a resilient portion of the frame base to deflect generally along a predetermined plane, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand assembly from tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Seely, Cecil E. Ursprung
  • Patent number: 4544125
    Abstract: An improved sign bracket is disclosed, which includes apparatus for mounting the bracket on a sign stand and mechanism for attaching and retaining the sign to the bracket. The preferred attachment mechanism includes at least one channel member and a resiliently pivotal latching member that cooperate to partially circumscribe a cross-brace on the sign. The pivotal latching member also preferably permits the sign to laterally pivot under side-wind loads so that a resilient portion of the sign stand deflects generally along a predetermined plane to substantially prevent the sign and stand assembly from tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1985
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4516344
    Abstract: A preferred lightweight, portable sign and stand apparatus generally includes a plurality of ground-engaging legs secured to a longitudinally-extending elongated base assembly. The base assembly of the preferred apparatus includes clamping members for clampingly anchoring a thin, flat sign panel protruding generally upwardly therefrom. The sheet material of which the sign panel is composed is sufficiently rigid that the sign panel is self-supporting in its protruding relationship with the base assembly. The sign panel is sufficiently flexible and resilient, however, to bendably deflect in a generally lateral direction, without yielding, in response to transverse loads exerted thereon, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand apparatus from tipping over. The sign and stand apparatus also preferably has a resultant or combined center of gravity that remains inboard of the engagement of the legs with the ground in order to further resist any tendency to tip over in high winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4509714
    Abstract: A wind-resistant sign and stand apparatus is disclosed and generally includes a base assembly for supporting a sign panel protruding generally outwardly therefrom. The base assembly includes one or more flexible and resilient based members retained in a generally bow-shaped arcuate configuration. The base members are adapted to further deflect in response to wind or other loads in order to substantially prevent the sign and stand apparatus from tipping over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4507887
    Abstract: An improved sign and sign stand assembly is disclosed wherein the sign stand includes a mounting member for mounting the sign panel on a frame member of the stand. The frame member permits the sign assembly to laterally pivot or swing under side-wind loads in order to allow a resilient portion of the frame member to deflect generally along a predetermined plane, thereby substantially preventing the sign assembly and stand assembly from tipping over. The sign assembly further includes an improved device for attaching the sign panel to its associated support members or cross-braces. Such improved attachment device is especially advantageous in connection with flexible sign panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely
  • Patent number: 4503631
    Abstract: A blow-through pivotal sign for preventing damage to advertising structures are the like. The blow-through pivotal sign comprises a signboard attached to a support structure to allow the signboard to rotate along a horizontal or vertical axis. The blow-through pivotal sign also comprises a mechanism for retaining the signboard in a fixed position until a preselected torque due to windload is applied as well as a wind responsive retractor for retracting the retaining mechanism to prevent damage thereto after the signboard has been deflected from the fixed position and is swinging freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Inventor: Gerard T. Kelly
  • Patent number: 4463702
    Abstract: A warning device, especially suitable for road-side use, comprises a rotor arranged to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, the rotor including three equi-angularly spaced apart cups arranged to drive the rotor in response to wind. Each cup is typically approximately hemispherical, and contains a respective outwardly facing reflector which is snap-fitted into a circumferential groove or the like in its inside surface. Each cup also has a further reflector fitted in its base, facing the opposite way to the main reflector, the backs of both reflectors being effectively sealed by the way they are fitted to the cup. The rotor is rotatably supported on a single ball bearing disposed between a downwardly facing flat surface within a recess in the rotor and the flat top of an upwardly extending stationary stub shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Mott
  • Patent number: 4440104
    Abstract: An emergency warning device comprising a base, three arms extending upwardly from the base to define an equilateral triangle, one of the arms extending horizontally on the base and the other two arms extending upwardly. Each arm has reflective and fluorescent portions on opposed surfaces thereof. The fluorescent portions of said arms comprising spaced walls and each wall has at least one opening therethrough. The opening in one wall is staggered with respect to the opening in the other wall such that portions of one wall overlie the opening in the other wall and such that air striking the device flows in a sinuous path through the device reducing the drag on the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1984
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventors: Arthur F. Bleiweiss, Terence E. Base
  • Patent number: 4403565
    Abstract: An emergency warning device comprising a base, three arms extending upwardly from the base to define an equilateral triangle, one of the arms extending horizontally on the base and the other two arms extending upwardly. Each arm has reflective and fluorescent means on opposed surfaces thereof. Vane devices are constructed and arranged, shaped and positioned on the equilateral triangle and such that air flow against a face of the triangle produces a downward force tending to prevent movement of the device relative to a road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Dominion Auto Accessories Limited
    Inventors: Arthur F. Bleiweiss, Terence E. Base
  • Patent number: 4365435
    Abstract: The portable sign includes a display frame, a base having shafts for pivotably mounting the display frame on the base, first and second stops, one positioned on one side of the base, the other positioned diagonally across on the opposite side of the base. The spring structure has two springs, each engaging and winding only in one direction to prevent unwinding of the spring. Upon application of a force such as the wind to the display frame, the first spring engages the adjacent stop and tightens while the second spring disengages from the adjacent stop and rotates away from the stop. This allows deflection of the frame while protecting the spring from being unwound.A second embodiment of the portable sign includes a display frame, a base having shafts for pivotably mounting the display frame on the base, and a spring mechanism for biasing the display frame including a first bracket for retaining a spring, a spring, and a second bracket for slidably retaining a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1982
    Assignee: Chicago Display Company
    Inventor: H. Kent Snyder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4309836
    Abstract: A sign panel is connected to a support frame therebelow by a resilient strip whose width is substantially greater than its thickness so that the sign panel may deflect in strong winds as permitted by the resilience of said strip. The effective length of said strip and hence the resilience thereof may be adjusted so that the maximum length of the strip is utilized under high wind conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Eastern Metal of Elmira, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Knapp
  • Patent number: 4248001
    Abstract: Two supporting elements of a stand for a display panel can either be opened-out and placed on the ground in the service position or folded-back when not in use. The ends of the two supporting elements are associated with a pivot on each side of the panel which is thus capable of rotating about a horizontal axis. Springs permit angular displacement of the panel to a horizontal position and serve to return the panel to a substantially vertical rest position. Potential applications of the device include portable traffic signs and advertising panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1981
    Inventor: Alain Feuvray
  • Patent number: 4169308
    Abstract: A specialized sign fitting together with the process of using said sign fitting to install signs on sign supports, such as walls, is disclosed. The specialized sign fitting includes a threaded male member having a protruding attachment member, such as a wood screw, for fastening to the back of the sign. The fitting has an overlying female member having the external configuration of a bolt. This mounted bolt configured female member is used to rotate and fasten the male member at the protruding attachment member into the sign. With a plurality of fasteners installed on the back of the sign, the female members are removed to expose male member mounted scribes. In the shop, these female member mounted scribes are then impressed with the sign iself onto a sign mounting templet. In the field, the templet containing both the scribed locations of the sign fasteners as well as typically an outline of the sign is first hung on the sign mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1979
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Robert W. Minogue
  • Patent number: 4113216
    Abstract: Apparatus for hanging a board, such as a road sign board or an advertising sign board, comprises a first cam sleeve which is provided rotatably surrounding the axis of a construction for hanging a board and a second cam sleeve which is provided not rotatably but slidably on the same axis of the first cam sleeve. A board is fixed on the first cam sleeve and the one edge face of the second sleeve is pressed against the edge face of the first cam sleeve by the spring arranged at the other side of the second cam sleeve. Each contacting cam faces of the first and second cam sleeves has two sections which are vertical and slanting to the axis of the cam sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Osaka Prefectural Office
    Inventors: Takeshi Fuse, Toshio Yajima, Isao Hino, Shohei Oka
  • Patent number: 4108560
    Abstract: A specialized sign fitting together with the process of using said sign fitting to install signs on sign supports, such as walls, is disclosed. The specialized sign fitting includes a threaded male member having a protruding attachment member, such as a wood screw, for fastening to the back of the sign. The fitting has an overlying female member having the external configuration of a bolt. This mounted bolt configured female member is used to rotate and fasten the male member at the protruding attachment member into the sign. With a plurality of fasteners installed on the back of the sign, the female members are removed to expose male member mounted scribes. In the shop, these male member mounted scribes are then impressed with the sign itself onto a sign mounting templet. In the field, the templet containing both the scribed locations of the sign fasteners as well as typically an outline of the sign is first hung on the sign mounting location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1978
    Assignee: Federal Signal Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Willis Minogue
  • Patent number: RE32359
    Abstract: A preferred lightweight, portable sign and stand apparatus generally includes a plurality of ground-engaging legs secured to a longitudinally-extending elongated base assembly. The base assembly of the preferred apparatus includes clamping members for clampingly anchoring a thin, flat sign panel protruding generally upwardly therefrom. The sheet material of which the sign panel is composed is sufficiently rigid that the sign panel is self-supporting in its protruding relationship with the base assembly. The sign panel is sufficiently flexible and resilient, however, to bendably deflect in a generally lateral direction, without yielding, in response to transverse loads exerted thereon, thereby substantially preventing the sign and stand apparatus from tipping over. The sign and stand apparatus also preferably has a resultant or combined center of gravity that remains inboard of the engagement of the legs with the ground in order to further resist any tendency to tip over in high winds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Marketing Displays, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Seely