US3677511A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable folding warning sign standard
Assignee: Dicke Tool Co
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Filing: 1970-12-15
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A portable folding standard for supporting a sign has an A-frame pivoted at the top so that the legs can be collapsed into a folded position, bracing links pivoted to the A-frame which can be locked when the frame is in open position and folded alongside the frame when the frame is in closed position, a swinging frame pivoted to the top of the A-frame, balancing springs connected between the swinging frame and the A-frame, and a vertical mast, adaptable for elevation, carried on the swinging frame. The frame and mast are provided with means for exhibiting a sign when the standard is in open position and for storing the sign when the standard is in folded or closed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Clarence C Dicke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:00
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F13/00; E01F13/02; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/688
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A portable folding sign standard having a swingable frame pivotally mounted on a horizontal pivot intermediate its top and bottom, on a foldable support having two pairs of legs diverging from the pivot to the lower ends thereof, coil springs means between said frame and said legs to limit the swinging motion of said frame, brace links pivoted to oppositely diverging legs intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to be locked together in horizontal position to maintain said legs in fixed spreadapart position, characterized in that said springs are fastened to said frame at a position intermediate the top and bottom thereof at a point spaced from the point of attachment thereof to said legs when the standard is in closed position substantially equal to the length of the spring when not distended, said frame has a vertically adjustable mast mounted thereon, and means are provided on the upper end of said mast cooperating with means on said frame for positioning a sign plate and removably holding it in a vertical position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A portable folding sign standard having a swingable frame pivotally mounted on a horizontal pivot intermediate its top and bottom, on a foldable support having two pairs of legs diverging from the pivot to the lower ends thereof, coil springs means between said frame and said legs to limit the swinging motion of said frame, brace links pivoted to oppositely diverging legs intermediate the ends thereof and adapted to be locked together in horizontal position to maintain said legs in fixed spreadapart position, characterized in that said springs are fastened to said frame at a position intermediate the top and bottom thereof at a point spaced from the point of attachment thereof to said legs when the standard is in closed position substantially equal to the length of the spring when not distended, said frame has a vertically adjustable mast mounted thereon, and means are provided on the upper end of said mast cooperating with means on said frame for positioning a sign plate and removably holding it in a vertical position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 1 in which the means on the upper end of the mast is a yoke and the means on the frame cooperating with the yoke for positioning and holding a sign plate are retainers at opposite sides of the frame at the same horizontal level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with Claim 2 in which the mast is located centrally of the frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 3 in which the frame has one or more supporting clips fastened to the bottom portion thereof and a clip fastened to the upper end of said mast, said clips being placed so as to support a sign plate when the standard is in folded position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 1 in which the said frame has a plurality of horizontal, vertically spaced crossbars with guides fastened thereto to maintain said mast in vertical position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 5 in which at least one of said guides has means for maintaining said mast at a selected elevation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 6 in which said means for maintaining said mast at a selected elevation are a pressure plate positioned within said guide means and a thumb screw threaded through said guide means against said pressure plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 1 including means extending laterally outward from the lower portion of said frame to a distance in line with a pair of said legs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 1 in which said legs are fabricated from L-shaped angles and said springs are fastened to said legs in such manner that when the standard is folded the springs will lie between each pair of legs in protected, undistorted position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 8 in which said legs are fabricated from L-shaped angles and said springs are fastened to said legs in such manner that when the standard is folded the springs will lie between each pair of legs in protected, undistorted condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
152 words
A portable folding sign standard having foldable legs with a sign supporting frame pivotally mounted on said legs characterized by a vertically adjustable member mounted on said frame, means on said frame adapted to loosely support the lower edges of a substantially square, rigid sign or panel in a diagonal position, separate means on said frame for loosely supporting the bottom edge of said sign or panel when placed with two opposite edges in a horizontal position, means on said vertically adjustable member for retaining the upper edges of said sign or panel when placed in a diagonal position on said standard, and separate means for retaining the upper edge of said sign or panel when place on said standard with two opposite sides in a horizontal position, said supporting and retaining means being such as to release said sign or panel from the frame upon vertical movement of said adjustable member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
152 words
A portable folding sign standard having foldable legs with a sign supporting frame pivotally mounted on said legs characterized by a vertically adjustable member mounted on said frame, means on said frame adapted to loosely support the lower edges of a substantially square, rigid sign or panel in a diagonal position, separate means on said frame for loosely supporting the bottom edge of said sign or panel when placed with two opposite edges in a horizontal position, means on said vertically adjustable member for retaining the upper edges of said sign or panel when placed in a diagonal position on said standard, and separate means for retaining the upper edge of said sign or panel when place on said standard with two opposite sides in a horizontal position, said supporting and retaining means being such as to release said sign or panel from the frame upon vertical movement of said adjustable member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
A portable folding sign standard comprising two pairs of legs having an L-shaped cross-section, each pair having a pivotal connection, a swingable frame pivotally mounted between said pairs of legs by said pivotal connections, said frame having side members a portion at least of which is spaced inwardly of but adjacent to said legs, a coil spring extending between said frame and each leg of a pair, said springs being attached to said legs and said frame at locations spaced apart a distance when the standard is folded, substantially equal to the undistended length of said springs, and the springs being fastened to said frame and said legs in such manner as to nest between said pair of legs and said portion of said side members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
A portable folding sign standard comprising two pairs of legs having an L-shaped cross-section, each pair having a pivotal connection, a swingable frame pivotally mounted between said pairs of legs by said pivotal connections, said frame having side members a portion at least of which is spaced inwardly of but adjacent to said legs, a coil spring extending between said frame and each leg of a pair, said springs being attached to said legs and said frame at locations spaced apart a distance when the standard is folded, substantially equal to the undistended length of said springs, and the springs being fastened to said frame and said legs in such manner as to nest between said pair of legs and said portion of said side members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
A portable folding sign standard in accordance with claim 12 including a pair of bracing links each being pivotally connected at one end to one of a pair of legs and to each other at their other end, said links being of such length as to permit the pivot connection therebetween to assume a position a short distance below the pivot connections between the legs and links when the standard is in upright fully opened position, and a locking means to retain said pivot connection between said links in said position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |