US3828455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sign and support apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-17
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-01-17
Abstract
Abstract The sign has an aerodynamic cross-sectional shape, is supported along a center of gravity line and is normally prevented from rotating by a releasable support member that is coupled to the main sign support structure. The sign may be supported either horizontally or vertically along a hingeline that passes through the sign. Both the sign and support are fabricated with a lightweight core material surrounded by a stronger, relatively thin skin material. An optimum strength support is obtained by providing a circular cross-section in a plane that passes through the normal (perpendicular) force center on the sign and the support for each incremental section of the support.
Inventors
- 👤 R Bentley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:51
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F7/00; G09F7/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A sign structure comprising; a sign having within its outer edges a force center line which is directed substantially perpendicularly to the face of said sign, a support member having one end maintained stationary and including means for attaching the other end to said sign, said support member including a substantially vertical section that is formed having a circular cross section in all planes that pass through the force center line of said sign and respective points along the length of said section, said sign having an air foil shape and including means for receiving said attaching means of said support member, said means for receiving being disposed off-center of said sign and spaced from said force center line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
119 words
A sign structure comprising; a sign having within its outer edges a force center line which is directed substantially perpendicularly to the face of said sign, a support member having one end maintained stationary and including means for attaching the other end to said sign, said support member including a substantially vertical section that is formed having a circular cross section in all planes that pass through the force center line of said sign and respective points along the length of said section, said sign having an air foil shape and including means for receiving said attaching means of said support member, said means for receiving being disposed off-center of said sign and spaced from said force center line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A sign structure as defined in claim 1 comprising means for restraining said sign in a normal, readable position when normal forces are applied to said sign and for releasing said sign from said restrained position when said forces exceed a predetermined value, said sign including a fixed sleeve having a portion of said support structure contained therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A sign structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said restraining means includes a securing member located at one side of said sign and including means for at least temporarily engaging said sign.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A sign structure as defined in claim 3 wherein said securing member includes a cylindrical collar attached to said sign and having a hole therethrough, said supporting means includes a hole aligned with said hole in said collar, and a shear pin adapted to fit through said holes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sign support as defined in claim 1 wherein said support member includes a relatively thin outer jacket and a relatively light weight inner core material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A sign support as defined in claim 5 wherein the thickness of said outer jacket remains constant and the radius of said circular cross-section varies as a function of the distance between said force center line and respective portions along said support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A sign support as defined in claim 5 wherein the circular cross-section remains constant and the thickness of said outer jacket varies as a function of the distance between said force center line and respective portions along said support member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein the radius of each of said circular cross sections is determined by the formula. rx rb sec theta where rx radius in any of said cross sections rb radius of said one circular cross section which lies in a plane horizontal with respect to gravity and through the force center F, theta the angle from the force center F defined by the plane containing said one circular cross section defined by rb and the plane containing the cross section defined in rx.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
89 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein the skin thickness of each of said circular cross-sections is determined by the formula: tx tb sec theta where tx skin thickness in any of said cross sections, tb skin thickness of said one circular cross-section which lies in a horizontal plane with respect to gravity, and through force center F, theta angle from the force center F defined by the plane containing said one circular cross-section defined by rb and the plane containing cross section defined by rx.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A structure of claim 1 wherein said substantially vertical section has a progressively larger cross-sectional area from the top to the bottom thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
124 words
A sign structure including a sign defining within its outer edges a force center line (F) which is directed substantially perpendicularly to the face of said sign, a support for said sign including horizontal and vertical members wiTh said horizontal member having one end connected to said sign and the other to said vertical member, said vertical member having a circular cross section in all planes intersecting the force center and respective points along the vertical member for all angles of said plane that intersect said vertical member, said sign having an air foil shape and including means for receiving said attaching means of said support member, said means for receiving being disposed off-center of said sign and spaced from said force center line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
124 words
A sign structure including a sign defining within its outer edges a force center line (F) which is directed substantially perpendicularly to the face of said sign, a support for said sign including horizontal and vertical members wiTh said horizontal member having one end connected to said sign and the other to said vertical member, said vertical member having a circular cross section in all planes intersecting the force center and respective points along the vertical member for all angles of said plane that intersect said vertical member, said sign having an air foil shape and including means for receiving said attaching means of said support member, said means for receiving being disposed off-center of said sign and spaced from said force center line.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 11 wherein all planes passing through said vertical support horizontal to gravity define on said bearing support an elliptical shape except for those also passing through said force center line F.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 12 wherein all of said planes passing through said force center line F define circular cross sections on said vertical support.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
A sign structure including a sign defining within its outer edges a force center line (F) which is directed substantially perpendicularly to the face of said sign, a support for said sign including a vertical member having one end connected to said sign, said vertical member having a circular cross section in all planes intersecting the force center line (F) and respective points along said vertical member for all angles of said plane intersecting said vertical member, said sign having an air foil shape and including means for receiving said attaching means of said support member, said means for receiving being disposed off-center of said sign and spaced from said force center line.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
A sign structure including a sign defining within its outer edges a force center line (F) which is directed substantially perpendicularly to the face of said sign, a support for said sign including a vertical member having one end connected to said sign, said vertical member having a circular cross section in all planes intersecting the force center line (F) and respective points along said vertical member for all angles of said plane intersecting said vertical member, said sign having an air foil shape and including means for receiving said attaching means of said support member, said means for receiving being disposed off-center of said sign and spaced from said force center line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein all horizontal planes passing through said vertical support define an elliptical cross-sectional shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein all of said planes passing through said force center line F define circular cross-sections on said vertical support.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
82 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein the radius of each of said circular cross-sections is determined by the formula rx rg Square Root sec theta where rx radius of any of said cross-sections, rg radius of said one circular cross-section which lies in a plane horizontal with respect to gravity and through force center F, and theta the angle from the force center F defined by a vertical plane and the plane containing the cross-section defined by rx.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
79 words
A sign structure as set forth in claim 14 wherein the skin thickness of said circular cross-section is determined by the formula tx tg sec theta where tx skin thickness of said cross-sections, tg skin thickness of said one circular crosssection which lies in a plane horizontal with respect to gravity and through force center F, and theta the angle from the force center F defined by a vertical plane and the plane containing the cross-section defined by rx.
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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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |