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US3969838A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Sign

Assignee: Target Corp
•
Filing: 1975-08-13
•
Granted: 1976-07-20
•
Expires: 1995-08-13
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Abstract

Abstract A sign for identifying merchandise in stores and markets characterized by a double-faced elongated rectangular generally flat sign holder having a pair of back-to-back channel members for receiving interchangeable sign cards and having end members, at least one of which is removable. The sign holder may be supported cantilevered from one end, or suspended, or it may be supported by one or more bottom standards. The signs are of simple construction, distinctive appearance, and the informational indicia displayed is quickly and easily changed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Charles T. Moore

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 17:25
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F7/00; G09F7/02; G09F7/08

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 341 words
An interchangeable sign comprising: A. an elongated rectangular generally flat sign holder body having a pair of channel members disposed in back-to-back relation, each of said channel members having: 1. a back plate having flat top and bottom longitudinal edge portions lying in a common plane and a flat mid-portion displaced slightly outwardly therefrom, whereby, when said back plates are secured in back-to-back relation, a narrow tongue-receiving slot is formed between the mid-portions of the back plates, 2. a pair of flanges extending outwardly from the top and bottom edges of said back plate, 3. a lip extending inwardly from the free edges of said flanges, 4. a pair of parallel longitudinal ribs projecting from the top and bottom edge portions of said back plate spaced inwardly from the top and bottom flanges by a distance at least equal to the width of said lips, and 5. at least one further longitudinal rib projecting from the mid-portion of the back plate, B. an end member at each end of said body, each of said end members having: 1. a generally flat plate lying in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the body, said plate having a width substantially equal to the combined width of the two flanges at the top and bottom of the body and a length substantially equal to the width of the body, and 2. a generally flat longitudinal tongue projecting from one side of said end member plate, perpendicular thereto and spaced inwardly from the ends of the plate, said tongue being in engagement with the tongue-receiving slot at the end of the body, and C. an interchangeable sign card held in at least one side of said sign holder body, said sign having indicia thereon and being formed from flat sheet material of generally the size and shape of the body to fit with a slide fit therein, the top and bottom edges of said sign card being retained by said flange lips and the back of said card being supported by said longitudinal ribs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 341 words
An interchangeable sign comprising: A. an elongated rectangular generally flat sign holder body having a pair of channel members disposed in back-to-back relation, each of said channel members having: 1. a back plate having flat top and bottom longitudinal edge portions lying in a common plane and a flat mid-portion displaced slightly outwardly therefrom, whereby, when said back plates are secured in back-to-back relation, a narrow tongue-receiving slot is formed between the mid-portions of the back plates, 2. a pair of flanges extending outwardly from the top and bottom edges of said back plate, 3. a lip extending inwardly from the free edges of said flanges, 4. a pair of parallel longitudinal ribs projecting from the top and bottom edge portions of said back plate spaced inwardly from the top and bottom flanges by a distance at least equal to the width of said lips, and 5. at least one further longitudinal rib projecting from the mid-portion of the back plate, B. an end member at each end of said body, each of said end members having: 1. a generally flat plate lying in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the body, said plate having a width substantially equal to the combined width of the two flanges at the top and bottom of the body and a length substantially equal to the width of the body, and 2. a generally flat longitudinal tongue projecting from one side of said end member plate, perpendicular thereto and spaced inwardly from the ends of the plate, said tongue being in engagement with the tongue-receiving slot at the end of the body, and C. an interchangeable sign card held in at least one side of said sign holder body, said sign having indicia thereon and being formed from flat sheet material of generally the size and shape of the body to fit with a slide fit therein, the top and bottom edges of said sign card being retained by said flange lips and the back of said card being supported by said longitudinal ribs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
A sign according to claim 1 further characterized in that said end member tongue is provided with a plurality of longitudinal ribs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
A sign according to claim 1 further characterized in that at least one of said end members is provided with support means for suspending said sign holder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 58 words
A sign according to claim 3 further characterized in that said support means comprises a flat T key including a central longitudinal rib on the outer surface of said end member plate and a generally flat further plate supported by said rib generally parallel to said surface, said key engageable with a vertical slot to support said sign.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
A sign according to claim 1 further characterized in that at least one of said end members is removable for interchange of sign cards.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 49 words
A sign according to claim 1 further characterized in that support means for said sign holder are provided, said means comprising at least one boss member affixed to the bottom edge of the sign holder and projecting vertically downward therefrom, said boss member engageable with a tubular sign support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
A sign according to claim 1 further characterized in that the free edges of said longitudinal ribs lie generally in a common plane.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2588635A Cited
US2855711A Cited
US3174239A Cited
US3458945A Cited
US3722120A Cited
US3778915A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1979-07-20 1980-01-19 1980-07-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1983-07-20 1984-01-19 1984-07-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1987-07-20 1988-01-19 1988-07-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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