Sign structure

Claim 2

A sign structure comprising: a first end section including first and second parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said first and second support members and fixedly connected thereto; an intermediate section including third and fourth parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said third and fourth support members and fixedly connected thereto; a second end section including fifth and sixth parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said fifth and sixth support members and fixedly connected thereto; a separate grid assembly attached to each of said first end, intermediate and second end sections, each of said grid assemblies including a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated grid members extending parallel with said stabilizer members and a plurality of parallel, spaced elongated grid members extending parallel with said support members, thereby defining a matrix of elongated grid member intersections; means for releasably connecting said first support member to said third support member; means for releasably connecting said second support member to said fourth support member; means for releasably connecting said third support member to said fifth support member; and means for releasably connecting said fourth support member to said sixth support member; whereby, after connection of said support members, said first, third, and fifth support members are located coaxially, and said second, fourth and sixth support members are located coaxially.

Claim 3

A sign structure as specified in claim 1 and further characterized by: an electrically controlled light source attached to each of said grid assemblies adjacent each of said intersections of said elongated grid members.

Claim 4

A sign structure as specified in claim 2 and further characterized by: said electrically controlled light sources each being comprised of a light source assembly; each of said assemblies including; a base member carrying a ground terminal and a power terminal; each ground terminal being attached to and in electrical communication with a respective one of said elongated grid members; each of said power terminals being connected to a separate power line; a reflector member having a central bulb passageway; a light bulb frictionally force-fitted within said passageway and extending outwardly therefrom; and means on said light bulb for releasable mechanical engagement within said base member; whereby said bulb and said reflector member form a subassembly for connection to said base member.

Claim 5

A sign structure as specified in claim 1 and further characterized by: separate reinforcing means on each of said end sections; each of said reinforcing means including first and second reinforcing members attached to and extending between respective ones of said support members; said first reinforcing member extending across one of said stabilizer members, and said second reinforcing member extending across another of said stabilizer members on a respective one of said end sections.

Claim 6

A sign structure as specified in claim 1 and further characterized by: said support members and said stabilizer members being fabricated of tubular metal stock material.

Claim 7

A sign structure as specified in claim 5 and further characterized by: the ends of said third support member being telescopically engageable with respective ends of said first and fifth support members; the ends of said fourth support member being telescopically engageable with respective ends of said second and sixth support members; and securing means transversly and releasably passing through the telescopically engaged ends of said support members to releasably connect said engaged ends of said support members.

Claim 8

A sign structure as specified in claim 6 and further characterized by: said third support member being of a different diameter tubular stock material than said first and fifth support members; said fourth support member being of a different diameter tubular stock material than said second and sixth support members.

Claim 9

A helicopter display sign for use with a helicopter having a substantially horizontal, elongated frame and a downwardly projecting landing gear, said sign comprising: an elongated grid structure carrying a plurality of electrically energized light sources; said light sources being directed downwardly and being positioned in a rectangular matrix; support means adapted to be connected to such helicopter for supporting said grid from such helicopter so that the longitudinal axis of said grid is positioned below and transverse to the longitudinal axis of such helicopter frame; and the ends of said grid structure projecting outwardly of the respective sides of such helicopter frame and projecting beyond said repective sides of such landing gear.

Claim 10

A helicopter display sign for use with a helicopter having a substantially horizontal, elongated frame and a downwardly projecting landing gear, said sign comprising: an elongated grid structure carrying a plurality of electrically energized light sources; said light sources being directed downwardly and being positioned in a rectangular matrix; support means adapted to be connected to such helicopter for supporting said grid from such helicopter so that the longitudinal axis of said grid is positioned below and transverse to the longitudinal axis of such helicopter frame; and the ends of said grid structure projecting outwardly of the respective sides of such helicopter frame and projecting beyond said repective sides of such landing gear.

Claim 11

A helicopter display sign as specified in claim 8 and further characterized by: said grid structure includes first and second end sections, and an intermediate section releasably connected between said end sections.

Claim 12

A helicopter display sign as specified in claim 9 and further characterized by: said first end section including first and second parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said first and second support members and fixedly connected thereto; an intermediate section including third and fourth parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said third and fourth support members and fixedly connected thereto; a second end section including fifth and sixth parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said fifth and sixth support members and fixedly connected thereto; a separate grid assembly attached to each of said first end, intermediate and second end sections, each of said grid assemblies including a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated grid members extending parallel with said stabilizer members and a plurality of parallel, spaced elongated grid members extending parallel with said support members, thereby defining a matrix of grid member intersections; said light sources being attached to each of said grid assemblies adjacent each of said intersections of said grid members; means for releasably connecting said first support member to said third support member; means for releasably connecting said second support member to said fourth support member; means for releasably connecting said third support member to said fifth support member; and means for releasably connecting said fourth support member to said sixth support member; whereby, after connection of said support members, said first, third and fifth support members are located coaxially, and said second, fourth and sixth support members are located coaxially.

Claim 13

A helicopter display sign as specified in claim 10 and further characterized by: said intermediate section having first, second, third and fourth stabilizer members; said third support member being reconnectably severed between said first and second stabilizer members, and being reconnectably severed between said third and fourth stabilizer members; a plurality of said grid members on said intermediate section being reconnectably severed at locations along lines which are parallel to said stabilizer members and which intersect the severed locations in said third support member; whereby said third support member and said plurality of said grid members may be temporarily split to permit movement of said intermediate section around the helicopter landing gear during connection and disconnection of said grid assembly to such helicopter.

Claim 14

An aerial sign structure for use with an aircraft having a downwardly projecting landing gear, said sign structure comprising: an elongated grid structure adapted to be supported beneath such aircraft; said grid structure carrying a plurality of electrically energized light sources; said light sources being directed downwardly and being positioned in a rectangular matrix; said grid structure being comprised of first and second end sections, and an intermediate section releasably connected to and between said end sections.

Claim 15

An aerial sign structure for use with an aircraft having a downwardly projecting landing gear, said sign structure comprising: an elongated grid structure adapted to be supported beneath such aircraft; said grid structure carrying a plurality of electrically energized light sources; said light sources being directed downwardly and being positioned in a rectangular matrix; said grid structure being comprised of first and second end sections, and an intermediate section releasably connected to and between said end sections.

Claim 16

An aerial sign as specified in claim 12 and further characterized by: said first end section including first and second parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said first and second support members and fixedly connected thereto; said intermediate section including third and fourth parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said third and fourth support members and fixedly connected thereto; said second end section including fifth and sixth parallel, spaced, elongated support members, and a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated stabilizer members perpendicular to said fifth and sixth support members and fixedly connected thereto; a separate grid assembly attached to each of said first end, intermediate and second end sections, each of said grid assemblies including a plurality of parallel, spaced, elongated grid members extending parallel with said stabilizer members and a plurality of parallel, spaced elongated grid members extending parallel with said support members, thereby defining a matrix of grid member intersections; said light sources being attached adjacent to each of said grid member intersections; means for releasably connecting said first support member to said third support member; means for releasably connecting said second support member to said fourth support member; means for releasably connecting said third support member to said fifth support member; and means for releasably connecting said fourth support member to said sixth support member; whereby, after connection of said support members, said first, third, and fifth support members are located coaxially and said second, fourth and sixth support members are located coaxially.

Claim 17

An aerial sign as specified in claim 13 and further characterized by: said intermediate section having first, second, third and fourth stabilizer members; said third support member being reconnectably severed between said first and second stabilizer members, and being reconnectably severed between said third and fourth stabilizer members; a plurality of said grid members on said intermediate section being reconnectably severed at locations along lines which are parallel to said stabilizer members and which intersect the severed locations in said third support member; whereby said third support member and said plurality of said grid members may be temporarily split to permit movement of said intermediate section around said landing gear during connection and disconnection of said grid to such aircraft.