Abstract:
A stake for holding a sign upright and comprising at least two leg elements, one end of which is adapted for inserting into the ground, and the other end of which is bent into a shape for compressively or frictionally holding the sign in place above the ground. Cross bar support members and connecting portions are provided to give stability to the stake.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to stakes for holding signs. More specifically, this invention relates to stakes for holding signs that provide one or more retention members integrated as a part of the stake. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A variety of devices have been used, proposed or are well known for holding signs. Typically signs have been stapled or nailed to wooden stakes, which are driven into the ground. Some stakes have been described that use alternating vertical wire extensions to hold the sign in place. Both such devices have been found to be susceptible to wind and other weather effects, which tend to cause the sign to become disengaged from the stake, thereby destroying the very purpose of the device. Other prior sign stakes are complex mechanical devices, which have a substantial number of component parts or which require substantial machining. Such stakes, because of their cost, are not useful in a low-cost disposable sign, minimal assembly use. 
     The reader is referred to the following U.S. patent documents for general background material, although they may not necessarily constitute prior art to this invention. Each of these patents is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for the material contained therein. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,467 describes a sign support stake, whose main component takes the form of an elongated, sheet material member, which has a hat-shaped configuration in cross-section. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,937 describes a stake for holding a sign upright and comprising at least two parallel and spaced-apart elongate legs, one end of which legs for being driven into the ground and the other end of which legs for supporting a sign above the ground, and at least two longitudinally spaced-apart cross-members secured to and connected the legs together. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,902 describes a stake that is drivable into the ground for holding a sign post. The stake has a clamp at its upper end so that the stake can be driven into the ground, then a conventional sign post can be clamped for support. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,946,039 describes a sign display kit that includes a flexible transparent waterproof plastic container, which contains the other materials in the kit; i.e., a sign, a stake, a rubber band for mounting the sign on the stake, and optionally one or more rubber balloons. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,914 describes a sign support stake that may be combined with a jack for extraction of the stake. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,233 describes a multi-section support post for a reflective, roadway delineator that collapses upon impact at a replaceable joint. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,211 describes a memorial marker that includes a cap, that is attached to the uppermost end of a rod and is a conventionally-oriented five point star that has a pair of lowermost pointed arms that depend skewly outwardly from the rod, and which equidistantly straddle, and clear, the uppermost end of the rod. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     It is desirable to provide a sign stake that provides increased sign holding ability, even under adverse weather conditions, and that is a low cost mechanical structure that requires no assembly. 
     Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a sign stake that has a tension clamping structure for holding the sign in place. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a sign stake that is a single piece wire-like construction. 
     It is a still further object of this invention to provide a sign stake that is adapted to be easily installed in the ground, generally without the use of tools. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide a sign stake that, in various embodiments, is compatible with a variety of sign sizes and materials. 
     Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of this invention will be set forth in part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of this invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description wherein there is shown and described present embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of some of the modes best suited to carry out this invention. As it will be realized, this invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details, and specific structural components are capable of modification in various aspects without departing from this invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
     To achieve the foregoing and other objectives, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, a sign stake is provided with two or more legs capable of being inserted into the ground, two or more clamping sections capable of holding a sign in place and one or more structural elements holding the legs and the clamping sections together. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several present embodiments of the present invention. Some, although not all, alternative embodiments are described in the following description. 
     In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 a  is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention, holding a typical sign. FIG. 1 b  is a rear perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention, holding a typical sign. 
     FIG. 2 a  is a front view of the first embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. FIG. 2 b  is a top down view of the first embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. 
     FIG. 3 a  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, holding a typical sign. FIG. 3 b  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention, holding a typical sign. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a front view of the second embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. FIG. 4 b  is a top down view of the second embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. 
     FIG. 5 a  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention, holding a typical sign. FIG. 5 b  is a rear perspective view of the third embodiment of the invention, holding a typical sign. 
     FIG. 6 a  is a front view of the third embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. FIG. 6 b  is a top down view of the third embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. 
     FIG. 7 a  is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention holding a typical sign. FIG. 7 b  is a rear perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the invention, holding a typical sign. 
     FIG. 8 a  is a front view of the fourth embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. FIG. 8 b  is a top down view of the fourth embodiment of the invention without showing a held sign. 
    
    
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 a  shows a front perspective view of a first embodiment  101  of the invention, holding a typical sign  100 . In this embodiment of the invention  101  two leg elements  102 ,  103  are jointed together by a cross bar support  104 . Although in this embodiment, the cross bar support  104  is shown as being a single bar extending generally horizontally, alternatives cross bar supports comprising one or more bars or sections extending horizontally or at an angle between the leg elements  102 ,  103  are envisioned as alternative cross bar supports. The cross bar support  104  is joined  107 ,  108  to the leg elements  102 ,  103  by a weld in the present embodiment, although alternative methods of joining such as adhesive, screws, bolt(s), clips and the like can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. Two holding portions  105 ,  106  are shown holding the sign  100  imposition. These holding portions  105 ,  106  are preferably extensions of the leg elements  102 ,  103 , bent as show in further drawings in detail, to create a “clip-like” feature capable of hold a sign  100  in place. In the present embodiment of the invention the entire structure is composed of relatively small diameter, less than ½ inch, rod metal, typically steel, aluminum, iron or the like. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the structure of the invention may be composed of one or more materials including other metals and plastic and other synthetic composites. Similarly, while the sign stake of this invention  101  is presently sized as appropriate for relatively small, real estate or political sign sizes, in alternative embodiments, this invention may be sized as appropriate for much larger, or potentially smaller signs, such as bill boards and other commercial advertising signs. Although if the invention is sized for a billboard, clearly the diameter of the rod material used would be much larger than the less than ½ inch of the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 1 b  shows a rear perspective view of the first embodiment  101  of the invention, holding a typical sign  100 . This view, while continuing to show the leg elements  102 ,  103 , also shows the rear of the holding elements consisting of a curved portion  109 ,  110  and a connecting portion  111 ,  112 . As can be seen in this view, the curved portion  109 ,  110  is an extension of the leg portions  102 ,  103  and the connecting portion  111 ,  112  is an extension of the curved portion  109 ,  110 . The connecting portion  111 ,  112 , (as further shown in FIG. 2 a ) extends into the holding portions  105 ,  106 , shown in FIG. 1 a.  The sign  100  is held in place in one of two manners. In particular, this invention  101  is especially well suited to holding the sign  100  by compressive force between the holding portions  105 ,  106  and the curve portions  109 ,  110 . This compressive force is created, in the present embodiment by bending the metal portions of the extended legs  102 ,  103  to create the curved portions  109 ,  110 , the connecting portions  111 ,  112  and the holding portions  105 ,  106 . In alternative embodiments, the compressive force can be created by molding or use of an internal wire or the like. In alternative uses, with corrugated or like signs have measurable width, the holding portions  105 ,  106 , may be inserted into the corrugated or like region of the sign thereby frictionally holding the sign  100  in place. 
     FIG. 2 a  shows a front view of the first embodiment  101  of the invention without showing a held sign in order to show all of the elements as connected together. The leg portions  102 ,  103  are joined  107 ,  108  together by the cross bar support  104 . The leg portions  102 ,  103  extend to curved portions  109 ,  110 , which in turn extends to connecting portions  111 ,  112  and which extend to the holding portions  105 ,  106 . 
     FIG. 2 b  is a top down view of the first embodiment  101  of the invention without showing a held sign. This view shows the relative positioning of the holding portions  105 ,  106  to the curved portions  109 ,  110  and shows the some-what spring-like bend created in the curved portions  109 ,  110  with the connecting portions  111 ,  112  and the holding portions  105 ,  106 . As noted above, the sign  100 , shown in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b,  typically is fitted between the holding portions  105 ,  106  and the curved portions  109 ,  110 . 
     FIG. 3 a  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment  301  of the invention, holding a typical sign  100 . In this embodiment of the invention  301  two leg elements  302 ,  303  are jointed together by a cross bar support  304 . Although in this embodiment, the cross bar support  304  is shown as being a single bar extending generally horizontally, alternatives cross bar supports comprising one or more bars or sections extending horizontally or at an angle between the leg elements  302 ,  303  are envisioned as alternative cross bar supports. The cross bar support  304  is joined  307 ,  308  to the leg elements  302 ,  303  by a weld in the present embodiment, although alternative methods of joining such as adhesive, screws, bolt(s), clips and the like can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. Two holding portions  305 ,  306  are shown holding the sign  100  in position. These holding portions  305 ,  306  are preferably extensions of the leg elements  302 ,  303 , bent as show in further drawings in detail, to create a “clip-like” feature capable of hold a sign  100  in place. In the present embodiment of the invention the entire structure is composed of relatively small diameter, less than ½ inch, rod metal, typically steel, aluminum, iron or the like. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the structure of the invention may be composed of one or more materials including other metals and plastic and other synthetic composites. Similarly, while the sign stake of this invention  301  is presently sized as appropriate for relatively small, real estate or political sign sizes, in alternative embodiments, this invention may be sized as appropriate for much larger, or potentially smaller signs, such as bill boards and other commercial advertising signs. Although if the invention is sized for a billboard, clearly the diameter of the rod material used would be much larger than the less than ½ inch of the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 3 b  is a rear perspective view of the second embodiment  301  of the invention, holding a typical sign  100 . This view, while continuing to show the leg elements  302 ,  303 , also shows the rear of the holding elements consisting of an angled portion  309 ,  310  and a connecting portion  311 ,  312 . As can be seen in this view, the angled portions  309 ,  310  is an extension of the leg portions  302 ,  303  and the connecting portions  311 ,  312  are extensions of the angled portions  309 ,  310 . The connecting portion  311 ,  312 , (as further shown in FIG. 4 a ) extends into the holding portions  305 ,  306 , shown in FIG. 3 a.  The sign  100  is held in place in one of two manners. In particular, this invention  301  is especially well suited to holding the sign  100  by compressive force between the holding portions  305 ,  306  and the angled portions  309 ,  310 . This compressive force is created, in the present embodiment by bending the metal portions of the extended legs  302 ,  303  to create the angled portions  309 ,  310 , the connecting portions  311 ,  312 , and the holding portions  305 ,  306 . In alternative embodiments, the compressive force can be created by molding or use of an internal wire or the like. In alternative uses, with corrugated or like signs have measurable width, the holding portions  305 ,  306 , may be inserted into the corrugated or like region of the sign thereby frictionally holding the sign  100  in place. 
     FIG. 4 a  is a front view of the second embodiment of the invention  301  without showing a held sign in order to show all of the elements as connected together. The leg portions  302 ,  303  are joined  307 ,  308  together by the cross bar support  304 . The leg portions  302 ,  303  extend to angled portions  309 ,  310 , which in turn extends to connecting portions  311 ,  312  and which extend to the holding portions  305 ,  306 . 
     FIG. 4 b  is a top down view of the second embodiment  301  of the invention without showing a held sign. This view shows the relative positioning of the holding portions  305 ,  306  to the angled portions  309 ,  310  and shows the some-what spring-like bend created in the angled portions  309 ,  310  with the connecting portions  311 ,  312  and the holding portions  305 ,  306 . As noted above, the sign  100 , shown in FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b,  typically is fitted between the holding portions  305 ,  306  and the angled portions  309 ,  310 . 
     FIG. 5 a  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment  501  of the invention, holding a typical sign  100 . In this embodiment of the invention  501  two leg elements  502 ,  503  are jointed together by a cross bar support  504 . Although in this embodiment, the cross bar support  504  is shown as being a single bar extending generally horizontally, alternatives cross bar supports comprising one or more bars or sections extending horizontally or at an angle between the leg elements  502 ,  503  are envisioned as alternative cross bar supports. The cross bar support  504  is joined  507 ,  508  to the leg elements  502 ,  503  by a weld in the present embodiment, although alternative methods of joining such as adhesive, screws, bolt(s), clips and the like can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. Two holding portions  505 ,  506  are shown holding the sign in position. These holding portions  505 ,  506  are preferably extensions of the leg elements  502 ,  503 , bent as show in further drawings in detail, to create a “clip-like” feature capable of hold a sign  100  in place. In the present embodiment of the invention the entire structure is composed of relatively small diameter, less than ½ inch, rod metal, typically steel, aluminum, iron or the like. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the structure of the invention may be composed of one or more materials including other metals and plastic and other synthetic composites. Similarly, while the sign stake of this invention  101  is presently sized as appropriate for relatively small, real estate or political sign sizes, in alternative embodiments, this invention may be sized as appropriate for much larger, or potentially smaller signs, such as bill boards and other commercial advertising signs. Although if the invention is sized for a billboard, clearly the diameter of the rod material used would be much larger than the less than ½ inch of the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 b  is a rear perspective view of the third embodiment  501  of the invention, holding a typical sign  100 . This view, while continuing to show the leg elements  502 ,  503 , also shows the rear of the holding elements consisting of a double bent portion  509 ,  510  and a connecting portion  511 ,  512 . As can be seen in this view, the double bent portion  509 ,  510  is an extension of the leg portions  502 ,  503  and the connecting portion  511 ,  512  is an extension of the double bent portion  509 ,  510 . The connecting portion  511 ,  512 , (as further shown in FIG. 5 a ) extends into the holding portions  505 ,  506 , shown in FIG. 5 a.  The sign  100  is held in place in one of two manners. In particular, this invention  501  is especially well suited to holding the sign  100  by compressive force between the holding portions  505 ,  506  and the curve portions  509 ,  510 . This compressive force is created, in the present embodiment by bending the metal portions of the extended legs  502 ,  503  to create the double bent portions  509 ,  510 , the connecting portions  511 ,  512  and the holding portions  505 ,  506 . In alternative embodiments, the compressive force can be created by molding or use of an internal wire or the like. In alternative uses, with corrugated or like signs have measurable width, the holding portions  505 ,  506 , may be inserted into the corrugated or like region of the sign thereby frictionally holding the sign  100  in place. 
     FIG. 6 a  is a front view of the third embodiment  501  of the invention without showing a held sign in order to show all of the elements as connected together. The leg portions  502 ,  503  are joined  507 ,  508  together by the cross bar support  504 . The leg portions  502 ,  503  extend to double bent portions  509 ,  510 , which in turn extends to connecting portions  511 ,  512  and which extend to the holding portions  505 ,  506 . 
     FIG. 6 b  is a top down view of the third embodiment  501  of the invention without showing a held sign. This view shows the relative positioning of the holding portions  505 ,  506  to the double bent portions  509 ,  510  and shows the some-what spring-like bend created in the double bent portions  509 ,  510  with the connecting portions  511 ,  512  and the holding portions  505 ,  506 . As noted above, the sign  100 , shown in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b,  typically is fitted between the holding portions  505 ,  506  and the double bent portions  509 ,  510 . 
     FIG. 7 a  is a front perspective view of a fourth embodiment  701  of the invention holding a typical sign  100 . In this embodiment of the invention  701  three leg elements  702 ,  703 ,  715  are jointed together by three cross bar supports  704 ,  713 ,  714  to provide additional stability. In envisioned alternative embodiments additional leg element may be used as desirable in a like manner. Although in this embodiment, the cross bar supports  704 ,  713 ,  714  are shown as being single bars extending generally horizontally, alternatives cross bar supports comprising one or more bars or sections extending horizontally or at an angle between the leg elements  702 ,  703 ,  715  are envisioned as alternative cross bar supports. The cross bar supports  704 ,  712 ,  713  is joined  707 ,  708 ,  716  to the leg elements  702 ,  703 ,  715  by welds in the present embodiment, although alternative methods of joining such as adhesive, screws, bolt(s), clips and the like can be substituted without departing from the concept of this invention. Two holding portions  705 ,  706  are shown holding the sign in position. These holding portions  705 ,  706  are preferably extensions of the leg elements  702 ,  703 , bent as show in further drawings in detail, to create a “clip-like” feature capable of hold a sign  100  in place. In the present embodiment of the invention the entire structure is composed of relatively small diameter, less than ½ inch, rod metal, typically steel, aluminum, iron or the like. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the structure of the invention may be composed of one or more materials including other metals and plastic and other synthetic composites. Similarly, while the sign stake of this invention  701  is presently sized as appropriate for relatively small, real estate or political sign sizes, in alternative embodiments, this invention may be sized as appropriate for much larger, or potentially smaller signs, such as bill boards and other commercial advertising signs. Although if the invention is sized for a billboard, clearly the diameter of the rod material used would be much larger than the less than 112 inch of the present embodiment. 
     FIG. 7 b  is a rear perspective view of the fourth embodiment  701  of the invention, holding a typical sign  100 . This view, while continuing to show the leg elements  702 ,  703 ,  715  also shows the rear of the holding elements each consisting of a curved portion  709 ,  710  and a connecting portion  711 ,  712 . As can be seen in this view, the curved portions  709 ,  710  are an extension of the leg portions  702 ,  703  and the connecting portion  711 ,  712  is an extension of the curved portion  709 ,  710 . The connecting portion  711 ,  712 , (as further shown in FIG. 7 a ) extends into the holding portions  705 ,  706 , shown in FIG. 7 a.  The sign  100  is held in place in one of two manners. In particular, this invention  701  is especially well suited to holding the sign  100  by compressive force between the holding portions  705 ,  706  and the curve portions  709 ,  710 . Naturally, it is envisioned that in alternative embodiments of this particular embodiment the curved portions  709 ,  710  may be replaced with portions comprised of angled sections. This compressive force is created, in the present embodiment by bending the metal portions of the extended legs  702 ,  703  to create the curved portions  709 ,  710 , the connecting portions  711 ,  712  and the holding portions  705 ,  706 . In alternative embodiments, the compressive force can be created by molding or use of an internal wire or the like. In alternative uses, with corrugated or like signs have measurable width, the holding portions  705 ,  706 , may be inserted into the corrugated or like region of the sign thereby frictionally holding the sign  100  in place. 
     FIG. 8 a  is a front view of the fourth embodiment  701  of the invention without showing a held sign in order to show all of the elements as connected together. The leg portions  702 ,  703 ,  715  are joined  707 ,  708 ,  716  together by the cross bar supports  704 ,  713 ,  714 . The leg portions  702 ,  703  extend to curved portions  709 ,  710 , which in turn extends to connecting portions  711 ,  712  and which extend to the holding portions  705 ,  706 . 
     FIG. 8 b  is a top down view of the fourth embodiment  701  of the invention without showing a held sign. This view shows the relative positioning of the holding portions  705 ,  706  to the curved portions  709 ,  710  and shows the some-what springlike bend created in the curved portions  709 ,  710  with the connecting portions  711 ,  712  and the holding portions  705 ,  706 . As noted above, the sign  100 , shown in FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b,  typically is fitted between the holding portions  705 ,  706  and the curved portions  709 ,  710 . 
     It is to be understood that the above described and referenced embodiments and examples are merely illustrative of numerous and varied other embodiments and applications which may constitute applications of the principles of this invention. These example embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form, connection or choice of components, or materials disclosed herein as the present preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications or variations are possible and foreseeable in light of the above teachings. These embodiments of the invention were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, without undue experimentation. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention and it is the intent of the inventor that they be deemed to be within the scope of this invention, as determined by the appended claims when they are interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly legally and equitably entitled.