Abstract:
A sign for displaying reflective numerals which are slidably engaged in slots provided by a backing plate. The sign is adapted for display in any one of three modes, namely, a bottom portion of the backing plate is coupled with a base stand for upright positioning; or alternatively, the top portion of the plate is coupled to a hook assembly to allow for a hanging arrangement; or lastly, the backing plate may be simply attached to a flat surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to sign displays comprised of reflective alpha-numeric characters (letters of the alphabet and numerals) that may be used in various configurations for address and/or resident identification purposes. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There is a need for sign displays equipped with easily replaceable alpha-numeric indicia and a backing plate because they provide a convenient, economical and highly recognizable identification means both at night and during daylight hours. The need for easily identifiable indicia can be important when there is a need to locate an address quickly as, for example, in emergency situations when police or paramedics are in pursuit or on call. 
     It has been further observed in the practice of the prior art for reflective sign displays, which utilize movable alpha-numeric indicia combinations, that the manner of positioning the reflective numerals of alpha characters with respect to the backing plate is oftentimes cumbersome and lacking in ease of operation. Such a representative prior art display is exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 2,062,094 wherein the numeric indicia are formed by a plurality of individual units which must be located upon a panel or backing plate by engaging a bayonet slot with certain rod members. This arrangement is cumbersome and lacks a certain ease of operation which is unsuitable in today&#39;s competitive economy. 
     The present invention is designed to provide a facile arrangement for slidably engaging the various reflective indicia upon a backing plate as well as providing an arrangement for displaying the indicia in either a hanging or standing mode. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The sign display disclosed utilizes reflective indicia in the form of numerals or alpha characters which respectively incorporate horizontal strips positioned across their top and bottom portions. A backing plate provided with the display includes upper and lower slots for slidably receiving the various numerals or characters. Retention means are also provided with the backing plate for locating at either end of a combination of indicia, such as a residential address, for maintaining the numerals in a tight and juxtaposed configuration. The top and bottom linear dimensions of the backplate are respectively arranged into a male and female cross section for respectively joining with a female assembly in order to hang the sign in one mode of display, or in the alternative, for joining with a male stanchion in order to maintain the sign in a standing display. The backing plate also includes holes for allowing a simple attachment to a certain structure. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a new and improved outdoor sign display that is relatively simple to fabricate and which results in an economical assembly. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a sign display using reflective alpha-numeric india for home or commercial addresses and/or name identification that can be readily sighted at dusk or evening hours, especially by emergency vehicles such as police and ambulance carriers. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide a sign display using reflective characters that are also easily discernable during daylight hours. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the reflective sign display of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2--2. 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line 3--3. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a numeral which is designed for use in the embodiment of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 5 is a frontal view of the backplate of the invention for use in a hanging mode of operation. 
     FIG. 6 is another frontal view of the backplate of the invention for use in an upright standing mode of operation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the sign display 10 of FIG. 1 there is shown the novel arrangement for displaying and retaining alpha and/or numeric characters as, for example, the numeral 22 of the combination &#34;1100&#34; for use to identify residential or commercial establishments or similar locations. 
     The characters are made of reflective plastic such as, for example, a synthetic organic resin which is highly reflective when impinged upon by light from car headlights, and are also easily seen during daylight hours. The sign display 10 utilizes a black, rectangular backplate 12 as further seen in FIG. 6 wherein the top and bottom longest linear dimensions provide respective male and female members 15, 19, which may be clearly seen in cross section in FIG. 2. The male and female members 15, 19 are integrally formed with the backplate 12 and their purpose with respect to display 10 will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow. Further, integrally formed with the male and female members 15, 19 are upwardly and downwardly respective facing extensions 35a, 35b and 38a, 38b as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The extensions 35a, 35b and 38a, 38b together with the backplate 12 form respective slots 37a, 37b and 39a, 39b which are utilized to receive and retain the numeric combination &#34;1100&#34; as shown in FIG. 1. The numerals comprising the combination &#34;1100&#34; which may represent a street address are positioned upon the backplate 12 by slidably positioning the &#34;1&#34; character 22, for example, within the lower slot 37a and upper slot 39a. The individual numerics of the combination &#34;1100&#34; may be inserted into the slots 37a, 39a from either the left or right side of the backplate 12 as viewed in FIG. 1 so that they are juxtaposed to one another. It should also be understood that the respective lower and upper slots 37b, 39b on the reverse side of the backplate 12 are similarly adapted to retain the numeric combination &#34;1100&#34; so that the address identification may be seen by an observer who is approaching from another direction. As an example, if the sign display 10 were being utilized upon a curbside mailbox, the address would be observable in either direction of travel on the street or roadway. 
     The sectional view of FIG. 2 taken through the last &#34;0&#34; numeral 22a of the combination &#34;1100&#34; of FIG. 1 illustrates how it is formed with a bottom strip 22c to slidably engage the slot 37a; however, an upper strip 22d which is obscured in FIG. 1 is clearly seen in FIG. 2 to engage the slot 39a. The strips 22c, 22d also include lips 16, 16a for riding and resting upon the tops of respective extensions 35a, 38a. The lower and upper strip formations formed upon every character may be viewed in greater detail by referring to FIG. 4 where an exemplary &#34;7&#34; numeral 23 is illustrated. The &#34;7&#34; numeral 23 incorporates the bottom strip 23a and the top strip 23b for sliding engagement with the respective slots 37a and/or 37b, as well as with slots 39a and/or 39b depending upon whether characters are located upon both or one side of the backplate 12. The strip 23a of numeral 23 illustrates that its shape is in the form of a wedge wherein one face 40 is beveled with respect to the straight face 41; and, the bottom face 42 is also square with respect to the straight face 41. The wedge-shaped cross sectional configuration of the top and bottom strips 23a, 23b are adapted to snugly fit within the various slots 37a, 37b, 39a and 39b which are also wedge-shaped. The &#34;7&#34; numeral 23 also typically illustrates the lip 43 for resting and sliding upon the top portion of, for example, the extension 35a (see FIG. 2); and, the upper strip 23b which is the mirror image of the strip 23a incorporates a lip 43a which rests upon, for example, the top of extension 38a. 
     After the individual numerals comprising the address combination in &#34;1100&#34; are placed in position upon the backplate 12, they are kept in a tight juxtaposed position with one another. This is accomplished by respectively positioning spring members 21a, 21b on either end of the &#34;1100&#34; numeral combination such that the member 21b is positioned contiguously to the &#34;0&#34; numeral 22a, and the member 21a is located in the same manner to the &#34;1&#34; numeral 22. The member 21a (see FIG. 1), for example, extend between the lower and upper slots 37a, 39a and are made of a spring-like wire which restores itself to its original shape after being slightly deformed to allow insertion into the slots. The member 21a includes endings 11, 13 (see FIG. 1) which are designed to point oppositely from one another; hence, the ending 11a points or bites into the extension 35a whereas the ending 13 points or bites into the backplate 12 or vice versa depending upon how it is inserted. Spring member 21b illustrates how ending 11a points or bites into extension 35a. FIG. 2 further illustrates how the spring member 21c is inserted into the slots 37b, 39b on the reverse side of backplate 12 wherein its lower ending 21d points into the backplate 12, whereas, its upper ending 21e within slot 39b points into extension 38b. 
     The sign display 10 of the invention may be displayed in either one or three possible modes, namely, for hanging, standing in an up-right manner or positioning upon a wall surface. In order to permit the sign 10 to be displayed in the hanging mode, L-shaped hangers 20a, 20b are attached to the integrally formed male member 15 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 5). Horizontal sections 14a, 14b of the respective Lshaped hangers 20a, 20b include female receptacles 15a, 15b for coupling with the male shaped member 15 integrally formed with backplate 12 which is graphically shown in cross section in FIG. 2. This male-female coupling is designed for a relatively tight fit so that separation cannot easily occur especially when outside conditions are windy. The L-shaped hangers 20a, 20b also respectively provide vertical sections 14c, 14d which include holed tabs 25a, 25b for receiving hooks (not shown) upon which to hang the sign 10. Slots 14e, 14f are also provided in the hangers 20a, 20b for receiving a rectangular plate 50 which may have the etched name of an owner or occupant and this arrangement is provided for those residents who desire a name identification in addition to an address. The positioning of the plate 50 within the slot 14f may be seen and appreciate by referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. As understood, the Lshaped hangers 20a, 20b may be attached to a horizontal member (not shown) by means of nails or screws extending from a vertical post. 
     In the second mode of display the sign 10 may be positioned in an upright position upon, for example, a curb-side mailbox (not shown) or similar structure. This is accomplished by means of a longitudinal stanchion 18 (see FIGS. 1, 2) which may be independently attached to the mailbox by means of sheet metal or wooden screws (not shown) depending upon material of the box. Several holes such as hole 18a are provided for attachment purposes. After the stanchion 18 is attached to the mailbox or like structure it is ready to receive the backplate 12 via the male member 19a. The stanchion 18 and backplate 12 are joined to one another by coupling the male member 19a with the female receptacle 19. The coupling between the male member 19a and the female receptacle 19 is with a tight or press fit so that the backplate 12 is maintained in a firm and upright position during all types of weather conditions. 
     The third mode of display which may be optionally employed by the invention is by means of simple attachment of the backplate 12 to a flat surface of a residential or commercial entity. This is achieved by usage of holes, for example 12a, provided in the backplate 12 which allow entrance of simple wood or sheet metal screws (not shown) depending upon the surface upon which attachment is to take place. 
     This invention has been described by reference to precise embodiments but it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that this invention is subject to various modifications and to the extent that those modifications would be obvious to one of ordinary skill they are considered as being within the scope of the appended claims.