Abstract:
A sign utilizing interchangeable magnetic displays adhering to a ferromagnetic layer. The information, printed on the magnetic layers, retains their original freshness and crispness until removed and their magnetic replacements installed in their stead. Installing the new magnetic displays proves very facile and only requires removing the old magnetic display from its ferromagnetic panel and placing the new magnetic sign in its stead. The ferromagnetic panels can sit on top of regular signs or simply sit on the ground. In the latter instance, the ferromagnetic panel can sit in a frame that has a flat base that can simply rest on the ground, two runners to support the sign on the ground, or spikes attached to the runners that will penetrate soil to hold the sign. The frame may hold the ferromagnetic panel with its sign in a fixed position or allow it to rotate 180 degrees.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application constitutes a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/013,644, filed on Jan. 25, 2011, which claims the benefit of the filing of the U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/301,922 on Feb. 5, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Commercial establishments of all sorts and types use signs and displays for various purposes. These range from simple permanent displays of the company&#39;s identification to advertisements of differing permanency promoting different items on limited-time specials. Further, seasonal preferences also induce limited-time displays; ice cream sells better in the summer. 
         [0003]    The problem arises as to how to make use of changeable displays or signs without the hardware and the signs themselves looking cheap and impermanent which can only have a deleterious effect on the image of the establishment. Thus, signs with internal lighting and changeable messages have seen very substantial use. Examples of these include U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,769 to L. Labedz, and U.S. patent application publication US 2008/0236005 of I. Isayev et al. Separately, U.S. patent application publications US 2005/0229453 of D. U. Hillstrom, 2006/0010741 of A. K. Simson et al. and U.S. patents 3,374,566 to R. R. Snediker, 4,483,311 to R. E. Hosey et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,530 to J. R. Seely et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 7,107,713 to A. K. Simson et al. show a holder that allows for the attachment of sign boards, possibly lighted, to the top of the usual, possibly internally lighted, signs and gas pumps, for example at a restaurant or gas station. 
         [0004]    More recently, changeable signs employing coroplast (in effect, corrugated plastic) have found substantial use for changeable signs. With the desired display printed on sheets of the coroplast, the panels simply hang from a frame where the can undergo changing when the proprietor desires. However, signs made from coroplast suffer the drawbacks that they may appear less than substantial and may not survive adverse weather conditions. In fact, they can fold and “kink”, becoming unsightly in the process. Thus, the search continues for signs that undergo facile replacement yet prove simple to use, attractive, and durable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A magnetic sign with replaceable messages includes first a substantially smooth, substantially rigid, substantially flat surface of ferromagnetic material of a specific, generally two-dimensional size and shape. A holding device holds the ferromagnetic surface at a substantially fixed location and orientation. A substantially flexible, magnetic, substantially two-dimensional sheet magnetically affixes to the flat ferromagnetic surface. Providing the magnetic sheet with substantially the two dimensional size and shape of the ferromagnetic surface provides an easily changeable yet attractive sign for commercial and other purposes. 
         [0006]    Alternately, the holding device may have a substantially flat bottom surface. This will allow for the placing and retaining of the ferromagnetic surface on a substantially flat, horizontal retaining surface. As a result, the sign find use on the ground or at almost any location which has a flat surface. 
         [0007]    As a further possibility and alternative, a securing device may permanently attach the ferromagnetic surface at a substantially fixed location and orientation relative to a structure having an elevation above the surrounding generally horizontal surface. This may serve, for example, to place and hold the magnetic on top of the usual, lighted sign at a drive-through location. 
         [0008]    A method of displaying a sign includes first placing a holding device in contact with a surface. The holding device should have a substantially fixed location and orientation relative to that surface. A substantially smooth, substantially rigid, substantially flat surface of ferromagnetic material of a specific, generally two-dimensional size and shape is affixed to that holding device. Lastly, the process involves magnetically attaching a substantially flexible, magnetic, substantially two-dimensional sheet having substantially the two dimensional size and shape of the ferromagnetic surface to that surface. 
         [0009]    Instead of the magnetic sheet having the size and shape of the ferromagnetic surface, the method may involve placing and retaining a supporting device having s substantially flat bottom in contact with a substantially flat surface and at a substantially fixed location and orientation relative to the surface. This will allow the proprietor to place the magnetic sign at a location suitable for his or her establishment. Further, when the establishment closes for the night, the proprietor may actually take the magnetic sign into a building for safe storage. 
         [0010]    Or, the supporting device may be placed and retained in contact with a structure having an elevation relative to the surrounding generally horizontal surface. This will allow the placement of the magnetic sign, in particular, on top of the usual, back lighted display for further, timely information. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  gives a left-front isometric view of a sign employing a magnetic sheet with printing affixed to an underlying ferromagnetic surface attached to a frame sitting on a flat base. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows the placement of a magnetic display sign on the sign stand shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  provides a cross-sectional view along the line  3 - 3  of the sign of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  provides a left-front isometric partial view of the magnetic sign of  FIG. 1  but attached to spike strips that can penetrate soil for stability. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a partial end view of the sign of  FIG. 2  along the line  5 - 5  with the spikes embedded in soil. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  provides a left-front isometric partial view of a magnetic sign similar to that of  FIG. 2  but with feet instead of spikes so that the sign may sit on a flat, hard surface. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  gives an end view of the partial sign of  FIG. 6  along the line  7 - 7  showing the feet of the sign sitting on an underlying surface. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates, in an isometric view taken from the left-front, a sign very similar to that of  FIGS. 1 and 6  but making use of a taller ferromagnetic surface and magnetic sheet and with a flat base sitting on a flat surface. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  give a left, front perspective view of a sign very similar to the partial views of  FIGS. 4 and 5  but in which the ferromagnetic surface and the magnetic sheet sitting to it may rotate within their frame to bring the back side as seen in the figures to the front for a full view of it. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9A  gives a cross sectional view along the line  9 A- 9 A of the bottom pin structure that helps hold the bottom of the rotating signboard within its frame. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  provides a left, front perspective view of the sign of  FIG. 9  but with the ferromagnetic surface and its magnetic sheets rotating in their frame. 
           [0022]      FIG. 10A  portrays, in an enlarged, exploded view, the spring-loaded pin structure that keeps the sign display from rotating when such rotation is not desired. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  gives a frontal, elevational view of the sign of  FIGS. 9 and 10  in exploded form. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11A  illustrates, in an enlarged view, the encircled top pin structure that keeps the top of the rotating signboard within its frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The magnetic sign, seen generally at  21  in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3 , includes the magnetic sheets  22  (seen clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) that magnetically adhere to the flat surfaces of the ferromagnetic plate  23 . As clearly seen in the first two of these figures, changing out the message on the sign simply involves removing the old, pliable magnetic sheet or sheets  22  and placing new ones in their stead. 
         [0026]    To support the ferromagnetic plate  23  and thus the magnetic displays  22 , the sign  22  includes the two posts  27  and  28  rigidly affixed to the plate  23 . To assist in its attachment to the posts  27  and  28 , the plate  23  includes the two bent edges  33  and  34 , seen in  FIG. 3 . These edges may then attach to the posts  27  and  28 , respectively, in any usual fashion such as by welding. To provide further rigidity, the bottom rail  36  extends between and attaches to the posts  27  and  28 . 
         [0027]    To support the sign  21  in an upright orientation, the posts  27  and  28 , each having a hollow interior as seen in  FIG. 3 , fit respectively over and onto the projections or stubs  39  and  40  rigidly attached to and extending upwardly from the base  41 . With the posts  27  and  28  sitting over the projections  39  and  40 , the metal nuts  43  and  44  pass through the openings  46  (in  FIG. 1 ) in the posts  27  and  28 , and into the openings  48  in the projections  39  and  40  where their size keeps rigidly keeps them in place. Stated simply, the nuts  43  and  44  keep the posts  27  and  28 , and thus the ferromagnetic plate  23 , in place on the flat base  41 . 
         [0028]    In turn, the base  41  may sit on any convenient flat surface. Thus, the proprietor may place the sign near the driveway during business hours and then bring it inside when the establishment closes for the night. 
         [0029]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show an alternate base having the two spike strips seen generally at  51  and  52  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The spike strip  51  includes the three spikes  53 ,  55 , and  57 , the interconnecting runner  59 , and the upstanding hollow stub  61 . Similarly, the spike strip  52  has exactly the same construction as the strip  51 . Thus, it includes the spikes  62 ,  64 , and  66 , the interconnecting runner  68 , and the stub  70 . In fact, the two spike strips  51  and  52  have exactly the same construction, but are turned around to face each other in actual use as shown. 
         [0030]    The same ferromagnetic plate  23 , magnetic signs  22 , posts  27  and  28 , and bottom rail  36  used in the sign  21  of  FIGS. 1 to 3  can utilize the spike strips  51  and  52  of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . To do so, the hollow posts  27  and  28  fit onto the stubs  61  and  70 . There the nuts  43  and  44  keep them in place. The latter nut  44  passes through the opening  46  in the post  28  and tightly into the opening  72  of the spike strip  52  to keep it in place there. 
         [0031]    The use of the spike strips  51  and  52  starts with placing them at an appropriate distance apart from each other over penetrable soil. The “appropriate distance,” of course, means the distance that separates the posts  27  and  28  attached to the ferromagnetic plate  23 . With the proper distance established between the posts  51  and  52 , they are placed tightly into the soil. The posts  27  and  28  then fit over and onto the stubs  61  and  70  respectively. The nuts  43  and  44  pass through the posts  27  and  28 , respectively, and into the stubs  61  and  70 , respectively (with the nut also passing through the opening  72  of the latter stub  70 ) to hold the sign together. The spike strips  51  and  52  simply represent an alternative structure to hold a magnetic sign in the desired configuration such as upright. 
         [0032]    A further alternative structure which includes the flat runner strips, designated generally  75  and  76 , for holding a magnetic sign upright for display appears in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The flat runner strips  75  and  76  of  FIGS. 6 and 7  take the place of the spike strips  51  and  52  of  FIGS. 4 and 5  and the flat base  41  of  FIGS. 1 to 3 . As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the runner  75  includes the flat strip  77  to which is fixed the stub  79 . Also, the rubber feet  81  and  83  are attached to the runner  77  by the nuts  85  and  87 , respectively. 
         [0033]    In the same fashion, the strip  76  includes the flat runner  88  to which attaches the stub  90 . The rubber feet  92  and  94  are affixed to the strip  88  by the nuts  96  and  98 , respectively. 
         [0034]    To complete the sign, the hollow posts  27  and  28  fit over and into the hollow stubs  79  and  90 . The nuts  43  and  44 , respectively, pass the openings in the posts  27  and  28  and the through openings in the stubs  79  and  90 , respectively, and keep the entire sign intact. In this form, the sign  76  may then be placed on the ground  99  which may take the form of a hard surface. 
         [0035]    If desired, the posts  43  and  44  may be removed from the stubs  79  and  90  of  FIGS. 6 and 7  and placde in some other base as the need arises. The prevailing conditions will indicate which base will prove most propitious. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  shows a sign indicated generally at  105  that appears very similar to the sign  21  of  FIGS. 1 to 3 . In  FIG. 8 , however, the posts  107  and  108  stand much taller than the posts  27  and  28  of the earlier figures. This, of course, results in a much taller ferromagnetic plate  109  and magnetic sign  110 . 
         [0037]    However, the separation between the posts  107  and  108  virtually equals that between the posts  27  and  28  of  FIGS. 1 to 3 . This allows them to fit into the stubs  39  and  40  of the very same base  41  used for the sign  21  of  FIGS. 1 to 3 . This interchangeability portends at least two significant advantages. First, for the sign manufacturer, the same base  41  can find use for differently sized signs such as those at  21  and  105 . This will serve to reduce the amount of equipment and inventory required of the manufacturer and its distributors. 
         [0038]    Second, an individual or business owning and using the smaller sign  21  of  FIGS. 1 to 3  may wish to display, either permanently or from time to time (for special offers, for example), the larger sign  105  of  FIG. 8 . Making the switch proves facile. First, in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the nuts  41  and  43  are unscrewed from the posts  27  and  28  and, thus, the stubs  39  and  40  of the base  41 . The smaller display of  FIGS. 1 to 3  is removed from the base  41 , and the larger display of  FIG. 8  placed on the base  41 . This involves merely inserting the post  107  and  108  into the stubs  39  and  40  and screwing the nuts through the posts  107  and  108  and into the stubs  39  and  40 . 
         [0039]    The sign indicated generally at  115  in  FIGS. 9 to 11  has the additional advantage in that the signboard  116  may rotate  180  degrees to bring alternate messages into view as desired. Thus, in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the signboard  116  sits in the frame  117 . There, the upper and lower pins  120  and  121  sitting in the upper and lower frame members  122  and  123 , respectively, keep it in place. The latter receives discussion below with regards to  FIG. 9A , while the former is discussed in connection with  FIG. 11A . As also discussed below, the spring-loaded pins indicated generally at  127  and  128  attach to the dual upright posts  129  and  130 , respectively, and permit the signboard  116  to rotate within the frame  117  when desired, but keep it stationary at all other times. 
         [0040]    To achieve this result and as seen in  FIG. 9A , the pin  121  has a welded connection to the bottom flange  133  of the ferromagnetic plate  134 . When installing the signboard  116 , the pin  121  passes through the grommet  137  (for cushioning and lubrication) and into the opening  138  in the bottom beam  123 . The opening  138  allows the pin  121  to sit comfortably within it which permits the signboard to rotate, as discussed below. The two magnetic displays  141  and  142  sit on opposite sides of the ferromagnetic plate  134 . Rotating the signboard  116  removes one of the magnetic displays  141  and  142  from view and replaces it with the other. 
         [0041]    Providing the second pivot point for the ferromagnetic plate  133 , the pin  120  attaches to the top of that plate  133  as seen in  FIG. 11A . In particular, it has a welded attachment to the small metal section  145  which in turn is welded to the plate  133 . 
         [0042]    Placing the plate  133  into the frame  117  involves removing the locking pin  146  from the larger pivot pin  120 . The plate  133  is then maneuvered so that the pivot pin  120  enters the bottom of and then through the opening  148  at the middle (and thus the uppermost point) of the upper cross member  122 . With the locking pin  146  removed from the upper pivot pin  120 , the top  149  of the plate  133  may actually abut against the upper cross member  122  (with the upper pivot pin  120  in the opening  148 ). When this happens, the magnetic  133  plate sits high enough for the lower pivot pin  121  to enter the opening  138  in the lower cross member  123  of the frame  117 . Lowering the plate  133  causes the lower pivot pin  121  to seat securely in the opening  138  in the lower cross member  123  and leaves the upper pivot pin  120  in the upper cross member  122 . Then, replacing the locking pin  146  into the upper pivot pin  120  prevents the plate from rising to the point that the lower pivot pin  121  could come free from the lower frame cross member  123 . This accordingly and rotatingly attaches the plate  116  to the frame  117 . 
         [0043]    The job of controlling the rotation of the ferromagnetic plate  133  within the frame  117  falls to the two identical spring-loaded control pin assemblies  127  and  128 . The latter appears in an exploded view in  FIG. 10A . As seen there and somewhat in  FIGS. 9 to 11 , the control pin assembly  128  includes first the control pin  154  which passes through the metal piece  155  and through the openings  156  and  157  on opposite sides of the upright member  130 . The opening  156  on the outside of the member  130  has a sufficient size to allow the washer  158  affixed or even welded to the pin  154  to pass through. However, the opening  157  on the inside of the upright  130  does not. Thus, inserting the pin  154  through the openings  156  and  157  will trap the washer  158  inside the interior of the upright member  130 . 
         [0044]    Meanwhile, the spring  161  sits on the control pin  128  between the metal piece  155  and the washer  158 , which, as stated above, is permanently attached to the stem of the pin  154 . With these components, the assembly of the control pin  154  with its spring  161  and the attached washer  158  is inserted into the opening  156  until the end of the pin  154  exits through the smaller opening  157  on the inside of the member  130 . Welding the plate  155  to the outside of the upright post  130  then traps the washer  158  and the spring  161 , on the pin  154 , between the outside opening  156  and the inside opening  157  of the post  130 . 
         [0045]    The spring  161  pushes against both the washer  158  and the metal piece  155 , forcing them apart. Pulling on the knob  154  will overcome the force of the spring  161 , allow the knob  154  to move outward from the upright post, and retract the end  165  of the pin  154  away from the opening  170  in the flange  172  and into the post  130 . 
         [0046]    With this structure, the operation of the rotation of the signboard  116  submits to facile understanding. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the signboard  116 , in its usual situation, sits fixed in the orientation between the posts  117  and  118  shown in  FIG. 9 . To rotate the board  116 , the pins  154  and  164  are manually pulled away from the posts  117  and  118 , respectively, overcoming the force of the springs  161  and  167  in the process. This retracts the ends of the pins from the openings  169  and  170  in the flanges  171  and  172 , respectively. This frees the board  116  to rotate about the pins  120  and  121 , best seen in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0047]    After the board has rotated  180  degrees, the pins  154  and  164  are carefully released so that the springs  161  and  167  will force the ends  165  and  166 , respectively, of the control pins  154  and  164 , back outward and into the openings  170  and  169 , respectively, in the flanges  172  and  170  to keep the board  116  in its new orientation. This, of course, brings the former backside of the signboard  116  into view. 
         [0048]    As seen in the exploded view of  FIG. 11 , the ferromagnetic plate  133  includes the openings  173  and  174  at its top and bottom, respectively. With the magnetic display  141  properly aligned on the plate, these openings align with the openings  175  and  176  on the former. These openings  173  to  176  have the purpose of permitting the attachment of others signs and notices in front of the magnetic sign  141 . Because of the openings  173  to  176 , these additional signs and notices need not have any magnetic property at all. They thus may make use of even coroplast for this purpose. 
         [0049]    The sign  115  of  FIGS. 9 to 11  sits on the runners  76  and  77  of  FIGS. 6 and 7 . There, the nuts  43  and  44  keep it in place on the runners. Alternately, the sign  115  could make use of the flat base  41  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  or the spike strips  51  and  52  of  FIGS. 4 and 5 .