Abstract:
A portable sign system being self-contained and having a digital display panel which can be hydraulically raised to a suitable height and subsequently be rotated by a worm gear which is manually driven or electrically driven by a motor. A broad based upper assembly having an UHMW plastic stabilizing plate and rotation plates and attached worm gear drive serves as a rotatable and stabile mount for a digital or other display panel and an attached solar array. The digital display panel is automatically locked in azimuthal position by the worm gear drive without a conscious operator effort. Azimuth orientation of the digital display panel can be effected by a hand crank, manually by an electrical switch, automatically by an onboard computer control or by remote control.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   None. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is for a sign system, and more particularly is for a portable sign system. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Prior art portable signs often require that a sign be elevatable for unrestricted viewability and that the sign be rotatable to orient the sign to a viewer&#39;s field of vision for the best suitable viewing. After the sign or display is rotated, it is desirable to lockingly fix the sign in a desirable azimuthal position. Such locking may be accomplished by various methods of frictional engagement by personnel of various qualifications. Such methods require one or more additional steps to lock and fix the sign in the required direction, thus requiring additional time and effort spent in the process. Such methods of rotational fixation can be rendered moot or ineffective if the operator of the portable sign fails for whatever reason to lock the sign in the desired viewing position whereby wind forces could cause the sign to rotatingly migrate or weather vane from the desired viewable position. Additionally, unwanted rotation, such as if the sign is unlocked, could occur if the trailer upon which the sign was mounted was not perfectly level, whereby the sign can be misaligned such as by gravitational forces. Stability of elevated rotatable signs during rotation and while static is another consideration in the design and use of portable elevated and rotatable portable signs. Rotation and elevating of a sign can also be hampered while operating under adverse wind conditions to cause elevational or rotational binding or resistance. 
   The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of prior art devices by providing a portable sign system which is not subject to a separate locking method and which does not require a separate or additional step by the operator. The present invention automatically locks against sign rotation immediately subsequent to rotation of the sign with no locking attempt by the operator. Stability of the sign is provided for by use of an upper assembly which provides a wide rotational base and whereby rotational binding or resistance is minimized by the incorporation of ultra high molecular weight (UHMW) plastic components. The present invention includes the ability to rotate the sign by a hand crank, by an electrical switch, automatically by microprocessor control, or by remote control for viewing from different locations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the present invention is to provide a portable sign system having an elevatable and rotatable sign. 
   According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a portable sign system having a trailer frame and including components mounted to the trailer frame to provide a portable sign system. A centrally located column having an outer positionable tube and a vertically fixed co-located inner tube and having planar UHMW plastic material therebetween and having a hydraulic actuating cylinder located centrally within is secured to the trailer frame to provide a support for an upper assembly and for components secured thereto. The upper assembly secures to the upper region of the column to provide rotatable support structure for the horizontal and vertical digital display panel suspension supports. The horizontal and vertical digital display panel suspension supports serve as a support for a peripheral digital display panel frame and a digital display panel or sign mounted and attached thereto. The horizontal digital display panel suspension supports also provide for support of various components of a positionable solar array which is rotated with the digital display panel. A support bearing secures over and about a lower region of the centrally located column for rotational support of the bottom of the peripheral digital display panel frame and digital display panel for support during rotation of the peripheral digital display panel frame and digital display panel. The upper assembly at the top of the centrally located column provides for stabile rotational structure for rotation of the peripheral digital display panel frame and digital display panel and of the positionable solar array about the vertical axis of the centrally located column. The upper assembly includes a mounting box, a worm gear drive, an angled worm drive, a box flange, a fixed rotation plate, a UHMW plastic stabilizing disk, a positionable rotation plate, a support bearing assembly, a motor, an encoder coupled to the motor shaft, a hand crank receptor, and other components complementary to the rotational functions of the peripheral digital display panel frame and digital display panel and positionable solar array about the centrally located column. The fixed rotation plate, the UHMW plastic stabilizing disk, and the positionable rotation plate are broad and wide to promote stability of the peripheral digital display panel frame and digital display panel and the positionable solar array during raising and rotation, as well as during static use thereof. A self-locking feature which prevents digital display panel rotation by outside forces such as wind is provided by the worm gear which exhibits normal anti-turning characteristics inherent in the design thereof. An optional hand crank is provided for manual operation of the angled worm drive and the worm gear if required in lieu of actuation by the motor. The positionable solar array is adjustable by means of a hand-operated jack in order to place the panel at a suitable angle with respect to the sun. Also adding to the stability of the invention are a plurality of hand-operated jacks located about the trailer frame. A detachable tow bar secures to the trailer frame at points distant from the outer frame of the trailer to deter theft. A control panel, including a microprocessor, is provided to display programmed messages of various sizes for viewing and for operation of the invention, including rotational facilitation by a manual switch, by automatic microprocessor control or by remote control rotation of the digital display panel. 
   One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a portable sign system which is self-contained. 
   Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a portable sign system having a vertically positionable and rotatable digital display panel incorporating at one or more worm gears for azimuthal rotation of the elevatable digital display panel and of an attached solar array. 
   Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a portable sign system incorporating a worm gear for automatic locking of a digital display panel and attached solar array to prevent inadvertent rotation of the digital display panel and solar array. 
   Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a portable sign system incorporating a worm gear for azimuthal actuation of a digital display panel and solar array which can be turned by a motor or by a hand crank. 
   An additional significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a portable sign system incorporating a wide base upper assembly to provide for stability of the digital display panel and solar array during raising and during rotation of the digital display panel and solar array. 
   A still additional significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a portable sign system having a wide base upper assembly including a UHMW plastic stabilizing disk for stabilization and for use to reduce friction and to promote smoothness during rotation. 
   A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the incorporation of a microprocessor for controlling of programmed messages and for interfacing with an encoder which senses azimuthal directional control of a digital display panel. 
   A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the ability to control azimuthal digital display orientation manually by a switch or hand crank, automatically by onboard microprocessor control, or by remote control. 
   Having thus described an embodiment and significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a portable sign system. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a portable sign system, the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the view of  FIG. 1  where the digital display panel and a peripheral digital display panel frame are shown as dashed lines; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the portable sign system; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the portable sign system; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an upper assembly in partial cross section mounted to the top of a tubular column; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded side view of the upper assembly; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the upper assembly; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the component alignment of the upper assembly; 
       FIG. 9  illustrates circuitry for electronic azimuth control of the digital display panel; and, 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the mode of operation of the portable sign system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a plan view of a portable sign system  10 , the present invention. Readily discernible and visible components of the invention include a trailer  12 , a trailer frame  14 , a digital display panel  18  having a surrounding peripheral digital display frame  16  rotatably secured to the trailer frame  14 , as later described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 , a solar array  20 , a control panel  22 , a detachable tow bar  24 , a plurality of jacks  26   a – 26   n  secured to the trailer frame  14 , and a platform  28  transversely mounted to the trailer frame  14 . The control panel  22  is utilized to control the functions of the portable sign system  10  and includes controls to operate the mechanical functions including a microprocessor  23  to control the messages displayed on the digital display panel  18 . The microprocessor  23  is also incorporated to provide for azimuthal control of the digital display panel  18  automatically or by remote control. An electrical manual switch  164 , shown in  FIG. 9 , is used for manual electrical rotation of the digital display panel  18 . Power for the control panel  22  is provided by the solar array  20  which charges internally located storage batteries. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates the view of  FIG. 1  where the digital display panel  18  and the peripheral digital display panel frame  16  are shown as dashed lines to reveal the components therebehind.  FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of the portable sign system  10 , and  FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the portable sign system  10 . With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , certain significant components of the present invention are now described. A tubular column  30 , preferably of square tubular stock, includes a fixed inner tube  32  having a base  34  which secures to the trailer frame  14  via an intermediate boxed framework  36  located in the central region of the trailer frame  14 , as well as a positionable outer tube  38  aligned over and about the fixed inner tube  32 . A plurality of UHMW plastic panels  40   a – 40   n  ( FIG. 5 ) are disposed between the outer surface of the fixed inner tube  32  and the inner surface of the positionable outer tube  38  and as such are secured to the outer sides of the inner tube  32 . Placement of the UHMW plastic panels  40   a – 40   n  as described provides for reduction of friction and smoothness during the raising and lowering process. A hydraulic actuating cylinder  42  secures at its lower end to the base  34  or other suitable region located near the lower end of the fixed inner tube  32  and to the inner and upper region of the positionable outer tube  38  and is actuated to extend the positionable outer tube  38  vertically with relationship to the inner tube  32 . An upper assembly  44 , described later in detail, secures to the top of the positionable outer tube  38  to serve as a rotatable mount substantially for the digital display panel  18  and the solar array  20  via intermediate support components. 
   Opposed horizontal tubes  46  and  48  secure to the top of the upper assembly  44  and a tube  50  extends downwardly at less than a 90-degree angle from one end of the horizontal tube  46  and another tube  52  extends downwardly at less than a 90 degree angle from one end of the horizontal tube  48 , as best viewed in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . Tubes  50  and  52  together present an angled mounting structure for attachment of a vertically aligned framework  54  having tubes  54   a – 54   n  and a plurality of like attachment points  56  to which the digital display panel  18  secures. Such angular support allows the digital display panel  18  and attached peripheral digital display panel frame  16  to be oriented at an angle with respect to the vertical to appropriately deflect oncoming headlight and other glare. Tubes  50  and  52  secure to the framework tube  54   a  such as by welding. An additional tube  58  secures diagonally between the upper end of the tube  50  and the junction of tube  52  and tube  54   a  for additional support. Additional support for the framework  54  and of the digital display panel  18  is afforded by a support bearing  60  secured by a collar  61  over and about a mid region of the centrally located tubular column  30  for rotational and static support during static display or rotation of the peripheral digital display panel frame  16  and solar array  20 . The collar  61  which encompasses the support bearing  60  attaches to the framework tube  54   c . Additional support of the peripheral digital display panel frame  16  and digital display panel  18  during transport along a roadway is provided by the accommodation of a stabilizer bar  62  extending downwardly from the framework tube  54   c  by a stabilizer bar receptor  64 . The stabilizer bar  62  includes a horizontally oriented tube  62   a  at its lower end and the stabilizer bar receptor  64  includes a horizontally oriented channel  66  in which the horizontally oriented tube  62   a  may be pinned such as by introduction of pin  65  through channel  66  and the horizontal tube  62   a.    
   A horizontally oriented solar panel support bar  68  secures across the remaining ends of the horizontal tubes  46  and  48  located at the top of the upper assembly  44 . Upwardly extending and opposed vertically oriented pivot plates  70  and  72  are mounted at the ends of the solar panel support bar  68  to provide pivotal mounts for the lower ends of dual plate linkage bars  74  and  76 . The upper ends of dual plate linkage bars  74  and  76  attach to cross member channels  78   a  and  78   b  of a solar panel framework  78  having cross member channels  78   a  and  78   b  and cross member angles  78   c ,  78   d ,  78   e , and  78   f  aligned between horizontally oriented cross member tubes  78   g  and  78   h  to partially support the solar panel framework  78  and attached solar array  20 . A bracket  80  secures to and extends downwardly from the solar panel support bar  68  to support a manually operated jack  82  which lends partial and adjustable support to the solar panel framework  78  and attached solar array  20 . The base portion of an angled bracket  84  suitably secures to the upper end of the jack  82  and the upright portions of the angled bracket  84  secure to the solar panel framework  78  at cross member angles  78   d  and  78   e  by a readily removable pin  86  ( FIG. 2 ). The removable pin  86  can be disengaged from the angled bracket  84  and solar panel framework  78  to allow the solar panel framework  78  and attached solar array  20  to reposition about the pivotable dual plate linkage bars  74  and  76  towards the upper assembly  44  to provide for a low profile for transport along a roadway. The jack  82  also pivots about the bracket  80  to assume a low transportation profile. 
   Also shown in  FIG. 2  is a front tow bar receptor  88  in the form of a box tube and a female connector/brake assembly  90  mounted about the trailer frame  14  which accommodates or attaches to the detachable tow bar  24 . Also shown is a rear tow bar receptor  92  in the form of an unattached box tube which is not welded to the trailer frame  14  which includes a ball connector  94  extending vertically therefrom for reception by the female connector/brake assembly  90 . The rearward end of the detachable tow bar  24  is first accommodated by the rear tow bar receptor  92  and a securing pin  96  extending therethrough and subsequently is attached via the ball connector  94  to the female connector/brake assembly  90 . A securing pin  98  extends through a slotted portion of the detachable tow bar  24  and through the front tow bar receptor  88  to further secure the detachable tow bar  24  to the trailer  12 . Such a feature as described having a female connector/brake assembly  90  located distant from the front of the trailer  12  discourages theft of the invention, as connection thereto is only readily accomplished with the proprietary design of the tow bar  24  and the ancillary devices incorporated therein. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of the upper assembly  44  in partial cross section mounted to the top of the tubular column  30  and including an angled worm drive  100  and motor  102  shown distanced from the upper assembly  44  for the purpose of brevity and clarity.  FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded side view of the upper assembly  44 ,  FIG. 7  illustrates an exploded isometric view of the upper assembly  44 , and  FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the component alignment of the upper assembly  44  substantially without the use of hidden lines. The upper assembly  44  is now described with understood reference to one, more than one, or all of the illustrations shown in  FIGS. 5–8 . A five-sided mounting box  104  is suitably secured such as by welding to the top of the positionable outer tube  38  at the top of the tubular column  30 . A plurality of body holes  106   a – 106   n  for accommodation of mounting hardware (not shown) for mounting of a worm gear drive  108  and interceding shim  109  ( FIGS. 6 and 7 ) are located about the mounting box  104 . A slotted hole  110  is included in one side of the mounting box  104  to accommodate a horizontally extending worm gear drive input shaft  112  extending from the worm gear drive  108 . The worm gear drive input shaft  112  extends into and extends to be exposed and accessible at the outwardly located side of the angled worm drive  100 . The motor  102  powers the angled worm drive  100  which in turn powers the worm gear drive input shaft  112  to turn the worm gear drive  108 . An encoder  103 , which can be optional, and which is located between the motor  102  and the angled worm drive  100 , is in communication with the shaft of the motor  102 . The encoder  103  senses and relays rotational information of the shaft of the motor  102  to the microprocessor  23  to determine and control the azimuthal position of the digital display panel  18  for automatic or remote control, as described later in detail. In the alternative, a hand crank can be inserted into a configured receptor hole  114  ( FIG. 3 ) in the end of the worm gear drive input shaft  112  to actuate the worm gear drive  108  to power the upper assembly  44 . A keyed vertically oriented worm gear drive output shaft  116  extends from the worm gear drive  108  to engage the hub shaft  146  of a rectangularly shaped positionable rotation plate  118 . A flange  120 , being substantially in the shape of a disk, is suitably secured, such as by welding, to the top of the mounting box  104 . A rectangular cutout  122  and a connected slot  124  are located in the flange  120 , each being sized larger than the profile of the worm gear drive  108  and worm gear drive input shaft  112 , respectively, allowing for placement or replacement of the worm gear drive  108  and worm gear drive input shaft  112 , respectively, through the flange  120 . A plurality of body holes  126   a – 126   n  are included. A disk-shaped fixed rotation plate  128  including a centrally located and co-centered bearing seat  130  and hole  132  and a plurality of holes  134   a – 134   n  secures to the upper surface of the flange  120  by a plurality of machine screw assemblies  136   a – 136   n  extending through the body holes  126   a – 126   n  of the flange  120  and into engagement with the holes  134   a – 134   n  of the fixed rotation plate  128 . A ball bearing assembly  138  aligns in the bearing seat  130  of the fixed rotation plate  128  and extends upwardly beyond the upper planar surface  128   a  of the fixed rotation plate  128  to extend through the centrally located and larger adequately spaced holes  140  and  141  of similarly shaped stacked upper and lower UHMW plastic stabilizing disks  142  and  143  to align to a bearing seat  144  and over a centrally located hub shaft  146  of the rectangularly shaped positionable rotation plate  118  to offer central rotational support for the positionable rotation plate  118 . The hub shaft  146  includes a keyed bore  150  which accommodates the keyed worm gear drive output shaft  116  of the worm gear drive  108  to facilitate rotation about a vertical axis of the positionable rotation plate  118 . A plurality of body holes  151   a – 151   n  align about the positional rotation plate  118  to accommodate fastening of the positional rotation plate  118  to the horizontal tubes  46  and  48  and components attached thereto, as well as to the solar panel support bar  68  and components attached thereto including but not limited to the digital display panel  18 , respectively. The upper and lower UHMW plastic stabilizing disks  142  and  143  are in intimate and mutual planar contact with each other. The upper and lower planar surfaces  142   a  and  143   a , respectively, of the upper and lower UHMW plastic stabilizing disks  142  and  143  are in close juxtaposition with the lower planar surface  118   a  of the positionable rotation plate  118  and the upper planar surface  128   a  of the fixed rotation plate  128 , respectively, to offer lateral wide based rotational support for the positionable rotation plate  118 . Such wide based support is especially helpful in compensating for side loads such as produced by winds or by not being level during rotation by offering additional lateral support. A rubber cap  152  and a dust cap  154  are positioned at the top of the hub shaft  146 . 
     FIG. 9  illustrates circuitry for electronic azimuth control of the digital display panel  18 , including a microprocessor  23 , interface  156 , directional control relays  158  and  160 , an activation relay  162 , manual switch  164 , encoder  103 , a plurality of diodes  166   a – 166   n , and a plurality of onboard batteries  168   a – 168   n , one or more of which can be charged by the solar array  20 . Directional control relays  158  and  160  are actuated in various manners one at a time to deliver desired polarity voltage to energize the motor  102  to rotate in the appropriate direction to azimuthally position the digital display panel  18 . 
   The motor  102  can be controlled by the manual switch  164  to provide manual powered operation of the motor  102  by energizing either relay  158  or  160  to connect either battery  168   b  or  168   c  of desired polarity voltage which connects through the activation relay  162  to the motor  102  for azimuth positioning of the digital display panel  18 . 
   The microprocessor  23  can be utilized to provide for automatic azimuthal positioning of the display panel  18 , such as at appropriate time intervals where the display panel  18  would be rotated to provide for maximum viewing. For example, such rotation could be provided for the portable sign system  10  for maximum desired exposure, such as either direction at the side of a roadway or freeway where the digital display panel  18  would be rotated at an appropriate time to be viewed by the maximum number of viewers transiting the roadway depending on the direction of travel. The microprocessor  23  can control the rotation of the motor  102 , as desired, through the interface  156  and either of the directional relays  158  or  160  and the activation relay  162 . During rotation of the motor  102 , the encoder  103  references the number of revolutions of the shaft of the motor  102  which is sensed by the microprocessor  23  through the interface  156 . When the desired rotation has occurred, as sensed by the encoder  103 , the microprocessor  23  de-energizes the engaged directional relay ( 158  or  160 ) to remove electrical power from and to interrupt rotation by the motor  102 . 
   The microprocessor  23  can also be controlled remotely to cause similar operation, as just previously described. Such remote operation could be provided by various methods, such as, but not limited to, direct wire control, computer control by modem, over a telephone line or internet line, radio frequency or infrared inputs, satellite inputs, or other such input methods delivered to or sensed by devices to provide a remote input  170  to the microprocessor  23  and associated components. 
   Mode of Operation 
     FIG. 10  illustrates the mode of operation of the portable sign system  10 . The portable sign system  10  is towed to a suitable site whereupon the jacks  26   a – 26   n  are rotated vertical and then extended to stabilize the trailer frame  14  with the site. Pins  96  and  98  are then removed to allow for removal of the detachable tow bar  24  from tow bar receptors  88  and  92 , thereby rendering the invention nontowable by conventional means. Pin  65  is withdrawn from the channel  66  and the horizontal tube  62   a  to unlock the framework  54  and attached digital display panel  18 , peripheral digital display panel frame  16  and other attached or related components in preparation for deployment of such components upwardly. The control panel  22  and microprocessor  23  are then utilized to control the functions of the portable sign system  10  to operate the mechanical functions and to program the messages displayed on the digital display panel  18 . The hydraulic actuating cylinder  42  is controlled at the control panel  22  to smoothly raise the positionable outer tube  38  vertically along the UHMW plastic panels  40   a – 40   n  and the fixed inner tube  32  to or through a minimum positional height. Such raising positions the digital display panel  18  to or through the minimum positional height where rotational interference by the control panel  22  with the digital display panel  18  is not a factor. When past the minimum positional height, the digital display panel  18  and the solar array  20  can be azimuthally positioned either at the minimum positional height or at a further extended height. Azimuthal positioning of the digital display panel  18  and the solar array  20  can be accomplished manually by a hand crank, if required, or electrically by the motor  102 , such as described in reference to  FIG. 9 , utilizing the components or associated components of the upper assembly  44  located at the top of the tubular column  30 . The angled worm drive  100  is actuated by the motor  102  or by the hand crank inserted into the receptor hole  114  of the worm gear drive input shaft  112  to actuate the worm gear drive  108 . Actuation of the worm gear drive  108  imparts rotational movement of the worm gear drive output shaft  116  to the positionable rotation plate  118  to position the attached horizontal tubes  46  and  48 , tubes  50  and  52 , framework  54 , the digital display panel  18  and other supporting or related components, as well as the attached solar panel framework  78  and components supporting or affecting the operation of the solar array  20 . The positionable rotation plate  118  ( FIG. 5 ) and the structure mounted thereto are supported by various components and geometrical configurations of the upper assembly  44  to provide for load support and for stabilizing support of such structure. The ball bearing assembly  138  provides for a portion of the load support of the overhead structure and components attached to the overhead structure such as that of the digital display panel  18 , the solar array  20  and attached support structure in association with flange  120 , the fixed rotation plate  128 , and the positionable rotation plate  118 . Stabilizing support, as well as a portion of load support, is provided across a broad base which spans the breadth of the upper assembly  44  in addition to that support provided by the ball bearing assembly  138 . The wide ranging relationship of the upper and lower UHMW plastic stabilizing disks  142  and  143  in close intimate contact between the fixed rotation plate  128  and the positionable rotation plate  118  provides for greater stability of the loads carried by the invention. More specifically, the upper surface  142   a  of the upper UHMW plastic stabilizing disk  142  is in intimate wide base rotational contact with the lower planar surface  118   a  of the positionable rotation plate  118  and the lower planar surface  143   a  of the lower UHMW plastic stabilizing disk  143  is in wide base intimate rotational contact with the upper planar surface  128   a  of the fixed rotation plate  128 . Side loads imposed by the digital display panel  18  and the solar array  20 , as well as other support structures, are transmitted to and are encountered by and stabilized by the wide ranging broad base relationship of the fixed rotation plate  128 , the upper and lower UHMW plastic stabilizing disks  142  and  143  and the positionable rotation plate  118 . Rotational stabilizing of the digital display panel  18  is provided for by the support bearing  60  while the digital display panel  18  is rotated. The solar array  20  is positioned by the jack  82  about the dual plate linkage bars  74  and  76  and the angled bracket  84  to various positions, as shown by dashed lines, for the best presentation to the sun. 
   Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               PORTABLE SIGN SYSTEM 
             
             
               PARTS LIST 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
                 
                10 
               portable sign 
             
             
                 
                 
               system 
             
             
                 
                12 
               trailer 
             
             
                 
                14 
               trailer frame 
             
             
                 
                16 
               peripheral 
             
             
                 
                 
               digital display 
             
             
                 
                 
               panel frame 
             
             
                 
                18 
               digital display 
             
             
                 
                 
               panel 
             
             
                 
                20 
               solar array 
             
             
                 
                22 
               control panel 
             
             
                 
                23 
               microprocessor 
             
             
                 
                24 
               detachable tow 
             
             
                 
                 
               bar 
             
             
                 
                26a–n 
               jacks 
             
             
                 
                28 
               platform 
             
             
                 
                30 
               tubular column 
             
             
                 
                32 
               inner tube 
             
             
                 
                34 
               base 
             
             
                 
                36 
               boxed framework 
             
             
                 
                38 
               positionable 
             
             
                 
                 
               outer tube 
             
             
                 
                40a–n 
               UHMW plastic panels 
             
             
                 
                42 
               hydraulic actuating 
             
             
                 
                 
               cylinder 
             
             
                 
                44 
               upper assembly 
             
             
                 
                46 
               horizontal tube 
             
             
                 
                48 
               horizontal tube 
             
             
                 
                50 
               tube 
             
             
                 
                52 
               tube 
             
             
                 
                54 
               framework 
             
             
                 
                54a–n 
               tubes 
             
             
                 
                56 
               attachment points 
             
             
                 
                58 
               tube 
             
             
                 
                60 
               support bearing 
             
             
                 
                61 
               collar 
             
             
                 
                62 
               stabilizer bar 
             
             
                 
                62a 
               horizontal tube 
             
             
                 
                64 
               stabilizer bar 
             
             
                 
                 
               receptor 
             
             
                 
                65 
               pin 
             
             
                 
                66 
               channel 
             
             
                 
                68 
               solar panel 
             
             
                 
                 
               support bar 
             
             
                 
                70 
               pivot plate 
             
             
                 
                72 
               pivot plate 
             
             
                 
                74 
               dual plate 
             
             
                 
                 
               linkage bar 
             
             
                 
                76 
               dual plate 
             
             
                 
                 
               linkage bar 
             
             
                 
                78 
               solar panel 
             
             
                 
                 
               framework 
             
             
                 
                78a–b 
               cross member 
             
             
                 
                 
               channels 
             
             
                 
                78c–f 
               cross member 
             
             
                 
                 
               angles 
             
             
                 
                78g–h 
               cross member 
             
             
                 
                 
               tubes 
             
             
                 
                80 
               bracket 
             
             
                 
                82 
               manually operated 
             
             
                 
                 
               jack 
             
             
                 
                84 
               angled bracket 
             
             
                 
                86 
               pin 
             
             
                 
                88 
               tow bar receptor 
             
             
                 
                 
               (front) 
             
             
                 
                90 
               female 
             
             
                 
                 
               connector/brake 
             
             
                 
                 
               assembly 
             
             
                 
                92 
               tow bar receptor 
             
             
                 
                 
               (rear) 
             
             
                 
                94 
               ball connector 
             
             
                 
                96 
               pin 
             
             
                 
                98 
               pin 
             
             
                 
               100 
               angled worm drive 
             
             
                 
               102 
               motor 
             
             
                 
               103 
               encoder 
             
             
                 
               104 
               mounting box 
             
             
                 
               106a–n 
               body holes 
             
             
                 
               108 
               worm gear drive 
             
             
                 
               109 
               shim 
             
             
                 
               110 
               slotted hole 
             
             
                 
               112 
               worm gear drive 
             
             
                 
                 
               input shaft 
             
             
                 
               114 
               receptor hole 
             
             
                 
               116 
               worm gear drive 
             
             
                 
                 
               output shaft 
             
             
                 
               118 
               positionable 
             
             
                 
                 
               rotation plate 
             
             
                 
               118a 
               lower planar surface 
             
             
                 
               120 
               flange 
             
             
                 
               122 
               rectangular cutout 
             
             
                 
               124 
               slot 
             
             
                 
               126a–n 
               body holes 
             
             
                 
               128 
               fixed rotation plate 
             
             
                 
               128a 
               upper planar 
             
             
                 
                 
               surface 
             
             
                 
               130 
               bearing seat 
             
             
                 
               132 
               hole 
             
             
                 
               134a–n 
               holes 
             
             
                 
               136a–n 
               machine screw 
             
             
                 
                 
               assemblies 
             
             
                 
               138 
               ball bearing 
             
             
                 
                 
               assembly 
             
             
                 
               140 
               hole 
             
             
                 
               141 
               hole 
             
             
                 
               142 
               upper UHMW 
             
             
                 
                 
               plastic 
             
             
                 
                 
               stabilizing disk 
             
             
                 
               142a 
               upper planar 
             
             
                 
                 
               surface 
             
             
                 
               143 
               lower UHMW 
             
             
                 
                 
               plastic 
             
             
                 
                 
               stabilizing disk 
             
             
                 
               143a 
               lower planar 
             
             
                 
                 
               surface 
             
             
                 
               144 
               bearing seat 
             
             
                 
               146 
               hub shaft 
             
             
                 
               150 
               keyed bore 
             
             
                 
               151a–n 
               body holes 
             
             
                 
               152 
               rubber cap 
             
             
                 
               154 
               dust cap 
             
             
                 
               156 
               interface 
             
             
                 
               158 
               directional control 
             
             
                 
                 
               relay 
             
             
                 
               160 
               directional control 
             
             
                 
                 
               relay 
             
             
                 
               162 
               activation relay 
             
             
                 
               164 
               manual switch 
             
             
                 
               166a–n 
               diodes 
             
             
                 
               168a–n 
               batteries 
             
             
                 
               170 
               remote input