Abstract:
A signage device is disclosed having a display panel and a mounting member. A storage panel is positioned parallel to the display panel and between the display panel and the mounting member. At least one framing member is coupled to the mounting member and the display panel, and the at least one frame member, the mounting member, and the display panel at least partially define a storage space configured to receive the storage panel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/836,231, filed Jun. 18, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to signage systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to signage systems adapted for multiuse areas. 
         [0003]    A multiuse area may be considered an area used for a specific function at a particular time. The specific activities or occupants may change regularly. Such areas may include conference rooms, hospital rooms, rooms within educational facilities, or other areas where it is advantageous to have changeable signage that displays information relevant to the particular occupant(s) of the area or the activities carried out therein. 
         [0004]    In general, simple whiteboards, removable signs or placards, or electronic displays have been used for the display of time- or occupant-dependent information near the entrance to a multiuse area. These systems can be cumbersome (and; in the case of electronic signage, expensive). Also, the various dry erase markers may be lost or kept distant from the signage. This makes their use more cumbersome, which results in users not taking advantage of them. 
         [0005]    While some efforts have been made to provide signage that is appropriate for a multi-use area, these signs often incorporate only universal symbols or jargon, the meaning of which may not be apparent to all persons to whom the information is relevant. Accordingly, there is a need for multiuse area signage that is easily changed by staff and clear to both staff and lay viewers who may need the information displayed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Some embodiments relate to a sign having a display panel, a mounting member, and a storage panel positioned parallel to the display panel and between the display panel and the mounting member. A framing member may be coupled to the mounting member and the display panel. The framing member, the mounting member, and the display panel at least partially define a storage space configured to receive the storage panel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view color photograph of a signage system. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a right side view color photograph of the signage system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a left side view color photograph of the signage system of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Referring to the Figures,  FIG. 1  shows a signage system  10  including a mounting member shown as rear panel  12 , a display panel  14 , an upper frame member  16  and a lower frame member  18 . The wall mounting member may be a panel extending the height of the signage system (as shown), formed as a part of one of the frame members, or extend on partly along the height of signage system  10 . In some embodiments, multiple mounting members may be used where one or more are integrally formed with or coupled to the frame members to facilitate mounting the signage system to a wall, door, or other surface. Rear panel  12  may optionally include an arcuate portion positioned near the top of signage system  10  or other aesthetic features. Rear panel  12  may be made of wood, plastic, glass, or other materials suitable for the decor of the area in which the signage system will be used that are sufficiently strong for use in the system. 
         [0011]    Display panel  14  is coupled to rear panel  12  by frame members  16  and  18 . Display panel  12  may be coupled to frame numbers  16  and  18  by any conventional means, including fasteners and/or adhesives. Display panel  14  may comprise a “whiteboard” or dry-erase board material such that messages may be written on display panel  14  using dry-erase markers. Display panel  14  may also be compatible with magnetic placards  20 . In use, magnetic placards may be selected by facility staff to convey messages to persons entering an area adjacent to signage system  10 . 
         [0012]    By way of example, placards may be removably placed on display panel  14  and signage system  10  placed adjacent to a door. In a healthcare or assisted living facility, the placards may be used to convey roam- or area-specific messages for visitors, patients, and/or facility workers. The placards may include both universal symbols and/or be color coded in a way that would make their meaning immediately apparent to persons familiar with such systems. Additionally, plain, concise language may also be placed on the placards for visitors, contractors, and other persons who may not be familiar with universal symbol or color coding systems. Such signage systems may be utilized in educational institutions, daycares, in conjunction with conference rooms and convention centers, or any multi-use facility where such signage could be used to convey information specific to the occupant or use of a room or area. 
         [0013]    In the example of using signage system  10  proximate to or on a hospital room door, the various placards can be used to inform staff and visitors of important information regarding the room or its occupant. For instance, a magnetic placard identifying an allergy, a compromised immune system, dietary restrictions, the need to use protective equipment, or other special circumstances may include a universal symbol for quick identification by hospital staff, along with clear and plain text for visitors. Color coding may also be used with the placards. 
         [0014]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a storage panel  22  is provided in a storage space interior to signage system  10  and defined in part by display panel  14 , rear panel  12 , upper frame member  16 , and lower frame member  18 . Storage panel  22  is slidably coupled to frame members  16  and  18 . Storage panel  22  may include a pull tab  22 , grip region, knob, or other feature for a user to grasp and slide storage panel  22  into and out of a stored position. Storage panel  22  may be constructed of similar materials to those used in the construction of display panel  14 . In some embodiments, storage panel  22  may be compatible with magnetic placards such that those additional placards  26  not in use on the display panel  14  may be placed on the storage panel and retained out of sight, but conveniently adjacent to the display panel  14 . Alternatively, additional features such as trays or other structures may be used to retain the stored and unused placards. Dry erase markers may also be stored in trays or be provided with magnets or hook-and-loop type fabric so they may be removably stored on storage panel  22 . 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , frame members  16  and  18  may include means for slidably coupling storage panel  22  to the rest of signage system  10 . In particular, frame members  16  and  18  may be provided with a channel  28  (shown as a routed groove in upper frame member  16 ) for receiving an edge  30  of storage panel  22 . Alternatively, channel  28  may be formed by constructing frame members  16  and  18  from a plurality of subparts. A similar channel may be disposed in lower frame member  18 . In use, a user may grasp tab  24  to slide storage panel  22  out to an open position, remove a desired placard for display, place the place that placard  20  on display panel  12 . If needed, the user may place placards that are no longer needed to be displayed on the storage panel, and slide storage panel  22  back into a closed position. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , signage system  10  may be configured to retain storage panel  22  by way of restricting its sliding movement relative to the rest of signage system  10 . As shown, projections  32  and  34  may be positioned on rear panel  12  while another retaining projection  36  is positioned on a back side of storage panel  22 . At a first extreme position (fully open), projections  32  and  36  are in contact and prevent further lateral sliding of storage panel  22 . Conversely, at a second extreme position (fully closed), projections  32  and  34  are in contact and prevent further lateral sliding of storage panel  22  relative to the rest of signage system  10 . Additionally, a block  38  may be positioned at a terminus of channel  28 . Block  38  may be formed by routing a partial, longitudinal channel in frame members  16  and  18  or positioning a separate piece of material at the terminus of channel  28 . Block  38  may be used in conjunction with or in place of projection  34  to restrict movement of storage panel  22  past a point of being in a fully closed position. 
         [0017]    Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described exemplary embodiments. Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents. 
         [0018]    The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. 
         [0019]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
         [0020]    It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. 
         [0021]    Moreover, it will be understood that although the terms first and second are used herein to describe various features, elements, regions, layers and/or sections, these features, elements, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature, element, region, layer or section from another feature, element, region, layer or section. Thus, a first feature, element, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second feature, element, region, layer or section, and similarly, a second without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
         [0022]    Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms “having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow. 
         [0023]    The scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims.