Abstract:
A modular, mobile sign assembly which has the appearance of a permanent installation including a base module formed of a frame with a set of height-adjustable support posts and a pair of wheels on an axle for movement of the unit between locations, and a display module mounted on the base module providing a lighted sign with display panels having a battery of fluorescent lighting tubes within the sign and a message formed of letters or tiles through which the light projects, and an electrical source, either self-contained by the use of batteries or solar panels or by connection to a remote electrical source. The base module is provided with an appearance of permanence by the use of fascia support panels which are mounted to depend from the upper edge of the base frame to adjacent the ground and removable horizontal panel sections which cover the upper surface of the base module and form seating thereon.

Description:
Reference is made to applicant&#39;s provisional patent application No. 60/099,559 filed Sep. 9, 1998, benefit of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Invention relates to a topple resistant, modular and mobile signage system, that is non-permanent and promotes a visual effect of a permanent construction. Another aspect of the present invention is that it can make use of solar power when supporting LED display. 
     Many municipalities are now requiring low profile signage construction, while banning the use of temporary type signs. This invention while being modular and mobile maintains the appearance of a low profile, permanent construction. This invention with the feature of modularity provides a flexibility of marketing and maintenance that permanent sign constructions do not have. This invention with the mobility provides the ability to adapt to the fluid location requirements as dictated by changeable, market demands and ordinance laws. Inherent to the signage systems modularity is the accessibility for an adjustment to a plurality of adjustable support posts. This allows the display module in attachment to the base module to be properly leveled to the ground while providing proper load distribution. 
     There is a need for a signage system that can quickly respond to the dynamic changes associated market needs, while providing the aesthetic requirements of modern municipal signage ordinance. There is a need for a signage system that is non-permanent, to be topple resistant so as to provide the safety of a permanent sign construction while providing the aesthetics of a permanent sign construction. This topple resistance provides a safety feature that substantially resists overturning moments generated by a strong wind load. By integrating the low profile requirements into the design of the signage system it becomes inherently topple resistant by virtue of the geometric displacement of the base module. There is no outwardly visible hold down mechanism that would violate the appearance of a permanent sign construction. 
     There is a need for a solar power option that would provide an environmentally beneficial power supply for the use of a light emitting diode (LED) display that can be made integral to the display module. This would eliminate the requirement of bringing power to the signage system. Pluralities of solar panels are located in such a way so as to allow exposure to the sun while remaining obscure from ordinary view. This obscurity of the solar panels further promotes the appearance of a permanent sign construction. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a signage system that is topple resistant, modular and mobile. 
     A principal object and advantage of the present invention is that with all of the inherent topple resistance, interchangeability and mobility, the signage system provides the visual effect of a permanent type signage construction. Another object and advantage of the present invention is the option of a solar power supply. The integral solar cells and battery of the base module would provide a clean source of power for the display module. 
     Another object and advantage of the present invention is the ease of access to the height adjustment mechanisms located within the confinement of the base module. That access is gained through an approach provided by the hinged cap panels. The access can also be secured by means of a padlock. 
     Another object and advantage of the present invention is that a signage system that was being used outdoors could be made for use indoors, as in the case of an enclosed shopping mall. By removing the plurality of panel sections, one would thereby gain access to the support claw feet that are designated for earthen support. One would simply change the clawed feet to flat bearing support feet. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a isometric drawing depicting the assembly of a topple resistant, modular and mobile signage assembly. 
     FIG. 2A is a top view of the base module&#39;s structural sub-assembly. 
     FIG. 2B is an elevation view of the base module&#39;s structural sub-assembly. 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an optional solar powered signage assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the base module assembly, with a cut away revealing the relative location of the wheels and the leveling claws. 
     FIG. 5 is an elevation view of a height adjustment sub-assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a section elevation indicating the removable panels of the base module and the relative location of the battery for the solar powered option. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of a removable panel showing the capture of a solar cell. 
     FIG. 8 is a section indicating the electrical leads coming from a solar cell and into a battery and leads coming out and going to a junction box. 
     FIG. 9 is a horizontal section taken on line  9 — 9  of FIG. 6 indicating the attachment of a fascia/fascia panel onto a base module post. 
     FIG. 10 is a plan view of access support panels of the base module. 
     FIG. 11 is a sectioned elevation view of the display module attached to the base module support member. 
     FIG. 12 is a vertical section of FIG. 11, in elevation and taken on the line  12 — 12  of FIG. 11 showing the coupling mechanism of the display module post onto the base module support member. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention as described here embodies a topple resistant modular and mobile signage assembly. The signage assembly can be for outside and inside use. The signage assembly as presented here is for an outside application. This signage assembly as presented on FIG. 1 exhibits an electrically illuminated display module  25 . Sign module  25  is coupled to base module  19 , by means of column attachment  23 . The brick fascia panels  20 , along with the painted top panel section  21 A,  21 B,  21 C create an illusion of permanence. FIG. 2A represents the top view of the structural frame to the base module assembly, FIG. 2B represents an elevation view of the structural frame to the base module. As indicated in FIGS.  2 A/ 2 B there is a boxed sub-assembly consisting of eight posts  26  the perimeter of the box is connected together by means of standard structural shapes. Post members  26  are connected at the top portion by angle shaped side and end members  28 . Post members  26  are connected at the mid portion by channel or rectangular box section shaped member  29 . Post members  26  are connected at the bottom portion by a smaller section of angle or flat stock shaped member  27 . All of the before mentioned post  26  and shaped members  27 ,  28 ,  29  can be of a metal construction. The internal structural sub-assembly of the base module as indicated FIG. 2A, has a top cross bracing  32  which is of a standard structural shape such as an angle, channel or box section so as to accommodate the required strength, this cross bracing  32  is connected to perimeter angle shaped member  28  and  33 . Also, cross brace  41  is located between central pairs of posts  26 ,  26 . Component  33  is of standard structural shape such as an angle, channel or box section that in turn connected to the end perimeter angle shaped members  28 . All structural components are of a metal construction. All structural joint connections will be provided by threaded bolt and nut fasteners and when appropriate joint connections will be of a welded connection. A plurality of height adjustment and leveling devices  36 ,  39  as shown on drawing(s) FIG.  2 A/ 2 B, FIG. 5 are attached to horizontal structural members  29 . The height adjustment devices are normal to and are in bearing contact with an earthen surface  40 . FIG. 5 illustrates a claw-leveling device attachment  39  attached to a height adjustment device  36 . Height adjustment device  36 , has a cylinder shaped arrangement and is connected to  29  by means of u-bolt fastener sub-assembly  36 A. There are a total of four, height adjustment and leveling devices, as indicated in FIGS.  2 A/ 2 B. Height adjustment device  36  is a commercially procured screw jack that is actuated by a handle  35 . The turning of handle  35  induces the threaded mechanism internal to  36  to push or pull a separately male threaded shaft extension located at the end opposite to the handled end. This push and or pulling action provides the means to raise and lower the attached frame. This male threaded extension, is attached to a female threaded receptacle of a swivel joint  38 . Swivel joint  38  is a commercially procured device and has two female threaded receptacles one of which as previously indicated is connected to  36 , the other receptacle is attached to a male threaded connection of a claw leveling foot  39 . Claw leveling foot  39  is of a cast metal fabrication and has formed spikes integral to the casting. This spike arrangement can be pushed into the ground  40  by the transfer of load from the signage assembly and into the claw-leveling device. 
     The function of claw foot  39  as indicated, is to become embedded into the surface of earthen ground  40 . The spiked configuration once embedded will resist lateral movement, thereby reinforcing the position of the signage assembly against destabilizing forces such as wind. This mechanism adds to the resistance to topple in that rotation is resisted. This swivel joint connection  38  is able to cause the claw foot  39  to conform to different angles of contact with the ground  40 . The earthen contact surface  40  to the bearing contact surface of  39  will be of sufficient area so as to properly transfer its proportioned load. This contact area will be sized according to the soil bearing requirements of the particular location so as to distribute the load properly to the soil-bearing plane. The raising and lowering mechanism  36  coupled with the conformity characteristics of the swivel joint  38  and claw foot  39 , create a stable terrain adhering, yet adaptable positioning capability for the signage assembly 
     FIG. 2B along with FIG. 4 indicates the location of the claw leveling assemblies and the wheel assemblies  30 ,  31 ,  35 ,  37 . There will be at least three wheel sub-assemblies provided internal to a base module  19 . The wheel sub-assemblies will provide the mobility of the over all module signage assembly. The arrangement as shown on FIG.  2 B and FIG. 4 indicates a preferred arrangement but does not represent the only arrangement available. In that a total of three wheels are shown, more wheels may be required to provide better load distribution and transfer for soil bearing requirements. Two wheel sub-assemblies  30 ,  31  are indicated in FIG. 4. A leaf spring axle sub-assembly  30  and a wheel  31  are attached to a structural shaped member  29 . Leaf spring axle sub-assembly  30  and a wheel  31  are commercially procured. 
     This attachment of leaf spring axle sub-assembly  30  onto a structural shaped member  29 , may be of a welded or bolted construction. Leaf spring sub-assembly  30  is of a metal construction and wheel  31  is of a rubber construction, which may or may not be inflatable. The wheel assembly  37 ,  31  is a wheeled assembly that offers adjustability of height of the base module with respect to the wheel contacted ground  31 / 40 . This provides a flexibility in the control of the height frame at one end relative to the surface of the ground. This would be used to compensate for any interference of pitch that might arise from loading or unloading the assembly onto a ramp. 
     This wheel height adjustable assembly  37  is similar to construction and function to the height adjustment device  36 . Assembly  37  is a commercially procured device that is attached to a structural shaped member  34  of the module base assembly. Wheel assembly  37  is positioned through structural shaped member  34  and is permanently fixed by means of a locking collar  37 A onto both sides of structural shaped member  34  as indicated on FIG.  2 B. 
     Wheel assembly  37  is positioned through structural shaped member  34  and is permanently fixed by means of a locking collar  37 A. The outside body of assembly  37  is cylindrical in shape and can have a machined groove connection so as to accommodate a seated connection for locking collar  37 A. Locking collar  37 A would be of a split collar configuration that would be connected into position within the machined grove seat. Locking collar  37 A could have a sufficient inside diameter so as to allow the body of the mechanism to slide through for proper positioning and welding. This height adjustable wheel assembly  37  would be of similar mechanism of the claw leveling mechanism  36 , in that it would be adjustable by turning handle  35 . Structural shaped member  34  is of a square box tubular configuration. The ends are supported at a connection to structural shape  29 . Structural shaped member  34  is also supported at the center of the span by structural shape  41 . This reinforces the support for the load transfer requirements of the height adjustable wheel assembly  37  and load bearing requirement as transferred from  23 , as indicated in FIG.  11  and FIG.  12 . 
     FIG. 6 is a section elevation indicating the removable panel sections  21 A,  21 B,  21 C, and  42  while sections  21 D,  21 E,  21 F are seen in FIG.  3 . Fascia support panel  42  is located onto the proper position with base module post  26  by means of a keyed connection as indicated on FIG.  9 . FIG. 9 is representative of a section taken on FIG.  6 . In addition to the connection of the fascia support panel  42  is the connection of the fascia  20  onto the fascia support panel  42 . This is accomplished by a riveted connection  49 . The fascia  20  could be of a fiberglass construction or other comparable material. The fascia support panel  42  is of a metal construction or other comparable material. FIG. 6 indicates that panel  42  can be positioned so as to permit pivoting top panel  21  A,B,C to be swung in on top of the panel  42 . In the possibility that people would sit on top of  21  A,B,C a positioning and support reinforcement is provided by a complementary arrangement of metal formed seats  45 . The metal formed seats  45  would be of a mating triangular seat conformation as shown. There may be any number of shapes other than the triangular seated conformation. The metal formed seats  45  may be of any complimenting arrangement so as to provide positive placement and added support to the mating panel components  21  A,B,C. FIG. 7 is the solar powered pivoting top panel. FIG. 3 represents the contrast in appearance of the solar powered base module&#39;s top pivot panels  21 D, E, F. It should also be noted that the brick fascia could be provided with both solar powered and non-solar powered signage assemblies. This would reinforce the visual effect of permanence. FIG. 7 indicates the same method of capture of the fascia support panel  42  in that both sets of pivot panels  21  A,B,C and  21 D, E, F have the capacity to be locked in place. There are two metal locking tabs  44  that are located in parallel at the indicated location with panel  42 . Here as indicated, pivot panels  21  A,B,C, D, E, F are inserted into position in compliment to pivot bar  53  and panel  42 . The pivot panel  21  A, B, C, D, E, F can thereby be swung in over fascia support panel  42  having the respective metal formed seats  45  connect. A single metal tab  43  is located onto pivot panel  21  A,B,C, D, E, F so as to knife into place between the two locking tabs located on fascia support panel  42 . 
     Once this knifed meshing of tab  43  into tab position with  44  is established, a padlock  50  can be assigned to the junction. A set of drill through holes will be machined onto the respective metal tabs to accommodate the bar stock diameter of padlock  50 . The capture mechanism as just described will hold both panels  21  and  42  in place once padlock  50  is locked. 
     FIG. 7 is a working elevation view of the pivot panel for the solar powered unit. A solar panel  47  is held into position by support structural shape  54 . Support shape  54  is connected to support seats  45  by means of a welded connection. The solar paneled base module a presented with FIG. 3 contains a top layer of electrical power generating solar cell panels. The arrangement in FIG. 7 provides an ease of changing solar cells in that the cell plates can be slide in and out of the capture as created by structural shape  54 . FIG. 7 also indicates two insulated wire conductor connections  47 A,  47 B. This representation of the battery  51  is only applicable to the solar powered unit as designated with FIG.  3 . As indicated with FIG. 8, a socket connection is made for wiring coming in  47 A,  47 B from the solar cell by means of  47 C and  51 C. Two insulated wire conductors  51 A,  51 B lead to a power storage battery  51  as indicated on FIG.  6 ,. In addinion there is a provision for two insulated wire conductors  51 D,  51 E leaving the battery. This wiring is connected to a socket  51 F, which is in turn connected to socket connection  57 C. This establishes power supply to the display junction box  57  by means of two insulated wire conductors  57 A,  57 B. FIG. 8 is thereby representative of the wiring harness arrangement for the wired powered conductors  47 A,  47 B,  51 A,  51 B,  51 E,  51 F,  57 A,  57 B. The socket connectors  47 C/ 51 C,  51 F/ 57 C are of a watertight construction. The socket connectors are commercially procured and maybe of a male/female configuration and would have a plastic weatherproof, housing construction. The insulated wire conductors are constructed of a copper wire gage suitable for service requirements of the designed load demand. The copper wire of the wire conductors are to be encased in a protective dielectric material suitable to provide the protection that would be required as per design requirements. 
     FIG. 6 also indicates the relative location of the power storage battery as seated in a framed arrangement  52 .  52 , a structural shape of an aluminum construction or comparable material. The framed arrangement  52  is positioned internal to the base module unit and is assigned to structural shape  29 . This connection may be or a welded construction of a threaded fastener group. This battery containment as indicated  51 / 52  can be easily accessed. Access is accomplished by removing the required  21 D, E, F/ 42  panels and by removing the support access plates  22 A,B,C. The access plates  22 A,B,C are shown in support of the pivot panel  21 A, B, C, D, E, F reference FIG. 6, and are shown in plan view on FIG.  10 . The interchangeability of panels as indicated here adds to the modularity of the design. In that not only can base units be changed while keeping the same display module unit, the panel sections can be changed without moving any of the module sub-assemblies. 
     FIG. 10 also indicates access slots  22 D located on the access panels  22 A and  22 C. These slots provide access to adjustment handle  35  that provide the change in elevation of the module signage assembly as dictated by the requirements of the installed location. The access panels  22 A,  22 B,  22 C as shown in section elevation FIG. 6 can be of a wooden construction and coated with a water repellent varnish. The access panels could also be of a plastic construction. 
     FIG. 6 also indicates the fascia  20  connected to the fascia support panel  42 . Indicated is a fascia build out support component  20 A. The fascia support panel  42  is of a aluminum construction or comparable material. As indicated earlier the fascia  20  along with the fascia support component  20 A could be of a fiberglass material or plastic. The fascia support component is a formed rigid component that is configured to attach to and support the fascia panel  20 , as indicated. 
     FIG. 6 indicates a build out fabrication of the fascia panel near the surface of the ground. This build out is used to create an added visual texture such as the vertical soldiering of bricks to the above display of brick rows. The build out may or may not be used. With either case there will be a termination of the fascia  20  or fascia support member  20 A into a bent section  42 A near to the surface of the ground. The fascia support member  20 A can be connected to the fascia  20  by means of a riveted connection. 
     FIG. 11 indicates the connection of the display unit module  25  to the base unit module  19  by means of a connection of display module columns  23  to structural shape tube member  34 . The fastening and removal capability is provided by the fabricated seating arrangement as indicated on FIG. 12. A base plate  23 A is connected to the column by means of a welded construction. The base plate  23 A will have through holes. The structural shape tube member  34  will have weldment assembly  34 A that will be comprised of a set of two structural angle positioned to grip and track onto the structural shape tube member  34  while providing a bearing plate to receive the column base plate  23 A. 
     The bearing plate along with the connecting angle legs will have through holes to complement to the base plate  23 A. A fastener group  23 B will thereby join the display module columns with the base module unit, to where the display unit can slide into the final position. The sliding function will be provided by the connected weldment  34 A. Once final position has been attained weldinent  34 A will be welded onto structural tube  34 , thereby locking the display module unit to the base module unit  19 . 
     FIG. 11 also indicates the use of fluorescent lighting tubes  58  that are connected to the internal body of the display unit module  25 . As indicated before the display unit module is of a translucent plastic construction. The lighting tubes provide light that projects outward to highlight a message outline as scribed on the exterior of the display unit module  25 . The lighting tubes can also provide the luminescence to illuminate color filtered messages as connected to the display unit module  25 . As seen in FIG. 11, a plurality of precut and positioned characters  61  are appropriately mounted on the display module to provide whatever message is desired by the user. 
     Commercially procured track and fixtures position the lighting tubes  58 . The power supply can be introduced into the display unit module  25  either by an outside power source or by the solar power supply as previously described. In either case power will be brought in at socket connection  57 C. Socket connection  57 C would be commercially procured and maybe of a male/female configuration and would have a, plastic weatherproof housing construction. Socket connection  57 C is connected to insulated wire conductors  57 A,  57 B. Insulated wire conductors  57 A,  57 B are thereby fed into a breaker junction box  57 . Breaker junction box  57  and all related wiring is obscured from view by display module skirt  24 . The display unit module  25  is captured in a position with its center of gravity in close proximity to the center of gravity of the base unit module  19 . This fact in conjunction with the wide area displacement of the base module creates an inherent geometry. The inherent geometry of the signage assembly  19 / 25  along with the load distributing characteristics of the base module unit  19  provide resistance to toppling greater than other mobile sign currently available. The inter-changeable capability of the display unit module  25  and the base unit module  19  give the signage system an adaptability not found with any other permanent signage systems. 
     Illustrating the “Solar Option” a display module in connection with the solar panel, arrayed base module is shown on FIG. 3, which may be utilized for power for the lighted display This “solar option” would be exercised as a means to conserve commercially procured power or to supply power to locations where power supply is not readily available.