Modular display sign system

A modular display sign system comprising a display panel, struts integrally formed into the panel for support of the sign, a fastening system employing both an adhesive pad and fastening members for affixation of the sign to a desired point of use, and an interchangeable system of labels designed for affixation to the sign in order to convey a variety of messages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The use of display signs to convey information and to advertise products is 
as old as civilization itself. Writing and accompanying pictorial displays 
have traditionally been placed in close juxtaposition to goods or services 
offered for sale. The shape and style of these signs is as varied as the 
messages they convey. However, in the past, difficulties have arisen in 
relation to affixation of the sign to a desired point of use, ability to 
place a variety of desired messages on a single display, ability to change 
the message transcribed on a sign, and the amount of time and effort 
necessary to transcribe a given message onto a given sign, and affix the 
sign to the desired point of use. 
Previous attempts at overcoming these difficulties have utilized a number 
of methods, depending on the particular application intended. One of the 
more recurring areas of development has been the display of multi-message 
sign members. One of the devices utilized has been a series of slats, 
integrally connected with a designated message on each slat. Another 
alternative has been a single sign member having a series of slots and 
openings for insertion of printed cards into the sign. A method commonly 
utilized on outdoor billboard displays consists of applying a paste to the 
billboard display and then affixing sections of preprinted paper to the 
sign. 
Several methods have also been utilized to affix a sign to a desired point 
of use. Among these are the use of bolts or screws, the use of a base wide 
enough to support the sign independently, or the affixation of the sign by 
means of wire or rope. 
Nevertheless, problems have remained in connection with both the display of 
several messages on the same sign, and the affixation of the sign to the 
desired point of use. Among these are the creation of signs which indicate 
direction by shape and graphics, but still may be used for a variety of 
directions. A second difficulty has been where a particular user has a 
series of interchangeable messages to be displayed on a plurality of 
signs, but is not aware of the precise message required at each individual 
location. Another difficulty has been in holding the sign at its desired 
position during installation, without the use of hoists or additional 
manpower. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention: 
To provide modular display sign systems that are inexpensive and simple to 
affix to a desired point of use; 
To provide such sign systems that allow the exact content of the desired 
measage to be determined at the point of use; 
To provide such sign systems that allow inexpensive and simple 
transcription of a desired measage onto the sign; 
To provide such systems that are adaptable to a variety of messages, shapes 
and content; and 
To provide sign systems that allow indication of direction by geometric 
shape and graphics but may be utilized to indicate alternative direction. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a modular display sign system. The invention 
comprises a panel for the display of visual communications, struts 
integrally formed into the panel for the support of the sign, a system for 
fastening the sign to a desired point of use, and a system of labels 
designed for affixation to the sign in order to convey a variety of 
messages. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the previously mentioned panel is 
rectangular in shape and has a plurality of alternating square and 
rectangular indentations therein. The alternating indentations enable the 
positioning of an emblem printed on a square label at the beginning of a 
message, followed by a variety of interchangeable messages on a 
rectangular label, all as a single unit. A second square indentation 
following the message allows the display of an arrow, printed on a square 
label, so that the sign may be affixed either vertically or horizontally, 
while still allowing the arrow to indicate the desired directional 
message. 
In one embodiment of the invention, the struts previously mentioned, 
comprise a plurality of arcuate members integrally formed perpendicular to 
one end of the panel. The struts are formed on opposite sides of the panel 
in order to provide uniform support. The struts terminate on a plane 
perpendicular to the end of the panel. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, an additional pair of strut 
members is formed co-planar with the panel itself and arching from the top 
and bottom edges respectively of the panel at one end of the sign. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for fastening signs 
to a desired point of use comprises a base member integrally formed at the 
first end of the panel, and perpendicular to the panel itself. A plurality 
of fastening members, such as screws or bolts are fixedly engaged through 
the base member to the desired point of use. A plurality of corresponding 
apertures through the base member allows easy insertion of the fastening 
members through the base. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, these apertures, or fastening 
aperture means, are channels running between the struts and through the 
base member, so that fastening members can be held in place during 
affixation and for concealment of the fastening members after insertion. 
An additional embodiment of the fastening system, or fastening means, as 
they are called in the claims, comprises an adhesive pad, fixedly attached 
to the outside surface of the base member. This pad is used for affixation 
of the sign to the desired point of use before engagement of the fastening 
members. Thus, the user can select the point of use, affix the sign to it, 
using the adhesive pad, and then secure the sign more firmly with bolts or 
screws. This is a tremendous improvement over previous signs which 
required being manually held in position during affixation. 
In a preferred embodiment, this adhesive pad comprises an aerated cellular 
plastic cushion, having a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating across the 
outside surface of the pad. A peelable cover sheet is removably attached 
to the outside surface of the adhesive coating. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the label system, or label 
means, as they are called in the claims, comprise a plurality of 
pressure-sensitive labels having a series of visual communications or 
messages thereon. These plurality of labels are either square or 
rectangular, as desired, so as to correspond in shape to the indentation 
in the panel means. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the label means have a peelable 
pressure-sensitive adhesive fixedly attached to one side of the label, so 
as to allow removal and replacement of the labels on the sign as desired. 
Also disclosed by the invention, is a method of displaying a plurality of 
interchangeable sign messages on a modular display sign system. A 
plurality of pressure-sensitive labels, having a variety of 
interchangeable sign messages are selected, as needed, and attached to 
correspondingly shaped indentations in the modular display sign. The 
modular display sign is then affixed to the desired point of use by an 
adhesive pad. A plurality of fasteners is inserted into corresponding 
apertures in the base of the modular sign. The fasteners are then screwed 
through the base member and to the desired point of use. 
The invention additionally discloses a method of forming a modular display 
sign, which comprises five steps. The first step is to cast a mold for a 
single rectangular panel having indentations across its horizontal 
surface, a plurality of struts emanating from one end of the panel and a 
flat base member perpendicular to both the panel and the struts. The 
second step comprises heating a plurality of plastic pellets until the 
pellets melt into a viscuous liquid. The third step comprises injecting 
the viscuous plastic liquid into the mold. The fourth step is to cool the 
mold. Finally, the fifth step is to remove the sign from the mold, ready 
for use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, 
there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, 
several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present 
disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of 
the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the 
embodiments illustrated. 
Modular display sign system 10, as shown in FIG. 1 comprises a 
substantially rectangular panel member 11. Strut means 12 are integrally 
formed at a first end 13, of panel member 11, for the support of panel 
member 11 in a desired operative position. Label means 14 are utilized to 
affix a variety of visual communications to panel member 11. 
Panel member 11, has a plurality of alternating square insertions 15, and 
rectangular insertions 16. These alternating indentations, 15 and 16, 
allow the insertion of label means 14, as desired. 
Shown in FIG. 2 are fastening means 17 for securement of panel member 11 to 
a desired point of use. Additionally shown in FIG. 2 are strut means 12, 
which comprise a plurality of arched strut members 18, integrally formed 
perpendicular to first end 13 of panel member 11. Strut members 18 are 
formed in pairs, each to the opposite side of panel means 11, (more 
clearly shown in FIG. 5). Also shown in FIG. 2 are co-planar strut members 
19, integrally formed in first end 13 of panel member 11 and emanating 
from top edge 20 and bottom edge 21 of panel member 11. Base member 23 is 
perpendicular to panel means 11. A plurality of fastening members 24, are 
fixedly engaged through base member 23 and to a desired point of use. 
Additionally, fastening aperture means 25 allow insertion of fastening 
members 24 through base member 23. 
In one embodiment of the invention, fastening aperture means 25 comprise 
fastening aperture channels 26, running between strut means 12 and through 
base member 23, for the insertion of fastening members 24 during 
affixation of the invention and for concealment of fastening members 24 
after insertion. 
As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, arcuate strut members 18 are formed in 
pairs on each side of panel means 11. Also shown in FIG. 3 is a further 
embodiment of fastening means 17, which comprises adhesive pad means 27, 
for affixation of modular display sign system 10 to a desired point of use 
before engagement of fastening members 24 to the same desired point of 
use. In one embodiment of the invention, adhesive pad means 27 comprises 
an aerated cellular plastic cushion 48, fixedly attached to the outside 
surface of base member 23. A pressure-sensitive adhesive coating 29, is 
coated across the outside surface of cushion 28. A peelable cover sheet 
member 30 is removably attached to the outside surface of adhesive coating 
29. 
Shown more clearly in FIG. 4 of the drawings are co-planar strut members 
19, base member 23, fastening aperture means 25 and adhesive pad means 27. 
Clearly shown in FIG. 5 are arcuate strut members 18 formed in pairs on 
opposite sides of panel means 11, co-planar strut members 19, formed at a 
top edge 20 and bottom edge 21 of panel means 11, and fastening aperture 
means 25 through base member 23. 
As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, label means 14 comprise a plurality of 
pressure-sensitive adhesive label members 31, being either square or 
rectangular, as desired, so as to correspond in shape to indentations 15 
and 16 in panel means 11. Pressure-sensitive adhesive label members 31 are 
constructed of a plastic outer surface 32, a pressure-sensitive adhesive 
coating 33, and a peelable cover stock 34. Adhesive coating 33 is 
comprised of a permanent adhesive, so as to not allow removal of adhesive 
label 31. Replacement on panel member 11 can be achieved by placing new 
label on top of current label. 
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, adhesive coating 33 is 
comprised of a peelable pressure-sensitive adhesive which allows removal 
and replacement of label 31. 
The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the 
invention and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the 
appended claims are so limited as those skilled in the art who have the 
disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations 
therein, without departing from the scope of the invention.