Polystyrene paddle sign

A portable sign of a lightweight plastic, unitarily constructed, having a raised face with selected portions indented therein to provide a preselected message thereon. For example, when the portable sign is used as a signaling device, the sign is provided with a handle thereon unitary with the sign and the indentations spell out a specific signaling indicia, such as, "STOP" or "SLOW".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
(a) Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to portable sign devices and more particularly to a 
portable sign device which is unitarily constructed of a lightweight 
plastic. 
(b) Description of the Prior Art 
Portable signs, particularly for use as traffic signaling devices, are well 
known. Many of these signs are adapted for being hand-held, and are 
provided with illuminating or reflecting means. For example, U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 3,821,860 and 4,042,919 teach hand held paddle signs which are 
provided with spaced translucent sign panels with illuminating means 
disposed therebetween. U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,659 teaches a hand held paddle 
sign including a rotatable mounted reflecting plate. And, U.S. Pat. No. 
2,898,878 teaches a luminous reflecting device which is provided with 
reflector lens and a luminous colored handle wherein the lens and the 
handle correspond in color. However, in most instances these signs have 
been relatively expensive, heavy and cumbersome to use. Furthermore, hand 
held traffic signs of the prior art, in many cases were provided with 
sharp edges and, by being heavy and cumbersome, presented a safety hazard 
upon use. The present invention recognizing these past problems, therefore 
recognizes the need for a portable sign, specifically for traffic 
signaling, which is light in weight and relatively inexpensive. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the present invention, it is recognized that it is desirable to provide 
a portable sign. It is further recognized that it is desirable to provide 
a portable sign which is light in weight. Also, it is recognized that it 
is desirable to provide a portable sign which is relatively inexpensive. 
Even further, it is recognized that it is desirable to provide a portable 
sign which may be hand held and is not cumbersome to use. Also, it is 
desirable to provide a safe to use portable sign. 
The present invention advantageously provides a straightforward arrangement 
of a portable sign which is light in weight, easy to handle, adaptable for 
hand holding, relatively inexpensive and safe to use. 
Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to 
those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth 
hereinafter. 
More particularly, the present invention provides a portable sign 
comprising a unitarily constructed member of lightweight plastic, the 
member having a raised face with selected portions having indentations 
therein. 
It is to be understood that the description of the examples of the present 
invention given hereinafter are not by way of limitation. Various 
modifications within the scope of the present invention will occur to 
those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter 
.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable sign of the present invention 
comprises a unitarily constructed member 10 of a low density foam plastic 
having a raised face and back, 12 and 14, respectively. Selected portions 
of the raised face and back 12 and 14, are indented, as indicated by 
numerals 16 and 18 respectively, to define specific indicia therein. 
Generally, the depth of the indentations are substantially equal to the 
thickness of the raised surfaces 12 and 14. Indented in the face 12, for 
example, when used as a portable traffic sign, is the word "STOP", as 
indicated by numeral 16, whereas indented into the raised back 14 is the 
word "SLOW", as indicated by the numeral 18. The indentations are made 
during the foaming of the member 10 and will be discussed hereinafter. 
On the exemplified traffic sign, a handle 11 is also provided, handle 11 
also being unitary with and a part of the member 10. Handle 11 is provided 
when the portable sign is designed for being hand held, such as in traffic 
directing. 
Referring to FIG. 3, a portable sign 20, specifically to be wall mounted, 
is shown. The sign 20 is a unitarily constructed member of a low density 
foam plastic having a raised face and a substantially flat back, 22 and 
24, respectively. Selected portions of the raised face 22 are indented to 
define specific indicia thereon, as noted by the numeral 26. 
The flat back 24 is generally provided with wall mounting means (not shown) 
which includes any of those used in the art for hanging wall plaques and 
the like. This may incude a specific indentation in the back 24 to be 
received by a nail or the like, or this may include, for example, two-way 
tape attached to the back. 
As has been stated hereinbefore, the unitarily constructed portable sign 
may be advantageously produced from a light-weight plastic material, the 
methods for producing the member being well known in the art. A preferred 
method is to use polystyrene beads which are fed into an appropriate mold 
designed for the portable sign wherein the beads are then heated to expand 
in conformity with the mold. However, it is realized that the term 
"lightweight plastic" or "foam plastic" as used herein includes any method 
of producing lightweight plastic moldings wherein the density is from 1 to 
5 lbs. per cubic foot. In fact, in a traffic sign which is approximately 
16 inches wide and 1 to 2 inches in thickness, the weight is generally 
only a few ounces. 
It is realized that by raising the surfaces and preparing the indicia in 
the foam of indentations, by merely roll painting the surfaces, the 
indicia is color distinguished and therefore stands out, specifically 
pointing out the particular message that is indented therein. 
It is also realized that various changes may be made to the specific 
embodiment shown and described without departing from the scope and spirit 
of the present invention.