Abstract:
An electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets whereby each slotted frame cabinet can conveniently be attached to one or more vertically or horizontally positioned adjacent slotted frame cabinets by using connecting components which are generally located around the periphery of one or more slotted frame cabinets. Connecting components, including splice bars, splice plates, and mounting clamps, are aligned in, positioned along and secured to backing bars which are co-located in backing bar slots in one or more of the slotted frame cabinets. Lift eyes can be variably located in one or more lift eye slots. The use of externally located connecting components, which do not extend through the cabinetry, minimize the entry of environmental elements into the interior of the electronic sign. Multiple slotted frame cabinets can be connected without the removal of LED display panels.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is related to patent application Ser. No. 11/809,107 filed on May 31, 2007, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,444, entitled “Electronic Sign Having a Formed Metal Cabinet.” 
     This application is also related to patent application Ser. No. 10/688,304 filed on Oct. 17, 2003, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,271, entitled “Electronic Display Module Having a Four-Point Latching System for Incorporation into an Electronic Sign and Process.” 
     This application is a divisional of and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/077,130, filed on Mar. 17, 2008, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to the earlier filed U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/923,366 filed Apr. 13, 2007, entitled “Cabinet Having Perimeter Track,” the benefit of priority of each of which is claimed hereby, and each of which are incorporated into this application by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for an electronic sign, and more particularly, for an electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets wherein each slotted frame cabinet conveniently attaches to one or more vertically or horizontally situated adjacent slotted frame cabinets. An individual slotted frame cabinet can also be utilized by itself for use as an electronic sign. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The invention is to be used as a replacement for current technology sign structures which are very labor intensive and which require welding, individual component fitting, drilling, and the like. Welding is very time consuming and is a hard process to control with respect to uniformity and trueness of surfaces. Welding also reduces the strength characteristics of aluminum structures used therein and thereabout. The new invention uses structural rivets for cabinet component attachment, thus eliminating the need for welding. Joining of components such as, but not limited to, formed channels to the slotted frames of the slotted frame cabinet is accomplished by the use of prepunched and preformed components and rivets. The use of structural prepunched and preformed components with rivets allows for the automation of the entire process of fabrication. The prepunched holes used for the accommodation of rivets self-align the component parts, thus substantially reducing manufacturing labor. 
     The new invention eliminates the need for nutserts and other traditional fastening schemes used for splicing and joining adjacent slotted frame cabinets and eliminates the need for attaching clip angle supports to the rear of an electronic sign cabinet. It does this by having substantially continuous slotted frame cabinets which can accept external splicing and connection structures such as mounting clamps, splice plates, backing bars, and the like, which can conveniently splice, align and secure adjacent slotted frame cabinets together in vertical or horizontal relationships. 
     Prior art devices relied on installing nutserts for splicing and attaching clip angles to the rear of a cabinet for mounting and/or installation purposes, each of which requires extra assembly steps and, when installed, do not have variable placement. The use of continuous horizontally aligned backing bar slots eliminates the requirement for the use of horizontal stringers on the rear of a sign structure which were used for mounting to various support structures. 
     Many prior art devices fail to accommodate unequally spaced vertically aligned ground mounted support structure. The invention provides a solution for such variable positioning of ground mounted support structure by providing slot mounted positionable mounting clamps aligned at variable spacings in slots along the entire horizontal length of one or more joined slotted frame cabinets to accommodate variably spaced ground based support structures such as, but not limited to, vertically aligned I-beam supports. 
     Prior art designs have been such that lift eyes penetrate the cabinet interior and are placed at predetermined points in the cabinet frame. The disadvantage of such a system is that it is labor intensive to attach the lift eyes. Furthermore, such through the cabinet structure mounting allows entry points for the elements. This present invention allows for flexibility in the lift eye location by allowing the lift eye to translate anywhere along a lift eye slot in the length of one or more of the cabinet sections. The lift structure does not communicate with the interior of the cabinet sections. 
     This invention also provides for a watertight assembly because the cabinet interior is not penetrated by the use of fasteners, such as used in prior art devices. The slotted frame cabinet interior is not penetrated during factory or on-site installation since cabinet sections are spliced externally by components which align to or within externally located slots located along and about the cabinet frame. 
     Prior art devices in the field required the removal of electronic display modules in order to splice cabinet sections, as splicing of one cabinet section to another required internal access to mounting hardware, connector plates, and the like. The present invention allows external connective splicing of vertically or horizontally adjacent cabinet sections without accessing the interior of a slotted frame cabinet. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets. According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an electronic sign comprised partly of slotted frame cabinets where the use of two or more slotted frame cabinets provides for a full complement of connective components, such as described herein. In the alternative, an individual slotted frame cabinet can be utilized to provide for a unitary electronic sign. Slotted frame cabinets which are central to the invention are constructed and joined together by using a plurality of similar profile geometrically configured components including a frame top, a frame bottom and frame ends, each of which has a plurality of external accessible slots extending along the length thereof. A plurality of formed vertically aligned channels and formed mid-channels are secured between the frame top and the frame bottom of each slotted frame cabinet which serve, in part, as a mounting structure for a front mounted panel, the latter of which accommodates a plurality of electronic display modules. The preformed vertically aligned channels also serve, in part, as a mounting structure for rear panels. A shroud surrounds the perimeter of the joined slotted frame cabinets. 
     The slotted frame cabinets are joined by unique components and methods. Horizontally adjacent and aligned slotted frame cabinets are joined by the use of one or more geometrically configured splice bars in vertical orientation which align in and between opposed like slots in the frame ends of adjacent horizontally slotted frame cabinets and, in cooperation therewith, are also joined by splice plates secured to opposed vertically aligned backing bars in opposed like backing bar slots in the frame ends of the adjacent slotted frame cabinets. Installation of the splice plates provides for self-alignment of the frame ends of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets. 
     Vertically adjacent and aligned slotted frame cabinets are joined by the use of one or more geometrically configured splice bars in a horizontal orientation which is or are aligned in and between opposed like slots in the frame top and frame bottom of vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets and, in cooperation therewith, are also joined by mounting clamps serving, in part, like splice plates secured to opposed horizontally aligned backing bars. Installation of the mounting clamps provides for self-alignment of the frame tops and bottoms of vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets. The mounting clamps are also used to secure joined combinations of slotted frame cabinets; i.e., the electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets, to ground mounted support structure. The mounting clamps are horizontally positionable along the sign in order to connect to unequally spaced support structure. A lift eye slot is also included along the frame top to slidingly accommodate one or more lift eyes. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets of the present invention is the use of multiple slots along and about the perimeter to which a plurality of connection devices or other devices can be attached, captured and secured. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of common geometry slotted frame components including a slotted frame top, a slotted frame bottom, and slotted frame ends which form connected inner panels where the slotted frame top and the slotted frame bottom serve as mounts for vertically aligned formed channels including formed mid-channels. The perimeter of the slotted frame components and the formed vertically aligned channels are not welded but are riveted in prepunched holes in order to automate the fabrication process and to improve reliability, manufacturability, tolerances, repeatability, and efficiency of assembly. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of adjacent perimeter splice bar slots in common with an interceding geometrically configured splice bar to align within and therebetween such slots to, in part, mutually secure the forward region of horizontally adjacent and aligned slotted frames ends or the forward region of vertically adjacent and aligned slotted frame tops and bottoms. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of backing bars residing in backing bar slots and used with splice plates to, in part, join the rearward portion of horizontally adjacent and aligned slotted frame cabinets. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of splice plates to align the fronts, rears and splice bar slots of the horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of backing bars residing in backing bar slots and used with mounting clamps to join the rearward portion of vertically adjacent and aligned slotted frame cabinets. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of mounting clamps to align the fronts, rears and splice bar slots of the vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the use of backing bar mounting clamps and associated backing bar(s), the latter of which are horizontally positionable along backing bar slots along the horizontal length in order to align with variably spaced vertically aligned support structures, such as, but not limited to, I-beams. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is that the lift eyes can be situated at an appropriate location in one or more lift eye slots along the length of the slotted frame top of one or more horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets to evenly distribute the weight during installation and during display. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is that any connection points, splice plates, splice bars, mounting clamps, lift eyes, and the like are external to the slotted frame cabinet structure and, as such, there is no structural penetration by water and other unwanted fluid or debris. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the ability to join vertically or horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets without the removal of display modules. 
     Having thus briefly described one or more embodiments of the present invention and having mentioned some significant aspects and features of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide an electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets. 
    
    
     
       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  is an isometric front view of an electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets, the present invention, mounted to a plurality of support structures; 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric rear view of the electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets of  FIG. 1  mounted to a plurality of support structures; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded rear view of the invention components of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a horizontally oriented slotted frame top along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a single slotted frame cabinet and some associated components; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of a corner of the slotted frame cabinet of  FIG. 5  showing the relationship of several splice bars, backing bars, and lift eyes thereto; 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of the top left corner of the slotted frame cabinet shown in  FIG. 6  where horizontally aligned components are shown aligned within their respective slots; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric rear view of a splice plate and two backing bars used with the splice plate and associated hardware; 
         FIG. 9  shows an initial alignment of a slotted frame end of a slotted frame cabinet in close proximity to an adjacent slotted frame end of another slotted frame cabinet; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view showing a step where a vertically aligned splice bar is aligned in a splice bar slot in a slotted frame end of a slotted frame cabinet; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view showing a step where a slotted frame cabinet and a horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinet are urged into offset intimate contact, whereby a panel of a splice bar enters into a splice bar slot in a slotted frame end of a horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinet; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view showing a step where the vertically oriented backing bars in an assembly of the backing bars, splice plate bolts, washers and nuts are loaded in offset fashion into the vertically aligned rearwardly located backing bar slots; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view showing a step where one or more nuts are tightened in order that a slotted frame cabinet is forcibly drawn into intimate and forced contact with the splice plate; 
         FIG. 14  shows the use of multiple splice plates, backing bars, and associated components to, in part, suitably connect horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets; 
         FIG. 15  is an isometric view of one of the mounting clamps and two of the backing bars used with the mounting clamps and associated hardware to, in part, secure horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  shows the initial alignment of a slotted frame top of a lower slotted frame cabinet in close proximity to a slotted frame bottom of an upper slotted frame cabinet; 
         FIG. 18  is an end view showing a step where a horizontally aligned splice bar is aligned in the splice bar slot in the slotted frame top of a slotted frame cabinet; 
         FIG. 19  is an end view showing a step where an upper slotted frame cabinet and a lower slotted frame cabinet are manually urged into offset intimate contact; 
         FIG. 20  is an end view showing a step where the horizontally oriented backing bars in an assembly consisting of the backing bars, a mounting clamp, bolts, washers, and nuts are loaded in an offset fashion into horizontally adjacent and aligned backing bar slots; 
         FIG. 21  is an end view showing a step where one or more nuts are tightened in order that a slotted frame cabinet is forcibly drawn into intimate and forced contact with a mounting clamp; 
         FIG. 22  shows the use of multiple mounting clamps, backing bars, and associated components to, in part, suitably connect horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross section view showing a mounting clamp in use with splice bars to, in part, secure an upper slotted frame cabinet to a lower slotted frame cabinet, as well as showing the use of a mounting clamp to, in part, connect an upper slotted frame cabinet and lower slotted frame cabinet to a support structure; and, 
         FIG. 24  is a top view showing the use of a mounting clamp to fasten a slotted frame cabinet to a vertically aligned support structure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric front view of an electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets  10 , the present invention, mounted to a plurality of support structures  12   a - 12   n  by a plurality of like mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  being part of and being located along and about the rear of the invention, as also shown in  FIG. 2 . One of a plurality of like electronic display modules  16  (also known as LED modules) having a four-point latching system populate the front of the present invention and are removably attached to a plurality of mounting panels  18  extending along and about the front of the invention. The structure and relationship of the mounting panels  18  and the electronic display modules  16  are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,271 entitled “Electronic Display Module Having a Four-Point Latching System for Incorporation into an Electronic Sign and Process” and is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     Also visible is a plurality of vertically aligned formed channels  20  of full width and a plurality of vertically aligned formed mid-channels  22  of reduced width secured along and about the invention, as later described in detail. The front surfaces of the formed channels  20  and the formed mid-channels  22  serve as a mount for the mounting panel  18  and the rear surfaces of the formed channels  20  serve as a mount for a plurality of rear vent panels  24   a - 24   n , as also shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric rear view of the electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets  10  of  FIG. 1 ; and  FIG. 3  is an exploded rear view of the invention components of  FIG. 2 . With reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the present invention is further described. Similarly constructed slotted frame cabinets  26  are central to the invention and can be designated as a plurality of slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n  or, alternatively, as a slotted frame cabinet  26  as the construction is the same. The slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n  can be arranged as shown in  FIG. 3  and are connected by other components of the invention. One such connecting component is in the form of similarly shaped geometrically configured splice bars  28   a ,  28   b  and  28   c , each having an elongated Y-shaped profile including similarly numbered features as shown in  FIG. 4 . Splice bars  28   a  and  28   b  are shown in vertical orientation and can be used, in part, to connect the adjacent frame ends of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b  and, of course, the adjacent frame ends of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   c  and  26   n , respectively, as later described in detail. Splice bar  28   c , shown in horizontal orientation, can by itself, or if divided in halves, be used, in part, to connect the slotted frame bottom of cabinet  26   a  to the slotted frame top of the vertically adjacent cabinet  26   c  and, in part, to connect the slotted frame bottom of cabinet  26   b  to the slotted frame top of the vertically adjacent cabinet  26   n , respectively, as later described in detail. 
     Other connection components are in the form of a plurality of splice plates  30   a - 30   n  in cooperation with a plurality of vertically oriented backing bars  32   a - 32   n  which, in part, are used to connect the adjacent frame ends of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b  and, of course, the adjacent frame ends of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   c  and  26   n . Other connection components are in the form of the plurality of mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  used in cooperation with a plurality of horizontally oriented backing bars  34   a - 34   n . Some of the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  and backing bars  34   a - 34   n  are used, in part, to connect vertically adjacent frame bottoms and frame tops of vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinet pair  26   a - 26   c  and pair  26   b - 26   n . Some of the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  and backing bars  34   a - 34   n  are used to connect the frame tops of the slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b  to some of the support structures  12   a - 12   n  and some of the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  and backing bars  32   a - 32   n  are used to connect frame bottoms of the slotted frame cabinets  26   c  and  26   n  to some of the support structures  12   a - 12   n . All of the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  and associated backing bars  34   a - 34   n  are used to connect the slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n  to all of the support structures  12   a - 12   n , respectively. 
     A multiple component shroud  36  surrounds the perimeter of the joined slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n . The shroud  36  is comprised of a plurality of elongated L-shaped shroud panels  38   a - 38   n  secured about the perimeter of the slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n  and a plurality of shroud corners  40   a - 40   n  secured to some of the ends of the shroud panels  38   a - 38   n . A plurality of positionable lift eyes  42   a - 42   n  are located along the top of the slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   b , as described later in detail. 
     Each of the slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n  uses a plurality of like structure slotted top, bottom and end components in the form of configured box tubes to form such slotted frame cabinets.  FIG. 4  is a cross section view of a horizontally oriented slotted frame top  44   a  along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 5 . A variety of panels and slots comprises the described cross section shown in  FIG. 4 . An inner panel  46  opposes an outer panel  48  which panels are mutually connected by a front panel  50 , a mid-panel  52 , and a back panel  54 . The outer panel  48  includes an outwardly located splice bar slot  56  and an adjacent inwardly located lift eye slot  58 . The splice bar slot  56  includes angled slot walls  56   a  and  56   b . A forwardly located front mounting panel  60  extends perpendicularly from one end of the outer panel  48  and inwardly toward the center of the slotted frame cabinet  26 . A rear mounting panel  62  extends perpendicularly from one end of the inner panel  46  and inwardly toward the center of the slotted frame cabinet  26 . A rearwardly located backing bar slot  64  is located between the rear portions of the outer panel  48  and the inner panel  46 . The cross section of a vertically oriented slotted frame end  44   b , the cross section of a vertically oriented slotted frame end  44   c , and the cross section of a vertically oriented slotted frame bottom  44   d  are substantially the same where each has a different orientation. All or some of the features described can be utilized for accommodating closely associated components, as described later in detail. 
       FIG. 4  also shows an end view of components which can be accommodated directly by the slots of the slotted frame top  44   a . The same accommodating relationships also exist with the slotted frame end  44   b , the slotted frame end  44   c , and the slotted frame bottom  44   c , as applicable. The splice bar  28   c , which is shown in a horizontal orientation, has a plurality of panels extending at angles from a central panel  66 , including opposed panels  68  and  70  extending from the central panel  66 , and another panel  72  offset from the central panel  66  by a short panel  74 . The opposed panels  68  and  70  of the splice bar  28   c  are aligned with and are mutually secured within the angled slot walls  56   b  and  56   a , respectively, of the splice bar slot  56 . Interaction of the splice bar  28   c  and other splice bars with splice bar slots  56  is described later in detail. Splice bars  28   a  and  28   b  have the same profile but are used in vertical orientation. An end view of the lift eyes  42   a - 42   n , each having a horizontally orientated base panel  76 , a connected vertically oriented panel  78 , and a hole  80  extending through the panel  78 , is also shown. The base panels  76  of each of the lift eyes  42   a - 42   n  are slidingly accommodated by the lift eye slot(s)  58  of the 20 slotted frame tops  44   a . Threaded holes  82 , one of which is shown, are included at opposing ends of the base panel  76  for the use of bolts (not shown) which can extend therethrough to contact the bottom of the lift eye slot  58  to provide a frictional engagement arrangement of the lift eyes  42   a - 42   n  in the lift eye slot  58 . The backing bar  34   a  in the form of a channel is also shown which includes holes  84  extending therethrough. Backing bars  34   a - 34   n  are slidingly accommodated by backing bar slots  64  in each of the slotted frame tops  44   a  and slotted frame bottoms  44   d . Backing bars  32   a - 32   n , having the same cross section and shape as backing bars  34   a - 34   n , are slidingly accommodated in some of the backing bars slots  64  of the slotted frame ends  44   b  and  44   c.    
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a single slotted frame cabinet  26  and some associated components which view represents anyone of the slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n . The ends of each of the slotted frame top  44   a , the slotted frame ends  44   b  and  44   c , and the slotted frame bottom  44   d  are miter cut and are suitably joined by right angle brackets  86   a - 86   n  connecting the inner panels  46 . The inner panel  46  of the slotted frame top  44   a  and the opposed inner panel  46  of the slotted frame bottom  44   d  serve as mounts for the opposing ends of the preformed vertically oriented formed channels  20  and formed mid-channels  22 , as described with reference to patent application Ser. No. 11/809,107 filed on May 31, 2007, entitled “Electronic Sign Having a Formed Metal Cabinet.” 
     Preferably, the general relationship and uses of several previously described components to a slotted frame cabinet  26 , but not necessarily to any of the specific slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n , is demonstrated with certain exceptions below. For example: 
     1. As previously described, the lift eyes  42   a - 42   n  can align in the lift eye slots  58  when the slotted frame cabinet  26  is used as the slotted top frame cabinet  26   a  or  26   b.    
     2. The splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame top  44   a  and the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame bottom  44   d  can accommodate a splice bar  28   c . However, the preferred mode of assembly is the use of a splice bar  28   c  to join the slotted frame top  44   a  of the lower slotted frame cabinets, such as horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   c  and  26   n , to the slotted frame bottoms  44   d  of the upper slotted frame cabinets, such as horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b.    
     3. The splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame end  44   b  and the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame end  44   c  can accommodate splice bars  28   a  or  28   b . However, the preferred mode of assembly is the use splice bars  28   a  and  28   b  to join the slotted frame end  44   c  of the slotted frame cabinets, such as vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   c  to the slotted frame ends  44   b  of the slotted frame cabinets, such as vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   b  and  26   n.    
     4. The backing bar slots  64  in the slotted frame top  44   a  and the backing bar slots  64  in the slotted frame bottom  44   d  can accommodate backing bars  34   a - 34   n.    
     5. The backing bar slots  64  in the slotted frame ends  44   b  and  44   c  can accommodate backing bars  32   a - 32   n.    
     6. The splice plates  30   a - 30   n  utilize pairs of backing bars  32   a - 32   n  for attachment to some of the backing bar slots  64 , as described later in detail. 
     7. Individual mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  utilize one or more backing bars  34   a - 34   n  for attachment to some of the backing bar slots  64 , as described later in detail. 
     Support brackets  87  which can be secured at appropriate locations along the support structures  12   a - 12   n  are also shown. The support brackets  87  can be used as a support during installation of the electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets on the support structures  12   a - 12   n  to provide either temporary or permanent support. 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of a corner of the slotted frame cabinet  26  of  FIG. 5  showing the relationship of several splice bars  28   a ,  28   c , backing bar  34   a ,  32   a , and lift eyes  42   a - 42   n  thereto. A cutout  88  is provided at the corner of the outer panel  48  in the slotted frame top  44   a  in order that the vertically oriented backing bar  32   a  can be inserted into the backing bar slot  64  of the slotted frame end  44   b  of the representative slotted frame cabinet  26 . Another cutout similar to cutout  88  (not shown) is located at the opposite end of the outer panel  48  of the slotted frame top  44   a  for accommodating another of the vertically oriented backing bars  32   a - 32   n . Cutouts similar to cutout  88  are not provided at the bottom ends of the slotted frame ends  46   b  and  46   c  in order that backing bars  32   a - 32   n  will not fall out of the backing bar slots  64  during assembly. 
     A cutout  90  is provided at the top corner of the outer panel  48  in the slotted frame end  44   b  and another cutout similar to  90  (not shown) is located at the bottom corner in the slotted frame end  44   b  in order that the horizontally oriented backing bars  34   a - 34   n  can be inserted into the backing bar slot  64  of the slotted frame top  44   a  of the representative slotted frame cabinet  26  and into the backing bar slot  64  of the slotted frame bottom  44   d  of the representative slotted frame cabinet  26 . The slotted frame end  44   c  is a mirror image of the slotted frame end  44   b  and is constructed and used in the same fashion as the slotted frame bottom  44   d.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , cutouts  92  and  94  are shown at the end of the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame top  44   a  in order that the vertically oriented splice bar  28   a  can be inserted into the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame end  44   b  of the representative slotted frame cabinet  26 . Similarly configured cutouts are located at the opposite end of the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame top  44   a . Cutouts  96  and  98  are included at the top end of the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame end  44   b  (and cutouts similar to cutouts  96  and  98  are located at the top end of the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame end  44   c ) in order that horizontally oriented splice bars  28   c  can be inserted into the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame top  44   a  of the representative slotted frame cabinet  26 . A widening of the lift eye slot  58  is shown at  58   a  and  58   b  ( FIG. 7 ) for addition of lift eyes  42   a - 42   n , as desired Like and similar teachings, relationships, configurations, and components are included along and about the present invention as described or illustrated. 
       FIG. 7  is an end view of the top left corner of the slotted frame cabinet  26  shown in  FIG. 6  where horizontally aligned components are shown aligned within their respective slots. 
       FIGS. 8-14  illustrate additional structure associated with the invention and the method of attachment of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets, such as slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b , using previously described structure and additional structure as described herein. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded isometric rear view of one of the splice plates  30   a - 30   n  and two of the backing bars  32   a - 32   n  used with the splice plates  30   a - 30   n  and associated hardware to, in part, secure horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets such as slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b  or horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets such as slotted frame cabinets  26   c  and  26   n . The rear portion of the splice plates  30   a - 30   n  include a plurality of holes  100 . Bolts  102  extend through holes  104  in the backing bars  32   a - 32   n , through the opening of some backing bar slots  64 , and through the holes  100  of the backing plates  30   a - 30   n , as well as through washers  106  and into nuts  108 , as indicated. The heads of the bolts  102  align closely and fixingly contact and secure between the walls of the backing bars  32   a - 32   n.    
       FIG. 9  shows the initial alignment of the slotted frame end  44   b  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  in close proximity to the slotted frame end  44   c  (not shown) of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a . A vertically aligned splice bar  28   a  is shown distanced but aligned with the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame end  44   b  in the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  awaiting positioning therein. Preferably, the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  are offset from each other, as shown in  FIG. 10 . The display modules  16  are not shown for the purpose of brevity and clarity. 
       FIG. 10  is a top view showing a step where the vertically aligned splice bar  28   a  is aligned in the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame end  44   b  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   b . The slotted frame cabinet  26   b  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  are offset from each other in order that the panel  72  of the vertically aligned splice bar  28   a  aligns with the opening of the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame end  44   c  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a.    
       FIG. 11  is a top view showing a step where the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  are urged into offset intimate contact, whereby the panel  72  of the splice bar  28   a  enters into the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame end  44   c  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a.    
       FIG. 12  is a top view showing a step where the vertically oriented backing bars  32   a  and  32   b , in an assembly with the splice plate  30   a , bolts  102 , washers  106 , and nuts  108 , can be loaded in an offset fashion into the vertically aligned rearwardly located backing bar slot  64  extending along the slotted frame end  44   c  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and vertically aligned backing bar slot  64  extending along the slotted frame end  44   b  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   b , respectively. 
       FIG. 13  is a top view showing a step where one or more nuts  108  are tightened in order that the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  is forcibly drawn into intimate contact with the splice plate  30   a . The slotted frame cabinet  26   b  is shown in intimate contact with and secured to the splice plate  30   a  by the use of the backing bar  32   b  which is located in the backing bar slot  64  in the slotted frame end  44   b  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   b . Force is applied by tightening nuts  108  to cause frictional engagement between the backing bars  32   a ,  32   b , the slots  64  in which they are aligned, the nuts  108 , the washers  106 , and the splice plate  30   a . In this example and during such forcible engagement, the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  is positioned rearwardly against the splice plate  30   a  to cause the forwardly located angled slot wall  56   a  (also shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the slotted frame end  44   c  in the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  to intimately and lockingly contact the panel  72  of the splice bar  28   a . Thus, securing of a slotted frame cabinet ( 26   a ) to a horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinet ( 26   b ) is accomplished by use of a splice plate ( 28   a ) and associated backing bars ( 32   a  and  32   b ) at a rearward location and by the use of a splice bar ( 2 Sa) at a forward location. In the alternative, the backing bars  32   a  and  32   b , washers  100 , and bolts  108  can be loaded into the backing bar slots  64  and the splice plate  30   a  and associated hardware can be installed and secured, as indicated in different stages in  FIG. 14 , to draw the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  together in a suitable manner. Such actions also align the fronts of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  and the backs of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and slotted frame cabinet  26   b.    
     The capture of the splice bar  28   a  between the slotted frame end  44   c  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame end  44   b  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  provides for vertical connection, in part, of the slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b . Vertical connection between the slotted frame end  44   c  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame end  44   b  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   b  is completed by the use of the splice plate  30   a , the steps of which have just been described. 
       FIG. 14  shows the use of multiple splice plates  30   a  and  30   b , backing bars  32   a - 32   d , and associated components to, in part, suitably connect horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b , as previously described. Horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   c  and  26   n  are connected using like components in the same manner as previously described for connection of horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   b . Other horizontally adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26  can be attached using the above described methods in order to provide a longer electronic sign. 
       FIG. 15  is an isometric view of one of the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  and two of the backing bars  34   a - 34   n  used with the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  and associated hardware to, in part, secure vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets such as slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   c .  FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the components of  FIG. 15 . The mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  include a stationary bracket  110  having a rear panel  112  with holes  113  therein, a top jaw panel  114  having elongated slots  116  therein, and a V-shaped capture jaw slot  118 , a bottom jaw panel  114   a  opposing the top jaw panel  114  having elongated slots  116   a  therein and a V-shaped capture jaw slot  118   a , and opposed side panels  120  and  120   a . The mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  also include a positionable top jaw panel  122  having threaded holes  124  therein and a V-shaped capture jaw slot  126 , a positionable bottom jaw panel  122   a  opposing the positionable top jaw panel  122  with threaded holes  124   a  therein and a V-shaped capture jaw slot  126   a . The positionable top jaw panel  122  is aligned with and positionable along the bottom of the top jaw panel  114  of the stationary bracket  110  and is secured thereto by bolts  128  extending through the elongated slots  116  and into the threaded holes  124  of the top jaw panel  122  to provide a variable width lockable opening  130  between the V-shaped capture jaw slot  118  of the stationary bracket  110  and the V-shaped capture jaw slot  126 . In a like manner, the positionable bottom jaw panel  122   a  is aligned to and positionable along the top of the bottom jaw panel  114   a  of the stationary bracket  110  and is secured thereto by bolts  128   a  extending through the elongated slots  116   a  and into the threaded holes  124   a  of the bottom jaw panel  122   a  to provide a variable width lockable opening  130   a  between the V-shaped capture jaw slot  118   a  of the stationary bracket  110  and the V-shaped capture jaw slot  126   a . Backing bars  34   a - 34   n  are located in one or more horizontally oriented backing bar slots  64  and are attached to mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  and by using some or all of the bolts  132  which extend through some or all of holes  84  of the backing bars  34   a - 34   n , respectively, through the openings in the backing bar slots  64 , through holes  113  in the stationary bracket  110  and into washers  134  and nuts  136 . 
       FIG. 17  shows the initial alignment of the slotted frame top  44   a  of a lower slotted frame cabinet  26   c  in close proximity to the slotted frame bottom  44   d  of an upper slotted frame cabinet  26   a . A portion of a horizontally aligned splice bar  28   c  is shown distanced but aligned with the splice bar slot  56  of the slotted frame top  44   a  in the slotted frame cabinet  26   c  awaiting positioning therein. Preferably, the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   c  are offset from each other, as shown in  FIG. 18 . The display modules  16  are not shown for the purpose of brevity and clarity. 
       FIG. 18  is an end view showing a step where the horizontally aligned splice bar  28   c  is aligned in the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame top  44   a  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   c . The slotted frame cabinet  26   c  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  are offset from each other in order that the panel  72  of the horizontally aligned splice bar  28   c  aligns with the opening of the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame bottom  44   d  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a . An end view of two of the backing bars  34   e  and  34   i , including an associated mounting clamp  14   e , is shown awaiting engagement with the backing bar slot  64  located along the bottom of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and with the backing bar slot  64  located along the top of the slotted frame cabinet  26   c.    
       FIG. 19  is an end view showing a step where the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   c  are manually urged into offset intimate contact, whereby the panel  72  of the splice bar  28   c  enters into the splice bar slot  56  in the slotted frame bottom  44   d  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a.    
       FIG. 20  is an end view showing a step where the horizontally oriented backing bars  34   e  and  34   i  are in an assembly consisting of the backing bars  34   e  and  34   i , a mounting clamp  14   e , bolts  132 , washers  134 , and nuts  136  and are loaded, in an offset manner, into the horizontally aligned backing bar slots  64  extending along the slotted frame bottom  44   d  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and horizontally aligned backing bar slot  64  along the slotted frame top  44   a  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   c , respectively. 
       FIG. 21  is an end view showing a step where one or more nuts  136  are tightened in order that the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  is forcibly drawn into intimate contact with one or more of the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n , such as mounting clamp  14   e . The slotted frame cabinet  26   c  is shown in intimate contact with and secured to the mounting clamp  14   e  by the use of the backing bar  34   i  which is located in the backing bar slot  64  in the slotted frame top  44   a  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   c . Force is applied to cause frictional engagement across the backing bars  34   e ,  34   i  and the slots  64  in which they are aligned, the nuts  136 , the washers  134 , and the mounting clamp  14   e . In this example and during such forcible engagement, the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  is positioned rearwardly against the mounting clamp  14   e  to cause the forwardly located angled slot wall  56   a  (also shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the slotted frame bottom  44   d  in slotted frame cabinet  26   a  to intimately and lockingly contact the panel  72  of the splice bar  28   c . Thus, securing of an upper slotted frame cabinet ( 26   a ) to a lower slotted frame cabinet ( 26   c ) is accomplished by use of a mounting clamp ( 14   e ) and associated backing bars ( 34   e  and  34   i ) at a rearward location and by the use of a splice bar ( 28   c ) at a forward location. In the alternative, the backing bars  34   e  and  34   i  and bolts  132  can be loaded into the backing bar slots  64  and the mounting clamp  14   e  and associated hardware can be installed and secured as indicated in  FIG. 22  to draw the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   c  together in a suitable manner. Such actions also align the fronts and the backs of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame cabinet  26   c.    
     The capture of the splice bar  28   c  between the slotted frame end  44   d  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame end  44   a  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   c  provides for horizontal connection, in part, of the slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   c . Horizontal connection between the slotted frame end  44   a  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and the slotted frame end  44   d  of the slotted frame cabinet  26   c  is completed by the use of the mounting clamp  14   e  the steps of which have just been described. 
       FIG. 22  shows the use of multiple mounting clamps  14   a ,  14   e ,  14   i , backing bars  34   a ,  34   e ,  34   i , and associated components to, in part, suitably connect vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   c , as previously described. Vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   b  and  26   n  are connected using like components in the same manner as previously described for connecting vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26   a  and  26   c . Other vertically adjacent slotted frame cabinets  26  can be attached using the above described methods in order to provide a taller electronic sign. The mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  are horizontally positionable within the horizontally oriented backing bars  64 , respectively, in order to align with the support structures such as support structures  12   a - 12   n  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 23  is a cross section view showing mounting clamp  14   e  in use along with the splice bar  28   c  to, in part, secure an upper slotted frame cabinet  26   a  to a lower slotted frame cabinet  26   c  using backing bars  34   e  and  34   i . A single backing bar  34   a  or a single backing bar  34   m , such as shown in  FIG. 22 , can be used at the tops or bottoms of slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n  for fastening some of the mounting clamps  14   a - 14   n  to the slotted frame cabinets  26   a - 26   n . Mounting clamp  14   e  is used to connect the upper slotted frame cabinet  26   a  and adjoining lower slotted frame cabinet  26   c  to a support structure  12   a , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 23 . 
       FIG. 24  is a top view showing the use of a mounting clamp  14   a  to fasten a slotted frame cabinet  26   a  to a vertically aligned support structure  12   a . The bolts  128  and  128   a  can be loosened to allow the positionable top jaw panel  122  and the positionable bottom jaw panel  122   a  to be horizontally distanced from the top jaw panel  114  and the bottom jaw panel  114   a  in order to capture the vertical edges of one end of the support structure  12   a . The electronic sign having slotted frame cabinets  10  can be maneuvered horizontally into contact with one or more of the support structures  12   a - 12   n . Subsequently, the top jaw panel  122  and the bottom jaw panel  122   a  are positioned toward the top jaw panel  114  and the bottom jaw panel  114   a  in order to capture the inwardly located edges of the support structure  12   a  within the variable width lockable openings  130  and  130   a , respectively, and more specifically, to capture the support structure  12   a  by intimate forced contact with the capture jaw slots  118 ,  118   a ,  126 ,  126   a , respectively. 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope thereof.