Patent Publication Number: US-2004045201-A1

Title: Multi-layered, quick change signage system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority from United States provisional application Serial No. 60/409,828 filed Sep. 9, 2002. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0002] The present invention relates generally to signage systems. More particularly, the present invention provides a quickly changeable signage system for use, for example, as personnel identifiers. The signage system is used advantageously in conjunction with personnel cubicles. The signage system allows each individual to select a series of customized graphic images which may be used in conjunction with the alphanumeric information displayed on a transparent cover sheet of the sign. The selected graphic image is viewable through the transparent cover.  
       [0003] The prior art includes transparent sign supports as shown in the Mirza U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,471. However, Mirza does not teach a multi-layered sign in which a transparent cover includes alphanumeric information such as an individual&#39;s name and title and wherein a sheet behind or below the transparent cover sheet carries a selected graphic image.  
       [0004] The prior art also includes signage systems with transparent substrates. An example is the Lovison U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,357 wherein a holographic film is required. Another example is the Longobardi U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,218 which requires the use of thick ridges of viscous subject matter. The present invention does not require the use of holographic film or thick ridges of viscous ink.  
       [0005] The prior art also includes changeable signage systems such as the Whitehouse U.S. Pat. No. 5,428,914. The disadvantage of Whitehouse is that a rather cumbersome perforated base is required. The Kane U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,101 teaches a changeable display sign but it requires a relatively large number of separate component pieces to be interfitted in close abutting relationships. The present invention avoids the use of many separate pieces that have to be carefully interfitted together. Rather, the present invention utilizes a series of sheets that simply overlie each other and are carried by a rather simple frame.  
       [0006] A primary object of the invention is to provide a signage system wherein each individual sign includes an alphanumeric display and a graphic display and wherein the graphic display is readily interchangeable with alternate graphics.  
       [0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a signage system for use by personnel wherein each person is able to select his or her own custom set of graphic images to be displayed together with alphanumeric data describing the person and his or her position.  
       [0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a signage system wherein those portions of the system containing alphanumeric data and graphic images are readily transported to another location.  
       [0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a signage system wherein a transparent cover sheet is utilized which displays alphanumeric information and one or more opaque sheets may be interchangeably placed behind the cover sheet to display selected graphic images along with the alphanumeric data displayed by the cover sheet.  
       [0010] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein: 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0011]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view displaying the graphic image of a railroad locomotive behind a transparent cover sheet containing alphanumeric information pertaining to JANE DOE;  
     [0013]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view showing the same cover sheet used in FIG. 2 but wherein a different sheet carrying a graphic image of palm trees has been placed adjacent and behind the transparent cover sheet;  
     [0014]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the same sign wherein a third graphic image of a teed golf ball and head of a driver is displayed along with the alphanumeric information on the cover sheet; and  
     [0015]FIG. 5 shows a front elevational view of the sign displayed in FIGS.  2 - 4  wherein a fourth graphic image of a bird is displayed with the JANE DOE cover sheet. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view illustrating one embodiment of the invention. A conventional plastic frame  10  is provided which may be connected to a wall or cubicle by any of a variety of connectors known in the art. For example, plastic frame  10  may be connected by picture hanging brackets, VELCRO or adhesive. Plastic frame  10  has a thickness to accommodate multiple layers of plastic or paper, as described below. Additionally, a non-glare plastic lens  20  is supported by frame  10 . A customized transparency  30  is provided which is preferably transparent plastic. Transparency  30  carries an opaque alphanumeric display  31  which, as shown in FIG. 1, is JANE DOE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR. The opaque alphanumeric display of data is permanently attached to transparency  30  in a first region  35  of transparency  30 . As shown in FIG. 1, the first region  35  is the lower half of transparency  30 . Transparent cover sheet  30  has a second region  36  which is the top portion of sheet  30 . Transparent cover sheet  30  is positioned immediately behind the non-glare plastic lens  20 .  
     [0017] The invention also includes a layer of one or more graphic images carried on opaque sheets  41 - 49 . The sheets  41 - 49  comprise a graphic image set  40  with customized images. For example, sheet  41  may carry a graphic image  51  of a train locomotive. The image  51  is displayed in region  55  of sheet  41  which as illustrated is in the upper portion of sheet  41  so the graphic image will not interfere with the alphanumeric image carried on transparency  30 . Each of the separate sheets  4149  carries a different graphic image. Preferably the separate graphic images are selected by the particular employee to whom the sign pertains. The graphic images may be changed quickly by simply opening the non-glare plastic lens  20  relative to frame  10 , selecting any desired graphic image displayed on sheets  41 - 49 , moving that sheet forward so that it lies adjacent the transparent cover sheet  30  and reassembling plastic lens  20  into frame  10 .  
     [0018] The signage system is also highly portable in that, if the individual to whom the sign pertains is transferred to a new cubicle or office, the transparency and sheets  41 - 49  are quickly removed by the employee and simply transported to his or her new location.  
     [0019] It is also within the scope of the invention to provide graphic images such as  51  which may be displayed over a larger portion of the sheet on which it is carried provided that the graphic image does not unduly interfere with the alphanumeric data carried on transparency  30 . By “interfere” we mean that the graphic image renders all or a portion of the alphanumeric display illegible or unclear.  
     [0020] The sheets  41 - 49  carrying the graphic images are opaque and may be of any suitable material such as paper or plastic. The graphic images, such as  51 , may be applied by a variety of techniques known in the art. The sheets  41 - 49  and cover sheet  30  form a stack of sheets of approximately the same size.  
     [0021]FIG. 2- 5  are front elevational views illustrating how the graphic images can be readily changed. FIG. 2 contains the alphanumeric information JANE DOE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR carried by transparency  30 . The graphic image  51  of a railroad locomotive is carried by sheet  41  and is clearly visible through the upper portion of transparency  30 . FIG. 3 illustrates the appearance of the sign when sheet  42  carrying the graphic image of palm trees  52  has been placed adjacent and behind transparency  30 . The sign now takes on an entirely new appearance from that shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 illustrates yet a third graphic image  53  of a teed up golf ball and the head of a driver on sheet  43  which has now been placed adjacent to transparency  30 . FIG. 5 illustrates a graphic image of a bird  54  carried on sheet  44  when sheet  44  is placed adjacent to and immediately behind transparency  30 .  
     [0022] As can be seen from FIGS.  2 - 5 , the overall character of the sign for JANE DOE can be quickly changed by simply placing a desired sheet with a different graphic image behind transparent sheet  30 .  
     [0023] Although the graphic images in FIG. 2- 5  are shown displayed above the alphanumeric data, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide a graphic image that extends into the region of the alphanumeric data as well. For example, the graphic image may be of the sky, the beach, the ocean or a lake wherein the graphic image displayed behind the alphanumeric data does not conflict with or render the alphanumeric data illegible.  
     [0024] The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications suited to the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is to be defined by the following claims.