Patent Publication Number: US-11043149-B1

Title: Readily reversible highway sign

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to signs and signage, particularly signs for use on highways and roadsides, and specifically to a reversible road sign that is easily reversible to selectively present either of two different messages. 
     Background of the Invention 
     It is, on occasion and under certain circumstances, desirable to have a sign that can be selectively changed to show either of two informational messages. For example, it may be desirable to have a sign over or adjacent a highway that indicates whether some facility is either “open” or “closed.” For instance, it may be needed to indicate to approaching drivers whether a roadside weigh station, rest stop, or the like, is open or closed. It is preferable that the sign be located to provide approaching drivers adequate notice whether the roadside facility, or special lane (e.g., toll booth lane, etc.), is available for use. It also is highly preferable that such a sign be easy to change without the need for operating personnel to use ladders and/or special or heavy tools. Such a sign must also be durable, weather-resistant, and highly visible. 
     It is known to provide signs whose messages can be changed by pivoting a flap element between two different positions. Information is printed on the hinged, pivotal element, and on adjacent portions or substrates of the sign, so that by swinging the flap through 180 degrees between either of two positions, either of two messages can be prevented to view. Such a type of changeable sign is typified, for example, by the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,938 to Behling, U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,715 to Nelson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,083 to Fund, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,557 to Vara, Sr. Other known mechanically changeable road and vehicle signs are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,318,238 to Macarle, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 3,518,782 to Long, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,060 to Hartz. These hinged and pivotal flap types of signs require the manual manipulation of various types of mechanical latches, clips, hasps, etc., to secure and disengage the movable portion. Some of these known types of signs are suitable for outdoor use near highways; others are not. When used as road signs, they may present problems. Because most highway signs are mounted high above the ground, such mechanical latches and catches require a worker disadvantageously to ascend a ladder to manipulate such fasteners to change the message display of the sign. Doing so while using tools is even less desirable. Alternatively, workers may attempt to disengage/engage the sign fasteners from ground level, using various straps, winches, poles, or tubes, which is time consuming, cumbersome, and sometimes results in damage to the sign. 
     It also is known to provide electronic signs whose messages are presented using arrays or matrices of individual light bulbs or LEDs. Each light source can be selectively turned on or off, so that the programmed array of illuminated light sources viewed collectively presents a message for viewing. The message can be changed by changing which individual light sources are turned “on,” and which ones remain “off” Such selectively changeable electronic roadside signs, which offer certain advantages, nevertheless are expensive to acquire and maintain, demand an electrical power source for operation, and are vulnerable to damage by weather and vandals. 
     It is desired to provide a simple, durable, and economical, road sign that can be easily changed by a worker, at ground level and without having to manipulate latches or mechanical clips or locks, to present at least two different informational messages. The disclosed apparatus supplies this unmet need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     There is disclosed an easily reversible sign, such as a highway sign, by which either of at least two informational messages may selectively be displayed. The sign is easily reversed, so that one of the two messages is visible to oncoming drivers. However, the sign is temporarily locked in position to display the desired message, until the message is deliberately but easily changed by rotatably “flipping” a message panel of the sign. 
     The sign has a generally planar, two-sided, outer frame in which a planar central, inner, message portion or panel is rotatably disposed. The outer frame is supported above, or more typically, next to, a roadway or highway by supporting means, such as at least one but preferably at least two conventional signposts. 
     Axle assemblies are provided for rotatably mounting the message panel within the outer frame portion. In use to present a message, the inner message panel is situated coplanar with its surrounding frame. One side of the message panel is viewable at a time, while the other side is unseen on the back side of the sign. The axles permit the inner message panel to be controllably rotated between a first message position and a second message position, and visa-versa. Magnetic fasteners are strategically located on both sides of the outer frame portion, and on both sides of the inner message panel. By bringing a pair of magnets, i.e. a magnet on the inner message panel and an associated magnet on the outer frame into close adjacency, the magnets mutually attract to reliably but releasably hold the inner message panel in a desired display condition in relation to the outer frame portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The attached drawings, which form part of this disclosure, are as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective overall view of a reversible sign apparatus according to the present disclosure, with the apparatus displaying a first message on an inner message panel; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged front view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , seen in a first informational position, presenting a first message for viewing; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged rear view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 , depicting a second informational message that is not presented for immediate viewing; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged front view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , but with the inner message panel having been rotatably reversed to a second informational position to present the second message for viewing; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged rear view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4 , depicting the first message that now is not presented for immediate viewing; 
         FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of the outer frame portion and an axle assembly of the sign apparatus, taken along section line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a view of a user about to operate the apparatus by rotating the inner message panel. 
     
    
    
     Like elements in the several drawings are labeled with the same label numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, either within a singe view or between views. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Combined reference to  FIGS. 1 and 7  shows a preferred embodiment of a sign apparatus  10  according to the present disclosure. The sign apparatus  10  is intended particularly for use next to or above a highway, expressway, or roadway, but its useful application is not so limited. The reversible sign apparatus  10  ordinarily but not necessarily is mounted above the ground in the ordinary manner by one, or preferably at least two, signposts  11  firmly secured to/in the ground. The signposts  11  may be square slotted or perforated metal alloy box channel, as suggested in  FIG. 1 . Such roadside signs often are mounted from seven to ten feet, or more, above the ground. In certain other circumstances, the sign apparatus  10  may be suspended above the lane(s) of a highway or walkway from an overhead support or bridge, or the like, as known in the art. 
     The sign apparatus  10  is mounted to the posts  11  or other support by bolts or other secure fasteners that are connected to the outer frame portion  20  of the apparatus. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the sign apparatus  10  often, but not necessarily, is in the overall shape of a square or rectangle; a rectangular sign usually is oriented and mounted with its long axis generally parallel to the ground&#39;s surface below. Nevertheless, it is readily understood by one skilled in the art that the overall peripheral shape, size, and orientation in space, of the apparatus  10  can be selected from wide varieties. Advantageously for the sake of affordable operation, use in remote areas, and for durability and ease of fabrication, the sign apparatus  10  requires no source or input of electrical power. 
     Further attention is invited to  FIG. 1 . The reversible sign apparatus has the outer frame  20  and an inner message panel  30 . The outer frame  20  and the inner message panel  30  each preferably are generally planar, each having parallel front and back sides or surfaces. The frame  20  and message panel  30  may be fabricated from any suitable rigid, weather-resistant, stiff material common to the art of highway signage, such as aluminum alloy, composites, wood-plastic composites, or the like, known in the art or hereafter devised. By way of example only, the frame  20  may have outside dimensions of about 60 cm height and about 183 cm width. The rotatable inner message panel  30  may have outside dimensions of about 61 cm height and about 132 cm width. 
     The frame  20  and message panel  30  during effective use normally are oriented generally vertically. When the message panel  30  is in proper position to present an information message for viewing by a person in front of the sign  10 , the message panel is approximately co-planar with the outer frame  20 . The outer frame  20  has a centrally located opening defined there-through, in which the inner message panel  30  is rotatably mounted. The inner peripheral edge of the opening in the outer frame  20  has a shape generally the same as, but a size and dimensions slightly larger than, the outer periphery of the inner message panel  30 . A very modest separation gap (e.g., between 1.0 cm and about 3.0 cm, preferably about 1.5 cm) is defined between the outer edges of the inner message panel  30  and the inner edges of the outer frame  20  (that define the opening in the frame). Thus, in proper co-registration for use, the message panel  30  and frame  20  present a nearly singular planar front surface for the sign apparatus  10 , as suggested by  FIG. 1 . 
     Continued reference is made to  FIG. 1 . Preferably but not strictly necessarily, the outer frame  20  is composed of two separate frame panels  22 ,  24 . Typically, the lower frame panel  22  is approximately the same shape, and has about the same dimensions, as upper frame panel  24 , but this is not a necessity. The two outer frame panels  22 ,  24  are securely and fixedly mounted on the posts  11  so to be oriented in a generally co-planar, ordinarily vertical, relationship. The frame panels  22 ,  24  are separated by a very modest (e.g., typically less than 2.0 cm, preferably less than 1.0 cm) horizontal frame panel gap, as seen also in  FIG. 6 . The use of two frame panels  22 ,  24  spaced apart by the frame panel gap is preferred to permit the use of rotation axles  40 ,  40 ′ whose axel dowels or pins are situated within the panel gap, so to promote a flush and coplanar positional relationship between the outer frame  20  and the message panel  30  when the message panel is in in position for viewing. The frame panels  22 ,  24  are held in spaced relation, and maintained in proper position in space, by means of a pair of frame portion straps  70  (seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ), as well as by the frame panels&#39; secure connection to the signposts  11 . 
     The outer frame  20  has a first or front surface, and a second or rear surface. However, the frame&#39;s position is fixed in space, so that the its front surface always faces “forward,” i.e., exposed to the view of an oncoming viewer. The rear surface is viewable but seldom intentionally seen. The inner message panel  30  also has a first side and a second side. In contrast with the frame  20 , either of the message panel&#39;s two sides can be positioned to face forward, toward an intended viewer, depending upon which side of the message panel  30  has been deliberately rotated into registration with the front side of the outer frame  20 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates that the inner message panel  30  is rotatably suspended within the outer frame  20  by a pair of colinearly aligned rotation axle assemblies  40 ,  40 ′ provided at opposite lateral ends of the message panel, as will be further described herein. The axle assemblies  40 ,  40 ′ define, in  FIG. 1 , an imaginary horizontal axis of rotation for the inner message panel  30 . In an alternative embodiment, the axles  40 ,  40 ′ could be situated at respective aligned top and bottom positions on the frame  20  and inner message panel  30 , such that the message panel is rotatable about a vertical axis. The axle assemblies  40 ,  40 ′ are preferably so located on the frame  20  and the message panel  30  such that the message panel&#39;s axis of rotation is colinear with its horizontal axis of symmetry; the message panel accordingly rotates in a smooth and balanced manner around the axis defined by the axles  40 ,  40 ′. 
     Reference is made to  FIG. 2 , providing a front view of the sign apparatus  10  when a first informational message is presented to view. The message panel  30  is sustained within the opening in the frame  20  by the rotation axles  40 ,  40 ′. In this example, the first informational message is “OPEN,” for example referring to a trucking weigh station open to receive clients. Limitless other first informational messages are possible within the scope of this invention. The first informational message is printed, painted, engraved, embossed, adhered, or otherwise affixed or presented generally centrally and preferably symmetrically within the outer periphery of the first side of the inner message panel  30 , in any of the manners known in the art of highway signage. So, when presented for viewing, the first informational message appears as seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , with the first side of the message panel facing forward.  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  depict the sign apparatus  10  with the message panel in what hereinafter is referred to as the first informational position. 
       FIG. 3  is a rear view of the apparatus  10 , showing the second informational message, in this example “CLOSED,” as it would appear to a person looking at the back of the sign apparatus  10  (when the first informational message is presented to view, e.g., to approaching motorists). The second informational message is printed, painted, engraved, embossed, adhered, or otherwise affixed or presented, generally centrally and symmetrically on the second side of the inner message panel  30 , within the outer periphery of the message panel. 
       FIG. 3  also shows the use of the pair of outer panel straps  70  to connect together the upper frame panel  24  and lower frame panel  22  that combine to define the outer frame  20 . The signposts  11  also hold the frame panels  22 ,  24  in proper position relative to one another, in addition to mounting the overall apparatus  10  to the ground. The central axle pins of the axle assemblies  40 ,  40 ′ preferably are recessed into and within the modest frame panel gap which separates slightly the lower frame panel  22  from the upper frame panel  24 . The axle assemblies  40 ,  40 ′ may be fabricated from suitably sized and modified hinges (such as large piano-type hinges) with hinge&#39;s two flanges cut (perpendicular to the pivot axis), and the flanges fixedly secured to the respective frame  20  or message panel  30 , as by rivets or the like. (See also  FIG. 6 .) Such modified hinges mount the message panel  30  within the central opening of the frame  20 , but permit the message panel to freely spin or rotate not just up to 360 degrees, but through more than 360 degrees, and repeatedly so. 
     The inner message panel  30  is releasably held in position for proper viewing by means of pairs of permanent magnets. The magnets preferably are strong magnets, but their particular type/composition may be selected according to the size of the sign, cost considerations, and environmental conditions. Suitable magnets include neodymium iron boron (NdFeB), samarium cobalt (SmCo), alnico, and ceramic or ferrite magnets. The magnets, which may be cubic or oblong in shape, are attached to the outer frame  20  and the inner message panel  30  by conventional means such as screws, bolts, rivets, epoxy adhesive, or the like. A cubic-shaped magnet may be, for example, about 1.5 cm dimension on a side. Each magnet has, by way of preferred example, about 13,200 gauss, or about 20 pounds, pull force. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  may be considered together and illustrate a preferred placement arrangement of various magnets.  FIG. 2  shows that the front side of the outer frame  20  has, for example, two magnets. Magnet  50  is secured to the frame  20  in the general vicinity of its lower left portion or corner. Magnet  50  preferably is secured to the front side of the lower frame panel  22  very near or adjacent the separation gap which separates the frame panel from the message panel  30 . Magnet  50  may hereinafter be referred to as “first magnet.” The frame  20  also is provided with magnet  51  in the vicinity of the frame&#39;s lower right corner. Magnet  51  preferably is secured to the front side of the lower frame panel  22 , also beside or adjacent the separation gap which separates the frame from the message panel  30 . Magnet  51  may hereinafter be referred to as “second magnet.”  FIG. 3  shows that the rear or back side of the frame  20  preferably has three magnets. Magnet  52  is in the vicinity of the frame portion&#39;s upper left corner (as viewed in  FIG. 3 ). Magnet  52  preferably is secured to the rear side of the upper frame panel  24  also very near or adjacent the separation gap which separates the frame from the message panel  30 . Magnet  52  may hereinafter be referred to as “third magnet.” Magnet  53  is in the vicinity of the frame&#39;s upper right corner (as viewed in  FIG. 3 ). Magnet  53  is secured to the rear side of the upper frame panel  24 , also beside or adjacent the gap which separates the frame from the message panel  30 . Magnet  53  may hereinafter be referred to as “fourth magnet.” Another magnet, magnet  54 , is in the vicinity of the frame&#39;s lower center (lateral center, as viewed in  FIG. 3 ). Magnet  54  preferably is secured to the rear side of the lower frame panel  22 , also adjacent the separation gap which separates the frame portion from the message panel  30 . Magnet  54  may hereinafter be referred to as “fifth magnet.” 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the location of two magnets on the first side of the inner message panel  30 . Magnet  60  is in the vicinity of the message panel&#39;s upper center (lateral center, as viewed in  FIG. 2 ). Magnet  60  is secured to the first side of the message panel  30  very near or adjacent the separation gap which separates the frame  20  from the message panel. Magnet  60  may hereinafter be referred to as the “sixth magnet.” Another magnet, magnet  61 , is secured to the front side of the message panel  30  in the vicinity of its lower left corner. Magnet  61  is secured to the first side of the message panel  30  adjacent or beside the separation gap which separates the frame  20  from the message panel  30 . Magnet  61  may hereinafter be referred to as the “seventh magnet.” As seen in  FIG. 2 , when the first side of the message panel  30  is facing forward to be viewed, its magnet  61  is closely adjacent the magnet  50  on the frame  20 ; the strong attraction between the paired magnets  50 ,  61 , helps hold the message panel in the viewing position seen in  FIG. 2 , with the first informational message in view. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the locations of two magnets on the second side of the message panel  30 . The second side of the message panel  30  bears the second informational message, in this instance “CLOSED.” Magnet  62  is in the vicinity of the message panel&#39;s lower center (lateral center, as viewed in  FIG. 3 ). Magnet  62  is secured to the second side of the message panel  30  adjacent the separation gap which separates the frame  20  from the message panel. Magnet  62  may hereinafter be referred to as “eighth magnet.” As seen in  FIG. 3 , when the first side of the message panel  30  is facing forward to be viewed, the magnet  62  (on the second side of the message panel  30 ) is closely adjacent the magnet  54  on the back side of the frame  20 ; the strong attraction between the paired magnets  54 ,  62 , helps hold the message panel  30  in the viewing position seen in  FIG. 2 . Another magnet, magnet  63 , is on the second side of the message panel  30  in the vicinity of the message panel&#39;s upper left corner (as viewed in  FIG. 3 ). Magnet  63  is secured to the second side of the message panel  30  adjacently near the gap which separates the frame  20  from the message panel. Magnet  63  may hereinafter be referred to as the “ninth magnet.” 
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , when the first side of the message panel  30  is facing forward to be viewed, the magnet  63  (on the second, non-viewed side of the message panel  30 ) is closely adjacent the magnet  52  on the rear side of the frame  20 . The strong attraction between the paired magnets  52 ,  63 , helps hold the message panel in the viewing position seen in  FIG. 2 ; the frame  20  and the message panel  30  are essentially coplanar, and the first side of the message panel faces forward to present the first informational message to viewers. 
     When it is desired to present the second informational message to a viewer, the operator reverses the message panel  30  by rotating it on the axles  40 ,  40 ′ and about its axis of rotation. A significant advantage of the apparatus  10  is that this rotary motion can be easily imparted to the message panel  30  by personnel  80  standing on the ground  85 , potentially seven or ten feet below the message panel, as seen in  FIG. 7 . This can be done by the simple expedient of using a lightweight pole  82  or rod to press firmly on the message panel  30 , either above or below its axis of rotation, also as suggested in  FIG. 7 . Only force sufficient to overcome the attraction between paired magnets on the frame  20  and the message panel  30 , respectively, is needed to break the attraction between the magnets and permit the message panel to “flipped” or spun into its second, alternative position. 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  are intended to be considered together, and illustrate the configuration and appearance of the sign apparatus  10  when the message panel  30  has been rotated to present the second informational message to a viewer, and a preferred location of various magnets when the sign apparatus is so configured.  FIGS. 4 and 5  show the sign  10  in its “second informational position.” In  FIG. 4 , the second side of the message panel  30  is facing forward, to be seen by viewers such as oncoming motorists. The second informational message, e.g., “CLOSED,” is easily seen, while the first information message (“OPEN”) is now generally unseen because it is now registered with the rear or back side of the outer frame  20 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . In the configuration of  FIG. 4 , the magnet  63  on the second side of the message panel  30  has, by the rotation of the message panel  30 , been brought into close adjacency to the magnet  51  on the outer frame  20 . Because the magnets  51 ,  63  are in paired close confronting relation, their mutual attraction helps maintain the message panel in the proper position of  FIG. 4 —that is, with the second informational message facing forward. 
     When the second informational message is presented for viewing, the first side of the message panel  30  is registered with the back side of the frame  20 , as seen in  FIG. 5 . It also is seen that when the message panel  30  is rotated to this position, its magnet  61  (on the first side of the message panel) is brought into close adjacency with the magnet  53  on the rear side of the outer frame  20 . Similarly, the magnet  60  on the first side of the message panel  30  is now aligned adjacent to the magnet  54  on the rear side of the outer frame  20 . The magnetic attraction between magnets pair  53 ,  61 , and the magnetic attraction between magnets pair  54 ,  60 , hold the message panel  30  in proper position to present for viewing the second informational message, as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
     It is observed that when the first side of the message panel  30  is facing forward to present the first informational message for viewing (i.e., the first informational position per  FIGS. 2 and 3 ), there are three pairs of magnets releasably holding the message panel  30  in proper position for observation. These pairs are: the magnet pair  50 ,  61  on the front side of the frame portion and the first side of the message panel, respectively; and two magnet pairs, pair  52 ,  63  and pair  54 ,  62  on the rear side of the frame portion and the second side of the message panel, respectively. And combined reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5  discloses that when the second side of the message panel  30  is facing forward to present the second informational message for viewing (i.e., the second informational position), there are also are three different, separate, pairs of magnets releasably holding the message panel  30  in proper position for observation. These pairs are: the magnet pair  51 ,  63  on the front side of the frame  20  and the second side of the message panel  30 , respectively, and two magnet pairs, pair  54 ,  60  and pair  53 ,  61  on the rear side of the frame and the first side of the message panel, respectively. 
     Attention is returned to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The message panel  30  is in the first informational position seen in those figures. In the first informational position, the first magnet  50  is beside the seventh magnet  61 , and this pair of magnets mutually releasably attract one another. When the panel  30  is in the first informational position, the third magnet  52  is beside the ninth magnet  63 , and the fifth magnet  54  is beside the eighth magnet  62 , so that these respective two pairs of magnets mutually releasably attract one another. As explained hereinabove, the message panel  30  is controllably movable from the first informational position of  FIGS. 2 and 3  to the second informational position seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In the second informational position, the second magnet  51  is beside the ninth magnet  63 , and this pair of magnets mutually releasably attract one another. Also, when the panel  30  is in the second informational position, the fourth magnet  53  is beside the seventh magnet  61 , and the fifth magnet  54  is beside the sixth magnet  60 , so that these respective two pairs of magnets mutually releasably attract one another. In the preferred embodiment of the sign apparatus  10 , accordingly, selected ones of the magnets are used to releasably hold the message panel  30  in position, without regard for whether it is in the first or the second informational position, thereby reducing the total number of relatively expensive magnets employed in the apparatus. 
     And thus is it seen that regardless whether the first informational message or the second informational message is presented facing forward for viewing, three pairs of magnets are in adjacency to maintain the message panel  30  in proper position—regardless whether the message panel  30  is in the first informational position or the second informational position. The apparatus  10  accordingly is configured to provide, with a relatively minimal number of magnets, a secure yet dis-engageable maintenance of the message panel  30  in the selected desired presentational position. When the frame  20  and the message panel  30  are in coplanar registration to present the first informational message to viewers, three pairs of magnets, ( 50 ,  61 ), ( 54 ,  62 ), and ( 52 ,  63 ), hold it in position until an operator desires otherwise. Similarly, when the frame  20  and the message panel  30  are in coplanar registration to present the second informational message to viewers, three pairs of magnets, ( 51 ,  63 ), ( 54 ,  60 ), and ( 53 ,  61 ), hold it in position till an operator desires otherwise. So, the message panel  30  can be temporarily maintained in proper position with either its first side or its second side facing forward, but advantageously using only nine magnets in total. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates that each axle assembly  40 ,  40 ′—one left side axle assembly  40  depicted in  FIG. 6 —preferably is disposed in the horizontal frame panel gap in the frame  20 , between the lower frame panel  22  and the upper frame panel  24 , so to promote a coplanar positional relationship between the frame and the message panel  30  when those two elements are in registration for message presentation. (The axle pins may likewise be recessed or set into a colinear groove or channel defined in the message board  30 .) Each axle assembly  40  and  40 ′ has an axle pin that spans the vertical separation gap between the message panel  30  and the frame  20  to maintain their translational positions relative to each other; the message panel cannot move relative to the frame  20  except in rotary motion. The respective sides of each axle assembly  40 ,  40 ′, on either side of the separation gap between frame and message panels ( 20 ,  30 ), are securely affixed to a corresponding surface of the frame  20  or a surface of the message panel  30 , as by driving rivets or screws through an axle flange into the surface of the flush adjacent surface of the respective element, i.e., panel  30  or frame  20 . Heavy-duty “piano” type hinges can be modified to fabricate suitable axle assemblies. Useful combined reference also can be had to  FIGS. 2 and 4 , showing the configurations of the axle assemblies  40 ,  40 ′ when the message panel  30  is in either of its two informational positions. 
     Despite the magnet pairs reliably holding the message panel  30  in a selected presentational position, it nevertheless is easy to “flip” the message panel to reverse its vertical orientation through 180 degrees to place the other side of the message board in presentation position for viewers. The sign  10  thus is readily reversible, in which the message panel  30  is easily movable back and forth between its first information position and its second informational position. Again, this is readily done without the need to disengage any latches, clips, or hasps, manually either with or without tools. 
     The operator need not be proximally close to the reversible sign  10  to lay hands on it to change the message presented for viewing. The change can be accomplished by simply pushing on the upper and/or lower portion of the message panel  30 , as with a stick or rod, to easily overcome the magnetic attraction between the various pairs of magnets; the message panel is then readily rotated through 180 degrees to place the alternative (first or second) side of the message panel  30  in viewing presentation at the front of the sign  10 . This manipulation and controlled rotation of the message panel  30  can be accomplished without using any tools, except that if the sign is high (e.g., seven to ten feet) above the operator  80 , the simple tool of a short lightweight pole  82  can be employed to switch the message panel  30  between the two positions, as indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
     If desired, two operators can accomplish the reversing switch-over; one operator can apply pressure to the upper portion of one side of the message panel  30  while a second operator may simultaneously apply pressure to the lower portion of the opposite side of the message panel  30 , thereby to rotate the message panel to the desired position. With coordinated effort, two operators can change a sign  10  back and forth between the two possible presentations; two operators are particularly indicated for relatively larger signs, or in the event of the switch-over taking place in high winds. The magnets are selected, however, with attractive strength suited to the size of the sign apparatus. Magnet strengths are selected which permit attractive forces to be readily overcome by users, yet which prevent the message panel  30  from being rotated by, for example, a gust of wind. Once the message panel  30  has been rotated to place the desired side and message forward for viewing, the attraction between those pairs of magnets that have been placed besides one another thereafter hold the message panel in position until a user(s) deliberately rotate it to bring the other, opposite, side/message into view. 
     While this disclosure has taught the use of a two-sided message panel  30 , a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the message panel  30  could be fabricated to have three message sides, i.e., the panel  30  having a triangular cross-section. Such an alternative embodiment would permit the message panel to be selectively rotated through 120 degrees to permit any one of three message sides to be brought into coplanar registration with the front side of the outer frame  20 . 
     Although the invention has been described in detail with particular reference to the preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. While the invention has been described in relation to a preferred embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings, it also is to be recognized that the same is readily susceptible to modification, variation and substitution of equivalents without avoiding the invention. The system and apparatus are not intended to be limited by the foregoing, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents.