Abstract:
A hand-held sign with a handle having a portion forcibly insertable inside structure spacing apart opposite sides of a sign board. The handle may provide positive retaining structure to resist decoupling of the handle and sign board, or may be attached through a friction fit. Preferred handle embodiments provide a plurality of tines which are inserted into channel structure of a sign board. Preferred sign boards display a patriotic graphic on one face, and a suggested ranking, or score, on the opposite face.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filing date of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/272,547, filed Mar. 1, 2001, for “HAND-HELD SIGN”. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates to signs. It is particularly directed to a two-sided, hand-held sign. Certain preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to spectator cheering, and have patriotic and suggested scoring marks on opposite sides of the sign board.  
           [0004]    2. State of the Art  
           [0005]    Signs having a support (e.g. a handle, stick, or post), capable of transporting, displaying, and waving the sign by hand, are well known. Sign boards made from material that is light in weight, and sufficiently rigid to display by attachment of the sign board to a short support (e.g. a stick, or post), are also known. Methods of attaching the sign support to the sign board have been developed, and include adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and various arrangements to secure a sign board sandwiched between two or more supports. A support can even be passed through transversely oriented slots through the sign board effectively to weave a retaining interference between the support and the sign board. Such fastening methods undesirably require a support member to cover at least a portion of at least one face of the sign board. Additionally, fasteners typically require tools for their assembly, and further may interrupt or detract from the graphics carried by the sign.  
           [0006]    An example of a prior art sign support is formed from a length of a board having a rectangular cross-section. A portion of the board can be attached to one face of the sign board by an adhesive, or some other known attachment method. A problem attendant to such a support is that the board will unavoidably obscure at least a portion of one face of the sign board. The obstructive effect can be mitigated, but requires painting the board to match the graphics covered by the attaching portion. Matching the board to the sign graphics can be tiresome, or difficult to accomplish. An adhesive attachment requires a certain amount of time to cure, and may not be a suitable attachment method for assembly of the sign and handle for immediate use in the field. A quick-connecting, tool-free attachment of a handle to a hand-holdable sign, and which does not obscure the graphics on either side of the sign, would be a desirable improvement to hand-held signs.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    The present invention provides an apparatus for a hand-held sign with two opposed display faces. A sign according to the invention includes a sign board having first and second sign faces spaced apart by structure forming internal channels, and a handle having attach structure adapted for insertion into at least one of the internal channels. The attach structure can be a plurality of tines having a thickness sized for forced insertion between the faces of the sign board. Certain embodiments further include a positive retaining structure adapted to resist decoupling of a handle from a sign board assembled thereon.  
           [0008]    Exemplary attach structure includes a plurality of tines, at least one of the tines being arranged in a nonlinear shape along an inserted portion, with the nonlinear shape providing a biased engagement between edges of the tine and internal structure of the sign board. The engagement between a sign and handle can be a friction fit between a tine and structure of a channel. Certain desirable handles are formed from a material having resilience to permit a nonlinear shape in a tine to deflect sufficiently to enable insertion of the tine into a channel, whereby to establish a self-biased, friction interference fit with an interior surface of the channel. Sign boards can also include a plurality of indicia disposed on one of the faces, with the indicia being configured and arranged to indicate a plurality of locations where a tine may be inserted.  
           [0009]    Certain exemplary signs provide a graphic evoking patriotic spirit on one face; and a graphic suggesting a ranking on the opposite face. Other exemplary signs (e.g. for political rallies) provide a graphic evidencing an affiliation (such as a State or party) on one side; and a graphic suggesting an individual on the other side.  
           [0010]    These features, advantages, and alternative aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in combination with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    In the drawings, which illustrate what are currently considered to be the best modes for carrying out the invention:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is an assembled sign including a support handle with tines inserted into a sign board;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a view in perspective of an edge portion of the sign board of FIG. 1 and a plurality of handle tines prior to their insertion into the sign board;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of a handle illustrating keeper structure to retain a sign board thereon;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a third embodiment of a handle, having nonlinear tines;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate positive retaining structure on a tine end. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]    Reference will now be made to the drawings in which the various elements of the invention will be given numerical designations and in which the invention will be discussed so as to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that the following description is only exemplary of the principles of the present invention, and should not be viewed as narrowing the claims which follow.  
         [0018]    The present invention provides an apparatus for a hand-held sign, generally indicated at  10  in FIG. 1. The sign  10  includes a handle  22  for hand-held operation of a sign board  24 . Sign board  24  is characterized by internal structure  25  forming internal channels  26 , as illustrated in FIG. 2. Sign boards  24  may be formed from any suitable material, including without limitation corrugated cardboard and the like. Use of coated papers, or plastic materials, increases a sign&#39;s resistance to damage from moisture, and may improve rigidity of the sign board to resist folding. An exemplary material for a sign board  24  is sold under the trade name “Corex” and is made from fluted polyethylene. Channels  26  may be of any cross-sectional shape, although approximately rectangular is most common. A typical sign board  24  may be printed upon an exterior visible portion of one or both of sign faces  28  and  30 .  
         [0019]    A sign  10  advantageously includes a handle  22  to support the sign board  24  and to facilitate rotating the sign  10  to reveal one face  28  and then the other face  30  for display toward a fixed location. Handles  22  may be made from any material capable of supporting a sign board  24 . It is currently preferred to manufacture handles from one of a variety of plastic materials, although wood and metal are also workable. Handles can be injection molded, stamped, or even water-jet or laser cut from flat stock. Simple, low cost manufacturing methods are workable to form handles.  
         [0020]    A handle  22  is typically affixed to a sign board  24  by inserting a plurality of tines  32  into corresponding channels  26 , as indicated by arrow I. A handle  22  inserted between the faces  28  and  30  advantageously holds the sign for hand manipulation, or waving, without obscuring the sign graphics. One or more indicia  31  may be printed on one or both faces  28  and  30  to assist in assembly of tines  32  into appropriate channels  26 . A handle may have any number of tines  32 , although two or more are currently preferred to provide rotational control of an assembled sign  10 . Tines  32  may be in partial depth engagement, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternative embodiments may have one or more tines  32  in full depth penetration through a sign board  24 . An example of a handle capable of full depth penetration is illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 3, where L 1  is shorter than L 2 .  
         [0021]    It is within contemplation for keeper structure to be incorporated into a handle  22  to prevent undesired detachment of a sign board  24 . One embodiment of keeper structure which may be carried by one or more tines  32  is illustrated generally at  36  in FIG. 3. One or more of prongs  38 , or other structure, may be arranged to collapse and pass through a channel  26 , and then expand to prevent withdrawal of the tine  32  by creating a structural interference with channel structure  25 , or either or both of faces  28  and  30 . A single prong  38  may be provided on an end of a tine  32  to face in a single direction, or may face in both directions, as illustrated.  
         [0022]    Keeper structure  36  may also be adapted to resist withdrawal of a tine  32  without requiring the tine to protrude from the top  40  of a sign  10 . One example of such keeper structure  36  may be arranged to increase the friction fit of a tine  32  in a channel  26 , whereby to resist withdrawal to the tine  32 . A barb type of structure is an example of such keeper structure. Barb structure within contemplation would collapse transversely to a tine axis to enter a channel  26 , but provide a self-bias to press a tip into engagement with divider structure  25 . Friction between the tip and divider  25  would increase the resistance force as a handle  22  is displaced away from a sign board  24 .  
         [0023]    An alternate positive retaining or keeper structure is illustrated in FIG. 5, as a retractable barb  52  carried on a distal end of tine  54 . Barb  52  retracts toward a centerline of tine  52  during insertion of a tine  52  into a sign board  24 , and is self-biased to expand upon protruding through the top of a sign board  24 . Expanded barb  52  then protrudes to create a structural interference fit with web structure  25  at the top edge of a sign board, resisting subsequent removal of a handle  22  from a sign board  24 .  
         [0024]    It is also within contemplation that the tines  32  are maintained in engagement with a sign board  24  simply by way of a friction fit within one or more of channels  26 . One way to create a friction fit between one or more tines  42  and their receiving channels  26  is illustrated in FIG. 4, where tines  42  of handle  43  are nonlinear. The tines  42  are formed with a waviness along their length, which is straightened out as each tine  42  is inserted into reception in a channel  26 . On assembly inside a sign board  24 , the edges of tines  42  are then biased into a friction engagement with partition structure  25 . Of course, in such an embodiment, tines  42  desirably are made from a material having a resilience to provide a bias force generated by the displaced wavy tine portions. In other embodiments having a friction fit, the material forming a sign board  24  may itself supply sufficient bias force to an over-size tine  32 ,  42 , or  46  inserted into engagement in a channel  26 .  
         [0025]    In certain embodiments, tines  42  may be rather long and flexible, so indicia  31  may be helpful to locate correct channels  26  in which to insert a tine end. An end portion  44  of each tine  42  may be substantially straight, as illustrated, to assist in its entry to a channel  26 . Handle  43  also illustrates an optional third tine  46 , which may carry additional positive retaining structure, such as barb structure, or structure to create an additional interference with structure of signboard  24 . Long and flexible tines are best inserted into a sign board  24  by starting the ends  44  into engagement with the correct channels  26 , then grasping the tines  42  near the entrance of channels  26 , and partially rotating, or wiggling, the handle about an axis, vertical to faces  28  and  30 , located near the edge of the sign board  24 . During each partial rotation, alternating tines  42  may preferentially be advanced into the signboard  24  by a short distance.  
         [0026]    While a sign according to the invention may have many uses, it is particularly useful for manipulating a sign  10  having two distinct and different sides  28 ,  30 . One example of such a sign  10  includes a sign having a country&#39;s flag printed on one side  28 , and a numeral or exclamation printed on the opposing side  30 . A spectator may cheer for a contestant by alternately showing the flag side, and for example, an opposing side depicting the number  10  as a suggested score from one or more judges. A second exemplary sign  10  may be used as a political tool. In one circumstance for political use, a sign  10  may carry a State name on one side, and a candidate&#39;s name on the other.  
         [0027]    A sign  10  according to the instant invention may be assembled at the location of the use of the sign without requiring the use of any tools, mechanical fasteners, or adhesives. This assembly feature allows transport of the signs  10  in a reduced volume, and reduces risk of damage to the signs and handles before they are used. Signs  10  according to the instant invention may conveniently be packaged with a detached handle  22  in a clear plastic wrap. Such packaging provides for efficient transportation of signs  10  in a reduced volume, and also provides a convenient sale display. Signs  10  may then be assembled by a consumer subsequent to a sale, or upon arrival at the site of intended use.  
         [0028]    While the invention has been described in particular with reference to certain illustrated embodiments, such is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.