US3538633A - Expressway sign - Google Patents

Description

United States Patent 3,538,633 EXPRESSWAY SIGN Frederick H. Elliott, Jr., 63 Maplewood Drive, East Greenwich, RI. 02818 Filed Apr. 15, 1968, Ser. No. 721,337 Int. Cl. G09f 11/18 U.S. Cl. 40-129 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A portable sign including a housing having windows formed therein through which messages are visible, the messages Ibeing imprinted on movable tapes located within the housing, illumination means that are located in the housing being provided for illuminating the messages as they appear on the tapes.

The present invention relates to improvements in signs and more particularly to an improved sign for use on expressways.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved sign for use on expressways to promote safety wherein the sign is portable and has a series of messages from which a single message can 'be positioned for exposure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sign for use on expressways wherein an extensive choice of messages is available for use according to need and wherein the sign is portable, Weatherproof and self contained.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an improved expressway sign which is compact, simple to transport and use and inexpensive in construction.

Various other objects and advantages will becomes apparent from the detailed description to follow.

The expressway sign consists of a portable, weatherproof housing containing a set of tapes carried on rollers, wherein the tapes carry multiple emergency messages for selective exposure, with illumination means for the messages.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my improved expressway sign;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view thereof with the front panel removed to expose the interior components;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane of line 44 in FIG. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals apply to like parts throughout, it will be seen that I have provided an improved expressway sign which includes a housing 12, support means 14, tape means 16, and illumination means 18.

The housing can be formed in a variety of constructions and materials. For example, the housing can be formed of sheet metal having a front panel 28, side panels 22, 24, bottom panel 26 and top panels 28, 30 all suitably joined in weathertight relation, as will readily be understood. Welded seams or weather-stripping at the joints are examples.

The front panel is formed with at least one window 32 and preferably three as shown. Transparent or translucent 3,538,633 Patented Nov. 10, 1970 plastic 34 can seal the openings while providing visibility. The plastic pieces 34 can be secured in position in any desired fashion.

The side panel 24 has an access door 36 removably secured by screws 38 for a purpose to be described.

The support means 14 includes any suitable wheel arrangement such as the pair of wheels 40 journalled on shaft 42 which in turn is resiliently carried on spring bar 44, the latter being secured to bottom panel 26 by bolts or the like.

The tape means 16 includes at least one and preferably three tapes 46, one for each window. The tapes are formed of suitable material such as plastic or metal and have multiple messages carried thereby. For example the tape can be transparent tape with the message printed thereon as at 47 or cut-out or it could be thin metal with the message punched-out. The tapes are rolled on rollers 48, 50 which are journalled on shafts 52, 54 supported in the top and bottom panels 28 and 26. The rollers at each end have one of their flanges formed with gear teeth as at 56, 58 for cooperation with the worm on each shaft 60. The latter are journalled in bearings as at 62 so as to extend outwardly of the casing. Also the shafts 60 have at their free outer ends a rectangular cross-section so as to be adapted to receive a suitably formed crank thereon, as at 64, whereby the shafts 60 can be rotated to rotate the cooperative roller and thus wind the tape in either direction to expose a selected message.

The illuminating means 18 includes a series of lights 66 mounted on board 68 within the housing and behind translucent panel 70 which in turn is 'behind the tapes. Thus, the lights 66 serve to illuminate the selected message shown through the front panel windows. A battery 72 is connected to the lamps and an exterior switch 74 serves to control lighting.

The battery can be replaced through access door 36.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the instant design of expressway sign can be towed to a selected site and placed in a suitable position. Then the rollers can be cranked until the selected emergency message is exposed and the sign is illuminated as by red or amber lights. Flashing lights may also be used if desired.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved expressway sign suitable for emergency use where needed.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are therefore intended to be embraced by these claims.

I claim:

1. A portable sign for use on roadways, comprising a housing including a front panel in which at least one window is formed, an elongated tape mounted for movement in said housing in close proximity to said window and having a series of messages imprinted thereon that are selectively aligned with said window, spaced rollers mounted for rotating movement in saidhousing and receiving said tape therearound, wherein rotation of said rollers provides for selection of a message on said tape for viewing through said window, the axes of said rollers being disposed in 5 ticular device, those parts of the picture which are to be painted with the same or similar colors to be painted different shades of the chosen color to enhance the illusion of movement and depth to the viewer when viewed through said lens sheet.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 2,832,593 4/1958 Anderson 40-137 X 2,954,615 10/1960 Brown 35-26 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner 5 R. CARTER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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