US3593448A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internally lighted, overhead, traffic sign for streets and highways
Assignee: NU ART LIGHTING AND Mfg CO
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Filing: 1969-07-22
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An internally lighted, overhead sign for streets and highways that is so constructed as to be quickly legible to passing traffic and easily maintained. A housing framework made up of extruded aluminum components receives and hinges sign panels that can be swung open and closed for quick and easy maintenance. The framework includes extruded clamping strips for normally holding the sign panels tightly closed, sealing strips, and drip guards overhanging the sign panels for protection from precipitation. Reflectors for directing light to opposite panel sides converge along the vertical axis of the sign in alignment with longitudinal axes of lighting elements. Hangers provide for controlled swinging movement of the sign to accommodate wind currents.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert R Schoepf
- 👤 John L Babcock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0472; G09F13/0481; F; F21; F21W; F21W2111/00; F21W2111/02; G09F13/0454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An internally lighted, overhead, traffic sign for streets and highways, said sign having a housing that is elongate along the horizontal axis and convergent from top to bottom along the vertiCal axis and provided internally with reflectors that converge toward one another to respective apices aligned on said vertical axis, with provision for mounting lamps between confronting apices of said reflectors, said housing comprising a structural framework made up of longitudinal, top and bottom wall extrusions; longitudinal, upper and lower sign-framing extrusions; and opposite end plates formed to receive and support the longitudinal extrusions; and sign panels mounted in and between said sign-framing extrusions and said end plates at opposite longitudinal faces of said framework.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
An internally lighted, overhead, traffic sign for streets and highways, said sign having a housing that is elongate along the horizontal axis and convergent from top to bottom along the vertiCal axis and provided internally with reflectors that converge toward one another to respective apices aligned on said vertical axis, with provision for mounting lamps between confronting apices of said reflectors, said housing comprising a structural framework made up of longitudinal, top and bottom wall extrusions; longitudinal, upper and lower sign-framing extrusions; and opposite end plates formed to receive and support the longitudinal extrusions; and sign panels mounted in and between said sign-framing extrusions and said end plates at opposite longitudinal faces of said framework.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 1, wherein top wall extrusion is formed with longitudinally extending drip guards along respective opposite sides thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top wall extrusion is formed with inturned and longitudinally extending flanges along respective opposite sides thereof defining respective pockets for receiving, at their opposite ends, supporting projections from the end plates, respectively, said end plates being formed with inwardly extending projections configurated to fit snugly within said pockets.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 3, wherein the flanges each comprise an outwardly concave strip portion and a strip portion extending inwardly of the housing therefrom, said concave strip portion being curved in transverse cross section on a radius; and wherein there is additionally provided at and along each side of the top wall extrusion an upwardly concave flange strip extending from and along the junction of the first-named flange strips as a hinge element for receiving in and along its concavity a hinge pintle member of the corresponding upper sign-framing extrusion, the upper sign-framing extrusions of the structural framework including respective hinge pintle members adapted to fit into and pivot on said upwardly concave flange strips, respectively.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 4, wherein there is additionally provided at and along the junction of the first-named flange strips and the upwardly concave strip a dependent flange strip for weather-sealing cooperation with the corresponding upper sign-framing extrusion; and wherein weather-sealing means is interposed between said dependent flange strip and said upper sign-framing extrusion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 5, wherein the inside faces of the end plates are formed with upper and lower projections for receiving the ends of the upper wall extrusion and the lower wall extrusion, respectively, and with lateral projections as abutments for the sign panels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 5, wherein the inner faces of the dependent flange strips are provided with respective longitudinal grooves for receiving respective lateral edges of an upper, downwardly convergent reflector internally of the housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 1, wherein the bottom wall extrusion is provided with upwardly directed flanges and inturned flanges extending longitudinally along opposite sides thereof, respectively, to define longitudinally extending pockets for the reception of sign panel-clamping means; sign panel-clamping strips are provided along the outer faces of said pockets; and clamping means are provided through said clamping strips and the upwardly directed flanges for tightly clamping the sign panels in position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 8, wherein upstanding flange strips for weather-sealing cooperation with the lower sign-framing extrusions, respectively, are provided adjacent to the inner ends of the inturned flanges, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 9, wherein the upstanding flange strips are provided with respective longitudinal grooves for receiving respective lateral edges of a lower, upwardly convergent reflector internally of the housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
87 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top wall extrusion of the hoUsing includes, at each of its opposite ends, a pair of mutually spaced, confronting structural angle members extending longitudinally and superficially of such top wall extrusion to provide an open-ended retainer for a mounting bar, and a mounting bar within said retainer; and wherein there is a suspension hanger at each of the opposite ends of the housing secured to the corresponding mounting bar for suspending the sign from a supporting arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
A traffic sign in accordance with claim 11, wherein each of the suspension hangers comprises a mounting block secured to the mounting bar and having an upstanding bearing; a hanger bracket having means at its upper end for attachment to a supporting arm and a bearing at its lower end; and a pivot pin on which said bearings are journaled in common.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |