US2078221A - Display sign and method of construction - Google Patents

Description

April 27, 1937. J. c. ADAMS 2,078,221

DISPLAY SIGN AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Filed June 10, 1936 INVENTOR. JUL/HIV CHARLES ADflMS RNEY.

Patented Apr. 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFli-ZJE.

DISPLAY SIGN AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION 4 Claims.

This invention relates to signs and more particularly to display signs and method of constructing same.

Heretofore, it has been the practice to make small signs, particularly for outdoor use, of a sheet of metal provided with a wooden frame positioned about the edges of the reverse side. Signs constructed in the old manner rapidly deteriorate under the influence of the weather and are often stolen and the wooden frames used for fire wood.

One of the objects of the present invention is to obviate the difliculties encountered in the use of signs constructed in accordance with the old practices.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision of a display sign which has reinforced marginal edges formed integrally with the body portion of the sign. This construction permits a sign to be fashioned wholly from a single piece of sheet metal and precludes any possibility of deterioration of the sign due to loosening of the parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a display sign in which the marginal edges are inturned to form a frame and to provide a protective shield to the legible portions of the sign as well as improve the appearance of the sign by providing it with perspective.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a sign which may be easily assembled, economically manufactured and one which may be readily fastened to the interior or exterior of buildings, orto posts, trees or other objects.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a method of making signs whereby the advertising or display elements may be readily and economically affixed to the face of the sign. The method contemplates applying said elements to the flat sheet of metal before it is formed with marginal reinforcements, thereby effecting a considerable saving in time and labor since the display matter may be much more expeditiously applied to a fiat sheet than to a sign of the usual form.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

The invention resides in the improved construction of the sign and in the method of making the same, and in the combination and arrangement of parts, the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed hereinafter.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is fully and clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which constitutes a part of my disclosure, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sheet of metal surface painted and having the display elements applied thereto in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrates another step in the construction of my display sign.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the completed sign.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 44 of Fig. 3.

Referring now with more particularity to the drawing it will be seen that I have shown in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, the principal steps in the formation of my new sign. The sign is preferably formed from a rectangular piece of sheet metal I ll. Before the display elements H are applied, I first paint the surface of the sheet of metal with a coat of light colored paint as at l2. Along the marginal edges of the sheet of metal I0, I leave elongated trapezoidal sections l3 unpainted, in order to overcome the tendency of the paint to crack when the edges are rolled as hereinafter described. After the surface of the sheet I is painted as aforesaid the lettering and display subject matter is applied preferably by printing, stenciling or screening. This step of the construction program is facilitated by reason of the fact that the operator is still working on a fiat sheet of material and is not hampered by a frame or other elements which would tend to introduce bulk or added thickness. It is possible, therefore, to utilize printing or other duplieating machines in this operation to increase the production of signs.

It is obvious that the procedure referred to above for painting the sign and applying the display matter thereto can be readily and cheaply accomplished due largely to the fact that the flat sheet of metal is particularly adapted to facilitate such work.

In Figure 2, I illustrate the next step in the construction of the sign wherein the four corners of the metal ID are cut or sheared off as at IS. The four shortened marginal edges are then rolled inwardly, as clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, to form a reinforcing frame It. It will be noted that the unpainted trapezoidal portions I3 (Figs. 1 and 2) are completely covered from view; and the function of the cut off corners l5' (Fig. 2) is now obvious. t will be understood, of course, that the section shown in Fig. 4 is merely one possible form which the frame 16 may take, other configurations being equally practical. In this instance the rolled over edge comprises a crimped portion 11 and a substantially circular portion I8.

I prefer to paint the rear surface of the sheet of metal II! at least along the edges thereof an amount sufiicient to present a painted frame when said edges are rolled over as hereinabove described.

From the foregoing description it is apparent that I have devised a display sign which is simpie and cheap to manufacture. Furthermore, the

rolled marginal edges IE not only give the sign the necessary stiifness and strength but give it perspective and add to its appearance. My sign is particularly Well adapted to replace ordinary small signs used outdoors because of its inherent strength and lasting qualities, but it is also applicable for many other uses.

Although I have herein disclosed a certain embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be employed, without Violating the spirit of the invention, all of which are intended to be Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A display sign comprising a sheet of bendable material, the central portion of said sheet being arranged to carry intelligible subject matter, the edges of said sheet being first bent and then rolled to form a frame about the intelligible subject matter.

2. A display sign comprising a sheet of bendable material, the central portion of said sheet being arranged to carry a display advertisement, the edges of said sheet being first angularly disposed With reference to the surface bearing the display and then rolled so that said angles are enclosed within the rolls.

3. A display sign comprising a sheet of bendable material having its corners severed, the central portion of said sheet being arranged to carry a display advertisement, the edges of said sheet being first angularly disposed with reference to the surface bearing the display and then rolled so that said angles are enclosed within the rolls.

4. The method of constructing a display sign which consists of providing a sheet of metal with its corners severed, impressing intelligible subject matter upon one side of said sheet, and then rolling the marginal edges of said sheet toward that side of the sheet bearing the intelligible subject matter.

JULIAN CHAS. ADAMS.

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