Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Signs – Person carried
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-07-31
Davis, Cassandra H. (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Signs
Person carried
C040S547000, C116S06300T, C340S908000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266903
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to portable signs. In particular, the invention involves a portable sign for directing motor vehicle traffic. The sign has enhanced visibility, is easy to hold for extended periods of time, and is less affected by wind compared to previous hand-held signs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many road-side situations require signs to convey information to motorists. For example, road workers hold signs to direct traffic that is approaching a work area. Portable road signs are also used to warn motorists of accidents down the road. Road signs may be used to indicate detours, as well as road obstacles or weather conditions, for example, mudslides and ice.
Sometimes it is necessary for a person to hold a sign for an extended period of time which may cause the person to become fatigued due in part to the weight and instability of a relatively heavy sign, particularly in gusty weather conditions. Moreover, holding road signs on or near a road is inherently dangerous because the person holding the sign is exposed, and relies on motor vehicle operators to view and respond appropriately to the sign. It is highly desirable that road signs be visible from a long distance because motorists, for example, on highways, may travel at high speeds until the road sign catches the driver's attention. Until that point, the driver may be proceeding at a speed of 65 mph or faster. By the time the motorist spots the sign, there may not be enough time to stop safely.
Many hand-held road signs are not visible enough, particularly when the signs are being used in reduced daylight or when bad weather adversely effects visibility of the sign. In order to enhance visibility some signs include lights. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,755,051 and 5,023,607 describe signs that include lights disposed in or around the sign expanse. However, the signs shown in these patents require power supplies that either add substantial weight to the upper portion of the sign or are connected asymmetrically to the sign, thereby making the sign significantly harder to hold over long periods.
Another problem with hand-held signs is that the sign expanse must be relatively large so that it can be viewed from a distance. However, the larger the expanse the more affected it is by wind. Intermittent wind or gusts may make the sign harder to hold steady, which in turn may cause the sign to be harder to see, and more tiresome to hold for long periods.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hand-held sign that is highly visible to an approaching motorist.
Another object of the invention is to design a road sign that is lightweight and easy to hold for hours at a time.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a hand-held sign that is minimally effected by wind gusts without substantially sacrificing visibility of the sign expanse.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above objects are achieved with a portable hand-held sign that utilizes a flexible sign expanse. A message is displayed on at least one side of the sign expanse. The sign expanse has at least one flap, preferably numerous flaps, for permitting wind to pass through the sign expanse. The sign expanse is detachably connected to a rigid frame so that the message on the sign expanse is clearly displayed. A pole structure has a top portion and a bottom portion. The frame is connected to the top portion of the pole structure. A light is located adjacent the sign expanse for improving visibility of the sign. Reflectors may be used to focus and direct light toward the motorist. A battery compartment is positioned remotely from the upper portion of the pole structure, preferably near the bottom of the pole. The battery compartment is equipped with contacts that are electrically connected to the light.
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patent: 5023607 (1991-06-01), Staten
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patent: 5103581 (1992-04-01), Novak
patent: 5276424 (1994-01-01), Hegemann
patent: 5440464 (1995-08-01), Nowlin et al.
patent: 5694110 (1997-12-01), Clifford
patent: 5755051 (1998-05-01), Zumbuhl
Davis Cassandra H.
Flaggin, Inc.
Kolisch Hartwell Dickinson & McCormack & Heuser
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