Low Profile Sign Assembly with Tamper-Resistant Indicia Plates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing architectural signs are often bulky and lack proper alignment, making them visually unappealing and vulnerable to tampering, as they rely on mechanical or magnetic securing methods that fail to ensure secure and aesthetically pleasing display of interchangeable information.

Innovation Solution

A low-profile sign assembly with a chassis and indicia display system featuring alignment guides and locking pins to ensure secure, tamper-resistant, and visually appealing display of customizable information, where indicia plates are aligned using mating members and alignment guides, and a locking pin secures the assembly to prevent accidental or intentional tampering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional mechanical or magnetic securing methods are used for interchangeable indicia plates, then the sign assembly allows easy interchangeability of information displays, but the profile becomes large and obtrusive, and visual appeal is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterchangeability of indicia platesVSAvoidprofile size and visual appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The sign assembly is divided into separate components: a chassis with receptacles and alignment guides, and interchangeable indicia plates with mating members. This segmentation allows the plates to be easily removed and replaced while maintaining a sleek, low-profile design when plates are installed, as each component is optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a bulky integrated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mating members (flanges and locking tabs) are nested within recesses in the chassis members, creating a compact assembly. The indicia plates fit into the chassis like nested components, allowing secure attachment without adding excessive external dimensions, thus maintaining a low profile while enabling interchangeability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If prior art sign systems are used without proper alignment mechanisms, then the assembly process is simpler, but the indicia plates fail to align properly, negatively impacting overall appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidindicia plate alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment guides are pre-installed within the chassis members before the indicia plates are attached. These guides establish predetermined alignment positions, so when the mating members are engaged, the indicia plates automatically align correctly without requiring complex adjustment procedures during assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment guides act as intermediary elements between the chassis and the indicia plates. They mediate the alignment process by providing physical surfaces that guide the mating members into correct positions, ensuring precise alignment while keeping the overall assembly process relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If conventional sign systems are used without tamper resistance features, then the assembly and disassembly process is easier, but the sign becomes vulnerable to accidental or intentional tampering and unauthorized rearrangement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly and disassembly easeVSAvoidtamper resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism uses simple geometric shapes (locking tabs and corresponding recesses) that can be easily manufactured and replicated. This allows the tamper-resistant feature to be implemented without complex machinery, maintaining ease of manufacture while providing security against tampering and unauthorized rearrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9633583B2Low profile, self-aligning customizable sign and method of displaying customizable information

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 APCO GRAPHICS INC

AI summary

A sign assembly have a chassis assembly for supporting indicia plates and for providing proper horizontal alignment of the indicia plates. The chassis assembly includes two chassis members having a medial receptacle for receipt of a support panel and a receptacle for receipt of alignment members. The indicia plates include mating members on distal edges for cooperating with the chassis member alignment members. The mating members and alignment members have cooperating surface configurations to facilitate proper indicia plate horizontal alignment. A tamper resistant assembly prevents unintentional removal of the indicia plates from the chassis assembly.