SHARP ANGLE NOTCHING MARKS

1 . A method of making a plurality of notching marks on flanges of a rule to enable bending of the rule, the method comprising:

punching the plurality of notching marks on the flanges of the rule to enable shaping of the rule into a channel letter; and

tapering the flanges positioned around sharp notching angles made on the channel letter.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sharp notching angles include notching angles between 140 degrees and 180 degrees.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tapering includes

punching out portions of at least two of the flanges positioned around the sharp notching angles made on the channel letter so that the at least two of the flanges do not contact, overlap, or interfere with each other.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of notching marks is made using a notching device including a plurality of notching punches.

5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the punching includes

punching flat notching marks to enable the rule to be bent into the sharp notching angle.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising

connecting ends of the rule to make the channel letter.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the connecting ends of the rule comprises

punching a flat notching mark on a flange of one of the ends of the rule.

8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising

connecting the flanges of the ends of the rule, while overlapping one end of the rule over the other end of the rule.

9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising

riveting the overlapped ends of the rule.

10 . An apparatus for making a plurality of notching marks on flanges of a rule to enable bending of the rule, the apparatus comprising:

means for punching the plurality of notching marks on the flanges of the rule to enable shaping of the rule into a channel letter; and

means for tapering the flanges positioned around sharp notching angles made on the channel letter.

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the sharp notching angles include notching angles between 140 degrees and 180 degrees.

12 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the means for tapering includes

means for punching out portions of at least two of the flanges positioned around the sharp notching angles made on the channel letter so that the at least two of the flanges do not contact, overlap, or interfere with each other.

13 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of notching marks is made using a notching device including a plurality of notching punches.

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the means for punching includes

means for punching flat notching marks to enable the rule to be bent into the sharp notching angle.

15 . The apparatus of claim 10 , further comprising

means for connecting ends of the rule to make the channel letter.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the connecting ends of the rule comprises

means for punching a flat notching mark on a flange of one of the ends of the rule.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , further comprising:

means for connecting the flanges of the ends of the rule; and

means for overlapping one end of the rule over the other end of the rule.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , further comprising

means for riveting the overlapped ends of the rule.

19 . A device configured to make a plurality of notching marks on flanges of a rule to enable bending of the rule, the device comprising:

a punching device configured to punch the plurality of notching marks on the flanges of the rule to enable shaping of the rule into a channel letter; and

a tapering device configured to taper the flanges positioned around sharp notching angles made on the channel letter.