Abstract:
A fabric support arrangement for maintaining a flexible fabric in a straight and aligned manner, from a support structure. The fabric support comprises an elongated housing extrusion having an elongated central chamber therein. An elongated fabric clamp assembly may be folded along an elongated flexible mid-portion thereof, and is receivingly disposed within the elongated central chamber. The fabric clamp is comprised of an first fabric frame and a second fabric frame. A flexible fabric is biasedly secured in a generally sinusoidally shaped path within the fabric clamp assembly between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to an arrangement of elongated fabric-gripping extrusions for supportively hanging a flexible fabric therebetween, from a support structure. 
         [0003]    2. Prior Art 
         [0004]    In the commercial merchandising field, it is often desirable to display a banner which has been fabricated from a flexible fabric. The problem is, that these sheets or banners typically require their ends to be sewn with pockets to accept dowels or other straightening means. Maintaining these banners or sheets in a generally flat configuration, while permitting them to be easily changed from one promotion to another, has not always been easily accomplished. 
         [0005]    It is an object of the present invention, to overcome the disadvantages that are common with the prior art. 
         [0006]    It is still a further object of the present invention, to provide a banner support arrangement for holding the upper and lower edges of a flexible fabric material in a proper and attractive suspended manner. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the present invention, to provide a support and holding arrangement for a flexible fabric material which may accommodate that fabric material in a readily changeable manner. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to a pair of elongated extrusion assemblies which lockingly grab the upper and lower edges of a fabric panel, for support thereof, from an overhead or other suspension or support structure. Each elongated extrusion assembly is the mirror image of its corresponding elongated extrusion assembly arranged parallel thereto. Such an elongated extrusion assembly has an elongated suspension means engagement channel disposed on a first edge thereof, to permit the uppermost elongated extrusion assembly to be suspended by a support means which is attached to a structure, such as for example, an overhead ceiling rail. Each elongated extrusion assembly comprises an elongated, extruded, manipulable fabric clamp assembly which is slidingly received within an elongated central chamber of an elongated outer-house extrusion. The elongated fabric clamp comprises an first fabric-frame which is preferably connectibly attached by a living hinge to a parallel second fabric-frame. The first fabric-frame has a first elongated “L”-shaped, bendable flange adjacent a distal edge thereof. The first fabric-frame has a second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange facing the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange. The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange and the second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange face one another and define an open “receiving” space therebetween. 
         [0009]    The second fabric-frame comprises a first outer flange along a first elongated edge flange thereon, and a second outer flange along a distalmost elongated edge thereon. A first snap finger and a second snap finger, each being elongated, face one another in a V-shaped distalmost configuration thereat, defining between them, in a spaced-apart relationship, a fabric locking channel. A generally rectangularly-shaped fabric or flexible banner or the like, which is desired to be supported between the pair of elongated extrusions on parallel sides thereof, is first set into a first elongated fabric clamp by the first side edge of the fabric being laid against the second fabric-frame wherein an elongated fabric lock-extrusion may be pressed and sandwiched against the fabric and into the fabric locking channel, wherein the first snap finger and the second snap finger biasedly receive the fabric and the elongated fabric lock snapped therewithin. One edge of the fabric is thus laid within the second fabric-frame and against the first outer flange thereof. 
         [0010]    The fabric thus lies in a somewhat sinusoidal pattern against the second fabric frame and over the first snap finger, lying lockingly within the fabric locking channel with the elongated fabric lock pressed thereagainst, and around the second snap finger and into a channel between the second snap finger and the second outer flange. The first fabric frame is then in one preferred embodiment, bent around and pressed against the inner face of the second fabric frame. The bending is taking place along the elongated living hinge between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame. In a further preferred embodiment of the fabric clamp, the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame thereof may also be formed of two separate pieces without any “living hinge” connecting them together, while all other structural aspects thereof remaining as recited. 
         [0011]    The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange of the first fabric-frame are pressed just outside the first snap finger and the second snap finger respectively, the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange bending slightly outwardly and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange bending slightly outwardly so as to yield and subsequently snap against an inner “waist” portion of the first snap finger and the spaced-apart second snap finger. The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange and the second L-shaped elongated bendable flange thus bias the fabric between themselves and their respective adjacent first snap finger and second snap finger. The fabric is also biasedly engaged within the fabric locking-channel with the elongated fabric lock wedged between the spaced apart first snap finger and the second snap finger with their associated V-shaped troughs facing and securably pinching the fabric thereat. 
         [0012]    Each elongated extruded fabric clamp with its fabric therein (at opposite and parallel sides of the fabric) is/are then slid within the elongated central chamber of their respective elongated outer housing extrusions comprising the upper and lower portions of the fabric being suspended from a support structure. 
         [0013]    The elongated outer housing extrusion comprises a first “C”-shaped shell facing in an open manner a corresponding second “C”-shaped shell. Each elongated first and second “C”-shaped shell are connected to one another by an elongated bridge member at a “near”-central portion thereof. Each “C”-shaped shell has a first distalmost edge which between them define and elongated slot through which the suspension means may extend. The bridge connecting the first “C”-shaped shell and second “C”-shaped shell has a pair of parallel hinge alignment flanges extending therefrom, and into the elongated central chamber. Each “C”-shaped shell may have an “L”-shaped elongated fabric clamp side-guide extending from an inner surface thereof and spaced apart from one another. Each “C”-shaped shell has a second “J”-shaped elongated edge which define a gap between one another at the second edge of the elongated housing extrusion. 
         [0014]    The fabric clamp assembly, once formed into a generally “U”-shaped arrangement in its “living hinge” embodiment, thus is bent so as to permit the first fabric-frame and the second fabric-frame to mate respectively with one another, with the fabric pinched therebetween, and permits a portion of the fabric to extend out through the gap between the fabric clamp end-guides at the second edge of each respective elongated outer housing extrusion. 
         [0015]    Thus, with an elongated outer housing extrusion and a fabric clamp arranged along two spaced apart parallel edges of a fabric, such fabric may be supported from a suspended overhead support with the elongated clamps and elongated housings maintaining a weight and proper alignment support for the fabric for a proper display from a structure. 
         [0016]    The invention thus comprises a fabric support arrangement for maintaining a flexible fabric in a straight and aligned manner, from a support structure, comprising: an elongated housing extrusion having an elongated central chamber therein, an elongated fabric clamp assembly, folded in one embodiment thereof, along an elongated mid-portion thereof, and receivingly disposed within the elongated central chamber, the fabric clamp assembly having an first fabric frame and a second fabric frame. In a further embodiment of the fabric clamp assembly, the first fabric frame is separate from the second fabric frame. In either embodiment of the first and second fabric frame members, a flexible fabric is biasedly secured in a generally sinusoidally shaped path of the fabric clamp assembly between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame. The sinusoidal path helps maintain the fabric in place and in proper alignment. The fabric is also releaseably secured into a fabric locking channel in the second fabric frame by an elongated generally cylindrically shaped fabric lock. The elongated fabric lock is pinchably received between a pair of parallel, spaced apart snap fingers, unitarily extruded with the second fabric frame. The first fabric frame has a first “L”-shaped bendable flange and a second “L”-shaped flange thereon which define a first receiving channel between one another. The parallel, spaced apart snap fingers are mateably received in the first receiving channel. The fabric is disposed in a generally sinusoidal pattern between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame. 
         [0017]    The elongated housing extrusion comprises a pair of generally “C”-shaped shells arranged to face one another, connected by a bridging member unitarily disposed therebetween. Each of the “C”-shaped shells preferably has an “L”-shaped side guide extending off of an inner portion thereof, and towards one another. The bridging member preferably has a pair of hinge alignment flanges extending therefrom and into the elongated central chamber. The elongated mid-portion of the fabric clamp assembly preferably comprises a “living hinge”. In another preferred embodiment the second frame and the first frame members of the fabric clamp are separate individual members and are connected only when sandwiched about a piece of fabric. In the “hinged” embodiment, the hinge alignment flanges preferably extend from the bridging member are in sliding contact with the living hinge during assembly, to keep the fabric clamp assembly in alignment in the elongated housing extrusion. The “L”-shaped side guide extending inwardly from each of the “C”-shaped shells help centrally align the fabric clamp in the elongated housing extrusion. The elongated housing extrusion has a first edge having a slot therealong, the bridging member and the first edge of the elongated extrusion housing being preferably comprised of said “C”-shaped shells defining a suspension means engagement channel to enable a suspension means to be slidingly received therein. The elongated housing extrusion has a second edge having a slot therealong, the second edge of the elongated housing extrusion comprised of said “C” shaped shells each having a “J”-shaped elongated fabric clamp guide and defining an elongated second slot therebetween. The second slot disposed between the “J”-shaped elongated fabric clamp guide has the fabric extending therebetween. The fabric support arrangement also comprises a second elongated housing extrusion and a corresponding elongated fabric clamp received therein, wherein each of the elongated housing extrusions are secured to opposite parallel edges of the fabric, an upper one of the housings attached to suspension means and a lower one of the housings functioning as an alignment means for keeping the fabric straight and evenly hanging. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The objects and, advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pair of elongated housing extrusions each with a fabric clamp assembly slidably inserted therewithin, showing a fabric shown stretched therebetween; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational or end view of a fabric clamp assembly in a linear or unbent orientation, with a fabric and an elongated fabric-lock shown spaced apart therefrom prior to its assembly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , with a fabric clamp assembly, unformed yet receiving a fabric within its second fabric frame and locked therein by an elongated fabric-lock; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational or end view of the elongated fabric clamp assembly shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , with the first fabric frame in a mating relationship with the second fabric frame and a fabric shown lockingly disposed therebetween; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational or end view of the elongated outer housing extrusion; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the elongated outer housing extrusion supporting an elongated fabric clamp and associated fabric material locked therewith. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the present invention which comprises a pair of elongated extrusion assemblies  10  and  10 ′ which each respectively lockingly grab the upper and lower edges “U” and “L”, of a fabric panel  12 , for support thereof, from an overhead or other structure, not shown for clarity. Each elongated extrusion assembly  10  and  10 ′ is the mirror image of its corresponding elongated extrusion assembly ( 10 ) arranged parallel thereto, as is represented in  FIG. 1 . Such an elongated extrusion assembly  10  and  10 ′ has an elongated suspension means engagement channel  14  disposed on a first edge  16  thereof, to permit the (uppermost) elongated extrusion assembly  10  to be suspended by a support means  18  which is attachable to a structure, such as for example, an overhead ceiling rail. Each elongated extrusion assembly  10  and  10 ′ comprises an elongated, extruded, manipulable fabric clamp assembly  20  which is slidingly received within an elongated central chamber  22  of an elongated outer-house extrusion  24 . 
         [0026]    The elongated fabric clamp assembly  20 , best represented in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , comprises an first fabric-frame  26  connectibly attached by a living hinge  28  to a parallel second fabric-frame  30 . The first fabric-frame  26  has a first elongated “L”-shaped, bendable flange  32  adjacent a distal edge thereof. The first fabric-frame  26  has a second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange  34  facing the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange  32 . The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange  32  and the second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange  34  face one another and define an open, elongated first “receiving ” space or channel  36  therebetween. 
         [0027]    The second fabric-frame  30  comprises a first outer flange  38  along a first elongated edge  40  thereon, and a second outer flange  42  along a distalmost elongated edge  44  thereon. A first snap finger  46  and a second snap finger  48 , each being elongated, face one another with a V-shaped distalmost configuration  50  thereat, defining between them, in a spaced-apart relationship, a fabric locking channel  52 , as best represented in  FIG. 2 . The generally rectangularly-shaped fabric or flexible banner or the like  12 , which is desired to be supported between the pair of elongated housing extrusions  10  and  10 ′ on parallel sides thereof, is first set into the first elongated fabric clamp assembly  20  by the first side edge (“U”) of the fabric  12  being laid against the second fabric-frame  30  wherein an elongated fabric lock-extrusion  54 , preferably having a fabric engaging textured outer surface  56  may be pressed and sandwiched against the fabric  12  and into the fabric locking channel  52 , wherein the first snap finger  46  and the second snap finger  48  biasedly receive the fabric  12  and the elongated fabric lock  54  snapped therewithin, as represented in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  6 . One edge (“U”) of the fabric  12  is thus laid within the second fabric-frame  30  and against the first outer flange  38  thereof, as is represented best in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0028]    The fabric  12  thus lies in a somewhat sinusoidal pattern against the second fabric frame  30  and over the first snap finger  46 , lying lockingly within the fabric locking channel  52  with the elongated fabric lock  54  pressed thereagainst, and around the second snap finger  48  and into a channel  60  between the second snap finger  48  and the second outer flange  42 . 
         [0029]    The first fabric frame  26  is then bent around, as represented by arrow “A” in  FIG. 3 , and pressed against the inner face of the second fabric frame  30 , as is represented in  FIG. 4 . The bending is thus taking place along the elongated living hinge  28  between the first fabric frame  26  and the second fabric frame  30 . The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange  32  and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange  34  of the first fabric-frame  26  are pressed just outside the first snap finger  46  and the second snap finger  48  respectively, as represented in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange  32  bending slightly outwardly and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange  34  bending slightly outwardly (apart) so as to yield and subsequently snap against an inner “waist” portion  70  of the first snap finger  46  and the spaced-apart second snap finger  48 . 
         [0030]    The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange  32  and the second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange  34  thus bias the fabric  12  between themselves and their respective adjacent first snap finger  46  and the second snap finger  48 . The fabric  12  is also biasedly engaged within the fabric locking-channel  52  with the elongated fabric lock  54  wedged between the spaced apart first snap finger  46  and the second snap finger  48  with their associated V-shaped troughs  50  facing and securably pinching the fabric  12  thereat. 
         [0031]    Each elongated extruded fabric clamp  20  and  20 ′ with its fabric  12  therein (at opposite and parallel sides of the fabric), as represented in  FIG. 1 , is/are then slid within the elongated central chamber  22  of their respective elongated outer housing extrusions  24  and  24 ′ comprising the upper and lower portions of the fabric being supportable from a support structure. 
         [0032]    The elongated outer housing extrusion  24  (and  24 ′) comprises a first “C”-shaped shell  72  facing in an open manner a corresponding second “C”-shaped shell.  74 , as represented in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Each elongated first and second “C”-shaped shell  72  and  74  are connected to one another by an elongated bridge member  76  at a “near”-central portion thereof. Each “C”-shaped shell  72  and  74  has its first distalmost edge  16  which between them define and elongated slot  78  through which the suspension means  18  may extend. The bridge  76  connecting the first “C”-shaped shell  72  and second “C”-shaped shell  74  has a pair of parallel hinge alignment flanges  80  extending therefrom, and into the elongated central chamber  22 . Each “C”-shaped shell  72  and  74  has an “L”-shaped elongated fabric clamp side-guide  82  and  84  extending from an inner surface thereof and spaced apart from one another, as represented in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0033]    Each “C”-shaped shell  72  and  74  has a second “J”-shaped elongated edge  86  which define a gap  88  between one another at a second edge  90  of the elongated housing extrusion  24  (or  24 ′). 
         [0034]    The fabric clamp assembly  20 , once formed into a generally “U”-shaped arrangement with its living hinge  28  bent so as to permit the first fabric “guide” or frame  26  and the second fabric “guide” or frame  30  to mate respectively with one another, with the fabric  12  pinchably secured therebetween, permits a portion of the fabric  12  to extend out through the gap  88  between the fabric clamp guards  26  and  30  at the second edge  90  of each respective elongated outer housing extrusion  24  (and  24 ′). 
         [0035]    Thus, with an elongated outer housing extrusion  24  and  24 ′ and a fabric clamp assembly  20  arranged along two spaced apart parallel edges “U” and “L” of a fabric  12 , such fabric  12  may be supported by connective support means  18  from a support structure (not shown) with the elongated clamps  20  and elongated housings  24  and  24 ′ thus maintaining a weight and proper alignment support for the fabric  12  for a proper display from a support structure.