Abstract:
A display system for particular use on vehicle sides. The system includes an aluminum frame affixed to the vehicle, with non-elastic and elastic element interposed between an indicia display sheet or banner of vinyl canvas and the frame. The banner is kept in drum tight condition at all times. The system also includes installing tools and readily removable elements for facilitated quick change of display.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to message display systems, both stationary displays and moving displays on vehicles such as billboards and banners and in particular the present invention relates to easily changeable banner display systems for truck side panels.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The space on vehicle exteriors provides an ideal surface for the display of indicia on a sheet such as of the form of billboards and banners with advertisements, sponsorship, political statements and messages of all types. Many trucks, buses, and other vehicles are adorned with such displays. These displays, are most often advertisement messages, and are usually simply decals pasted on the sides of trucks. This makes their removal and change of display difficult. Pasting one display on top of another is both messy and unstable since a display surface itself is not a good supporting base and base advertisement removal is tedious and time consuming. Alternatively, ridged cardboard posters are fitted to slide into a U-channel track affixed to the side of truck panels. While this makes placement, removal and changes easier it is at the cost of deteriorated appearance, particularly wrinkling and bulging resulting from winds generated by vehicle movement. Additionally, a controllable maximum size of about three feet in height limits the optimal display appearance. Painted on or decal messages are generally intended to be permanent, of a type such as indicia of vehicle ownership.  
         [0003]     To obviate display degradation, some cardboard or canvas truck displays have been removably fastened along a side U-channel panel surface by means of spring retaining elements. However, the springs used with such displays tend to fatigue under constant movement vibration, with resultant loss of tension and, inevitably, the degradation of appearance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a system for both stationary and moveable sheet displays such as billboards and banners and particularly a vehicle display system which is and remains stable and aesthetic, i.e., drum tight, even under motion and vibration stress.  
         [0005]     It is a further object to provide a display system which allows for facilitated changes of display indicia sheets while being adaptable for various configurations and surfaces upon which a display is seated.  
         [0006]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an aesthetic frame element for framing a banner display.  
         [0007]     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the following discussion and drawings in which: 
     
    
     SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a side of a truck having the display system of the present invention affixed thereon;  
         [0009]      FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b  are isometric end views of a portion of the frame section of  FIG. 1 , shown in the cover-open position, without and with the connector elements positioned thereon (and attached to a bead edge portion of the display indicia), respectively;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2   c  is an end view of a mitred frame section showing a bull-nose hinge;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a view of the frame section of  FIG. 2   b  in the cover closed position;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a view of a second embodiment of the frame section of  FIG. 2   a , adapted for stationary displays, without a cover element;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a slotted non-elastic connector element which is connected to and positioned between the indicia display and an elastic or bungee band element(the term “bungee”, as used herein, is an elastic which snaps back to an original shape and dimension, when stress is relieved);  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the elastic bungee band element;  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the slotted non-elastic connector element positioned between the elastic bungee band element and the frame section;  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the assembled elastic connecter member;  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a second embodiment of the slotted non-elastic connector element between the indicia and an elastic bungee cord element;  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a view of the elastic or bungee cord element;  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the non-elastic connector element positioned between the bungee cord element and the frame section;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11   a  is an isometric view of the assembled elastic connector member with the elements of  FIGS. 9-11 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of a clip used to retain the frame cover of  FIG. 4  in a frame closed position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 13   a  is a view of a “quarter turn” fastener used to retain the cover element of  FIG. 3  in place, together with an elongated tensioning spring showing the interlocking elements;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13   b  is a view of the spring of  FIG. 13   a  riveted to the rear of the frame;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13   c  is a view of the quarter turn fastener positioned for locking placement and engagement with the spring of  FIG. 13   b;    
         [0025]      FIG. 14   a  is an isometric view of a ratcheting spreading tool used to spread the elastic bungee band (or cord), to facilitate placement of the connecter on the frame;  
         [0026]      FIG. 14   b  is a view of the spreading tool shown in  FIG. 14   a  as deployed in spreading the elastic bungee band;  
         [0027]      FIG. 15  is a view of a connector element being placed and positioned in a channel of the frame member;  
         [0028]      FIG. 16  is an view of a safety band and connector elements used to back up the bungee band connection; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 17  is a view of the elastic band member being positioned on a banner display. 
     
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]     Generally the present invention comprises a system for tensioned display of indicia such as artwork and advertising, on a stationary base including billboards and on a moving vehicle base and in particular the side or rear panels of a truck.  
         [0031]     The system comprises a frame element which is removably or preferably permanently affixed to the stationary base or moving vehicle base by a stud, bolt or other suitable fastener. The fasteners are preferably affixed to the supporting studs of the truck walls which support the sheet metal siding of the truck walls.  
         [0032]     As affixed to the supporting base, the frame element comprises means for releasable connection with tensioned elastic connection means. The tensioned elastic connection means provides a tensioned interface between the indicia and the frame element, thereby maintaining the indicia in an aesthetic fully stretched condition.  
         [0033]     In a preferred embodiment, the elastic connection means comprises an elastic element of a strength sufficient to resist continued elongation and loss of tension. In a further preferred embodiment the elastic connection means comprises a first non-elastic member having means for removable engagement with the indicia and one side of the elastic element and a second non-elastic member having means for removable engagement with the frame element and another side of the elastic element whereby an overall elastic engagement is effected between the indicia and the frame element. Removable engagement between the elastic element and the non-elastic members is preferred though not required. The elastic element contracts and expands to maintain the indicia in a fully stretched position at all times even when the vehicle is in normal high speed motion.  
         [0034]     A stationary base for the indicia generally requires only two opposing framing elements (top and bottom or right and left) whereas a moving vehicle base requires framing elements on the two sets of opposing sides, i.e. all four sides, as necessitated by moving wind currents.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0035]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention and particularly for use with moving vehicles such as trucks, the frame element is comprised of heavy duty profiled aluminum with mitered ends. Alternatively, preformed mitered ends and straight lengths may be used with either or both, cut to requisite size, or straight lengths are both mitered and straight cut as needed. The aluminum is light weight and resists corrosion and the mitered ends (when butted) provide an aesthetic frame appearance. The elastic connection means preferably comprises three elements:  
         [0036]     1) a first non-elastic element having means for engagement with the indicia display (such as with a bead formed at the edge of the indicia by enclosing a plastic rod within a plastic or fabric material which is bonded to the edge of the indicia). The engagement means of the non-elastic element preferably comprises two short (about 3-4″ long) slotted tubes which are formed or bonded together, with the slots being positioned along a single vertical plane (with the tubes vertically aligned). One or either of the slotted tubes permits lateral insertion of the display indicia bead therein while the indicia (usually of vinyl canvas) slides through the slot of that tube. The indicia bead itself is discontinuous, with sufficient space for insertion of one or more slotted tubes thereon and sliding movement of the tube to a requisite position on the bead;  
         [0037]     2) a second non-elastic element, comprising means adapted for attachment to the frame element, preferably comprising a rod member adapted to fit within a co-fitting elongated channel enclosure section of the frame member (the channel enclosure section has at least one “raceway” or open area to accommodate insertion of the rod member and movement thereafter to a requisite position). The rod member is integrated with a slotted tube with the slot being in the same plane as the rod; and  
         [0038]     3) an elastic band element comprised of a stiff rubber or elastic, integrated with two transverse solid cylinder sections adapted to fit within the slotted tubes of each of the first and second non-elastic elements, with the band fitting within the slots of the tubes of the first and second non-elastic elements. The cylinder sections preferably extend beyond the adjacent edges of the band for engagement with a stretching tool.  
         [0039]     In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastic element is a cord instead of a band and the slots of the connection elements are configured to provide a wedged connection with the cord to effect a similar elastic connection.  
         [0040]     The elastic band element (as well as the cord) is preferably an EPDM rubber silicon material having a taut resilience and high strength. The non-elastic connector elements are preferably formed of molded polycarbonate.  
         [0041]     For ease of use and handling, the tubes and cylinders of the embodiment of the elastic band, and the first non-elastic element are of the same co-fitting dimensions whereby they can be interchangeably or reversibly positioned.  
         [0042]     The co-fitting elongated channel enclosure section of the frame member into which the rod of the second non-elastic element is positioned is provided with an open raceway section of a dimension sufficient to permit insertion of the rod member of the second non-elastic element therein and sliding movement within the channel enclosure section to a retaining section of the channel.  
         [0043]     Numerous elastic connection means assemblies are emplaced, generally at intervals of between a foot to a foot and a half (i.e., sufficiently close to prevent wrinkling of the indicia).  
         [0044]     In operation of the display system, the aluminum frame segments are cut to size and miter cut (or precut sections are used) and the segments are adapted to form a rectangular or square frame. The frame member segments are then fastened to a base (e.g., truck side panel) such as with rivets or screws (preferably with tensioned washers or springs to avoid loosening with movement) to provide the frame configuration. Advertising or other display indicia is printed on vinyl canvas and a bead is provided on the edges of the display by enclosure of a hard plastic rod within a fabric or plastic material which is enclosingly bonded to the vinyl canvas material.  
         [0045]     The elastic connection means assembly is attached to the indicia display bead at the requisite intervals. A slotted tube of the first non-elastic element is guided onto the indicia bead (sized to fit within the tube and slotted to closely accommodate the vinyl canvas). The elastic connection means assemblies are then simply inserted into the respective raceways and holding channels of adjacent frame elements (top and one side or bottom and one side of the frame). The display is then stretched to the opposite sides with placement of the respective elastic connection means assemblies into the holding channels of the frame members. The stretching is readily effected by utilizing the slotted tube of the first non-elastic elements. A cord or rope is looped through the open tube (prior to placement of the elastic element therein and the display, engaged with the non-elastic element tube, is readily pulled thereby.  
         [0046]     To facilitate placement of the elastic member in the frame, the elastic band is stretched with a ratcheted expansion tool comprising spaced tooth elements which engage the facing extension portions of the solid cylinders of the elastic band to move the cylinders apart and stretch the band. While the band is stretched, the rod member of the second non-elastic member is fed into the adjacent raceway of the frame member and moved into a holding position. The ratchet is released and the band snaps to a tensioned holding state.  
         [0047]     In a second embodiment of the present invention a bungee cord is used in place of the bungee band. In such embodiment the slots in the respective tubes are partial and the cord is fed into the respective tubes and forced into a wedged engagement with the ends of the bungee cord. This results in the requisite tensioned holding of the display indicia.  
         [0048]     For stationary displays such as billboards only top and bottom or right and left framing elements may be necessary and the framing member need not have a hinged cover. For aesthetic purposes, moldings may be sufficient to cover screw holes and the like. Moving displays are subject to winds and require framing member holding at all four sides. In this latter embodiment it is highly preferred that the framing member also comprise frame cover elements hingedly attached to the frame elements and which are held in position by end clips or alternatively by quickly deployed quarter turn fasteners, e.g., of a bayonet type with pin and groove. Both the clip and quarter turn fasteners are preferably spring loaded (the latter with spring washer elements) to avoid loosening with vibration motion. In a preferred embodiment the spring load element is integrated with the pin engagement element.  
         [0049]     In order to prevent interference of the frame cover elements with the base frame elements, upon hinging closure at the mitered ends, the hinge connection element of the frame cover elements are provided with bull-nose cuts.  
         [0050]     As a safety measure vinyl canvas bands of a length greater than that of the elastic bands is provided with connection elements similar to that of the elastic bands. Should the elastic bands snap or be disengaged these vinyl canvas bands will keep the display in place albeit loosely.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0051]     With specific reference to the drawings, in  FIG. 1 , a truck cargo body  1  having a side surface la, is provided with an aluminum frame  10  which is cut and sized to fit the side panel surface  1   a , with straight sections  10 ′ and mitered sections  10 ″. A printed vinyl canvas advertising display  90  (sized to the inner dimensions of the frame) is stretched across the frame  10  and is resiliently held thereby.  
         [0052]     As shown in  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b  and  3 , the frame  10  comprises a base supporting section  10   a  and a cover section  10   b . Hinge element  15 , at an end of cover  10   b , is laterally inserted into channel  14  of base support  10   a . Cover section  10   b  is able to swivel between the closed position shown in  FIG. 3  and the open position of  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . At the corners or mitred section of frame  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2   c  , hinge element  15  is provided with a bull nose configuration  15   a  whereby hinge elements of adjacent mitred frame sections are able to interfit without hindering full hinging action  
         [0053]     Frame  10   a  is preferably fastened to the truck side with tensioned fasteners such as integrated spring loaded fasteners (not shown) to minimize vibratory loosening during truck motion. Frame base  10   a  comprises a connector holding channel  11   a  and a clip containing channel  11   b . Elastic connector member  20 , shown in  FIG. 8 , is comprised of three parts, a first connector element  30 , a second connector element  50  and an elastic band element  40  positioned therebetween and being removably attached to both of the connector elements.  
         [0054]     The edge of vinyl canvas display  90  is sealingly formed with beads  91   a - d  (with bead  91   a  shown in  FIG. 2   b ). The first connector element  30  comprises two attached slotted tubes  31   a  and  31   b  each of which is sized to engage with beads  91   a - d  while permitting canvas  90  to pass though slots  31   a ′ or  31   b ′. As shown in  FIG. 17 . Beads  91   a - d  are interrupted with openings  92   a - d  ( 92   a  shown) to permit engaged insertion of element  30  onto the bead  91   a.    
         [0055]     The elastic band element  40  has a band  42  with integral cylinders  41   a  and  41   b , with one of the cylinders fitting within the tube  31   a  or  31   b  of the first connecting element  30  (whichever is left open after attachment of the first connector element with the beads  91   a - d ). As shown in the Figures, tube  31   a  engages bead  91   a  and tube  31   b  engages elastic band element cylinder  41   a.    
         [0056]     The second connecting member  50  is comprised of tube  51   a  and rod  51   b . Tube  51   a  is adapted for engagement with the remaining cylinder of the elastic band member. As shown, tube  51   a  engages elastic band member cylinder  41   b . Rod  41   b  is fitted into connector holding channel  11   a  to complete the elastic connection between the vinyl canvas indicia  90  and the frame  10 , to effect the tensioned holding.  FIG. 8  depicts the completed elastic connecting member  20  with its three components and  FIGS. 2   b  and  17  show the connecting member as emplaced on the frame, into connection with the indicia  90 . For optimum holding, elastic connecting members  20  are utilized at positions of the frame of every one to one and half feet of linear length of the frame.  
         [0057]     Alternatively, as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 9, 10 ,  11   a  and  11   b , bungee cord  400  is used in place of the elastic band element  40 . One tube  310   a  of the first non-elastic connector element  300  is provided with a partial slot  310   a ′ and a wedge engaging shape. Similarly, the tube  510   a  of the second non-elastic connector element  500  is also provided with a wedge engaging shape. The bungee cord  400  is threaded through the two adjacent tubes  310   a  and  510   a  and wedged into the respective slots  310   a ′ and  510   a ′ to effect the elastic connection (as shown in  FIG. 11   b ).  
         [0058]     With a display used on a moving vehicle, the frame cover  10   a  must be held in place by non-loosening means. In one embodiment such means comprises spring clips  60  ( FIG. 12 ) held in channel  11   b  of the frame base  10   a  ( FIG. 2   b ). Lateral element  10   b ′ of the cover lob snaps into the clip between the resilient arms  60   a  to effect a positive holding.  
         [0059]     In a preferred embodiment, S-shaped tensioning spring members  70  shown in  FIGS. 13   a ,  13   b , and  13   c  are affixed at appropriate intervals (usually about a foot to a foot and half apart) to the rear of the base frame member  10   a  (shown as riveted by rivets  16  through the ends of the S in  FIG. 13   b . As shown in  FIG. 13   c , cross piece  71  of the spring is positioned across aperture  72 . Quarter turn (or bayonet type) fasteners  73  with wings  75  are placed through the exterior of frame cover  10   b  and aligned with apertures  72 . When the covers are closed, the fasteners extend through the apertures and a quarter turn causes a notch  73   b  to engage the cross member  71  with the turn. Release and opening of the cover simply requires a reverse quarter turn. To prevent removal of the indicia, one quarter turn fastener is positioned to span a raceway section  12  (insertion point for engagement of the indicia with the frame) of the frame  10 .  
         [0060]     In order to properly place the connector members it is necessary to place it in tension with some extension of the elastic bungee element  40 . This is however not normally readily possible because of the stiffness of the rubber. Accordingly, stretching means as embodied in the stretching tool  80 , shown in  FIGS. 14   a  and  14   b  is utilized. The tool comprises scissoring action elements  81   a  and  81   b  which are connected by a ratchet (not shown) which is releasable when needed. The elements  81   a  and  81   b  each comprises heavy duty slabs  83  terminating in outwardly facing cupped teeth sections  85   a - d , which are adapted to conform to the outer shape of the tubes ( 31   a ,  31   b  and  51   a  of the first and second connector elements  30  and  50  respectively). The cupped teeth sections engage the sections of the tubes  31   a ,  31   b  and  51   a  of connector elements  30  and  50  which extend beyond the band section  42  of elastic element  40 . The band is stretched by ratcheting movement of the elements  81   a  and  81   b . The rod section  52   b  of the second connector element  50  is then free to be readily inserted into the raceway section  12  as shown in  FIG. 15  and moved into position, at which time the ratchet is released and the connector member  20  is properly emplaced. The stretching tool is adaptable for use in other applications such as stretching springs and the like for facilitated placement.  
         [0061]     As a safety measure, one or more safety elements  95 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , are positioned between or adjacent the connector members. Safety elements  95  comprise bead members (not shown) bonded to a vinyl canvas material similar of that of the indicia and of a length slightly more than that of the elastic band  42 . Thus, if one or more of the elastic bands  42  would snap, safety elements  95  provide a non-tensioned hold of the indicia and prevent it from falling or flying off the vehicle.  
         [0062]     Frame member  100  shown in  FIG. 4  is an alternative configuration of the frame without a cover member with a similar track section  110   a . It is more suitable for use in stationary applications. Both embodiments of the frame elements are provided with slotted sections  18  and  118  for insertion of decorative moldings.  
         [0063]     It is understood that the above description and the drawings are illustrative of the present invention and that changes in configuration, structure and components is possible without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims.