Abstract:
A rectangular banner display assembly for the rapid installation and replacement of ad banners having a frame with two horizontal members both of which are built of extruded segments with channels along which a pre-rolled banner is slid into position during installation. The frame includes a member supportive of a spindle over which the pre-rolled banner is placed and from which the banner is drawn longitudinally. A vertical end-cap with a hinge-able flap partially occludes the member supportive of a spindle while in a closed position, but is opened to access the spindle. A second vertical end cap with a hinge-able flap is opened to expel a banner to be replaced. A method of quickly replacing a previously installed ad banner with a new ad banner by taping the leading end of a new banner with the trailing end of previously installed banner is disclosed. While expelling the previously installed ad banner out the end of the banner display assembly, the new ad banner is drawn along to take its place.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/963,994 filed Aug. 8, 2007. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
   Not applicable 
   INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed generally to holders for banners and signs and especially those suited for the rectangular type of long advertising banners. Display banners are frequently supplied in sections with registration marks so that they are taped together during the installation process normally within a banner holder having the outward appearance of a four sided frame, but incorporating unexposed elements to secure the banner. Banners may be changed frequently due merchandising demands. 
   Common objectives of most banner holders and displays are: 
   Securing the banner against wind damage, puckering and tearing that is possible with an outdoor display exposed to the elements, and facilitating the exchange of banners by making the replacement process relatively straightforward for employees. To a degree, the aforementioned objectives are met by previous banner holders; however, all involve risk of injury because much of the time spent installing a new banner is performed on a ladder often situated in the entryway of the establishment. 
   Designs the previous banner holders resulted from an uneven compromise between the aforementioned objectives. For example, measures commonly taken to design a banner holder that optimize resistance to wind often result in a complicated arrangement of brackets and tensioners that resist the easy removal and insertion of banners and increases the time spent on a ladder to install or replace a banner. Additionally, having to piece together and properly register a multi-part banner making sure the banner evidences no breaks in visual continuity at the point of display can be difficult and time consuming. 
   Some banner holders also require customization of the banner by the addition of stiffeners and holes about the banner edges that would naturally increase the cost of the advertising media, and require implementation by the banner supplier who is likely a different party than the maker of the banner holder; in others, the tensioning means raises the banner away from the surface on which the holder frame is mounted increasing the likelihood of rapidly spreading tears because the banner is stretched by the tensioners. 
   What is needed is an advertising banner display system that requires minimal alteration of the display media having it supplied pre-taped into a rolled form to obviate the need for on-site registration, while offering securement of the advertising banner, resistance to damage by the elements and providing a more safe, intuitive and expeditious installation process. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The instant invention proposes to overcome the deficiencies of existing designs and makes it possible to install typical rectangular ad banners easily while retaining the banner securely even in strong winds. Extruded segments having a inner channel within for the longitudinal travel of the top and bottom edge of an ad banner are placed end to end and attached to a surface—frequently a building storefront; to form the top and bottom rails of a frame. Additional elements also attached to the surface; a vertical frame member supportive of a spindle, and two end-caps complete the frame to define a rectangular display area. At one end of the banner display assembly used to load a banner, hereinafter referred to as the loading end, is a first vertical end-cap with a flap portion and a base portion in a hinge-able relationship to one another. Separating the base and flap portions of the vertical end-cap exposes the vertical frame member supportive of a spindle, whereupon a banner roll is placed over the spindle. The banner is drawn out longitudinally following the inner channel of the top and bottom rails. At the opposite end, hereinafter referred to as the unloading end, is a second vertical end cap of identical construction to the first that while in closed position with flap and base together, secures an ad banner between. Separation of the base and flap portions of the second end-cap exposes the inner channels of the extruded segments and a banner requiring replacement is longitudinally drawn out free of the frame following the channels and discarded. 
   The banner display assembly uses a variety of means to inhibit the banner from moving within the frame once installed; among these are the two vertical end-caps having a base portion and flap portion hinge-ably connected that are maintained in a closed position by a magnetized strip adhered to the inner surface of the base portion, and a metallicized strip adhered to the inner surface of the flap portion. Preferably the magnetized strip and metallicized strip are rubberized and are commonly available in roll form from suppliers such as Dura Magnetics Inc. of Sylvania, Ohio. However it is conceivable that the magnetized strip may be rubberized while the metallicized strip may be a magnetically attractive metal, the purpose being to secure the banner in a sandwich fashion between the flap and base portions of the vertical end-caps with sufficient friction to discourage slippage. 
   A number of retention members, the purpose of which is to prevent blousing and creeping of the banner, are described herein and are transversely mounted to the top and bottom rails in fixed positions or are manually dislocateable residing in either an active position occupying one of the regularly spaced notches or slots placed along the top and bottom horizontal rails whereby they apply pressure to the banner against the horizontal rails or the surface to which the banner display assembly is attached, or an inactive position being dislocated from a notch or slot thus allowing for the insertion and replacement of a banner. Retention members for the display banners described herein are transversely mounted fixed clips, transversely mounted dislocateable clips and dislocateable flexible cleats. Depending on the type of retention member, it may apply pressure to the banner against the horizontal rails or the surface to which the banner display assembly is attached. 
   Relatedly, the present invention also provides for a novel method to replace an existing banner by taping the trailing end of an old banner to the leading end of a new banner once a new banner roll has been placed over the spindle. The new banner is installed by opening the end-cap flap at the unloading end of the banner display assembly and pulling the old banner free of the banner display assembly causing the new banner to slide into place of the old banner effectively installing the new banner in one motion. The tape is then removed and the old banner discarded. 
   Notable advantages for the store owner or operator are the labor savings in time spent in the frequent loading and unloading of banners, a safer work environment due to reduced time spent on a ladder, superior retention of the banner and the low profile design that blends into the store background. 
   One object of the present invention is to provide a means of rapid insertion, removal and replacement for banner ads in a banner display assembly. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a banner display assembly which will be less cumbersome to operate and therefore much safer for employees and customers. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide an unobtrusive banner display assembly having a unobtrusive design that does not interfere with the viewing experience associated with a display. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to so simplify the process of banner insertion as to reduce the time the installer has to spend on a ladder, potentially in a high consumer traffic area. 
   The description as follows is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of the loading end of the banner display assembly with transversely mounted fixed retention clip  35 ; 
       FIG. 2  is partial perspective view of the unloading end of the banner display assembly and a continuation of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view showing an open end-cap at the loading end of the banner display assembly with bare spindle  22 , and building surface  13  showing through; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view showing an open end-cap at the loading end of the banner display assembly with a banner roll fitted over spindle  22 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the loading end of the banner display assembly r showing a removal step for un-installing an old banner  25   o  by taping it to a new banner  25   n;    
       FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view that is a continuation of  FIG. 5  showing the open end-cap at the unloading end of the banner display assembly and old banner  25   o  being pulled longitudinally free of the banner display assembly; 
       FIG. 7  is a front elevation of a storefront with banner display assembly installed over the entryway, representing one non-limiting example of the instant invention in typical use. Shown also are the end-cap sub-assemblies  10   c ′ and the top rail and bottom rail  10   t ′ and  10   b ′ respectively. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the vertical frame member  20  and spindle  22  sub-assembly; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the banner end-cap sub-assembly  10   c′;    
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a single extruded segment  14 ; 
       FIG. 11  is a partial view of one embodiment of a section of extruded segment with notches  34 ; 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a flexible retention cleat  30 ; 
       FIG. 13  is a partial view of one embodiment of a section of extruded segment showing a flexible retention cleat placed fitted in notch  34  of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 14  is a sectional view of a section of extruded segment taken along lines  30   a - 30   a  of  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 16  a sectional view of a section of extruded segment taken along lines  30   b - 30   b  of  FIG. 13 ; 
       FIG. 17   a  is a detail view of a  17   a  ( FIG. 16 ); 
       FIG. 17   b  is partial plan view of two extruded segments placed end to end having a gap  44  between; 
       FIG. 18  is a partial perspective view of a section of extruded segment with flexible retention cleat  30  attached; 
       FIG. 19  is a partial perspective view of a section of extruded segment with flexible retention cleat  30  attached; 
       FIG. 20  is a partial perspective view of a section of extruded segment with flexible retention cleat  30  attached and fitted into notch  34  (FIGS.  18 , 19 ) 
       FIG. 21  is a plan view of a moveable retention clip  33 ; 
       FIG. 22  is a side elevation of a moveable retention clip  33 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a plan view of a fixed retention clip  35 ; 
       FIG. 24  is a side elevation of a fixed retention clip  35 ; 
       FIG. 25  is a partial perspective view showing the banner installation end-cap of the banner display and a dislocateable retention clip  33  in place; 
       FIG. 26  is a partial perspective view showing the banner installation end-cap of the banner display and a dislocateable retention clip  33  pushed up and out of contact with a banner by a pole tool  46 ; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Terminology 
   The term dislocateable retention cleat(s) refer to generally ‘P’ shaped deformable inserts that when engaged, press against an ad banner preventing slippage and wrinkling, but when disengaged, allow an ad banner longitudinal movement. 
   The term fixed retention clip(s) refer to fixed transparent straps having terminal ends that are transversely mounted relative to the horizontal rails and are raised slightly above the surface of an ad banner requiring no repositioning prior to banner insertion or removal.
 
The term dislocateable retention clip(s) refer to bowed, releasable flexible transparent straps transversely mounted relative to the horizontal rails having an curled head and tang and a tail end where the tang is inserted into any one of regularly spaced notches along the top edge of the top horizontal rail and the tail end is slid between the outer facing lip of the lower horizontal rail and the banner to apply pressure to and retain the banner securely against the mounting surface thus preventing slippage and wrinkling.
 
The term pre-registered banner roll and banner roll are herein used interchangeably and refer to a roll requiring no piecing together at the point of display. It may be a unitary banner of paper or synthetic/plastic construction, or a multi-part banner where the sections have been pre-registered and affixed together by taping or gluing having visual continuity.
 
   The banner display assembly is constructed of a few elements shown in  FIGS. 7-10 ; the banner display assembly  10 ′ is shown as a rectangular frame above the entryway of a storefront, the nominal outer dimensions being 18 inches×26 feet to accommodate a standard sized banner; however, it may be scaled up or down as needed depending on the number of extruded segments  14  ( FIG. 10 ) used to build the top  10   t ′ and bottom  10   b ′ rails. 
     FIG. 8  shows a vertical frame member  20  supportive of a spindle  22  that serves to retain and dispense a rolled banner. The vertical frame member supportive of the spindle may take the form of a vertical frame member with two opposing arms having apertures to receive the distal ends of the spindle, or conceivably, the spindle and vertical frame member may be molded or welded together with the top end of the spindle being accessible without having to remove the spindle from the vertical frame member. Two reversible co-extruded end-caps  10   c ′ with opposing flaps  16 ,  16   b  form both vertical ends of the banner display assembly  10 ′. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-26 ; the top and bottom rails  10   t ′,  10   b ′ of the banner display assembly are made up of equal numbers of individual extruded segments  14  laid end to end where each extruded segment is attached to a surface  13  which can be any typical material used in buildings such as concrete, aluminum panel, vinyl and wood. Fastener positioning apertures  24  are spaced regularly along the length of the extruded segments, the vertical frame member supportive of the spindle and the base portion  16   b  of both end-caps and are large enough to accommodate various fasteners; screws, molly bolts, concrete anchors, depending on the surface. The extruded segments  14  have the same extruded profile and a c-shaped joining channel  42  running longitudinally along each segment. The purpose of the c-shaped joining channel is for the reception of a joining member  43 , preferably a metal pin 3 inches in length that is used as an alignment aid during the attaching of the horizontal rails to a surface  13  and to maintain the segments in alignment relative to each other during periods of thermal expansion and contraction which normally occurs with exterior installations. Because of reduced cost the extruded segments and end-caps are preferably made of vinyl, although conceivably they may be of aluminum or other suitably durable material able to withstand exterior applications. 
   Once the top and bottom rails  10   t ′,  10   b ′ are in place, a vertical frame member  20  supportive of a spindle  20  and spindle  22  together with one of two identical co-extruded end-cap sub-assemblies  10   c ′ is attached vertically, abutting the rails on the loading end of the banner display assembly. The distal ends of the spindle  22  each have an bend; an ‘S’ bend for the bottom of the spindle and a curled bend for the top of the spindle so that after the insertion in the two apertures  20   t ,  20   b  at the ends of the vertical frame member, the spindle may be pushed upwardly freeing the lower bend of  20   b  whereupon a pre-registered banner roll is placed over the spindle and the spindle bend replaced back into the aperture. A second vertical end-cap is attached vertically abutting the rails at the unloading end; normally the right hand side of the banner display assembly. 
   Preferably, each of the two vertical end-caps  10   c  have a vinyl co-extruded base portion  16   b  and flap portion  16  where the base has apertures for the positioning of fasteners that coincide with the apertures on the vertical frame member  20 , and is connected to the flap portion by a spine of flexible vinyl serving as a living hinge. In practice, the base and flap pairs are able to be folded together so that a banner is held securely between. Each base and flap pair are releasably held in a closed position by a magnetized strip  26  bonded to the inner surface of the flap  16  and a metallicized strip  26   b  bonded to the inside surface of the base  16   b . While the end-caps are shown of co-extruded vinyl because of cost benefits, there are other materials that could operate sufficiently such as a rigid thermoplastic and aluminum, and a piano type hinge could conceivably be substituted for the living hinge shown. 
     FIG. 3  shows a co-extruded end-cap flap  16  in open position revealing the vertical frame member  20  and spindle  22  at the banner loading end of the present invention. Horizontal rails  10   t ′,  10   b ′ are made of vinyl extruded segments  14  laid end to end, where the segments have preferably a ‘J’ shaped profile with the shorter width facing outward; however, it is conceivable that the segments may be made of extruded aluminum or other durable weather resistant material. A detail of extruded segment  14  is shown in  FIG. 16  being substantially “J” shaped outwardly, and being divided internally and longitudinally by a divider  40  creating an additional enclosed channel  40   c  adjacent to  40 . The face of divider  40  provides a smooth surface for a banner edge to move along longitudinally without obstruction because it segregates the banner edge from fasteners which are placed through fastener positioning apertures  24  entering into the enclosed channel  40   c  in order to fasten the extruded segments to a mounting surface. The enclosed channel also provides additional rigidity and reinforcement to the extruded segments. An internal and longitudinal c-shaped joining channel  42  for the insertion of an joining member  43  that bridges gap  44  ( FIG. 17 ) between extruded segments, allows the segments to expand and contract while maintaining alignment relative to each other so as to provide a smooth, unobstructed path for the longitudinal travel of a banner edge within the horizontal rails. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the installation of a new banner by placing a banner roll  24  over the spindle  22  and drawing the new banner  25   n  along the continuous channel of the horizontal rails of the banner display assembly until the leading edge of the banner abuts the right side end-cap  10   c  as in  FIG. 2 . 
     FIGS. 5-6  illustrate the replacement of an old banner  25   o  by a new banner  25   n  by taping  15  the leading end of the new banner to the trailing end of the old banner. The old banner may be removed and the new banner installed by simply opening the end-cap flap at the unloading end of the banner display assembly and pulling the old banner longitudinally out from the banner display assembly while the trailing end of the old banner pulls the new banner into position. Once the trailing edge of the old banner is free from the horizontal rails it is un-taped and discarded. 
   By modifying the number and type of slots and notches on the extruded segments, a variety of custom retention members are employed to prevent the banner from wind, excessive movement and puckering; one being a set of flexible retention cleats  30  ( FIG. 12-14 ,  18 - 20 ) having a head part  31  with a molded channel  36  and a tail part  32  with an aperture  38  toward the bottom of the tail for fastening to a rail. The head part  31  is engaged by inserting it into one of a series of regularly spaced notches  34  along the outer lip of the horizontal rails; the bottom edge of the notch  34  mating within the molded channel  36  of the flexible retention cleat. When engaged, the head part of the flexible retention cleat applies pressure to a banner against a surface to prevent slippage and wrinkling. Disengaging the flexible retention cleats is required prior to installation of a new banner and is accomplished by pulling the head part  31  of the cleat up and out of mating position with the lower edge of a notch  34 . The flexible retention cleats are preferably of silicone and deformable so that they stretch and bend readily and are affixed to the horizontal rails by a screw and washer combination to avoid tearing the silicone.  FIGS. 13 ,  14 ,  20  show the deformable cleat in engaged position.  FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of  FIG. 13  taken along lines  30   b - 30   b  showing the position of the deformable cleat while engaged mating with notch  34 . To further illustrate the relationship of the deformable cleat to the horizontal rails;  FIGS. 18 and 19  and  20  in order, show a deformable cleat  30  affixed to the top horizontal rail  10   t ′ in disengaged position, a deformable cleat  30  affixed to the bottom horizontal rail  10   b ′ in disengaged position, and a deformable cleat  30  affixed to the bottom horizontal rail  10   b ′ in engaged position. 
   Other types of retention devices are shown in  FIGS. 21-24 ; in order, they are a plan view of a dislocateable clip  33 , a side profile view of dislocateable clip, a plan view of a fixed clip  35  and a side profile of fixed clip. 
   Similarly to the flexible cleat, the dislocateable clip  33  has a head  33   a  and tail end  33   b , where the head end is curled back against itself producing a tang for insertion into a series of regularly spaced rectangular apertures  27  ( FIGS. 25-26 ) along the top horizontal rail and extending the length of the entire assembly. The dislocateable clips are installed by inserting the tang of the head portion  33   a  into one of the apertures  27  where it hangs freely. The dislocateable clip is engaged by sliding the tail end  33   b  between the outer lip of bottom rail and the banner, thus applying pressure to the banner to prevent slippage and wrinkling. The dislocateable clips are shaped to have at least two points of contact with the banner. Disengaging the dislocateable clips is accomplished by pushing the tail end  33   b  up and out from between the horizontal rail and the banner while the head portion remains hanging from the notch above. As shown in  FIG. 25  a pole tool  46 , being a rounded pole with a foam rubber tip  47  is used to engage and disengage the dislocateable clips by pushing up and to the side of the tail end of the dislocateable clip. 
   Another type of retention member, a fixed retention clip  35  is shown in place  FIGS. 1-2  attached transversely to the horizontal rails. These retention members are permanently attached to the assembly in regular intervals, having no contact with the banner  25   n  and not requiring dislocation prior to installing or un-installing a banner. 
   Example 
   The following is presented as a non-limiting example of a method of installing the banner display assembly: 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1-25 ; on site assembly of the banner display assembly is accomplished by: 
   I) selecting a banner display area; II) using a snap line to establish a level line on a surface; III) inserting a metal alignment pin  43  of approximately 3 inches in length, into a c-shaped joining channel  42  of a first to be installed extruded segment  14 ; IV) beginning with the construction of the bottom rail  10   b , the bottom of extruded segment  14  is aligned with the snap line marking; V) once positioned, attach the initial extruded segment  14  to a given surface by inserting appropriate fastener type (screw, concrete anchor, molly bolts), or other, into the holes  24  provided for that purpose which are along the length of both the inner and outer lips of  14 ; VII) align additional extruded segments end to end; bottom edges of the extruded segments along the snap line marking, and sliding metal alignment pins into mating c-shaped channels  42  leaving an approximately 1.58 mm gap  44  between channel segments. In such a way, each subsequent segment is aligned with the previous segment by the alignment pins and affixed to the surface; VIII) Repeat steps (I-VII) with the construction of the top rail; IX) install vertical frame member  20  and spindle  22  vertically abutting the top and bottom rails at that end desired for loading banner rolls; X) install a first co-extruded end-cap sub-assembly over the vertical frame member by lining up the fastener positioning apertures on the base portion  16   b  of the end-cap with those on the vertical frame member, and attach to the surface; XI) install a second co-extruded end-cap sub-assembly opposite the first co-extruded end-cap sub-assembly, and attach to the surface; all parts now defining a largely rectangular frame.