Abstract:
Method and apparatus for mounting a pair of banners between upright members wherein the banners includes a flexing mechanism so that the banners can withstand high wind situations. Upper, intermediate and lower collars are mounted onto the upright members so that the intermediate collar can slide up and down along the column to allow the banner to flex. Each collar has a pair of cylindrical receptacles for receiving horizontal members so that upper, intermediate and lower horizontal members are provided so that the intermediate horizontal member slides up and down along the members in high wind situations. Elastic members connecting the intermediate and lower horizontal members stretch in high wind situations to allow the banners to flex.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to signs and, more particularly, is concerned with a system for mounting a flexible banner. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Devices relevant to the present invention have been described in the related art, however, none of the related art devices disclose the unique features of the present invention. 
     In U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0146029 dated Jun. 11, 2009, Beatty disclosed a system, method and device for installation of banners. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,960,784 dated Nov. 22, 1960, Frey, et al., disclosed a horizontal banner mounting construction. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,973 dated Nov. 7, 1995, Tait disclosed a decorative banner mounting kit. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,201 dated Nov. 3, 1970, Huey, et al., disclosed a horizontal banner construction. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,303 dated Nov. 7, 1989, Banizza, et al. disclosed a sign. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,866 dated Sep. 19, 1989. Rotter, et al., disclosed a collapsible sign. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,213,356 dated May 8, 2007, Haggard, Jr., disclosed a banner display system. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for mounting a pair of banner-type signs between upright columns so that the banner is attractively displayed and wherein the banner includes a flexing mechanism so that the banner can withstand high wind situations. Upper, intermediate and lower collars are mounted onto the upright columns so that the intermediate collar can slide up and down along the column to allow the banner to flex. Each collar has a pair of cylindrical receptacles mounted thereon through which a horizontal member can be inserted so that the horizontal member runs between the first and second columns. Thus, upper, intermediate and lower horizontal members are provided so that the intermediate horizontal member is allowed to slide up and down along the columns in high wind situations while the top collar and the lowest collar are fixedly secured to the columns. Elastic band members, such as rubber bands, connect the intermediate and lower horizontal members so that the elastic rubber bands stretch in high wind situations to allow the horizontal members to slide along the columns thereby allowing the banner to flex and thereby prevent tearing in high wind situations. The upright columns can be mounted in a concrete foundation or can be mounted onto a trailer so that the banner type sign can be moved about from one location to another. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting system for a banner wherein the banner can flex in a high wind situation to prevent the banner from being torn by high wind conditions. A further object of the present invention is to provide a mounting system for a banner which can be used on either new installations or existing installations wherein first and second columns are being used. A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for a banner which can be mounted on a conventional concrete foundation or on a movable trailer. A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for mounting a banner which can be easily used by an operator. A further object of the present invention is to provide a banner which can be relatively easily and inexpensively manufactured. 
     The present invention overcomes an inherent problem associated with conventional rigid banner frames which may be difficult to erect or store; may be unsightly and may not adapt to various size applications and support structures. Also, rigid sign frames can allow the wind to damage the material of which the banner is constructed which may cause distortion of the banner image in the absence of a flexing member. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention shown in operative connection. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-section view of the present invention taken from  FIG. 3  as indicated. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing cutaway portions of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5 through 7  are perspective views of alternative embodiments of the collar of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevation view of the present invention mounted onto a trailer. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     With regard to reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the drawings.
           10  present invention     12  flexible sign/banner     14  logo/advertisement     16  front banner     18  rear banner     20  left column/upright member     22  right column/upright member     24  foundation     26  ground     28  top collar     30  intermediate collar     32  bottom collar     34  front cylindrical receptacle     36  rear cylindrical receptacle     38  fastener means     39  fastener means     40  front horizontal member     42  rear horizontal member     44  sleeve/pole pocket     46  elastic band     48  first half     50  second half     52  fastener     54  bungee cord     56  intermediate horizontal member     58  bottom horizontal member     60  trailer     62  platform     64  wheels     66  axle     68  stabilizer     70  attachment     72  bore     74  direction arrow     76  attachment point/grommet     78  attachment point       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail at least one embodiment of the present invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the present invention to the particular embodiments described herein since practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For a definition of the complete scope of the invention the reader is directed to the appended claims.  FIGS. 1 through 9  illustrate the present invention wherein a system for mounting a flexible banner type sign is disclosed and which is generally indicated by reference number  10 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , therein is shown the present invention  10  having a flexible sign or banner  12  displaying a logo or advertisement  14  thereon wherein there is a front banner  16  and a rear banner  18  disposed between upright spaced apart left column  20  and right column  22  which columns are disposed in a conventional foundation  24 , e.g., concrete, which is disposed in the ground  26 , Shown on the columns  20 ,  22  are an upper or top collar  28  having an optional cap thereon, an in-between or intermediate collar  30 , and a lower or bottom collar  32  wherein each collar has a front cylindrical receptacle  34  and a tear cylindrical receptacle  36  wherein each receptacle has a fastener means or weld  38  for securing a corresponding horizontal member  40 ,  42 , and a fastener  39  for attachment to each collar  28 ,  30 ,  32 , and a bore  72  therein through which the horizontal member can be slidingly disposed. The cylindrical receptacles  34 ,  36 , respectively, receive a front and rear horizontal member  40 ,  42  wherein each horizontal member is disposed in a pole pocket or sleeve  44  extending along the upper and lower edges of the sign or banner  12  and extending from one end to the other end of the banner so that the banner is secured to the corresponding horizontal member. Elastic bands  46 , or the like, are placed on near the ends of the intermediate and bottom horizontal members  56 ,  58  so as to allow the intermediate collar  30  to slide up or down the columns in high wind conditions, as shown by direction arrows  74 , which thereby allows the sign/banner  12  to flex in high wind conditions. The upper/top collar  28  and lower/bottom collar  32  are fixedly attached to the left and right columns  20 ,  22  whereas the intermediate collar  30  is slidably attached to the columns so that the intermediate collar  30  can slide up and down the columns  20 ,  22 . The elastic bands  46  bias the intermediate horizontal member  56  downwardly so as to cause the flexible sign/banner  12  to be effectively tensioned between the top horizontal member and the intermediate horizontal member. For definition purposes, the term “intermediate” as used in this application does not mean “middle” or “mid-point”, and, it should be clear from  FIG. 1  that the intermediate horizontal members and collars are between but closer to the lower rather than the upper horizontal members and collars. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 5 through 7 , therein are shown alternative embodiments of the collars  28 ,  30 ,  32  wherein  FIG. 5  shows a round collar constructed of a single piece;  FIG. 6  shows a round collar  28 ,  30 ,  32  having a first half  48  and a second half  50  which are joined together by fastener  52 ; and,  FIG. 7  shows a square or rectangular collar  28 ,  30 ,  32  having first and second halves  48 ,  50  joined by fastener  52  so that square collars can be used in the event square columns are being used. Each of the collars shown in  FIGS. 5 through 7  have a front and rear  34 ,  36  cylindrical receptacle thereon being attached to the collars by an attachment or fastener means  39 , e.g., a weld, nut and bolt, screw, or the like, wherein each receptacle has a bore  72  therein for receiving a horizontal member  40 ,  42  therein. Also shown are an attachment or fastener means  38 , e.g., a weld, nut and bolt, screw, or the like, for securing the horizontal members inside the corresponding cylindrical receptacles. 
     Turning to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown second embodiment of the present invention which uses a plurality of bungee cords  54  stretched between the bottom horizontal member  58  at  78  and the intermediate horizontal member  56  (the cords  54  may also be attached directly to the banner at  76  using a grommet or the like) instead of using the elastic bands  46  as previously disclosed. In all respects, the bungee cords  54  act in the same manner as the previously disclosed elastic bands  46  so that the flexible sign/banner  12  is allowed to flex up or down by allowing the collar  30  to slide up and down the left and right columns  20 ,  22 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 9 , therein is shown the present invention  10  mounted on a conventional trailer  60  or a truck bed wherein the trailer or truck bed has a movable platform  62  for receiving the columns  20 ,  22  wherein the columns are suitably attached at  70 , e.g., by welding or nuts and bolts, so that the columns are secured to the trailer  60 . Also shown are wheels  64 , axle  66 , left and right stabilizers  68  wherein the trailer would be constructed and positioned in the conventional manner as would be done in the standard manner by one skilled in the art. 
     The present invention  10  discloses a system of components, which assemble into a structurally sound, architecturally appealing sign frame system which includes a flexible member which can be mounted to assorted surfaces allowing for portability or permanent positioning. When erected, the present invention  10  offers vertical support for printed messages on two sides and it can be collapsed for either storage or transportation. 
     The present invention  10  may be constructed of aluminum or steel materials, in round or rectangular form, with varying dimensions and metal strengths to support various size applications and is adaptable to support small and large messages. Elastic resistance bands  46 ,  54 , or the like, expand and retract in the wind providing shock absorbing elasticity that allows the banner  12  to flex with the wind thereby offsetting damages to the message medium material and also maintains a preferred tight appearance to the sign face. The present invention  10  offers ease of assembly and the structural strength required for message support. 
     In summary, and by reference to  FIGS. 1-9 , the present invention  10  may be described as a method for mounting a banner  12  as follows: a) providing first and second spaced apart upright members  20 ,  22 , each having a front and rear side; b) providing a first and second banner  16 , 18  each having an upper and a lower edge and a left and right side, wherein the first and second banners are disposed between the first and second upright members; c) providing upper  28 , lower  32 , and intermediate  30  collars on each upright member, wherein the upper and lower collars are fixedly attached to each upright member, wherein the intermediate collar is slidably attached to each upright member, wherein each collar has a front and rear side corresponding to the front and rear side of the upright members; d) providing a first and second substantially horizontal member  40 ,  42  on each said collar, wherein each horizontal member has left and right ends, wherein a first horizontal member is disposed on the front side of each collar and a second horizontal member is disposed on the rear side of each collar so that an upper, lower and intermediate horizontal member corresponds to each upper, lower and intermediate collar; e) disposing an upper edge (similarly located as  44 ) of the first banner on the first upper horizontal member and a lower edge (similarly located as  44 ) of the first banner on the first intermediate horizontal member, and disposing an upper edge of the second banner on the second upper horizontal member and a lower edge of the second banner on the second intermediate horizontal member so that one of the banners can always be viewed by an observer positioned on either the front or rear side of the upright member; and, f) providing a plurality of first elastic members  46  configured for resilient engagement with the first intermediate horizontal member and the first lower horizontal member for absorbing shock, and providing a plurality of second elastic members configured for resilient engagement with the second intermediate horizontal member and the second lower horizontal member for absorbing shock, thereby forming a structure providing flexibility to the first and second banner contributing to structural strength resistant to forces produced by high wind conditions. Further, providing a pole pocket  44  on the upper and lower edge of each banner, wherein each pole pocket extends from the left side to the right side of the banner for receiving a horizontal member therein. Further, providing a cylindrical receptacle  34 ,  36  on the front and rear side of each collar, the cylindrical receptacle for receiving an end of the first or second horizontal member to permit the horizontal member to be mounted to the collars. Further, also slidable inserting a horizontal member into each corresponding cylindrical receptacle and then into each corresponding pole pocket. Wherein the elastic members comprise a plurality of resistance bands  46  or wherein the elastic members comprise a plurality of bungee cords  46 . Further, supporting the first and second upright members in a concrete foundation  24  disposed in the ground  26 . Further, mounting the first and second upright members on a movable platform  62  for being moved from one location to another. Also, wherein each upright member and collar is round shaped ( FIG. 5 ) or rectangular shaped ( FIG. 7 ). Also, wherein a portion of the first and second elastic members  54  directly engage a portion  76  of the corresponding first and second banner.