Abstract:
An application for an apparatus that holds a sheet of material as it is applied to a surface of a vehicle. The apparatus includes support arms for holding the sheet of material in position against the surface of the vehicle while the sheet of material is applied to the surface. The apparatus is adjustable to compensate for various heights of vehicles, various application angles and application of the sheet to various surfaces of the vehicle including a top surface and a side surface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the field of decorating vehicles and more particularly to method and apparatus for applying sheets of material to a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many vehicles nowadays carry advertisement or other decorations. In the past, the advertisement or design was applied by an artist hand painting the advertisement or design onto the vehicle, such as hand painting a company name, address and phone number on a car door. 
     Recently, with the advent of new materials, the advertisement or design is created on a sheet of material away from the vehicle and later applied to the vehicle, using an adhesive applied to the sheet of material or an adhesive backed sheet of material. In such, a print shop would create the design or advertisement with a computer system and transfer that design or advertisement to a sheet of material and all or part of that sheet of material is applied to the vehicle. For example, the same company name, address and phone number is printed on a sheet of adhesive-backed vinyl, scored around the letters and number, applied to a door of a car, then the vinyl around the letters and numbers is peeled off, leaving only the letters and numbers. 
     In the past few years, printing and transfer systems have progressed to enable creation of large sheets of material on which such information and designs are printed or transferred. The sheets often cover the entire side or top surface of a vehicle (e.g. car, truck, van, bus, boat, etc). These printing and transfer systems are now affordable by many small operations such as sign shops, detailing shops, printing shops, etc. Often, such operations are very limited with respect to space and personnel, often operating with a single vehicle bay and a sole proprietor. In order to apply a sheet the length of many vehicles, there was no way for the operator to hold the material in a correct orientation, and then apply the material without introducing bubbles beneath the material or skewing the material. As a way to cover a vehicle side, these small operations often resorted to cutting the sheet material into manageable sizes then reconstructing the sheet on the vehicle. Such an operation is very time consuming and, if not carefully applied, will result in mis-registration of the designs and/or tolerance build-up in which the designs will slope towards one end of the vehicle. 
     What is needed is a method and apparatus that will support a sheet of material while it is being applied to a vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes an apparatus for holding a sheet of material that is to be applied to a surface of a vehicle. The apparatus includes support arms for holding the sheet of material in position against the surface of the vehicle while the sheet of material is applied to the surface. The apparatus is adjustable to compensate for various heights of vehicles, various application angles and application of the sheet to various surfaces of the vehicle including a top surface and a side surface. 
     In one embodiment, an apparatus for holding a sheet of material for application of the sheet of material onto a vehicle is disclosed including a base and a riser. A bottom end of the riser is affixed to the base and the riser extends vertically from the base. Extension arms are affixed to the top end of the riser. Outward ends of the extension arms extend outwardly from the riser at an adjustable distance from the riser. A left support arm is affixed to a left end of the extension arms and a right support arm is affixed to a right end of the extension arms. A sheet of material is supported between the left support arm and the right support arm. 
     In another embodiment, a method of applying a sheet of material to a vehicle is disclosed including providing an apparatus for holding a sheet of material for application of the sheet of material onto a vehicle and has a base and a riser. A bottom end of the riser is affixed to the base and the riser extends vertically from the base. Extension arms are affixed to the top end of the riser. Outward ends of the extension arms extend outwardly from the riser at an adjustable distance from the riser. A left support arm is affixed to a left end of the extension arms and a right support arm is affixed to a right end of the extension arms. The method steps include extending the extension arms to a point at which the left support arm and right support arm are at a distance apart sufficient for a length of the sheet of material and affixing a first end of the sheet of material to the left support arm and a second end of the sheet of material to the right support arm. Next, the apparatus for holding the sheet of material is positioned adjacent to a surface of the vehicle onto which the sheet of material is to be applied and the sheet of material is applied to the surface of the vehicle. 
     In another embodiment, an apparatus for holding a sheet of material for application of the sheet of material onto a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base with a riser having a bottom end and a distal top end. The bottom end of the riser is affixed to the base and the riser extends vertically from the base. The height of the riser is adjustable. Extension arms are affixed to the distal top end of the riser and outward ends of the extension arms extend outwardly from the riser at an adjustable distance from the riser. A left support arm is affixed to a left end of the extension arms by a hinge and a right support arm is affixed to a right end of the extension arms by a hinge. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front cross section of an apparatus of the present invention with all extensions retracted. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a front cross section of an apparatus of the present invention vertically extended. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side cross section of an apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side cross section of an apparatus of the present invention with the holding arms turned horizontal. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top cross section of an apparatus of the present invention with all extensions arms retracted. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top cross section of an apparatus of the present invention showing the extension arms partially extended. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top cross section of an apparatus of the present invention showing the extension arms fully extended. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a detail cross section of the extension arms of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a detail cross section of the slideable interface between two extension arms of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10A  illustrates a schematic view of the present invention in collapsed mode and next to a target vehicle. 
         FIG. 10B  illustrates a schematic view of the present invention in expanded mode, next to a target vehicle holding a sheet of material. 
         FIG. 10C  illustrates a schematic view of the present invention in expanded mode and tilted to match the tilt of the target vehicle, holding a sheet of material. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. The present invention is useful in applying various sizes of sheets of material such as vinyl to a vehicle, particularly to an exterior surface of the vehicle. The present invention is useful with any size and type of sheet and vehicle including, but not limited to, cars, vans, mini-vans, buses, boats, airplanes, etc. It is also anticipated that the present invention be applicable to installing large sheets of material to other objects such as above ground pools, sheds, buildings, storage tanks, etc. on walls, ceilings, floors, etc. Any sheet of material is anticipated such as continuous sheets of vinyl and RTA (Ready To Apply) Vinyl. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a front cross section of an apparatus  10  of the present invention with all extensions retracted is shown. Although this exemplary sheet holding apparatus  10  is shown in great detail, enabling the present invention, it is anticipated that many other embodiments are possible without veering from the intent and operation of the claimed invention. Substitutions of other extensions mechanisms, hinge mechanisms, tilt mechanisms, stands, etc, are all covered in the present application. 
     The exemplary sheet holding apparatus  10  is supported by a base  12  and in some embodiments, the base  12  is equipped with one or more wheel or sliding devices  14  (e.g. ball in socket, etc) to enable relocation and adjustment of the sheet holding apparatus  10  against a vehicle  100  (see  FIGS. 10A-C ). 
     Connected to the base  12  is an adjustable riser system  20 . Details of the exemplary adjustable riser system  20  are shown in  FIG. 2 , in which the adjustable riser system  20  is extended. 
     Extension arms  50  are attached to the adjustable riser system  20  by a position control interfaces  22 / 24 . The lower position control interface  22  provides for horizontal rotation of the extension arms  50  with respect to the base  12 . The upper positional control interface  24  provides for vertical tilt adjustment of the extension arms  50  as shown in  FIG. 10C  and extension angle adjustment as shown in  FIG. 4 . Several stops  52  are visible on the extension arms  50 , which will be described with  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     A right support arm  30  is connected to the right end area of the right extension arm  50  by a hinge  32 . A left support arm  40  is connected to the left end area of the left extension arm  50  by a hinge  42 . The hinges  32 / 42  permit the support arms  30 / 40  to be positioned at an angle to the extension arms  50 . It is intended that the sheet of material  80  (see  FIGS. 10B and 10C ) be affixed at one end to the left support arm  40  and at the opposite end to the right support arm  30 . The sheet of material  80  is affixed by its own adhesive backing, by tape (e.g. masking tape), by clamps (not shown) on the support arms  30 / 40  or any known way of such temporary attachment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a front cross section of an apparatus  10  of the present invention vertically extended is shown. The exemplary sheet holding apparatus  10  is supported by a base  12  and in some embodiments, the base  12  is equipped with one or more wheel or sliding devices  14  (e.g. ball in socket, etc) to enable relocation and adjustment of the sheet holding apparatus  10  against a vehicle. 
     Connected to the base  12  is an adjustable riser system  20 . In this view, the adjustable riser system  20  is shown fully extended having an interior riser section  26 , a medial riser section  24  and an exterior riser section  22 . In this exemplary riser system  20 , the same rail  62  and wheel  64  interface as will be described with  FIGS. 8 and 9  are used, although any adjustable riser system  20  is anticipated to adjust the height of the system. Other types of adjustable riser systems  20  include telescoping systems, hydraulic systems, manually lifted systems with locking, etc. 
     As described previously, extension arms  50  are attached to the adjustable riser system  20  by a position control interfaces  22 / 24  and a right support arm  30  is connected to the right end area of the right extension arm  50  by a hinge  32  and a left support arm  40  is connected to the left end area of the left extension arm  50  by a hinge  42 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , side cross section of an apparatus  10  of the present invention is shown with the support arms  30 / 40  (only the left support arm  40  is visible) vertical ( FIG. 3 ) and turned horizontal ( FIG. 4 ). Any angle is anticipated including 90 degrees (horizontal) for installing the sheet of material on the hood/roof of a vehicle, etc. The support arms  30 / 40  swing outwardly by way of a hinge joint  24  that permits the extension arms  50  and support arms  30 / 40  to swing outwardly away from the riser system  20  to any desired angle. Once positioned correctly, the hinge joint  24  is locked to maintain the position of the support arms  30 / 40  for application of the sheet of material  80 . 
     As shown in the side view of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the extension arms  50  are made of several extension rails  60 / 62 , coupled to each other by wheel systems  66  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). The stationary rails  60  are interfaced to a cross member  61  and the cross member is interfaced to the hinge joint  24 . The hinge joint  24  is rotatably interfaced to a horizontal support  69  that is connected to the riser system  20 . The slideable rails  62  are held parallel to and interfaced to the stationary rails  60  and to each other by a slideable interface such as that shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a top cross section of an apparatus  10  of the present invention with all extensions arms retracted is shown. Although there are many apparatus known for extension, the extension arms  50  produce very good results. Each extension arm  50  includes a stationary arm  60  and one or more slideable arms  62 . The stationary arms  60  are interfaced to the cross member  61  by brackets  67  that are in turn, interfaced to the adjustable riser system  20  by a cross member  69 . A first set of the slideable arms  62  interface to the stationary arms  60  using wheel trucks  64  and wheels  66  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Likewise, each of the slideable arms  62  interface to the next slideable arm  62  using the same wheel trucks  64  and wheels  66  as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In this way, the slideable arms  62  are easily extended until the wheels  66  are stopped by the stops  52 , thereby preventing the slideable arms  62  from extending too far. Although shown having three slideable arms  62  per side, any number of slideable arms  62  is anticipated. Furthermore, other mechanisms to provide extendable arms are also anticipated and the present invention is not limited by the particular mechanism described. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a top cross section of an apparatus  10  of the present invention showing the extension arms  50  partially and fully extended. In  FIG. 6 , the first two slideable arms  62  are extended and the third slideable arm  62  is not, whereas in  FIG. 7 , all three slideable arms  62  are extended fully from the stationary arms  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a detail cross section of the extension arms  50  of the present invention is shown. The extension arms  50  are supported by the cross member  61  and the stationary arms  60  are affixed to the cross member  61  by, for example screws, etc. The first set of slideable arms  62   a  is slideably interfaced to the stationary arms  60  by wheel trucks  64  and wheels  66  (see  FIG. 9  for a detail description of the wheel trucks  64  and wheels  66 ; Note that the upper wheel  66  is not visible, hidden by the cross member  61 ). In this way, the first set of slideable arms  62   a  easily move with respect to the stationary arms  60 . The second set of slideable arms  62   b  is slideably interfaced to the first set of slideable arms  62   a  by another set of wheel trucks  64  and wheels  66 . In this way, the second set of slideable arms  62   b  easily move with respect to the first set of slideable arms  62   a . The third set of slideable arms  62   c  is slideably interfaced to the second set of slideable arms  62   b  by another set of wheel trucks  64  and wheels  66 . In this way, the third set of slideable arms  62   c  easily move with respect to the second set of slideable arms  62   b . Again, any number of slideable arms  62  is anticipated. Furthermore, in the present example, multiple sets of wheel trucks  62  and wheels  66  are anticipated per pair of arms  60 / 62  for added strength. 
     To limit the travel of the trucks  62  and wheels  66 , stops  52  are fastened to the rails  62 . The stops  52  limit the travel of the wheels  66 . 
     Again, other mechanisms that achieve the same or similar extension of the arms  50  work in the present invention and are included here within. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a detail cross section of the slideable interface between slideable arms  62   a/b  of the present invention is shown. In this view, two slideable arms  62   a/b  are shown with a wheel truck  64  affixed to a first of the slideable arms  62   a  by bolts  67  and nuts  68 . The wheels  66  are rotatably held to the wheel truck  64  by screws  65  and the wheels  66  interface to slots  68  in the top and bottom surfaces of the second slideable arm  62   b , enabling the first slideable arm  62   a  to slide along the second slideable arm  62   b.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C, a schematic view of the sheet holding apparatus  10  in various modes/configurations is shown next to a target vehicle  100 . As shown, the sheet holding apparatus  10  is very compact, taking up minimal space in a print shop, sign shop, etc. The support arms  30 / 40  are shown substantially vertical and the extension arms  50  are substantially horizontal and withdrawn. The stand  12  rests on a surface (e.g. a garage floor) and the riser system  20  is retracted. As shown by the arrows, before affixing the of sheet material  80  to the support arms  30 / 40 , the extension arms  50  are extended to the width of the sheet material  80 . Once the extension arms  50  are extended to the desired distance between the support arms  30 / 40 , the sheet material  80  is attached to the support arms  30 / 40  as shown in  FIG. 10B . In some embodiments, the sheet material  80  is attached to the support arms  30 / 40  using an adhesive backing already present on the sheet material  80 . In other embodiments, the sheet material  80  is attached to the support arms  30 / 40  using adhesive or tape such as masking tape, etc. In still other embodiments, the sheet material  80  is attached to the support arms  30 / 40  using a clamping mechanism (not shown) integrated with the support arms  30 / 40 . 
     To accommodate non-horizontal vehicle sides such as the vehicle  100  shown in  FIG. 10C , the sheet holding apparatus  10  tilts to match the horizontal angle of the surface of the vehicle on which the sheet material  80  is to be applied. Likewise, the support arms  30 / 40  also swing outwardly (see  FIG. 4 ) and the adjustable riser system  20  adjust the height of the sheet material  80  for application on top surfaces of the vehicle  100  (e.g. the hood, trunk and roof). Although an automobile  100  is shown in this example, any vehicle is anticipated including cars, trucks, vans, mini-vans, boats, airplanes and the like. 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.