Abstract:
A system and method for mounting a flexible material sign to a billboard structure includes a plurality of tensioning clamps affixed to the billboard structure. Each of the plurality of clamps includes a bracket adapted to be secured to the billboard structure and an adjustable J-bolt moveably secured to the bracket. The J-bolt includes a hooked section for passing through and hanging the flexible material sign to the billboard structure. To tautly mount the flexible material sign to the billboard structure, the brackets are secured to the billboard structure with fasteners. The hooked sections of the J-bolts are passed through the sign to hang the sign from the billboard structure. The J-bolts are adjusted relative to the bracket to hang the sign a preselected distance from the billboard structure and to apply a tension to the sign to maintain a desired tautness of the sign.

Description:
This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 60/574,890, filed May 27, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   This invention relates generally to signs and banners and, more particularly, to a system and method for tautly mounting a sign or banner such as a flexible material sign or banner to a structure. The invention is particularly applicable to a billboard type of structure in that it allows a flexible material display, such as a large vinyl sheet having printed advertising or other information thereon, to be tautly mounted to a billboard structure or frame, while alternately allowing a pasted or painted sign to be applied to the billboard structure or frame and be viewed thereon when the flexible material display is not in use. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention may be adapted to effective use in other environments and applications. 
   Techniques for securing or adding large display advertisements and messages to billboard structures or frames are well known. Billboard structures can include conventional free-standing billboards, such as those often found along a roadside or on the roof of a building; sides of buildings, often large areas without windows or many architectural features; side walls of conventional tractor trailers; and the like. Often, the billboard structure includes a plurality of substantially planar panels mounted adjacent one another to form a large, flat area to accommodate the advertisement or message. 
   One known method of adding a large display advertisement to a billboard structure is to paint an advertisement image directly on the panels of the billboard structure. This often requires the use of an artist to perform the painting for each billboard structure which undesirably increases the cost of billboard advertising. Another known method, widely in use today, is to paste preprinted signs over the panels of the billboard structure. While this approach eliminates the need for an artist to craft each advertising image for each billboard, pasting suffers several of its own drawbacks. 
   In particular, pasted signs are often difficult to remove and replace as they require the old sign to be pasted over, painted over, or scraped off prior to the application of a new pasted sign. The signs are often large and high off the ground which makes these tasks rather cumbersome and a skilled laborer is often required for properly pasting the sign to the billboard structure. Further, pasted signs are vulnerable to peeling and deterioration, particularly if they frequently encounter inclement weather. Like painting, these problems undesirably increase the cost of billboard or banner type advertising. 
   More recently, flexible material signs or displays, often constructed of vinyl, are being used on billboard or other structures capable of carrying a flexible sign. These signs are generally lightweight and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. A variety of methods are known for mounting these types of signs to billboard structures. One such method is to wrap the flexible material sign around a show surface of the billboard structure and tie opposing edges of the sign together using cord material or the like. Another method is to install elongated members or rods through hemmed edges formed in the sign and secure the elongated members to a billboard structure via cord or some other mounting device. While these methods achieve inexpensive installation costs, they often result in flexible material signs that are unsightly because the cords or other connecting devices mounting the signs remain largely exposed and/or the signs themselves do not remain taut. 
   In response to advertisers and billboard owners who desire a more professional appearance, numerous mounting devices have been proposed for mounting flexible material signs to billboard structures. For example, mounting devices for securing flexible material signs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,566 issued on Jul. 5, 1988 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,942 issued on Jul. 18, 2000. While these types of mounting devices may result in a more professional appearance, they are often overly elaborate and expensive to manufacture, install and use. Accordingly, there is a need for an effective mounting system and method for securing flexible material signs to billboard structures while balancing the competing desires of advertisers in the appearance and cost of the mounting system and method. 
   SUMMARY 
   In accordance with one embodiment, a system and method for mounting a sign are advantageously provided. The system has a plurality of tensioning clamps affixed to an associated billboard structure or frame. Each clamp includes a bracket adapted to be secured to an associated billboard structure and an adjustable J-bolt movably secured to the bracket. Each J-bolt includes a hook section for passing through and hanging an associated flexible material sign, such as a vinyl sign having a printed advertisement thereon, to the billboard structure. Further, each of the J-bolts is adjustably moveable along a first axis to selectively apply a tension to the associated flexible material sign to ensure, in conjunction with the other J-bolts, that the sign is taut. 
   Each of the J-bolts is also adjustably movable along a second axis for positioning the associated sign a selected distance from a show surface of the billboard structure. A first threaded member or nut received on a threaded section of the J-bolt counteracts the tension force applied to the sign for maintaining the J-bolt in a selected position along the first and second axes. A second threaded member or jam nut abuts the first threaded member and locks the J-bolt in the selected position. 
   The method includes securing the clamps with J-bolts to the billboard structure by fasteners. The J-bolt hook sections are received through the associated flexible material sign to hang the sign from or to the billboard structure. The J-bolts are adjusted to hang the associated sign a preselected distance from the billboard structure and to apply a tension to the associated sign to maintain a desired tautness of the sign. The first threaded member of each J-bolt is positioned to maintain the J-bolt in a selected position, and the second threaded member is moved to an abutting position to lock the J-bolt in the selected position. 
   A principal advantage of the present invention is found in the provision of a system and method for tautly mounting a flexible material sign to a billboard structure or frame. 
   Another advantage of the invention resides in the provision of a system and method for mounting a flexible material sign that is both inexpensive and aesthetically appealing. 
   Still another advantage resides in a system and method for mounting a flexible material sign that is relatively simple to manufacture and use. 
   Yet another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a system for mounting a flexible material sign that alternately allows a pasted sign to be used on a billboard structure when no flexible material sign is in use. 
   Still yet another advantage of the present invention is found in a system for mounting a flexible material sign that can be easily and readily adapted to existing billboard structures or frames of varying types. 
   Still other advantages and benefits of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art and upon reading and understanding the following detailed description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, one or more embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein; 
       FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a billboard structure having a plurality of tension clamps mounted thereon for hanging a flexible material sign from a billboard structure or frame; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one of the plurality of tension clamps of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the billboard structure of  FIG. 1  shown with a flexible material sign hung from the tension clips mounted on the billboard structure; and 
       FIG. 4  is an elevational perspective view of a tension clamp according to an alternate embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating one or more embodiments and not for purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  shows a billboard structure generally designated by reference numeral  10 . The billboard or sign carrying structure of the illustrated embodiment includes a rectangular frame  12  formed of four elongated frame members  14  and a show surface  16  formed of a plurality of substantially planar panels  18  positioned adjacent one another. The panels  18  are secured to the frame  12  in a conventional manner. The show surface  16 , also referred to herein as a poster face, provides a large, substantially planar area for displaying a sign on the billboard structure  10  as will be described in more detail below. 
   A plurality of tension clamps  20  are mounted to the show surface  16  at spaced intervals along interior edges of the frame  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the clamps  20  are spaced apart at intervals of approximately three (3) feet, and several of the clamps are positioned adjacent corners  22  of the billboard structure as defined at intersections of the frame members  14 . Of course, the exact positioning of the clamps and the spacing therebetween could vary as could the number of clamps used on a particular billboard structure. For example, on a relatively large billboard structure, it may be desirable to utilize many more clamps  20 , whereas it may be possible and/or desirable to use relative fewer clamps  20  on a relatively small billboard. 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 2 , each tension clamp  20  comprises a generally L-shaped bracket  24  and a J-bolt  26  moveably secured to the L-shaped bracket. More specifically, the bracket  24  includes a first leg section  28  and a second leg section  30  extending approximately normal to the first leg section. The first leg or clamp section  28  defines a plurality of apertures  32  therethrough (three apertures in the illustrated embodiment) for mounting the clamp  20  to the show surface  16  of the billboard structure. Specifically, with reference back to  FIG. 1 , suitable fasteners  34 , such as self-tapping metal screws, are received through the apertures  32  for securing the bracket  24  to the billboard structure. 
   With reference again to  FIG. 2 , the second leg section  30  defines a slot  36  extending along a longitudinal length of the second leg section. A width of the slot  36  is appropriately sized to receive a threaded shaft portion  38  of the J-bolt  26 , also referred to herein as a hook. Thus, the J-bolt extends through the second leg section  30  along a first axis generally parallel with a longitudinal length of the first leg section  28 . As will be described in more detail below, the J-bolt  26  is movable along the first axis by moving into or out of the slot  36  and along a second axis parallel to the slot (and the longitudinal length of the second leg section  28 ) by moving along the slot. A hooked section  40  of the J-bolt is oriented such that an end  42  of the J-bolt adjacent the hook section  40  faces outwardly in a direction opposite the first leg section  28 . 
   A first threaded member  44 , such as a conventional hexagonal nut, is threadedly received on the threaded shaft portion  38  of the J-bolt and abuts the second leg portion  30 . The first threaded member maintains the J-bolt in a preselected position along both the first and second axes. A second threaded member or jam nut  46 , shown spaced apart from the first threaded member  44 , is also threadedly received on the threaded shaft portion  38 . The jam nut  46  can be threadedly advanced to a position wherein the jam nut is in abutting relation with the first threaded member  44  to effectively lock the J-bolt in the preselected position. 
   With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , a flexible material sign  48 , which can be positioned on top of show surface  16 , is shown connected to the billboard structure or frame  10  by the tension clamps  20 . More specifically, the first leg sections  28  (only one being shown) are secured to the billboard structure  10  by the fasteners  34  ( FIG. 1 ) such that the first leg sections  28  are in abutting and parallel relation with the show surface  16 . With the first leg sections  28  abutting the show surface  16 , the second leg sections  28  extend outwardly from the show surface in a direction approximately normal thereto. The J-bolts  26  pass through the slots  36  such that the threaded shaft sections  38  are generally parallel to the show surface and the hook sections  40  face outwardly away from the show surface. 
   A flexible material sign  48 , such as a conventional vinyl sheet with preprinted advertisements or signage thereon, is secured to the billboard structure by passing the J-bolt hook sections  40  through the sign  48 . To pass through the sign  48 , the hook sections  40  pierce holes in the sign or, alternately, the sign can include holes prepositioned to correspond to the locations of the clamps  20  on the billboard structure  10 . Optionally, grommets (not shown) can be used around the pierced holes or the prepositioned holes to reinforce the sign  48  and reduce the potential for tearing of the sign at or near the J-bolts. 
   With the sign  48  attached to the hook sections  40 , the J-bolts  26  can be moved to a preselected location or position along the first and second axes. More specifically, each of the J-bolts can be moved within its respective slot along the first axis to position the sign  48  a selected distance from the show surface  16 . Each of the J-bolts can also be threadedly moved along the second axis, and relative to a general plane of the respective second leg portion of each J-bolt, to apply a tension to the sign  48  for purposes of making the sign taut. When a particular J-bolt is in a desired preselected position, i.e., the sign  48  is taut and appropriately positioned relative to the show surface  16 , the first threaded member  44  can be used to maintain the preselected position of that J-bolt. The tension force applied across the sign  48  and the counteracting force applied by the first threaded member  44  cooperate to maintain the J-bolt in the preselected position. The second threaded member  46  is used to lock the first threaded member in place and thereby lock the J-bolt in the preselected position. 
   To remove the sign  48  from the billboard structure  10 , it is simply removed or pulled off its mounted relation with the J-bolts  26 . The threaded members  44 , 46  can be threadedly moved to allow movement of the J-bolts  26  for purposes of releasing the tension on the sign  48  and facilitating ease of removal. When the sign  48  is removed, a new flexible material sign can be installed on the clamps  20  or, alternately, a pasted or painted sign can be applied to the show surface  16  directly over the first leg portions of the clamps  16 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 4 , a tension clamp  120  is shown according to an alternate embodiment. The tension clamp  120  is generally the same or similar to the tension clamp  20 , except as indicated below. The tension clamp  120  comprises an L-shaped bracket  124  and a J-bolt  126  moveably secured to the L-shaped bracket. Like the bracket  20 , the bracket  120  includes a first leg section  128  and a second leg section  130  extending approximately normal relative to the first leg section. The first leg or clamp section  128  defines a plurality of apertures  132  therethrough (only two of three shown in hidden lines in the illustrated embodiment) for mounting the clamp  120  to a show surface of a billboard structure. Like the clamp  20 , suitable fasteners  134  are received through the apertures  132  for securing the bracket  124  to the billboard structure. 
   The second leg section  130  defines a slot  136  (shown in hidden lines) extending along a longitudinal length of the second leg section. A width of the slot  136  is appropriately sized to receive a threaded shaft portion  138  of the J-bolt  126 . Like the tension clamp  20 , the J-bolt  126  is moveable along a first axis by moving into or out of the slot  136  and along a second axis parallel to the slot by moving along the slot. A hooked section  140  of the J-bolt is oriented such that an end  142  thereof faces outwardly in a direction opposite the first leg section  128 . First threaded member  144  is threadedly received on the threaded shaft portion  138  of the J-bolt and abuts the second leg portion  130 . Like the first threaded member  44 , the first threaded member  144  maintains the J-bolt in a preselected position along both the first and second axis. A second threaded member or jamb nut  146  is also threadedly received on the threaded shaft portion  138  and is shown in an advanced position wherein the jamb nut is in abutting relation with the first threaded member  144  to effectively lock the J-bolt in the preselected position. Operation of the clamp  120 , and its components or elements thus far described, occurs in the same or similar fashion as described in reference to the tension clamp  20 . 
   The tension clamp  120  additionally includes a locking assembly  160  disposed on the bracket  124  to further limit movement of the J-bolt  126  along the slot  136 . The locking assembly  160  includes a bolt  162  received through the slot  136  adjacent the J-bolt  126  and a threaded member  164  threadedly received on the bolt to lock the bolt in a desired position along the slot and to the bracket. The threaded member  164  can be a wing nut, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, to facilitate easier threaded advancement or removal of the threaded member onto or from the bolt. When locked in a desired position, the clamping assembly prevents the J-bolt  126  from moving beyond the clamping assembly in the slot  136 , i.e., sliding away from a show surface to which the bracket  124  is attached. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the clamping assembly can further include a locking washer  166  disposed on the bolt  162  axially between the threaded member and the bracket  124 . Although not illustrated, a washer, such as a fender washer, can be disposed on the bolt axially between a head  162   a  of the bolt and the bracket  124 . Such a washer, particularly one having a relatively large diameter, may be used to still further limit movement of the J-bolt  126  in the slot  136 . 
   Although the invention has been specifically described and illustrated for use with a billboard structure, it is contemplated that the present invention could be employed in many other applications where it is desirable to hang a flexible material sign or banner. Moreover, the sizing and relative sizing of the components included in the tension clamp (including clamps  20  and  120 ) can vary and be adapted to the specific application in which the clamp is being employed. For example, a larger hook can be used in larger applications where higher wind loads may be anticipated. Further, it is expected that modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.