Patent Publication Number: US-2017362850-A1

Title: Sidewall Attachment System

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Example embodiments in general relate to a sidewall attachment system for attaching decorative objects such as decorative flowers to a structure such as a tent to create a decorative display such as a flower wall. 
     Related Art 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     Flower walls and the like are popular at various gatherings and functions such as weddings. In the past, one desiring such a decorative display would be required to manually connect decorative attachments to their tent or other structure. Since such tents and structures are generally rented for such gatherings, there can be a significant risk that the rented property may be damaged. It can also be extremely inefficient to manually connect such decorative objects individually without damaging the underlying structure. 
     SUMMARY 
     An example embodiment of the present invention is directed to a sidewall attachment system. The sidewall attachment system includes a sidewall which is adapted to be removably secured to a structure such as a tent. The sidewall includes mounts and apertures for removably securing the upper end and sides, respectively, of the sidewall to the structure. The sidewall also includes a plurality of retainer strips adapted to removably engage with corresponding connector strips located on each of a plurality of panels adapted to be removably connected to the sidewall. Each of the panels includes a plurality of openings which function as grommets to retain any number of decorative attachments such as flowers to the panels to form a decorative display on the structure. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the features of the sidewall attachment system in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the sidewall attachment system that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the sidewall attachment system in detail, it is to be understood that the sidewall attachment system is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The sidewall attachment system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sidewall attachment system in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of a panel aligned for connection to a sidewall. 
         FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of panels being connected to a sidewall. 
         FIG. 4  is an upper perspective view of a sidewall covered in panels. 
         FIG. 5  is an upper perspective view of panels being covered with decorative attachments. 
         FIG. 6  is an upper perspective frontal view of a panel. 
         FIG. 7  is an upper perspective rear view of a panel. 
         FIG. 8  is a frontal view of a sidewall. 
         FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of a sidewall. 
         FIG. 10  is a frontal view of a sidewall covered in panels. 
         FIG. 11  is a side sectional view of a sidewall with attached panels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A. Overview 
     An example sidewall attachment system generally comprises a sidewall  20  which is adapted to be removably secured to a structure  12  such as a tent. The sidewall  20  includes mounts  30  and apertures  32  for removably securing the upper end  21  and sides  23 ,  24 , respectively, of the sidewall  20  to the structure  12 . The sidewall  20  also includes a plurality of retainer strips  34  adapted to removably engage with corresponding connector strips  45  located on each of a plurality of panels  40  adapted to be removably connected to the sidewall  20 . Each of the panels  40  includes a plurality of openings  46  which function as grommets to retain any number of decorative attachments  50  such as flowers to the panels  40  to form a decorative display on the structure  12 . 
     B. Sidewall 
     As shown throughout the figures, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a sidewall  20  which is adapted to be removably attached to a structure  12  such as a tent. Although the figures illustrate the structure  12  as comprising a tent, it should be appreciated that the sidewall may be attached to various other structures  12 , including buildings such as homes or businesses, vehicles, and the like. 
     Although the figures illustrate that the sidewall  20  is attached to an inner surface of the structure  12 , it should be appreciated that the sidewall  20  could be attached to an outer surface of the structure  12  as well. For example, with respect to the tent shown in  FIG. 1 , the sidewall  20  could be attached to an outer wall of the tent rather than the inner wall as shown in the exemplary figure. 
     The sidewall  20  may comprise various shapes, sizes, and orientations and thus should not be limited with regard to those characteristics based on the exemplary figures or description herein. In the exemplary figures, a sidewall  20  comprising a rectangular shape having an upper end  21 , a lower end  22 , a first side  23 , a second side  24 , an outer surface  25 , and an inner surface  26  is shown. The number of ends  21 ,  22  and/or sides  23 ,  24  of the sidewall  20  will vary in different embodiments and for different applications. 
       FIG. 2  best illustrates a sidewall  20  for use with the present invention. As shown, the sidewall includes a plurality of mounts  30  on its upper end  21  which may be utilized to removably secure the sidewall  20  to the structure  12 . In the exemplary figures, the sidewall  20  is shown as being suspended from the upper end  21  of the sidewall  20 , though other methods may be used for connecting the sidewall  20  to the structure  12 . 
     The mounts  30  may comprise any structure capable of removably connecting the sidewall  20  to the structure  12 . In some embodiments, the sidewall  20  may be more fixedly secured to the structure  12 , such as by nailing or use of an adhesive. In the embodiment shown in the figures, which is not in any manner limiting, the mounts  30  are shown as comprising hooks which extend from the upper end  21  of the sidewall  20  such that they may be positioned over the upper end of a wall or vertical surface of the structure  12 . 
     For additional stability and to ensure that the sidewall  20  does not flap in the wind, the sides  23 ,  24  of the sidewall  20  may also be secured against the structure  12 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, the sides  23 ,  24  of the sidewall  20  each include a vertical row of apertures  32  through which ties such as cords or ropes may be extended and tied off to secure the sides  23 ,  24  of the sidewall  20  to the structure  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the sidewall  20  could be tied to another sidewall  20 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the sidewall  20  includes a plurality of retainer strips  34  which are adapted to removably engage with corresponding connector strips  45  on the panels  40  when the panels  40  are connected to the sidewall  20 . In the figures, the retainer strips  34  are shown as extending across the outer surface  25  of the sidewall  20  between its first side  23  and its second side  24 . In some embodiments, the retainer strips  34  could extend across the inner surface  26  of the sidewall  20  in addition to or instead of extending across the outer surface  25 . 
     The retainer strips  34  may comprise adhesive strips or hook-and-fastener loop strips extending across the sidewall  20 . The retainer strips  34  may extend in parallel relationship with each other, or other orientations may be utilized. Although the retainer strips  34  are shown as being horizontally oriented between the sides  23 ,  24  of the sidewall  20 , they could be diagonally oriented or vertically oriented between any of the ends  21 ,  22  or sides  23 ,  24  in alternate embodiments. 
     The number of, positioning, size, and orientation of the retainer strips  34  may vary in different embodiments. In some embodiments, only a single retainer strip  34  may be utilized. The scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures as to the number of, positioning, size, and/or orientation of the retainer strips  34 . 
     C. Panels 
     As shown throughout the figures, a plurality of panels  40  are provided which are adapted to be removably connected to the sidewall  20  either before or after the sidewall  20  has been connected to the structure  12 . The number of panels  40  will vary in different embodiments due to varying sizes and shapes of the sidewall  20 . In some embodiments, only a single panel  40  may be utilized. 
     Generally, the panels  40  will each comprise a rectangular strip of material adapted to be removably connected to the sidewall  20  and to removably receive any number of decorative attachments  50 . The shape, size, and orientation of the panels  40  will vary in different embodiments and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 and 6-7 , the panels  40  will each comprise an outer surface  42  and an inner surface  42 . The inner surface  43  of the panels  40  is adapted to be removably connected to the sidewall  20 . Each panel  40  includes at least one connector strip  45  which is adapted to removably engage with a corresponding retainer strip  34  on the sidewall  20  to removably secure the panel  40  to the sidewall  20 . The figures illustrate each panel  40  having one retainer strip  34 , though additional retainer strips  34  may be included on panels  40  for added stability when in use. 
     The connector strips  45  may comprise adhesive strips or hook-and-fastener loop strips extending across the panels  40 . The connector strips  45  may extend horizontally as shown in the figures, or may extend vertically or diagonally in other embodiments so long as they are capable of matching up with corresponding retainer strips  34  on the sidewall  20 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , a plurality of openings  46  extend into the panels  40 . The openings  46  may extend into the outer surface  42 , the inner surface  43 , or both. The openings  46  act as grommets  46  to which the decorative attachments  50  may be removably connected. The number of, positioning, size, and orientation of the openings  46  may vary in different embodiments and should not be construed as limited by the exemplary figures. In the embodiments shown in the figures, the openings  46  are arranged in a grid-like orientation across the panel  40 . The openings  46  may substantially cover the panel  40  as shown in the figures, or may only cover parts of the panel  40  in other embodiments. 
     D. Attachments 
     The panels  40 , which are removably connected to the structure  12 , are adapted to removably receive any number of decorative attachments  50 . Various types of decorative attachments  50  may be utilized. In the exemplary figures, the decorative attachments  50  are shown as comprising flowers which may be connected to the openings  46  of the panels  40  to create a pleasing sidewall  20  for the structure  12 . 
     E. Operation of Preferred Embodiment 
     In use, the sidewall  20  is first connected to the structure  12 . The upper end  21  of the sidewall  20  may first be connected to the structure  12 , following by the sides  23 ,  24  of the sidewall  20 . To secure the upper end  21  of the sidewall  20  to the structure  12 , the mounts  30  on the upper end  21  of the sidewall  20  are positioned to extend over the upper edge of the structure  12  to engage therewith such as shown in  FIG. 1 . To secure the sides  23 ,  24  of the sidewall  20  to the structure  12 , cords, ropes or the like will be extended through the apertures  32  of the sidewall  20  and secured around a part of the structure  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     With the sidewall  20  secured to the structure  12 , the panels  40  may be added to the sidewall  20 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a panel  40  being aligned to removable connection to the structure  12 . The connector strip  34  of the panel  40  is aligned with one of the retainer strips  34  of the sidewall  20 . The panels  40  may be secured to the sidewall  20  by engaging the retainer strips  34  and the connector strips  34  together in removable relationship.  FIG. 3  shows panels  40  being connected to the sidewall  20 . Preferably, the entire sidewall  20  will be covered with panels  40  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     With the panels  40  covering the sidewall  20  as shown in  FIG. 4 , the decorative attachments  50  may be mounted to the panels  40 . Each decorative attachment  50  will be removably secured with one or more openings  46  of the panel  40 . Some decorative attachments  50  may require multiple openings  46  and some decorative attachments  50  may only require a single opening  46 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates the panels  40  of a sidewall  20  being covered in decorative flowers  50 . Although the entire surface of the sidewall  20  is shown as being covered, in some embodiments only some of the panels  40  may be covered, leaving portions of the sidewall  20  uncovered. In such a manner, various designs may be created by selectively attaching decorative flowers  50  to only select portions of the panels  40 . 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the sidewall attachment system, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The sidewall attachment system may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.