Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This invention relates to signage, and more particularly to mounting and tensioning planar signs on surfaces such as the sides of trucks. 
         [0002]    There is disclosed in published international patent application WO 03/060333A2, titled Sign and Awning Attachment System and Method of Use, an attachment and tensioning system for a planar structure, such as a vinyl sign or other flexible sheet, such as canvas. The edges of the sheet, which is generally rectangular, are provided with a sewn-in bead which cooperates with other members of an attachment and tensioning system that includes a fixed frame comprised of horizontal and vertical rails. The top horizontal bead and one vertical bead are inserted into fixed rails. The bottom horizontal bead and the remaining vertical bead are inserted into translatable or “floating” rails that in turn connect to adjacent fixed rails by levering means. All rails can be aluminum extrusions. The fixed rails can be attached to a vertical side or door of a truck intended to carry a sign. The system permits signs to be installed and removed without damage, so that a sign can be reused at a future date. 
         [0003]    Large signs suitable for truck advertising may typically be in the order of eight feet (2.7 m) high and anywhere from 10 feet to 50 feet (3 to 18 m) wide, printed on vinyl sheets using large, one-pass or multiple-pass ink-jet printers such as the Ultra View 3360 printer (VUTek, Inc., Merideth, N.H., U.S.A.) Beading or “Keeder” is sewn into the edges to prepare the sign for mounting. This is a labor-intensive operation requiring care. The spacing of the opposing beading or “keeder” needs to be set for each signage sheet to within about one-half inch (1.2 cm) tolerance. Because large flexible sheets have a tendency to stretch by a variable amount during printing, sheets are individually beaded to stay within tolerance, which adds considerable cost. Also, beading mistakes are difficult, or in some cases not possible, to rectify. 
         [0004]    An aspect of this invention is a beadless attachment and tensioning system employing the type of tensioning means disclosed in published patent application WO 03/06033A2. 
         [0005]    Another aspect of this invention is a sign mounting and tensioning apparatus that includes for at least the top sign edge and one vertical sign edge, and preferably also for the bottom edge and remaining vertical edge, elongated flexible but cross sectionally shape-retaining inserts and cooperating elongated locks, whereby sign edges can be wrapped around the inserts, and the wrapped inserts can be removably inserted into the locks such that the inserts do not rotate and the sign edges are secured from slipping out of the locks when the sign is tensioned; fixed frame rails securable to a mounting surface into which the locks containing wrapped top sign edge and one vertical sign edge can be inserted such that the locks do not rotate; and tensioning means for connecting the bottom sign edge and remaining vertical sign edge to fixed mounting means, securable to the mounting surface, such that the sign can be tensioned and secured over the mounting surface, such as a side of a truck or trailer. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of this invention is the inclusion in the foregoing apparatus of floating rails for the bottom and remaining vertical side of the sign into which locks containing wrapped sign edges, as described above, can be inserted such that the locks do not rotate, and a plurality of mounting-tensioning units each comprising a mounting portion securable to the mounting surface and a levering tensioning mechanism connectable thereto and to a floating rail. 
         [0007]    Yet another aspect of this invention is a method for removably mounting a flexible signage sheet utilizing the above-described apparatus comprising the steps of wrapping the sign edges around inserts, reversibly locking the wrapped inserts into the elongated locks, removably inserting locks containing the wrapped sign edges into the top and vertical rails affixed to a surface and into the bottom and vertical floating rails, removably connecting the floating rails to mounting means affixed to the surface by tensioning means, preferably levering tensioning units, and reversibly tensioning the sign by means of the tensioning means. 
         [0008]    Yet another aspect of this invention is a system comprising a flexible sheet sign mounted and tensioned in the apparatus described above. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    This invention includes mounting and stretching apparatus for large rectangularly shaped signs that does not require beaded edges on the sign to attach it to frame members. Rather, apparatus according to this invention can accommodate signs having plain edges. Apparatus according to this invention includes fixed frame members that can be fixedly attached to a surface such as a side of a vehicle, as by riveting, bolting, welding or other suitably secure means. As used in this application, “sign” means a flexible sheet, for example a vinyl sheet or a canvas sheet, bearing writing, printing, graphics, pictures, images or other visual communication; “vehicle” is used in its broadest sense and includes, for example, automobiles, trucks, trailers, trains, airplanes and boats; and “surface” includes any structure on which a rectangular frame can be mounted such as, for example, a building wall, a window frame or a side of a vehicle. 
         [0010]    At least two frame members, the top and one vertical side of a rectangular frame, are preferably continuous to facilitate lockingly mounting a plain edge sign. They are formed of continuous metal extrusions, preferably aluminum. They may be one-piece or they may be of multiple sections to achieve the length needed. Plain edges of signs are removably locked in these frame members, or “rails”, as will be described. For mounting on a lateral side or top of a vehicle, such as a truck or trailer, it is preferable that the forward vertical sign edge be locked in a continuous rail to prevent wind from having access to the underside of the sign. 
         [0011]    A sign fixedly mounted in the foregoing perpendicular rails is then tensioned and releasably secured over the generally planar surface to which the sign is to be applied. This can be achieved by any suitable means. A preferred embodiment utilizes “floating rails,” that is, rails similar to the first two rails except not fixedly attached to the surface on which a sign is being mounted. While preferable, it is not required that the floating rails be continuous. To tension a sign locked in perpendicular fixed rails and opposite floating rails and secure it to the surface, each floating rail is pulled outwardly and releasably attached to mounting means affixed to the surface. Such mounting means may be an outer fixed rail, which may be continuous in one or more sections but preferably is discontinuous to save material Edges of the sign itself or preferably floating rails may be reversibly pulled toward the mounting means and releasably secured thereto with rope or self-locking plastic ties. A preferred embodiment includes lockable levering means to tensioningly connect each floating rail to an outer fixed rail. Most preferably the levering means are discontinuous, but they could be continuous as disclosed in published patent application WO 03/06033A2. 
         [0012]    Other, less preferred embodiments include simple studs, D-rings or hooks in place of the outer fixed rail or rail portions for employment of tie-downs, which might or might not be elastic. Tie downs such as self-locking plastic ties, commonly referred to as “zip ties”, could be passed through holes drilled in a floating rail (preferably including plastic grommets to protect the ties) or hook onto a floating rail or loop over a protrusion on a floating rail to permit the floating rail to be cinched down. It is even possible to dispense with the floating rails by adding grommets to a sign edge or edges to accommodate tie downs. 
         [0013]    Locking unbeaded sign edges into fixed rails and floating rails includes a locking insert around which a sign edge can be wrapped before insertion. The rail is provided with a recess running along its length. Preferably the recess is provided with a plastic liner to protect the sign. More preferably this liner serves as a lock to prevent the sign edge from pulling away from the rail by pressure and friction. The recess is shaped to receive an insert in a non-rotating fashion to lock in place a sign edge wrapped around the insert, thereby permitting tension to be applied to the sign. 
         [0014]    Preferred embodiments include a plastic lock that snaps over the insert and engages a wrapped sign edge to prevent it from slipping, and that slides easily into the recess or snaps into the recess in a non-rotating fashion. 
         [0015]    This invention includes a method for mounting and tensioning an unbeaded, plain-edged planar sign, generally a rectangular sign, comprising fixedly securing to the surface to be covered perpendicular substantially continuous fixed rails for the top and one vertical side, and fixed rails, preferably discontinuous, or post or other means below and outside the remaining sign edges to which tensioning means may be anchored; clamping the sign into elongated, non-rotating locking mechanisms that prevents the sign edge fi-om slipping out when tension is applied, inserting the locking mechanisms, including clamped sign edges, into substantially sign-wide, preferably continuous, mounting recesses in the top rail and vertical rail, and tensioningly securing the bottom and remaining vertical edge of the sign to the anchoring means. 
         [0016]    Preferred embodiments of methods according to this invention include tensioning the sign by securing the bottom and remaining vertical sign edges to substantially sign-wide, preferably continuous, floating rails in the manner described above for the top rail, and camming the floating rails downwardly and outwardly toward fixed anchoring rails to tension the sign in both the horizontal and vertical directions, wherein the anchoring rails are preferably discontinuous sections spaced along the surface to be covered, and reversibly locking the tensioning mechanism. 
         [0017]    This invention also includes signage including a flexible printed sheet, preferably vinyl, mounted and tensioned in framing apparatus as described above. 
         [0018]    The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an end view of a beaded planar sheet mounted in the attachment and tensioning system of WO 03/060333A2. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of planar sheet prepared for mounting in the attachment and tensioning system of this invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is an exploded end view of a locking arrangement according to this invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is an end view of a planar sheet locked in the top rail and opposite floating rail of an embodiment of this invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is an end view of a planar sheet locked in the top rail and opposite floating rail of an embodiment of this invention showing the bottom floating rail and bottom fixed rail or rail section locked together by levering members 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a simplified elevation of a truck including a mounted and tensioned sign according to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-5 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a mounted and tensioned sign according to another embodiment of this invention. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  depicts the attachment and tensioning mechanism disclosed in published patent application WO 03/060333A2.  FIG. 1  presents basic features of a planar structure attachment and tensioning arrangement, such as an example sign display system for use with a vehicle, in a relaxed, non-tensioned position. As shown in  FIG. 1 , components of the attachment and tensioning mechanism  60  are attached to the surface of an object  61 , such as a truck side or other attachment surface. The system comprises edge beading  64 ,  66  for the sign or other planar structure and a combination of aluminum extrusions. A fixed rail  62  for securing one side of the planar structure  63  (e.g., a sign or other advertising medium) is firmly attached to the surface of the object  61 . To attach one edge of the planar structure  63  (e.g., upper edge, as shown in  FIG. 1 ), for example, the planar structure  63  includes a beaded top edge  64 , which is insertable into a slotted feature  65  of fixed rail  62 . 
         [0028]    Opposite beaded top edge  64  is beaded bottom edge  66 , which is introduceable into an open section of floating rail  70 , which is not attached to the surface of the object  61 , but is free floating and spans the length of the side (here the bottom) of the image. Tension can be applied to planar structure  63  normal to beads  64 ,  66  by a frame-wide tensioning lever arm  71 . One side  72  of tensioning arm  71  is coupled to the moveable rail  70  via a coupling  73  that receives one side of the tensioning lever arm  71 . The other side  74  of tensioning lever arm  71  is coupled to one end of a frame-wide beam  75 , which in turn is coupled via, for example, an open trough, to lower frame-wide fixed rail  76  that is firmly attached to the surface of the object  61 . 
         [0029]    The image is tensioned when the cam lever or tensioning arm  71  is closed, thereby pulling floating rail  70  away from top rail  62 . Tensioning lever arm  71  pivotally rotates within the coupling  73  of floating rail  70 . Pivotal rotation of tensioning lever arm  71  causes pivotal rotation of the beam  75  about both the coupling  77  of the tensioning lever arm  71  and the coupling of lower fixed rail  76 . Once the lower side  74  of tensioning lever arm  71  passes over the center of the beam  75 , tensioning lever arm  71  becomes locked in a tensioned position and the planar surface  63  is in “the drum taught position.” To secure the frame-wide levering arm in its locked, tensioning position, end caps are applied and secured to the truck or other surface. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows sign  1 , a flexible, rectangular, planar sheet readied for beadless mounting according to this invention. Sign  1  has four comers  3  removed so as to create foldable edges  5  that are foldable along registration marks  2 . Optionally corner areas may be reinforced by sewing or other reinforcing means indicated at  4 . Sign  1  is marked with peripheral registration marks  2  for alignment during mounting. In the embodiment depicted, two additional sets of registration marks (unnumbered) are added, one set inside marks  2  and one set outside marks  2 , for possible adjustment. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows an exploded end view of a locking mechanism according to this invention. An edge  5  of sign  1  ( FIG. 2 ) is wrapped around non-rotating insert  10  that contains portion  11  of non-circular cross section. Registration marks  2  are utilized to fix the location of sheet  1  relative to insert  10 . Insert  10  and wrapped edge  5  are inserted into lock  20  which contains portions  21  of non-circular cross section that pressingly clamp portion  11  of insert  10 . Insert  10  is flexible lengthwise but shape-retaining in cross section. It might be a durable plastic extrusion, but it could also be an aluminum extrusion. It has rounded comers so as not to damage sheet  1 . Insert  10  may be multiple pieces placed end-to-end, for example, two eight-ft (2.7 m) lengths and one four-ft (1.35 m) length for a sign twenty feet (6.8 m) wide. Lock  20  is preferably a plastic extrusion, for example, nylon. It is resiliently flexible in order that it can be snapped over insert  10  and folded edge  5  and later gently pried off without ruining the sign, the insert, or the lock itself and reused when sign  1  is changed. Friction between the interior surface of lock  20  and sign I prevents edge  5  from slipping during use. Clamping portions  21  of lock  20  include flared ends with rounded corners so as to protect sheet  1  (see  FIG. 4 ). As with insert  10 , lock  20  may be multiple pieces placed end-to-end. We prefer that joints between lengths of lock  20  are offset from joints between lengths of insert  10  so that the assembled construction can be handled as a single unit. Insert  10  and the cooperating inner surface of lock  20  are of non-circular cross section such that insert  10  is prevented from rotating within the lock when tension is applied to sheet  1 , thus preventing locked edge  5  from unwinding. Numerous cross-sectional profiles for insert  10  will fulfill these requirements, as will be appreciated. All four edges  5  of sheet  1  are so locked. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows an end view of the components that hold the top and bottom edges  5  of sign  1 . Top edge  5  is shown wrapped around an insert  10  and inserted into a lock  20 , as described in connection with  FIG. 3 . Bottom edge  5  is similarly locked. Fixedly mounted, by bolting or riveting, on surface  41 , which may be a truck or trailer side, is top rail  42 , that includes a coupler or shaped recess  44  for receiving locked top edge  5 , outwardly (in this case upwardly) extending mounting side  43 . Floating, that is, not fixedly attached to surface  41 , is floating rail  45 , that includes a coupler or shaped recess  46  for receiving locked bottom edge  5  and outwardly (in this case downwardly) projecting portion comprising coupler  47 . The system is the same for vertical edges  5  of sheet  1  (see  FIG. 6 ). One vertical fixed rail  81  is identical (except perhaps for length) to fixed top rail  42 , and the opposite side has a vertically oriented floating rail  83  identical (except perhaps for length) to floating rail  45 . Each lock  20 , carrying an insert  10  and a locked edge  5 , is slidingly inserted into respective coupler  44  or  46  by feeding from an end. Lock  20  and insert  10  are shaped relative to couplers  44 ,  46  such that they do not rotate when in place, and lock  20  protects its locked edge  5  from contacting the coupler edges. By flaring both ends of locks  20  as depicted, which we call an “omega” construction, a single construction can be used for all four sign edges. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows the lower tensioning portion of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4 . Outside (here below) floating rail  45  is a fixed mounting means and lockable tensioning means, which in this embodiment and not continuous across the width of the sign (see  FIG. 6 ). Although the mounting means and the tensioning means may be preassembled as a unit affixable to surface  41 , they need not be preassembled. A preferred mounting means is bottom fixed rail section  52  that includes coupler  53 , which may be a section of the same aluminum extrusion as top rail  42  ( FIG. 4 ). The mechanism for tensioning sheet  1  includes tensioning lever arm  48  and beam  54 . Arm  48  includes cylindrical end  49  pivotally engaged in coupler  47  of floating rail  45 . Beam  54  contains cylindrical ends  55 ,  56  pivotally engaged in coupler  50  of arm  48  and coupler  53  of fixed rail  52 . As indicated, elements  52 ,  54  and  58  may be a preassembled unit, and stops (not shown) may be included to prevent cylindrical ends  55 ,  56  from sliding out of their couplers  53 ,  50 , thereby forming permanent hinge joints. When lever arm  48  is pivoted downwardly, that is, away from sign  1 , by  15  pushing on its end  51 , floating rail  45  is pulled downwardly, tensioning sheet  1 , until ann  48  reaches its locked tensioning position shown in the figure. Lever arm  48  and beam  54  have circular holes  58 ,  59  that align with rivnut  57  when in the locked tensioning position. Flanged button head cap  60  is removably inserted into rivnut  57  through holes  58 ,  59  to prevent the system from becoming inadvertently unlocked. The tensioning vertical side is identically constructed (see  FIG. 6 ). Vertical floating rail  83  is tensioningly secured in the identical manner utilizing horizontally placed tensioning arms  48  and their related beams  54  and outer fixed rail sections  52  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  shows the embodiment described above installed on side panel  41  of a truck  80  with a tensioned sign  1 . Top fixed rail  42  is continuous but in sections. Floating rail  45  is also continuous but in sections. A series of preassembled mounting and tensioning units ( FIG. 5 ) are affixed to side  41  and tensioningly connected to bottom floating rail  45 . Lever arms  48  are visible in this view. Horizontal tensioning is the same. It includes fixed rail  81 , floating rail  83 , and a plurality of mounting and tensioning units including lever arms  48 . Tension arm  48  could be continuous in each case, but it is shown here as a series of discrete units about six inches (15 cm) wide spaced along floating rails  45 ,  83 . We prefer spacing of very approximately three feet (1 m) with floating rail joints covered. 
         [0035]      FIG. 7  shows a portion of a second embodiment of a tensioned sign system according to this invention that includes tensioning components different from those utilized in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 2-6 .  FIG. 7  shows a section of surface  41  and a central vertical portion planar sheet  1 . In this embodiment upper rail  42  is the same as the previous embodiment described in connection with  FIG. 4 . Also, insert  10  and lock  20  are the same as described in connection with  FIG. 39  as are their assembly with top and bottom sign edges  5  and sliding installation into the rails. In this embodiment floating rail  71  is very much like top rail  42  but placed “upside down.” It includes coupler  72  that is identical to coupler  44  and flat mounting side  76 , which is identical to side  43  except that it includes large grommeted holes  73  for receiving tie-down straps. Located outside (here beneath) floating rail  71  is a series D-rings  74  fastened to surface  41  beneath grommeted holes  73 . Self-locking plastic ties  75 , commonly called zip ties, are passed through holes  73  and D-rings  74  and pulled tight in order to tension planar sheet  1  in the vertical direction. Rotating the image of  FIG. 7  by 90 degrees shows the same mechanical elements and method for horizontal mounting and tensioning planar sheet  1 . In this embodiment ties  75  are simply cut and replaced when removing a first sign  1  and constructing a tensioned sign system with another sign  1 . 
         [0036]    A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, different cross-sectional shapes for an insert  10 , lock  20  and cooperating rail recess  44  could be utilized. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

Technology Category: 3