Tensioning frame for sheet media

A mounting bracket and banner tensioning system, comprising:

• a first mounting bracket comprising:
• a first base plate having a first clamping surface, a first upwardly extending stretch arm, and a first vertical channel disposed between the first clamping surface and the first upwardly-extending stretch arm;
• a first clamping arm removably coupled to the first base plate, the first clamping arm having a first clamping arm clamping surface and a first downwardly extending stretch arm;
• and
• a first cover coupled to the first base plate;
• a second mounting bracket, disposed opposite the first mounting bracket, comprising:
• a second base plate having a second clamping surface, a second upwardly extending stretch arm, and a second vertical channel disposed between the second clamping surface and the second upwardly-extending stretch arm;
• a second clamping arm removably coupled to the second base plate, the second clamping arm having a second clamping arm clamping surface and a second downwardly extending stretch arm;
• and
• a second cover coupled to the second base plate;
• and
• a banner including a first end secured between the first clamping surface and the first clamping arm clamping surface and a second end secured between the second clamping surface and the second clamping arm clamping surface, the banner stretched tight between the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket when the banner is stretched by the first downwardly extending stretch arm disposed in the first vertical channel and the second downwardly extending stretch arm disposed in the second vertical channel,
• wherein the first downwardly-extending stretch arm comprises a first foot disposed at a terminal end thereof, the first foot disposed in the first vertical channel of the first base plate and in contact with the banner when the banner is stretched by the first downwardly extending stretch arm, and wherein the second downwardly-extending stretch arm comprises a second foot disposed at a terminal end thereof, the second foot disposed in the second vertical channel of the second base plate and in contact with the banner when the banner is stretched by the second downwardly extending stretch arm.

A method of displaying and tensioning a banner, comprising:

• placing a first end of the banner on a first clamping surface of a first mounting bracket and a second end of the banner on a first clamping surface of a second mounting bracket, the first mounting bracket including a first base plate, a first clamping arm, and a first cover and the second mounting bracket including a second base plate, a second clamping arm, and a second cover;
• securing the first end of the banner in the first mounting bracket and the second end of the banner in the second mounting bracket;
• stretching the banner between the first base plate and first clamping arm and the second base plate and second clamping arm;
• fastening the first clamping arm to the first base plate and the second clamping arm to the second base plate;
• and
• disposing the first cover over the first clamping arm and the second cover over the second clamping arm,
• wherein stretching the banner between the first base plate and the first clamping arm includes stretching the banner between a downwardly-extending stretch arm disposed on the first clamping arm and an upwardly-extending stretch arm disposed on the first base plate, and
• wherein stretching the banner between the downwardly-extending stretch arm disposed on the first clamping arm and the upwardly-extending stretch arm disposed on the first base plate comprises stretching the banner between a foot disposed at a terminal end of the downwardly-extending stretch arm and the upwardly-extending stretch arm.