Framing system for fabric signs

A framing system for fabric signs, said framing system comprising:

• a tension clip defining a longitudinal recess, and comprising:
• a retaining element;
• and
• a frame engaging portion;
• and
• a mandrel having a longitudinal length defined between first and second opposite ends, and a lateral width, wherein the longitudinal length is at least double the lateral width, said mandrel comprising:
• a first outboard rib at the first end of said mandrel;
• a second outboard rib at the second end of said mandrel;
• and
• a first lateral depression disposed between said first and second outboard ribs;
• wherein said framing system can be adjusted into a securing configuration in which said mandrel is at least partially disposed within said longitudinal recess and said retaining element is engaged with said first lateral depression to couple said mandrel to said tension clip;
• wherein said first and second outboard ribs are configured to substantially terminate longitudinal movement of said mandrel while said framing system is in said securing configuration;
• wherein said framing system secures a flexible panel within said longitudinal recess while said framing system is in said securing configuration;
• and
• wherein said frame engaging portion is configured to selectively couple said tension clip to a frame.

A framing system for fabric signs, said framing system comprising:

• a tension clip having a frame-engaging portion and a leg extending away from said frame-engaging portion, said leg defining a portion of a fabric-receiving channel that extends longitudinally along said tension clip;
• said frame-engaging portion comprising a tooth configured to engage a tooth-receiving surface of a frame channel;
• a pair of fabric-engaging projections extending inwardly into said fabric-receiving channel;
• a mandrel configured for insertion into said fabric-receiving channel with a fabric edge portion wrapped around said mandrel, said mandrel having opposite longitudinal sides along a longitudinal length thereof and opposite end portions;
• said mandrel comprising an outboard rib at each of said opposite end portions and a pair of spaced-apart medial ribs arranged parallel to and spaced inboard of said outboard ribs, said mandrel defining an outboard recess between each of said outboard ribs and a respective one of said medial ribs, and said mandrel defining a medial recess between said medial ribs;
• wherein said fabric-engaging projections align with respective ones of said outboard recesses and are configured to urge respective portions of the fabric edge portion into said outboard recesses;
• and
• wherein tension in a fabric of the fabric sign urges said tooth of said frame-engaging portion into engagement with the tooth-receiving surface of the frame channel, and urges said leg toward another surface of the frame channel opposite the tooth-receiving surface.