Tensioned fabric sign

A tensioned fabric sign comprising:

• a peripheral frame including a plurality of elongated frame members joined in end-to-end relationship and defining an opening disposed inwardly of the frame, each of said frame members including a longitudinal first wall, a longitudinal second wall spaced a distance from said first wall, a longitudinal frame recess formed between said first and second walls, said frame recess having an outwardly directed opening, said second wall formed with a plurality of longitudinal, closely spaced grooves;
• at least one sheet of flexible, indicia-bearing fabric disposed generally overlying said opening and having a fabric margin disposed generally adjacent said frame recess;
• and
• a plurality of tension clips disposed at intervals along said fabric margin and said peripheral frame inserted into said frame recess, each of said tension clips including:
• a stiff clip body dimensioned for insertion into said frame recess, said clip body having a width less than said distance between said first and second frame walls, whereby said clip body can rotate within said frame recess,
• a longitudinal clip recess formed in said clip body and opening toward said first wall,
• means for grasping a portion of said fabric margin within said clip recess, and
• longitudinal tooth means along clip body disposed outwardly of said clip recess and directed toward said grooves and adapted for retaining engagement with said grooves;
• wherein said fabric margin extends into said frame recess between said first wall and said clip body and into grasping engagement with said clip recess, and wherein tension developed in said fabric tends to rotate said tension clip and urge said tooth means into engagement with said grooves.

A tensioned fabric sign comprising:

• a peripheral frame including a plurality of elongated frame members joined in end-to-end relationship and defining an opening disposed inwardly of the frame, each of said frame members including a longitudinal first wall, a longitudinal second wall spaced apart from said first wall, a longitudinal frame recess formed between said first and second walls, said recess having an opening, said second wall formed with a plurality of longitudinal, closely spaced grooves;
• at least one sheet of flexible, indicia-bearing fabric disposed generally overlying said opening and having a fabric margin disposed generally adjacent said frame recess;
• a plurality of tension clips disposed at intervals along said fabric margin and said peripheral frame inserted into said frame recess, each of said tension clips including:
• a clip body dimensioned for insertion into said frame recess, said clip body having an outer extent toward said opening and an inner extent away from said opening,
• a clip recess formed along the inner extent of said clip body and opening toward said first wall, said clip recess defined by a lip extending toward said first wall, wherein portions of said lip are formed with detents extending into said clip recess,
• longitudinal tooth means along the outer extent of said clip body directed toward said grooves and adapted for retaining engagement with said grooves;
• a spline having a trough disposed toward said detents, said fabric margin portion being wrapped around said spline, and said spline and said fabric margin being inserted into said clip recess with said detents forcing said fabric margin into said trough;
• and
• wherein said fabric margin extends into said frame recess between said first wall and said clip body and into grasping engagement with said clip recess, and wherein tension developed in said fabric tends to rotate said tension clip and urge said teeth into engagement with said grooves.

A tensioned fabric sign comprising:

• a peripheral frame including a plurality of elongated frame members joined in end-to-end relationship and defining an opening disposed inwardly of the frame, each of said frame members including a longitudinal first wall, a longitudinal second wall spaced apart from said first wall, a longitudinal frame recess formed between said first and second walls, said frame recess having an outwardly directed opening, said second wall formed with a plurality of longitudinal, closely spaced grooves;
• at least one sheet of flexible, indicia-bearing fabric disposed generally overlying said opening and having a fabric margin disposed generally adjacent said frame recess;
• a plurality of tension clips disposed at intervals along said fabric margin and said peripheral frame inserted into said frame recess, each of said tension clips including:
• a clip body dimensioned for insertion into said frame recess,
• a lip extending from said clip body into said frame recess and toward said first wall, said lip defining a clip recess opening toward said first wall, portions of said lip formed with detents extending into said clip recess, and
• longitudinal tooth means disposed outwardly of said clip recess and directed toward said grooves and adapted for retaining engagement with said grooves;
• and
• a spline having a trough disposed toward said detents, said fabric margin extending into said frame recess between said first wall and said clip body and wrapped around said spline, said spline and said fabric margin portion being inserted into said clip recess in grasping engagement with said clip recess, said detents within said trough;
• wherein tension developed in said fabric tends to rotate said tension clip and urge said tooth means into engagement with said grooves.

A tensioned fabric sign comprising:

• a frame defining a frame channel having first and second walls spaced apart a distance from one another, said first wall having a plurality of spaced, longitudinal grooves formed thereon;
• a sheet of flexible sign fabric disposed in tension on said frame and having a margin portion located within said frame channel;
• and
• a plurality of tension clips each comprising a relatively stiff clip body having a width less than said distance between said first and second channel walls whereby said clip can rotate within said channel, said clip having first and second sides generally facing said first and second channel walls, respectively, said clip having securing means for securing said fabric margin portion to said clip, said fabric extending between said second clip side and said second channel wall, said first clip side having engagement means for engaging said grooves upon rotation of said clip within said channel, whereby the tension of said sign fabric on said clips rotates said clips within said frame channel and urges said engagement means into engagement with said grooves.