US 6,684,542 B2 · System for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate · patentgrep

Loading patent…

Abstract

A system for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate is comprised of a number of frame sections including an elongate support member secured to the substrate and an elongate connector member secured to an end portion of the flexible sheeting material, with the support member and the connector member including interlocking anchor elements capable of forming a releasable interconnection therebetweeen. The support member and the connector member each include a tool engaging portion defining oppositely facing bearing surfaces. A tool is provided which includes a first engaging surface positioned in abutment against one of the bearing surfaces, and a second engaging surface positioned in abutment against the opposite bearing surface. Displacement of the engaging surfaces along the bearing surfaces tensions the flexible sheeting material to a taut state, with the interlocking anchor ribs forming a releasable interconnection to maintain the flexible sheeting material in the taut state.

Drawings

Claims45

Dependent claims

A system for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate, comprising:

an elongate support member operatively secured to the substrate, said support member including an anchoring portion defining a number of first anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said support member including a tool engaging portion defining a first bearing surface extending along a length thereof;
an elongate connector member formed of a flexibly resilient material, a portion of said elongate connector member being directly attached to the flexible sheeting material, said connector member including an anchoring portion defining a number of second anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said connector member including a tool engaging portion defining a second bearing surface extending along a length thereof and facing generally opposite said first bearing surface;
and
a tool including a first element and a second element, said first element defining a first engaging surface positioned in abutment against said first bearing surface, said second element defining a second engaging surface positioned in abutment against said second bearing surface, said tool configured to allow relative displacement between said first and second elements to correspondingly adjust a distance between said first engaging surface and said second engaging surface;
and
wherein displacement of said first and second engaging surfaces along a length of said first and second bearing surfaces tensions the flexible sheeting material to a taut state, said number of first anchor elements releasably engaging said number of second anchor elements to maintain the flexible sheeting material in said taut state.

3 more elements

A system for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate, comprising:

an elongate support member operatively secured to the substrate, said support member including an anchoring portion defining a number of first anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said support member including a tool engaging portion defining a first bearing surface extending along a length thereof;
an elongate connector member operatively secured to an end portion of the flexible sheeting material, said connector member including an anchoring portion defining a number of second anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said connector member including a tool engaging portion defining a second bearing surface extending along a length thereof and facing generally opposite said first bearing surface;
and
a tool including a first element and a second element, said first element comprising a first rail member defining a first engaging surface positioned in abutment against said first bearing surface, said second element defining a second engaging surface positioned in abutment against said second bearing surface, said tool configured to allow relative displacement between said first and second elements to correspondingly adjust a distance between said first engaging surface and said second engaging surface;
and
wherein said first engaging surface is slidably engaged along said first bearing surface and said second engaging surface is engaged along said second bearing surface to tension the flexible sheeting material to a taut state, said number of first anchor elements releasably engaging said number of second anchor elements to maintain the flexible sheeting material in said taut state.

3 more elements

A system for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate, comprising:

an elongate support member operatively secured to the substrate, said support member including an anchoring portion defining a number of first anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said support member including a tool engaging portion defining a first bearing surface extending along a length thereof;
an elongate connector member operatively secured to an end portion of the flexible sheeting material, said connector member including an anchoring portion defining a number of second anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said connector member including a tool engaging portion defining a second bearing surface extending along a length thereof and facing generally opposite said first bearing surface;
and
a tool including a first element and a second element, said first element comprising a first rail member defining a first engaging surface positioned in abutment against said first bearing surface, said second element defining a second engaging surface positioned in abutment against said second bearing surface, said tool including an at least partially threaded shaft threadingly engaged within a corresponding threaded passage extending through a movable portion of said tool, one of said first and second rail members coupled to said movable portion of said tool whereby rotation of said shaft correspondingly displaces said first rail member relative to said second rail member;
and
wherein said first engaging surface is slidably engaged along said first bearing surface and said second engaging surface is engaged along said second bearing surface to tension the flexible sheeting material to a taut state, said number of first anchor elements releasably engaging said number of second anchor elements to maintain the flexible sheeting material in said taut state.

3 more elements

A system for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate, comprising:

an elongate support member operatively secured to the substrate, said support member including an anchoring portion defining a number of first anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said support member including a tool engaging portion defining a first bearing surface extending along a length thereof;
and
an elongate connector member operatively secured to an end portion of the flexible sheeting material, said connector member including an anchoring portion defining a number of second anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said connector member including a tool engaging portion defining a second bearing surface extending along a length thereof and facing generally opposite said first bearing surface;
and
a tool including a first element and a second element, said first element defining a first engaging surface positioned in abutment against said first bearing surface, said second element defining a second engaging surface positioned in abutment against said second bearing surface, an area of abutment between said second engaging surface and said second bearing surface being generally aligned with a force plane defined by the flexible sheeting material, said tool configured to allow relative displacement between said first and second elements to correspondingly adjust a distance between said first engaging surface and said second engaging surface;
and
wherein displacement of said first and second engaging surfaces along a length of said first and second bearing surfaces tensions the flexible sheeting material to a taut state, said number of first anchor elements releasably engaging said number of second anchor elements to maintain the flexible sheeting material in said taut state.

4 more elements

A system for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate, comprising:

an elongate support member operatively secured to the substrate, said support member including an anchoring portion defining a number of first anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said support member including a tool engaging portion defining a first bearing surface extending along a length thereof;
an elongate connector member operatively secured to an end portion of the flexible sheeting material, said connector member including an anchoring portion defining a number of second anchor elements extending along a length thereof, said connector member including a tool engaging portion defining a second bearing surface extending along a length thereof and facing generally opposite said first bearing surface;
and
a tool including a first element and a second element, said first element defining a first engaging surface positioned in abutment against said first bearing surface, said second element defining a second engaging surface positioned in abutment against said second bearing surface, said tool configured to allow relative displacement between said first and second elements to correspondingly adjust a distance between said first engaging surface and said second engaging surface, said first and second engaging surfaces engaged along said first and second bearing surfaces to tension the flexible sheeting material to a taut state, said number of first anchor elements releasably engaging said number of second anchor elements along an interconnection location to maintain the flexible sheeting material in said taut state;
and
an elongate cover member engaged with one of said elongate support member and said elongate connector member to cover said interconnection location.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description18,318 words

Summary1,421 words

#The present invention generally relates to a system for mounting a flexible sheeting material to a substrate, and more specifically relates to a frame assembly and associated tooling for tensioning the flexible sheeting material to a taut state and releasably mounting the flexible sheeting material to the substrate to maintain the flexible sheeting material in the taut state.

#Various types of signs and displays are commonly used as advertisements which must be securely mounted to the sides of vehicles, trailers, buildings, billboards and other types of substrates. Such signs and displays are typically comprised of flexible sheeting material, such as a canvas or plastic material, which exhibits some type of printing, graphics, and/or artwork. In the past, the flexible sheeting material has been secured to a substrate and held in tension by way of a variety of mounting and tensioning systems. A number of such systems are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,535 to Holloway et al. Similar to most forms of advertising, the flexible sheeting material must be periodically removed and replaced with flexible sheeting material exhibiting different printing, graphics, and/or artwork. As a result, the mounting and tensioning system should preferably be designed to allow for the quick, efficient and economical removal and replacement of the flexible sheeting material.

#Prior mounting and tensioning systems typically require the use of a frame assembly having relatively complex mounting and tensioning mechanisms, thereby tending to increase manufacturing costs. Moreover, such systems typically require that the flexible sheeting material be equipped with a large mounting bead extending about its periphery, and that the frame assembly include a mounting channel sized and shaped to slidably receive the mounting bead therein. In essence, the bead and channel function as a mortise and tenon arrangement to securely connect the flexible sheeting material to the frame assembly. Such a connection arrangement also leads to increase manufacturing costs.

Brief description of the drawings24 figures

#FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a flexible sheeting material mounted to a substrate by a mounting system according to one form of the present invention.

#FIG. 1a is an elevational view of a building having a flexible sheeting material mounted thereto by the mounting system illustrated in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 1b is an elevational view of a billboard having a flexible sheeting material mounted thereto by the mounting system illustrated in FIG. 1.

Detailed description16,372 words

#For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention, reference will now be made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation on the scope of the present invention is intended, and that any alterations or modifications in the disclosed embodiments and any further applications of the principles of the present invention are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

#Referring to FIG. 1, shown therein is a frame assembly 20 according to one form of the present invention for mounting a flexible sheeting material 22 to a substrate 24. FIGS. 1a-1c illustrate several types of substrates to which the flexible sheeting material 22 may be mounted, including, by way of example, the side of a building 25, a billboard 26 and a the side of a truck or trailer 27. However, it should be understood that the frame assembly 20 may be used to mount the flexible sheeting material 22 to any other type of substrate that would occur to one of skill in the art.

#In one embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly 20 is comprised of four frame sections 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d extending about an outer periphery of the sheeting material 22. Each of the frame sections 20a-d preferably has an identical structural configuration, varying only in length and/or orientation. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the frame sections 20a-d are arranged in a rectangular configuration. The upper and lower frame sections 20a, 20b are preferably arranged in a substantially parallel and symmetrical relationship relative to one another and are operatively attached to a first pair of opposing end portions 22a, 22b of the sheeting material 22. The right and left frame sections 20c, 20d are preferably arranged in a substantially parallel and symmetrical relationship relative to one another and are operatively attached to a second pair of opposing end portions 22c, 22d of the sheeting material 22. The frame sections 20a-d are in turn operatively secured to the substrate 24 by any method that would occur to one of skill in the art, such as, for example, by fastening. In one embodiment, the frame sections 20a-d are secured to the substrate 24 by a number of fasteners 28, such as, for example, screws, nuts and bolts, rivets or any other type of fastening device that would occur to one of skill in the art.