WO2008116231A2

WO2008116231A2 - Mounting for panels

Info

Publication number: WO2008116231A2
Application number: PCT/ZA2008/000011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alistair Nolan Weight; Hadley William Weight
Original assignee: Alistair Nolan Weight; Hadley William Weight
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2008-02-12
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Also published as: WO2008116231A3

Abstract

A frame is provided for retaining an advertising panel in a taut relationship. The frame comprises an articulated member (10) having a plurality of alternative channels (26) for receiving an edge bead of a flexible panel, the member (10) being movable from a first position in which it receives the bead to an anchored position in which a formation at or near its end is received by a corresponding channel in a fixed structure that engages with the formation in retaining relationship.

Description

MOUNTING FOR PANELS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a mounting for panels and particularly for flexible panels of sheet material used as banners or flags for advertising purposes.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of banners for advertising has grown in volume to the extent that it can be regarded as the premium form of advertising and many arrangements have been suggested for their display. Included in these arrangements are those that comprise a frame with means to mount the banner in a taut condition. Many of these are somewhat complicated and some require the use of special tools.

In WO2004/044874 a frame is provided that has articulated members with channels to receive beads along the edges of the panel. The size and required tension determine which channel to use as the member is pressed to engage in an anchoring formation and secured therein by means of a grub screw or the like. However a grub screw is easily misplaced or lost and is a nuisance to use. It is also subject to corrosion, which renders it difficult to free when required, and useless for re-use. A further disadvantage is that it becomes loose and thereby compromises the integrity of the item. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement that avoids these disadvantages.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement that is easily and rapidly installed and removed so that it can be replaced without delay.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention a frame for retaining a panel in taut condition includes an articulated member having a plurality of channels for receiving a peripheral bead of a panel, the member being movable to an anchored position in which a formation at or near its free end is received by a corresponding channel in a fixed structure that engages with the formation in retaining relationship.

In one form of the invention the member comprises a pair of spaced apart tongues with enlarged zones creating an increased width that is force fitted into the corresponding channel and that, when released expands into the channel to be retained by a reduced opening.

In another form of the invention the tongues engage with a spring clip that is retained in the corresponding channel, the clip being shaped to receive the tongues in retaining relationship. The spring clip performs a snap engagement with the tongues. These are resistant to corrosion.

The clips may be inserted into the corresponding channel during manufacture and are firmly engaged therein so that there is no question of loss (compare the ease with which a grub screw can be lost) or the difficulty of manipulation during installation.

The shape of the clip includes a waisted zone that clips behind the enlarged zones. The latter may include a shoulder to promote this engagement.

In use the degree of engagement of the panel may be increased by the use of more clips along the corresponding channel and this may be achieved at any time during use.

In the prior art arrangement described above in relation to Patent Publication WO2004/044874 a two-part corner cover is provided that is stated to be manufactured from polycarbonate. The first part is attached to the fixed structure and the second to the articulated member. The first part is difficult to remove when removal becomes necessary and polycarbonate has been proved to be too brittle for use in such invention.

Thus, the present invention provides a single corner cover of aluminium with adjustable cage nuts for fixing. Aluminium is more resistant to mechanical damage, has a better aesthetic appeal and avoids the snagging problem associated with the prior art arrangement. It is also easily removed and replaced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a section of an articulated member;

Figure 2 is a similar view of the combination of articulated member and a fixed structure in its first position;

Figure is a similar view of the combination in its second position;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of an alternative form of the free end of the fixed structure;

Figure 5is an isometric view similar to that of Figure 3 including a spring clip;

And

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the two halves on a corner cover before being joined.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In Figure 1 an articulated member 10 has a beaded edge 12 that engages with a hook formation 14 (see Figures 2 and 3) for movement between a first position as shown in Figure 2 and a second position as shown in Figure 3.

The free end of the articulated member has a pair of tongues 16 that have opposing enlarged zones 18. These zones are force fitted into the corresponding channel 20 that has a reduced opening 22 for retaining the tongues in engaged relationship.

The articulated member has a plurality of channels 26 so that the peripheral bead 23 of a panel 25 may be located into the desired channel having regard to the degree of stretch of the panel required when the articulated member is moved to its second or closed position - Figure 3. In Figure 4 an additional channel 30 is provided for particular purposes.

Turning now to Figure 5. The arrangement as shown in Figure 3 includes a tension spring 40 that is inserted into the channel 20. The spring has a waisted shape indicated by reference 42 that corresponds with the enlarged zones 18 of the tongues so that the enlarged zones are a force fit into the waisted shape of the spring, thus preventing easy release of the articulated member.

In Figure 6 the two halves 44, 46 of a comer cover are shown as having a chamfered section 48 and orifices 50 for nuts and bolts, rivets or the like.

The articulated member 10 and the member including the hook 14 may be extruded from a suitable polymeric material.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A frame for retaining a panel in taut condition including an articulated member having a plurality of alternative channels for receiving an edge bead of a panel, characterised in that the member is movable to an anchored position in which a formation at or near its free end is received by a corresponding channel in a fixed structure that engages with the formation in retaining relationship.

2. The frame according to claim 1 characterised in that the member comprises a pair of spaced apart tongues with enlarged zones creating an increased width that is force fitted into the corresponding channel and that, when released expands into the channel to be retained by a reduced opening.

3. The frame according to claim 1 or clam 2 characterised in that the tongues engage with a spring clip that is retained in the corresponding channel, the clip being shaped to receive the tongues in retaining relationship.

4. The frame according to claim 3 characterised in that the spring clip performs a snap engagement with the tongues. .

5. The frame according to claim 4 characterised in that the clips are inserted into the corresponding channel during manufacture and are firmly engaged therein.

6. The frame according to any of claims 3 to 5 characterised in that the shape of the clip includes a waisted zone that clips behind the enlarged zones.

7. The frame according to claim 6 characterised in that the waisted zone includes a shoulder to promote engagement.

8. The frame according to any of him above claims characterised in that a single corner cover of aluminium is provided with adjustable cage nuts for fixing.