FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to signs, and more particularly, an apparatus for tensioning a fabric sign on a frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Signs can be constructed from a fabric sheet that is tensioned or otherwise stretched over a frame. The frame may include or define features that enable it to securely receive a coupling device. The coupling device is used to couple the fabric sheet to the frame. Inadvertent decoupling of the fabric sheet from the frame sometimes occurs, particularly while the coupling device is vertically oriented and/or exposed to external forces such as vibrations. Additionally, due to specific and necessary installation requirements, coupling devices can improperly installed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a framing system for fabric signs that can be used quickly and easily secure and tension a fabric sheet relative to a sign frame. A tension clip includes a retaining mechanism that is located within a recess. The tension clip can be secured to the sign frame via a frame engaging mechanism. A mandrel, after being wrapped in a fabric sheet that is being used as a sign face, may be inserted into the recess where the retaining mechanisms secure both the mandrel and the fabric sheet. The mandrel includes end ribs that may engage with the retaining mechanism to prevent inadvertent release of the mandrel from the recess while the framing system is vertically-oriented. The tension clip may be securely adjusted relative to the sign frame after the mandrel and the fabric sheet have been secured within the recess in order to tension the fabric sheet.

[0004] Both the tension clip and the mandrel have duplicative and longitudinally symmetrical features that enable each component to be cut in half while still maintaining their ability to secure and tension a fabric sheet relative to a sign frame. This allows a fabric sheet to be secured and tensioned relative to a sign frame having small radii or otherwise unique or challenging geometric configurations. Furthermore, the symmetrical nature of the various components of the framing system reduce the likelihood of errors during the sign installation process due improperly-oriented insertion or placement of one or more components. [0005] According to one form of the invention, a framing system includes a tension clip and a mandrel. The tension clip defines a recess and includes a retaining mechanism and a frame engaging mechanism. The mandrel defines a lateral depression between a pair of end ribs that are located at opposing ends of the mandrel. The framing system can be adjusted into a securing position in which the mandrel and a flexible panel are secured within the recess of the tension clip. This is accomplished by inserting the mandrel into the recess such that the retaining mechanism engages with the depression. While in the securing position, the end ribs prevent inadvertent decoupling of the mandrel from the tension clip. The frame engaging mechanism selectively couples the tension clip to a sign frame.

[0006] In one aspect, the mandrel further defines a second lateral depression that is separated from the first lateral depression via a medial rib.

[0007] In another aspect, the mandrel defines a medial depression that is located between the lateral depressions.

[0008] In yet another aspect, the retaining mechanism includes projections that are located on opposing side walls that partially define the recess.

[0009] In still another aspect, the tension clip is longitudinally symmetrical.

[0010] In a further aspect, the mandrel is longitudinally symmetrical.

[0011] In yet a further aspect, the mandrel has anterior and posterior sides that each include identical and symmetrical features relative to one another.

[0012] Thus, the framing system of the present invention enables one installing a sign to quickly and easily secure and tension a fabric sheet relative to a sign frame. A tension clip includes a retention mechanism located within a recess. A mandrel wrapped in the fabric sheet can be inserted into the recess such that both the mandrel and fabric sheet are secured within the recess. The tension clip may then be coupled to a sign frame at a desired position to both couple the fabric sheet to the sign frame and adjust the tension of the fabric sheet.

[0013] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fabric sign, that is tensioned using a framing system in accordance with the present invention, with aesthetic covers broken away to reveal structure; [0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged end elevation view of a portion of a tension clip and mandrel of the framing system, shown secured to a sign frame and coupling a fabric sheet to the sign frame, and with a mandrel shown in section view to reveal hidden structure;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tension clip and mandrel of the framing system of FIG.

1, viewed from one side;

[0017] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the tension clip and mandrel of FIG. 3, viewed from an opposite side;

[0018] FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of the tension clip and mandrel of FIG. 3;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the tension clip and mandrel of FIG. 3;

[0020] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tension clip and mandrel of FIG. 3 ;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional side view of the tension clip, taken along line VIII- VIII of

FIG. 7;

[0022] FIG. 9 is an end elevation view of the tension clip;

[0023] FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the tension clip;

[0024] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the tension clip;

[0025] FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of another tension clip having staggered fabric-engaging projections;

[0026] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the mandrel of FIG. 7;

[0027] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the mandrel;

[0028] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the mandrel, taken along line XV-XV of FIG. 13;

[0029] FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of the mandrel;

[0030] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another tension clip in accordance with the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the tension clip of FIG. 17;

[0032] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of another tension clip in accordance with the present invention; and

[0033] FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the tension clip of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, a fabric sign assembly 20 includes one or more fabric sheets 22 held taut between frame pieces 24 that cooperate to form a sign frame 26, such as shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of tensioning assemblies 28 are engaged with a perimeter edge portion 22a of each fabric sheet 22, and are secured in channels 30 defined by frame pieces 24 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Tensioning assemblies 28 grip the perimeter edge portion 22a of fabric sheet 22 as tensioning assemblies 28 are inserted further into channels 30, causing fabric sheet 22 to be tightened. Once fabric sheet 22 is satisfactorily taut and free of wrinkles, aesthetic frame covers 32 may be installed over sign frame 26 to obscure tensioning assemblies 28 and frame pieces 24 from view, such as show at upper-right in FIG. 1. Frame pieces 24 and tensioning assemblies 28 cooperate to form a sign framing system that facilitates installation of fabric sign panels 22 for indoor or outdoor displays. As will be described in more detail below, tensioning assemblies 28 are equivalently usable in either of two orientations, which reduces assembly time and reduces the likelihood of assembly errors because there is no incorrect orientation for the tensioning assemblies or their component parts.

[0035] Each tensioning assembly 28 includes a tension clip 34 and a mandrel 36 for insertion into a fabric-receiving channel 38 of the tension clip 34 (FIGS. 2-6). The tension clip 34 includes a two-sided frame-engaging portion 40 and a pair of legs 42a, 42b extending away from the frame-engaging portion 40, the legs 42a, 42b defining the fabric-receiving channel 38, which extends longitudinally along the tension clip 34. Frame-engaging portion 40 is symmetrical about a longitudinal plane PL that extends centrally through tension clip 34 (FIG. 9). Frameengaging portion 40 including a pair of first teeth 44a on a first side 40a and a pair of second teeth on a second side 40b opposite the first side 40a. Depending on the orientation of tension clip 34 in the frame channel 30, a tooth-receiving surface 46 along one side of the frame channel 30 will be engaged by one or both of the first teeth 44a, or by one or both of the second teeth 44b, as the tension clip 34 is inserted into the frame channel 30 in the manner of FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be appreciated that when tension clip 34 and mandrel 36 are rotated by 180 degrees about a vertical clip axis Ave (FIG. 3), the tension clip 34 and mandrel 36 would have the same appearance as shown in FIG. 2, except that the second teeth 44b would be engaging toothreceiving surface 46 and the legs 42a, 42b would be reversed. Therefore, the tension clip 34 and mandrel 36 can be used in the same manner regardless of their orientation about vertical axis Ay.

[0036] Each leg 42a, 42b has two pair of fabric-engaging projections 48a, 48b that extend inwardly into the fabric -receiving channel 38 along respective inner surfaces of the legs, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, and 7-10. While fabric-engaging projections 48a, 48b may be located directly across from one another as shown in FIG. 10, they may also be offset from one another as shown in FIG. 12. Fabric -receiving channel 38 is sized and shaped to receive mandrel 36, with perimeter edge portion 22a of fabric sheet 22 wrapped around the mandrel 36 as shown in FIG. 2. Mandrel 36 is an elongate bar that is symmetrical end-to-end and side-to-side, allowing it to function identically whether inserted into channel 38 in either of two 180 degree orientations about a longitudinal mandrel axis ALM or in either of two 180 degree orientations about a vertical mandrel axis AV (FIG. 7).

[0037] Mandrel 36 has opposite end portions 50, opposite sides 52, and a central region 54 through which vertical mandrel axis AVM passes. Each opposite side 52 has a pair of longitudinal ribs 56, an outboard rib 58 extending between the longitudinal ribs 56 at each opposite end portion 50, and a pair of inboard ribs 60 spaced apart on either side of vertical mandrel axis AVM- Longitudinal ribs 56 cooperate with outboard ribs 58 and inboard ribs 60 to form two outboard recesses 62a and one central or inboard recess 62b along each side 52, such as shown in FIGS. 7 and 12. Therefore, mandrel 36 has a cross-sectional Lshape in the regions of recesses 62a, 62b such as shown in FIGS. 2 and 15, and mandrel 36 has a cross-sectional rectangular shape (generally corresponding to the end elevation of FIG. 16) in the regions of outboard ribs 58.

[0038] This arrangement of outboard and inboard ribs 58, 60 allows the mandrel 36 to be cut approximately in half, through central recess 62b, with each resultant half now having effectively two pair of outboard ribs because inboard ribs 60 are now proximate the cut end of the respective half mandrel. Tension clip 34 may also be cut essentially in half, along or adjacent vertical clip axis Ave, and used as two tension clip halves or portions, each with a respective half mandrel. The use of half clips and half mandrels facilitates use with curved frame pieces 28, since the full- length tension clips 34 and mandrels 36 may be too stiff to easily achieve desired curvature radii in some sign applications. However, relief slots 61 may be formed in legs 42a to improve flexibility of whole tension clips 34. Because mandrels 36 have outboard ribs 58, the full mandrels 36 are secured against falling out of frame channels 30, such as could otherwise results when used in vertically-aligned frame pieces 24 and under vibrations, which may be caused by passing winds or air currents, for example. Because even half-mandrels have inboard ribs 60 that are at the cut end, the half-mandrels also resist falling out of half frame channels 30, being held in place by fabric-engaging projections 48a, 48b of the corresponding half-clip. [0039] Referring to FIG. 2, when perimeter edge portion 22a of fabric sheet 22 wrapped around the mandrel 36, which is then inserted into fabric-receiving channel 38 of clip 34, fabricengaging projections 48a, 48b press or urge respective portions of the fabric edge portion 22a into the outboard recesses 62a in the mandrel 36. Fabric-engaging projections 48a, 48b are spaced apart so as to initially resist insertion of one of the mandrel's longitudinal ribs 56, and to then permit the rib 56 to pass the projections 48a, 48b and extend further into channel 38, toward frame-engaging portion 40 due to flex of legs 42a, 42b and/or compression of fabric 22. Projections 48a, 48b therefore retain the mandrel 36 in channel 38 as the tensioning assembly 28 is inserted into frame channel 30 such that one set of teeth 44a or 44b engage the tooth-receiving surface 46. Fabric tension TF (FIG. 2) causes the teeth 44a or 44b on one side 40a or 40b to be driven into engagement with the tooth-receiving surface 46, and urges a foot 63a, 63b of the opposite-side leg 42a or 42b toward another surface 64 of the frame channel 30, opposite the tooth-receiving surface 46.

[0040] Tensioning assembly 28 may be driven into frame channel 30 using a tool that presses into one of two insertion channels 66 located between sets of teeth 44a, 44b at the opposite sides 40a, 40b of frame-engaging portion 40, similar to the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,546, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. To facilitate removing tensioning assembly 28 from a frame piece 24, a pair of release recesses 68 are provided on either side of a central prying portion 70 through which vertical clip axis Ave passes. Central prying portion 70 includes an upper shelf or overhang region 69 at an upper or outer end of each recess 68. A tool may be inserted into one of the release recesses 68 and pried against prying portion 70, and optionally against a lower surface of overhang region 69, to disengage teeth 44a or 44b, such as in a similar manner as that described in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,546. In the illustrated embodiment, first teeth 44a are on respective first projection plates 72a on first side 40a of frame-engaging portion 40, and second teeth 44b are on respective second projection plates 72b on second side 40b of frame-engaging portion 40, such as shown in FIG. 3.

[0041] Other tension clips are envisioned, such as a tension clip 134 having a stronger and more durable frame-engaging portion 140 as shown in FIGS. 17-21. In the drawings, components of tension clip 134 that correspond to components of the tension clip 34 described above are given like numerals with the addition of 100, such as legs 142a, 142b that substantially correspond to legs 42a, 42b of tension clip 34. Therefore, an understanding of various corresponding features of tension clip 134 may be obtained with reference to the above descriptions, and the following discussion will be mainly limited to distinctions. Frame-engaging portion 140 of tension clip 134 includes sets of teeth 144a, 144b on opposite sides thereof, with a central prying portion 170 and a pair of release recesses 168 with an upper shelf or overhang region 169 at an upper or outer end of each recess 168, such as shown in FIGS. 17 and 19. Two insertion depressions or recesses or channels 166 are formed along the upper or outer region of tension clip 134, and serve to receive the tip of a tool when the tool is used to press tension clip 134 into the frame channel 30. The insertion recesses 166 are shallower than the insertion channels 66 described above, leaving more material in the upper or outer region of tension clip 134, and not forming lengthy projection plates 72a, 72b, thus reducing the risk of breakage as compared to tension clip 34. Insertion recesses 166 also extend along a greater proportion of the tension clip's length, providing a larger area for receiving a tool, and raised ridges surrounding the

[0042] In other aspects tension clip 134 is substantially similar to tension clip 34. Tension clip 134 has legs 142a, 142b that are dimensioned similarly to those of tension clip 34, but with inward curvature (see FIG. 18) as compared to the straight-sided legs 42a, 42b of clip 34 (see FIG. 5). Legs 142a, 142b lack relief slots 61 and are therefore continuous along their lengths, and their respective feet 163a, 163b extend further along the legs. Fabric-engaging projections 148a, 148b are positioned inside fabric-receiving channel 138, similarly to the corresponding projections 48a, 48b, such as shown in FIG. 21 compared to FIG. 10. Thus, tension clip 134 can be used in substantially the same manner as tension clip 34, and is compatible for use with the same mandrels 36 as tension clip 34. Tension clip 134 may be cut down to smaller sizes in the same manner as tension clip 34, and functions in substantially the same manner as tension clip 34.

[0043] It is further envisioned that tension clips may be provided in different sizes and lengths according to desired applications. For example, wider tension clips may be formed in substantially the same manner as the tension clips 34, 134 described above, but with increased width to fit wider sign channels. Shorter-length tension clips may be suitable for curved regions of sign channels. For example, FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a medium-length tension clip 234 having sets of teeth 244a, 244b that are similar in length to teeth 144a, 144b, but with shortened dimensions primarily between teeth 244a, 244b and release recesses 268. FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate a short-length tension clip 234 having shortened sets of teeth 344a, 344b as well as shortened dimensions between teeth 244a, 244b and release recesses 368.

[0044] It is further envisioned that tension clips may be provided in different sizes and lengths according to desired applications. For example, wider tension clips may be formed in substantially the same manner as the tension clips 34, 134 described above, but with increased width to fit wider sign channels. Shorter-length tension clips may be suitable for curved regions of sign channels. For example, FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate a medium-length tension clip 234 having sets of teeth 244a, 244b that are similar in length to teeth 144a, 144b, but with shortened dimensions primarily between teeth 244a, 244b and release recesses 268. FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate a short-length tension clip 234 having shortened sets of teeth 344a, 344b as well as shortened dimensions between teeth 244a, 244b and release recesses 368.

[0045] Accordingly, the framing system of the present invention utilizes tension clips and mandrels that are readily installed or removed from a sign frame for tensioning a fabric sign at the frame. The tension clips and mandrels may be formed to different sizes for different applications, such as curved frames, and may also be cut into pieces having shorter lengths, with the pieces remaining functional in substantially the same manner as the full-length components. The tension clips and mandrels may be bi-directional, such that they can be installed along the fabric in either of two directions without regard for which direction the display side of the fabric is facing.

[0046] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments may be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.