CA2053307A1 - Releasable anchoring and tensioning apparatus for billboard displays - Google Patents

Abstract

An anchoring apparatus (120, 220, 320, 420) for anchoring and tensioning a sheet material (14) on a panel structure (10), such as a billboard. A preferred channel-shaped base member (124, 224, 324, 424) is secured to the rear of the panel structure (10) and includes a clip member (140, 240, 340, 440) slidably interconnected with the base member. The clip member is selectively biased to tension the sheet material, or disengaged to release or relax the sheet material, preferably by way of a spring member (150, 250, 450) and by way of actuation of a preferred built-in anchoring handle mechanism (280, 380, 498) thus greatly facilitating the ease and speed of erection, anchoring, tensioning and removal of the sheet material.

Description

WO 91/14254 PCr/US90!011~9 20533a7 ~B~A8ABt.~ l~NC~ORING A~D TENBIONING
APPAR~TIJ8 iFQR B~ BO~_D3:~PI,AY8 ~ACI~ROIJND AND 81JMMARY O~ T~ INVENT~ON

This is a continuation~in-part of a copending United State~ patent application, serial no. 187,587, ~iled April 28, 1988.

The invention relates generally to an appara-tus for anchoring and selectively tensioning or relaxing a sheet material on a panel structure, and more particu-larly to ~uch apparatu~a u~ed ~or an~horing and ~el~c~
tively ten3ioning and r~laxing or rel~asing a ~heat m~t~rial dl~play on A billbo~rd ~tructur~.

~nr~ billbo~rd~ di~pl~ying ~dv~tl~lng or public ~urvic~ me~go~ ara ~ aommon ~ight along road-wa~s and other areas ~or communicating messages to the public. One common type o~ billboard has a ~ront display ~ace that ls ~ourteen ~eet high and ~orty eight feet wide. Although other siæes o~ billboards are also used, this fourteen ~oot by forty-eight foot size is~
especially advantageous for high visibility along roadways and from relatively great distances.
~, ~
~; - Although effective for communicating advertis-ing or public service messages, the processes of posi-tioning a display message on such billboards, and of replacing one display message with another, have been found to be expensive, time-conAuming~ and aumbersome~
In the past, such display message~ were painted or p~inted on a p~por-llke sheet o~ mat~rial, which was then aut into ot~ip~ or ~ections that could be pa~ted or 2~ PCT/US90/01189 2 t~ 5 ~ 3 ~3 7 otherwise adhered to the front face of the billboard.
More recently, laxge r21atively flexible sheets of synthetic materials were developed, typically composed of a rein~orced nylon material, onto which the display message was painted or otherwise printed, typica}ly with the u5e of computer-aided processes. These large synthetic sheet material displays, commonly referred ~o as "~uper~lex" material, are th~n rolled onto a large roll, which wàs then lifted into position using a cranc lo or other suitable li~ting apparatuses. The sheet material display is then unrolled onto the front face of the billboard, with the vertical and horizontal edge portions of the sheet material display extending around the ~dg~s o~ the bi~lboard. ~he edge~ ~re then typical-ly anchored and tensioned by way oP a number o~ ~eparat~o~ ~lexlble ~trlp~nd hook mechanism~, whlch 1nclude ~
whe~ ype ratch~t mechanl~m ~or tl~h~nln~ tha strap and th~r~by ton~lonlng the ~ho~t m~tarlal di~pl~y.

~he above-described method and apparatus for anchoring and tensioning the ~heet material display on th~ billboard, using the s~rap and ratchet wheel mecha-nisms described above, have been ~ound to present a number of signi~icant disadvantages. First, the person-nel involved in anchoring and tensioning the display sheet are required to carry a large number of the strap and ratchet wheel mechanisms when climbing onto the rear f~.~e o~ the billboard, frequently at great heights.
Secondly, because o~ variations in the supporting structure for the billboard, there are frequently no conveniently-located portions of the support structure to which the straps can be anchored.

Accordingly, ln the aase o~ ~he large bill-board~ mentioned abova, the erec~ian, anchoring, and WO91/14~ PCT/US90/01189 ~. 20533~7 .
~3~
tensioning of sheet material billboard display frequent-ly tak~s s~veral hours to accomplish and presents great danger and di~lculty to persons performing the task.
Also, because one end of the strap and ratchet wheel mechanisms includes a hooX that must be inserted through an opening in a bar that is in turn hemmed into the Qdges oP the i~heet materlal, a~choring di~ficulties are ~r~quently encountered i~ th~ holes in the ~nchoring bar are not located n~ar a support member o~ the billboard supporting structure. As a result, in such an instance, the opposite end of the strap and ratchet wheel mecha-nisms must be secured to the supporting structure by way o~ ropes, cables, wire, additional strap~, or the like, which is cumbersome, time-consuming and freguently un~uitable.

~ n addlt~an ~o th~ above dl~advantacJ~, tha prior an~horing and t~n~oning davlc~s w~re ~r~uantly inadeguate in acaommodating expansion and contraction of the billboard sheet material display and maintaining a tight, neat-appearing ~it. This is especially important in areas ~hat experience wide t0mperature variations or in applications where the billboard experiences wide variations in the incident sun exposure.
:
Accordingly, the need has arisen for a sim-pler, more unifor~, and more convenient apparatus foranchoring, tensioning, and subsequently releasing a sheet material display on a billboard structure. The present invention seeks to meet this need by providing an apparatus that is associated and attached to the billboard and that allows ~or ea~ily and aonveniently tensioning and subsequently relaxing a sheet material display on a blllboard structure. In ~o~a ~mbodimQnts o~ ~he invention, th~ appara~us al80 ma~ntains a proper W~91/142~ PCT/US90/01189 2~ ~307 ~
... ,.'-; , tensioning force that accommodates expansion and con-traction of the sheet material display and thus substan-tially prevents sagging and wrinkles.

The apparatus according to the present inven-tion includes an elongated base member having A general-ly U-shaped lateral Gross-section, with the base member lncluding a ba~e plate portion and a pair o~ laterally spaced-apart leg portions protruding from the base plate portion. Each of the leg portions preferably includes a slot formed therein, with the slots on the leg por-tions ~aciny and opening generally toward one another.
In 30me o~ the pre~erred embodiments, the ba~e portion ~urther include~ a number o~ ratahct teath ~arially ~paced longitudinall~ thexealong, and op~ning~ nr~
~o~med in ~h~ ba~c po~tion Por r~ccl~in~ Pa~tanar~ ln erder to ~ixadly ~ecur~ tha ~longatQd b~e m~-mb~r to tha panel or billboard structure. Alternatively, other known dev~ce~ can be included ~or fixedly securing the ba~e membar to the panel structure.

The anchorlng and tensioning apparatus of the invention also includes a clip member having a clip plate portion received within the above-mentioned slots for selective slidable longitudinal movement along th.e base member, an attachment portion for releasably : 25 engaging a portion of the sheet material or an anchoring bar hem~ed into the sheet material, and in some embodi-ments, a pawl portion protrudes from the clip plate portion and is resiliently biased into releasable ratcheting engagement with the ratchet teeth on the base member. Such engagement wlth any one o~ the ratahet t~ath ~ub~tantiall~ prevanks longitudinal movement o~
the clip member r~lative ~o the base member in a longi-tudinal direction toward the edge o~ the billboard when .

WO91/14~ 2 ~ ~ 3 3 ~ 7 PCT/U590/01189 ~, .

the pawl portion engages one of the ratchet teeth, thus anchoring the sheet material display in a desired, tensioned state. The clip member is selectively movable in an oppoisite longitudinal direction away from the edge o~ the billboard relative to the base member in order to ~erially advance the pawl portion rrOm engagement with one o~ th~ ratchet te~th to engagement with an adjacent ratchek tookh, thereby increasing the tensianing of the isheiet material. The pawl portion is also selectively releasable in order to disengage from the ratchet teeth in order to then allow movement of the clip member relative to the base member toward the edge o~ the billboard, thereby relaxing or relea~ing the shee~
material ~or removal~

In the above-m~n~lon~d r~tch~t v~r~.~on Oe th~
invention, th~ t~n5ioning o~ the ~hoQt mat~ridl 1 aaaompli~hed by inqarting a ~crawdriver or other lever-type memb~r through an opening formed in the clip plate portion and into engagement with the ratchet teeth in order to ~orcibly pry or urge the clip member with a pivoting motion o~ the lever so as to move the alip member relative to the base member and away from the edge of the billboard. Releasing or relaxation of the sheet material display is preferably accomplished by . 25 inserting the screwdriver or other lever member through . ~:
an opening in theiclip plate portion and into engagement with a discontinuity on the pawl portion of the. clip me~ber~ thus allowing the resilient paiwl portion to be forcibly disengaged from the ratchet teeth and allowing the clip member to ba moved relative to the base member in longitudinal direation toward the edge o~ the bill-board, th~reby relaxing or relea~ing the ten~ion on the sheet mak~rial displ~y~

'` ' ' ' ' ' . ~ , . . . ' . . ' , ; '`: : ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ,: . ` ' ', ' ,, ! ': ,' ' WO91/~42~ PCT/US90/0118~
2 9 j 3 ~ Jf Furthermore, in the preferred e~bodiments of the present invention, the attachment portion o~ the clip member includes a generally hook-shaped end adapted ~or releasable engagement with the ~heet material or with an anchoring member or bar secured to the sheet material. Pre~erably, the anchoring bar or member includcs a groove ~ormed therein ~or relea~ably and interlockingly r~aeiving the hook-shaped end o~ the attachment portion o~ the clip member. The preferred attachment portion of the clip member is at least partially offset outwardly or rearwardly away from the base member in an area adjacent the hook-shaped end, thus allowing the anchoring bar or member on the sheet matarial to be dispoised between the o~Pi~iet portion and the ba~a member when tho hook-shaped end i~ rac~ivad wikhin the groove in the anchorlng bnr or member. rhis providei~ clearanc~ Por ~an~lon1ng or r~laxing mov~munt o~ the an~hored ~dge o~ th~ sheet makerlal relative to the ba~e member o~ the apparatus, as well as allowing ~or convenient enyagement or disengagement of the attachm~nt portion with or ~rom the sheet material.

In pre~erred embodiments o~ the invention, the clip member is resiliently biased in a longitudinal direction away from the edge of the billboard or other panel stru~ture in order to exert a positive, but resiliently variable, tensioning force on the sheet material. Such resilient biasing feature can be em-ployed in conjunction with tha above-described ratchet-ing feature, or alternately with an anchoring handle or lever member that is pivotally, or otherwise movably attached to, or interconnected with, the anchoring apparatui~ in order to qelectively tighten the ~heet matarial or to relea~a thq sheet ma~erlal ~y applying a ' ! ' ' . ' , ' ,' ~ , `, . , :, . " . ~ ' , . . .

WO91~142~ PCT/USgO/01189 2a~33~7 . ~
force against the above-mentioned resilient blasing ~ ~-component. In some versions of these preferred embodi-ments, the anchoring handle or lever is also pivotal, or otherwise movable, in either its tightening or its releasing position, in order to be operate~ or stored without interference with other billboard components or appurtenant ~embQirs or devices. Preferably, the posi-tion an~/or the range o~ longitudinally ~ensioning o~
the anchoring and ~ensionlng apparatus is pre adjustable in order to provide ~or a wide degree of flexibility in sheet material installation. The anchoring handle or lever member, and/or the clip portion of the clip member, can optionally be elongated, angled, or other-wi~e con~gured to minimize inter~rence with other components or member~, or to allow ~or mor~ convcnient acce3~ by the p0rsonnol installinq the shoot m~torlal on the billbo~rd or oth~r panel structur~.

Addltional ob~act~, ~dvuntages and ~eatures o~
the pre~ent invention wlll become apparent from the ~ollowing de~cription and appended claims, taken in conjunation with the accompanying drawings.

RI2:F D1~8CRIPTION OF THE: D~IAWING8 FIGURE 1 illustrates a typical billboard installation, exemplifying one of the primary applica-tions of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a somewhat diagrammatic eleva-tional view of the rear face of ~he billboard of Figure l, generally illustrating the installation o~ a number Or anchoring and tensioning apparatuses according to the present invention for anchorin~ and ~electively tens~an-::.. : : , ., . ~ ,. ... . . . .. .. .. . .

WV91/142~ PCT/US90/01189 2~533~7 --8-- .
ing or relaxing a sheet ma~erial display on the bill-board;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, perspective detail view of one of the anchoring and tensioning apparatuses according ~o the present invention installed on a typical billboard structurc;

FIGURE ~ is an ~levatlonal view of the anchor-ing apparatus o~ Figure 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 o~ Figure ~;

FIGU~E 6 l~ a cro~s-sec~ional view taken genQrally along lina 6~6 oP Figure ~;

FI~URE 7 is a ~roas-~ct.tonal vi~w ~lmilar to that o~ Flgure 5, but illustrating another embodimen~ o~
the invention wherain the anchoring and tensioning apparatua inaludes a ratcheting ~ea~ure similar to that o~ Figure~ 3 through 6, as wQll as a resilient biasing Peature ~or maintaining the proper tension on the sheet material display;

FIGURE 8 is an elevational view of still another preferred embodiment of the anchoring and tensioning apparatus of the pxesent invention, including the above-menrioned resilient biasing feature and a . built-in anchoring handle selectively movable between a tightening or tensioning position and a release posi-tion;

FIGURE 9 i~ a ~ro~s~ tlonal vi~w tak~n g~n~rall~ alo~g line 9~ oP Figure 8;

wo gt/,42~ 2 0 ~ 3 3 ~ 7 PCT/US90/01189 !

g ~, FIGURE 10 is an elevational view of the anchoring handle portion (in a tensioning position) of an anchoring and tensioning apparatus similar to that of Figures 8 and 9, but wherein the anchoring handle is also laterally pivotal to allow actuation in a variety of pivoted positions;

FIGURE 11 is an elevationail view similar to that o~ Figure 10, but illustratlng the anchoring handle laterally pivoted to one side and also illustrating the longitudinal movement of the anchoring handle;

FIGURE 12 lllustrates an exemplary optional variation, usablc in any o~ th~ embodlment~ o~ the invention, wherein the clip portlon o~ the apparatus 19 longitudinally enl~rg~d in ordar to allow eor mor~
convenlhnt po~ltlonlng Oe th~ ~ipp~r~tu~ .~n appllc~tloni~
wh~re inter~ercnce wlth oth~r blllboard component~ 1~ to be avoided;

FIGURE 13 is an elevational view of istill anothe.r optional variation, which i5 usable in conjunc~
tion with any of the embodiments of the invention, and which includes a variable mounting device for selective-ly adjusting to longitudinal position of the anchoring and tensioning portion of the apparatus relative to the :~ .
billboard, FIGURE 14 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 14-14 o~ Figure ~3;

FIGURE 15 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 15-15 o~ Figure 13;

W091/142~ PCT/US90/0~l~9 ~3~.~'3~7 ~

FIGURE 16 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of still another embodiment of the present inven-tion; and FIGURE 17 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 17-17 o~ Figure 16.

B~ C~ ON-OF T~E PREFE~RED EMBODIMENT8 Figures 1 through 17 depict various preferred, exemplary embodiments of an anchoring apparatus accord-ing to the present inventlon, which are particularly adapted ~or anchoring and tensioning a i~heet mat~rial di~play on a large billboard Qtructure. On~ skillod in the art Will rcadily r~cogni~e ~rom th~ ~ollowing desaription ~h~t tha prnsent invent~n ig nok limltod to blllbo~rd application~, but i~ ali~o ad~antageous in other structures wherein a sheet material is to be anchored and selectively tensioned or relaxed on a panel or other skructure.

Figures 1 and 2 depict a large exemplary billboard structure lO, which can be mounted on the roof of a building 12 or supported from the ground in many typical installations. In a common construction of such : a billboard structure lo, a relatively flexible sheet material display 14, bearing an advertising or public ~:~ service message, is disposed on a front face of the billboard structure 10, with edge portions of the sheet material display extending around the edge of the billboard structure and along a portion of the rear face of the billboard structure 10:.

WOgl/142~ 2 ~ ~ ~ 3 ~ 7 ~CT/US90/0l189 As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the bill-board structure 10 typically includes a number of panel portions 16, with their associated panel frames 18. In the common fourteen-foot by forty-eight foot size billboard mentioned above, such a construction would result in twelve four-foot by ~ourteen-foot panel portions belng secured together by fastening or securing m~ans, such as lag screws, tie rods, or other securing methods known to those skilled in the art. As shown dlagrammatically in Figure 2, a number of anchoring apparatuses 20, according to one embodiment of the present invention, are secured to the panel frames 18 of the panel portion 16 and grippingly engage the sheet material display 14, as i9 ~hown in more detail in Figure 3.

Each o~ the anchoring and tan~ionin~ appara-tuse~ 20 ~or the ex~mplary billbonrd ~ppllc~tlon illu~
trated in the drawing~ include~ a b~e member 2~, which ha~ a generally U-~haped lateral cross-section, includ-ing a ba~e plate portion 26 and a pair o~ laterallyspaced-apar~ leg portions 2~ protruding rearwardly or outwardly ~rom the base plate portion 26, as shown in Figure 3 through 6. One or more fasteners 30 extend through openings 32 in the leg portions 28 in order to . 25 ~ixedly secure the base member 24 to the panel frames 18 of the panel portions 16. Optionally, however, if necessary or desired in a particular application of any of the embodiments of th~ invention, openings 32' can be provided in the base pl~te portion 26 in addition to, or in lieu of, the openings 32 extending through the leg portions 28.
.
Each o~ the le~ portion~ 28 pre~erably in-~ludes a slot 34 extend1ng longltudinally t~e~ethr~ugh, ' ' , WO91/142~ PCT/US90/01189 ~ 0 ~ 12-with the slots 34 preferably facing generally toward one another and disposed generally at outer edges of the leg portions 28 or otherwise spaced outwardly away from the base plate portion 26. A plurality of ratchet teeth 36 are preferably included in the base plate portion 26 in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 through 6, although in certain applications o~ the present inven-tion, ~uch ratchet teeth 36 could alternately he pro-~id0d at position~ o~h~r than on the bas~ plate portion 26, as will become apparant to one skilled in the art.

A clip member 40 includes a clip plate portion 42, whose lateral edges are preferably slidably received wlthin the slots 34 in the leg portions 28 ~or selective slldable longitudinal movement relative ~o the ba~e member 24. The alip member 40 also include~ an attach-ment p~rtion 44, whiah can ~e ~o~med intcgr~lly with the cllp pl~te por~lon ~2, a~ 111u~tr~tad ln tha drawlngs, or which c~n alt~na~ely b~ a ~parato plec~ secured t:o the cllp plate portion by Pastèners, such as screws, rivets, or other means suitable for the given applica-tion. The attachment portion 44 pre~erably includes a generally hook-shaped end 46, which is adapted to i grippingly and anchoringly engage a preferred anchor member or bar 47 secured to the sheet material display 14, such as the anchoring member 47 shown in the draw-ings, which is received within a hem portion 48. The preferred anchoring member 47 includes a groove 49 formed i~ one or more of its edges for receiving the ; hook-shaped end 46 of the attachment portion 44 in a generally interlocking, but releasable relationship, shown in Figures 3 and 5.

The clip member 40, which is pre~erably compo,ed o~ spring ~eel, al80 includes a pawl por~ion ~.

.

W091/142~ . 2 0 5 ~ 3 ~ 7 PCT/US90/01189 ~ , 50, which likewise may be integrally formed therewith, or attached thereto as shown in the drawings, with the pawl portion 50 preferably being resiliently biased into engagement with the ratchet teeth 36, such that when the pawl portion 50 is in such engagement with àny one of the ratchet teeth 36, the clip member 40, and thus the sheet material display 14 are substantially prevented from longitudinal movement in a direction toward the edge o~ the billbQard structure lO, as shown in Figure 3. In oxder to securely retain the sheet material display 14 in its desired position on the bill~oard structure lO, with a desired amount of tension in order to substantially eliminate or minimize sag~ing or wrin~les in the ~heet material display, th.e clip member 40 i~ urged or biased in a ten~ioning direction, gener~
ally away ~rom the edge o~ the billboard ~tructure lO
~hown in Figur~ 3, ~lth th~ pawl portlon 50 ra~ ntly eng~g~ng ono o~ th~ ratchat to~th 36.

In order to increase the tension on the sheet material display 14, a tensioning opening 54 is provided in the clip plate portion ~2 fox allowing the insertion o~ a screwdriver or other lever member 60 ~herethrough into engagement with one of the ratchet teeth 36. After which, the lever member 60 can be manipulated in a generally prying or pivoting manner in order to forcibly urge the clip plate portion, and thus the edge of the sheet material display 14, in a tensioning direction away from the edge of the billboard structure lO, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. Because the preferred anchor-ing apparatus 20 is secured to, and thus permanentlyassociated with, each o~ the panel portions 16 in the exemplary application shown in the drawings, such anchoring and selective tensioning of the sheet material display 14 is acomplished wlth relative ease and : .. . ::. .. , . , .... . . .: . . . ..
: .;. :: . :: . . . : ::; . : . :. . . : .

: . . ... :. : : .... : . . . . .

WO91/142~ PCT/US90/01189 7 ~

convenience, using only a common tool, such as a screw-driver, as a lever member 60. In addition, no separate straps or ratchet wheels need be provided at a billboard site or carried up onto a billboard structure.

When it is desired to remove or replace a particular sheet material display 14, in order to eliminate or change the message displayed on the bill-boar~ ~tructure lO, a screwdriver or other lever member 60 can then be inserted through a release or relaxation opening 56 in the clip plate portion 42, into engagement with a hook or discontinuity 52 in the pawl portion 50 in order to allow the resiliently-ibiased pawl portion 50 to be pried or pivoted out o~ engagement with the ratchet teeth 36. This allows ~he clip plate portion, and ~hus the attachment portion 4~, the anchoring m~mb~r 47, and the 0dge oP th~ ~h~et mat~rlal dl~pl~ 14, to be mov~d ln a ~cond longitud~nal direc~lon, g~n~rally ~oward thH ~dge o~ the billbo~rd ~truature lO, a~ hown in thQ detail~d per~pQci~lve view o~ Figure 3. Such a maneuver relea~es tho tension on the sheet material di~play 14, thereby allowing the anchoring meimber ~7 to then be moved slightly in a downward direction ~as viewed in Figure 3) to disengage the hook-shaped end 46 of the attachment portion 44 from the groove 49 in the anchoring member 47. The anchoring member 47 can be rotated slightly out o~ the space 58 between the offset and preferabl~ resilient attachment portion 44 and the base member 24, thereby releasing the edge of the sheet material display 14 from the anchoring apparatus 20, and consequently allowing removal or replacement of the sheet material display 14.

After the display sheet 14 has been removed, th~ anahorlng appara~u~2is 20 ~emaln secured to the pan~l , . ., . , :. : , . : ., . . ~ .

WO91/142~ 2 ~ a ~ 3 ~ 7 PCT/~S90/01189 frame members 18 and ca~ be left with their clip members in a relaxed or "loosened" positions generally aligned with one another to allow for ease of insertion of, and engagement with, the anchoring member 47 on the display sheet 14 of a new display. This aids greatly in the erection, anchoring and tensioning of the replace-ment display.

In Figure 7, an altornate embodiment of the present invention i5 disclosed, wherein the anchoring lo and tensioning apparatus 120 is substantially similar to the anchoring and tensioning apparatus 20 described above, with certain exceptions noted below. Because of the simi}arity o~ many components of the apparatus 2Q
and the apparatus 120, components that are similar or that per~orm a corr~sponding ~unction arc .indic~t~d by re~erenae nùmeral~ in Figure 7 that ar~ the same ~9 tho~e o~ Figure~ 3 through 6, but whlch ~r~ ona hundred nùmeral~ higher.

In Figure 7, the ratchet and pawl arrangement oP the apparatus 20 is replaced by a clip member biasing arrangement including a spring member 150 for resilient-ly biasing the clip member 40, and thus the sheet material display 14 in a tensioning longitudinal direc-tion. In order to allow the sheet material display 14 to be released or relaxed, thus allowing the hook-shaped end 146 of the clip member 140 to be disengaged from the sheet material display 14 and the anchoring member or bar 47, an opening 154 is provided in the clip member 140 for allowing a lever member 60 to be inserted therethrough for engagement with any o~ a number o~
ratchet teeth 136 formed in tha base plate portion 126.
This arrangement allows ~or movement o~ the lever member 60 in a dire~ion ta urge the clip member 1~0 in a WO9l/l42~ PCT/US90/0l1~9 7 ~

longitudinal direction against the resilient biasi~g force of the spring member 150, thereby relaxing of the sheet material display and allowing the disengagement from the hook-shaped end 146. In other respects, however, the function of the anchoring and tensioning apparatus 120 is generally similar to that described above in connection with the anchoring and tensioning apparatus 20.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate one of the pre-ferred embodiments o~ the invention, wherein an anchor-ing and tensioning apparatus 220 is generally similar in some respects to the anchoring and tensioning appara-tuses 20 and 120, and therefore similar or corr~spo~dlng compon~nts are indlcated by re~er~nce numerals similar to tha~e used in Flgures 3 through 7, but h~vincJ a two-hundred prc~ix.

The anchoring and tensioning apparatus 220 in Figures 8 and 9 includes a preferably built-in handle or lever mechanism indicated generally by re~erence numeral 20 280, in lieu o~ the ratchet and lever member a~rangement of the embodiments described above. The apparatus 220 also includes a pair of abutment members 261.and 262, between which the spring member 250 is resiliently compressed. The abutment member 261 is restrained from longitudinal movement toward the edge of the billboard : structure either by a pin 263 or by the pin 230 (shown in Figure 8), either of which is fixedly secured to the base me~ber 224. The abutment member 262 is secured to the clip member 240, by way of a suitable Xastener 264 for movement with the clip member 240 relative to the base member 224. The pref.erably compressed spring mem~er 250, being trapped between the abutment momb~rs 261 and 262, re~ilien~ly biases the clip member 240 in . ,, . , . ,, , .. ~. . .- . . . . . .:. . . .. .

PCT/US~0/0l189 W091/142S4 2aa~S7 ~' -}7-the longitudinal direction that tensions the sheet material display 14, accommodates expansion or contrac-tion of the sheet material display 14, while still maintaining a relatively tensioned, need-appearing condition.

In order to allow for the selective tensioning or relaxation o~ the sheet material display 14, the handle or leve~ mechanism ~80 in Figures 8 ancl 9 pre~er-ably includes a pivotal handle member 298 that is pivotally movable between a first longitudinal position wherein the spring member 250 is forcibly compressed to a degree allowing for the relaxation of the sheet material display 14 and its disengagement ~rom the clip member 240 and a second longitudinal position whereln the ~pring member 250 ls allowed to resilien~ly bia~ tha clip member 2~0 in a longitudinal direct1on ~nding to tension the ~heet material di~play l~. ~u~h a functlon is accomplished by wa~ o~ a handle mounting bracket ~82 ~ixed relative to the base member 224, either by attach-ment to the billboard structure or by attachment to thebase membar 224. The handle mounting bracket 282 includes a plate portion 284 fixedly restrained by one or more suitable fasteners 285 and having a pair of protuberances 286 and 288 extending outwardly therefrom.

An adjustment member 271 extends through a sleeve 276 extending through an opening in the protuber-ance 286. The adjustment member 271 is interconnected for lonqitudinal slidable movement relative to the protuberance 286 for abuttingly urging the abutment member 262 and t~.us the clip member 240 in longitudinal directions when the ad~ustment member 271 is actuated by the handle membQr 298, as is describad in more detall b~low. ~he ranga o~ movement o~ ~-h~ clip m~mbor 240, : . , . : . ~ ~ .. , :: - . , . . . ,:.: , . ... .

WO91/142~ PCT/US9~/01189 .-~O~ J7 ~- I

and thus the handle member 298, is selectively adjust-able by shortening or lengthening the adjustment member 271 by way of threadable engagement between a generally hollow adjustment sleeve 272 adapted for threadably receiving an externally threaded adjustment rod 274 therein. By such an arrangement, the range o~ motion of the clip member 240 can be pr~selectiv~ly adjusted to suit à glven application and a desired amount of ten-sioning o~ the sheet material display 14.

The adjustment member 271 is pivotally inter-connected with the handle member 298 by way o~ pivot links 290 and 292, which are pivotally interconnected by a pivot pin 295. The pivot link 290 is interconnected with the handle member 298 by a pair o~ pins or ~a~ten-ers 297, and i~ also pivotally int~raonn~ct~d with th~
protu~eran~ 2B6 by way Oe a pivo~ pin 289. :Cn kurn, ~he pivot link 292 iB al~o plvotally intarconnect~d with the adjustment member 271 by way o~ a pivot pin 293.
Thus, pivotal motion of the handle member 298 in a longitudinally upward direction, as oriented in Figure 9, causes longitudinal movement o~ the adjustment member 271 in a direction resulting in further compression o~
the spring member 250, by way of engagement with the abutment member 262, thereby relaxing the sheet material display 14 and allowing for disengagement from the clip member 240. Conversely, pivotal movement of the handle member 298 in a longitudinally downward direction, as ~viewed in Figure 9, allows the spring member 250 to be free to resiliently bias the clip member 240 in a direction tending to tension the sheet material display 14.

The arrangement illustrated in Fiqures 8 and 9 i9 espacially advantageous in that the handle or lever ~ : .,- ~. ,: . : :; .

W091/142~ 2a~33~7 PcT/US90~01189 ..
-19- ~
mechanism 280, which actuates the anchoring and tension-ing apparatus 220, i5 built-in, thus being always available at the position of installation of the appara-tus 22-0 on the billboard. It should be noted that other similar pivotal mechanisms can also be substituted for the exemplary mechanism 280, which is a commercially ~vailable mechanism used to construct an actual proto-type o~ ~he invention.

Figures lO an~ ll lllu~trate an alternate, but perhaps preferred, handle or }ever mechanism portion 380 of another embodiment of the present invention in an exemplary anchoring and tensioning apparatus 320. Other than the handle or lever mechanism 380, th~. anchoring and tensioning appar~tu~ 3~0 is generally ~imilar to the anchorlng and tensioning apparatus 220 illu~trated in F~gures 8 and 9~ ~harefore, ~milar or c~rra~pond;ln~
alements o~ the appar~tus 320 ara .tndicated by re~aron~a numeral~ ~imilar to tho~ Oe th~ appar~tu~ ~20, but having threa-hundred pra~ixe~.

In the handle or lever mechanism 380 of Figures lO and ll, the handle member 398 is pivotally in~erconnected with the adjustment member 371 by way of a pivot pin 393. The handle member 398 is also pivotal- `
ly interconnected with a pivot link 382 by way of a pivot pin 395, and the pivot link 38Z is pivotally interconnected with a block member 383 that abuttingly engages in abutment member 386, which is longitudinally restrained and fixed relative to the base member 324.
: , The adjustment member 371 extends through openings in ~he block member 388 and the abutment member 386, with the abutment member 38~ bein~ rotationally restrained wi~h respect t.o the ad~ustment m~mbar 371.

'' :'i'', ' ` '`' . . ' . ,:

WO91/142~ PCT/US90/01189 3 7 ~

The adjustment member 371, and thereby the block member 388, are rotationally movable relative to the abutment member 386, along with the link member 382 and the handle member 398. By such an arrangement, the handle member 398 is laterally pivotal relative to the base member 324 and the remainder of the billboard structure, thus allowing the handle member 398 to be laterally pivoted ~rom side to side in any longitudinally pivoted position. This arrangement is highly advantageous in that it allows for longitudinal actuation of the anchor-ing and tensioning apparatus 320 with the handle 398 laterally pivoted to any position that is convenient or necessary in order to avoid interference with other billboard structure components. In addition, the laterally pivotal aapability o~ the handle m~mb~r ~9~ o~
the apparatu~ 320 allow~ th~ handlc member 39a to b~
laterall~ pivoted to ~ stored po~itlon whan t~n~.~oning or r0laxation o~ th~ ~h~t material di~play i~ no~ b~in~
performed. Although ~uch ~eature i~ not explicitly shown in Figures lO and ll, it should be readily under-stood that the adjustment member 371 can also include the ~eature by whiah the longitudinal range of pivotal movement of the handle member 398 can be adjusted in a manner similar to that described above in connection with the apparatus 220 shown in Figures 8 and 9. It should also be noted that while the mechanism 380, like the mechanism 280 described above, is commercially ~:~ available and was used to construct an actual prototype, other such pivotal mechanisms can also alternately be used.

Figure 12 illustrates a variation or option on the present invention that is applicable to any o~ the embodiments o~ the invention~ Such an optional varia-tion i~ illustrated ln Figure 12 on the con~ext o~ an - ' ;' 2 0 "i 3 3 fJ 7 ~x. 1 ~.. , ! ~

anchoring and tensioning apparatus 220At which is substantially identical with the previously-describe~ !
apparatus 220 shown in Figures 8 and 9, but with the exceptions discussed below.

In the apparatus 220A, the clip member 240A is substantially similar to the clip member 240 described above ~xcep~ that tho attachment portion 244A is longi-tudinally elongated in ordar to accommod~te special circumstances in a given application for mounting the anchoring and tensioning apparatus, or ~or accommodating the need to provide greater access for installation per~onnel. The base member 224A i5 also correspondingly longitudinally elongated in order to accommodate ~he longitudinally elongated clip member 240A. ~y ~uch an arrangemcnt, a greater "reach" o~ thc ~nchoring ~nd ten~lonlng apparatu~ 220A i~ provided, whlch 1~ a~pe~
cially advanta~ou~ whero acce~ plat~orm~ ~re loc~ted a great~r di~tance away ~rom billboard edges than is customarily found.

Figure~ 13 through lS illustrate still another optional variation, which is also equally applicable to any of the embodiments of the present invention. This optional variation is shown, merely for purposes of illustration, in the context of a modified version of the anchoring and tensioning apparatus 320 of Figures lO
and ll and is substantially identical to the apparatus 320, with the exceptions discussed below.

In the modified optional apparatus 320A, the leg portions 328A of the base member 32~A are provided with openings 39~ extending laterally therethrough. The apparatus 320A also includes a ba~e mounting m~mb~r 390, which is pre~erably a generally U-sihaped channel member ." .. . .. .. ..

WO91/142~ PCT/US90/01189 2~5~3~'7 similar to that of the base member 324A, bUt having its legs laterally spaced farther apart.

The base mounting member 3 9 0 is fixedly secured to, or interconnected with, the billboard structure and includes a number of serially spaced-apart openings 391 extending laterally therethrough. This arrangament allows the insertion of a hitch pin 393 through any o~ ~he openings 391 in the base mounting member 390 and through the leg portions 328A of the base member 324A, thereby allowing for a wide range of preselected adjustability of the operational longitudi-nal position of the anchoring and tensioning apparatus 320A relative to the billboard. Like thc embodiment illustrated ln Figure 12, the apparatu~ 3~0A provides for greator ~lcxibility in ~erms o~ positioning o~ th~
appar~tu~ r~lativ~ to the billboard ~tructura, a~ well as grea~er ~laxlbility in t~m~ o~ par~onnel acces~ ~or installation and tensioning of the shee material display.

Finally, Figures 16 and 17 illustrate still another embodiment of the present invention, in which the anchoring and tensioning apparatus 420 is somewhat similar in many respects, at least in terms of the function of its elements, to the anchoring and tension-ing apparatuses described above. Thus, similar or corresponding elements of the anchoring and tensioning apparatus 420 are indicated by reference numerals similar to those of the other embodiments of the present invention, but having four-hundred prefixes.

In Figures 16 and 17, the anchoring and tensioning appar~tus 4~0 includes a pivat link ~8~
~e~urad ~o ~he handl~ memb~r 4g~ ~or pivotal longitudii-. .
~.,'.

wo 91~142~ 2 0 ~ 3 3 ~ 7 PCT/US90/01189 -23- ;
nal movement relative to the base member 424 by way of a pivot pin 489. The pivot link 482 includes a longitu-dinally elongated slot 494 extending laterally there~
through. Within the slot 494, a pin 495 is longitudi-nally slidably received. The clip member 440 is rota-tionally or pivotally interconnected with the pin 495, whlch also is secured to one end of the spring 450, with the opposite end o~ the spring 450 being longitudinally r~strained relative to the plvot link 482 by way of a restraining pin 496.

By such arrangement, longitudinally pivotal .
movement of the handle member 498 causes longitudinally pivot movement o~ the pivot link 482 and the correspond-ing resilient de~lection o~ the spring member 450, thereby allowlng ~or selective ten~ioning and rol~xation o~ tho ~hee~ material di~play 1~ upon ~atu~tion o~ the anchoring and t~n~ioning apparatu~ ~20. ~t ~ho~ld b~
noted that in ~he pr~erred arrangement, the handle member 498 is longitudinally pivoted to a tensioning posi~ion when it is pivotally moved in an over-center relation~hip ~elatlve to the pivot pin ~89 to the~
posltion shown in Pigure 16. By way of the longitudi-nally slidable relationship o~ the pin 495 within the slot 494 in the pivot link 482, the spring member 450 is best allowed to resilie~tly bias the clip member 440 and thus the sheet material display 14 in a tensioning direction, while still resiliently accommodating expan-sion and contraction of the sheet material display 14.
As one skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the piYot arrangement of the apparatus 420 illustrated in Figures 16 and 17 can optionally be incorporated with the laterally pivotal arrangement o~ the handle member 398 shown in Figures 10 and 11 and in Figures 13 through 15.

.-. .. ,~.. . . . .... ., . ., . ".. ;. , ., , ,., , . ,, , . . . ~ ;. ... . .

WO91/142~ P~T/US90/01189 ~ 9 ~ 7 The foregoing discussion discloses and de-scribes exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modification and varia-tions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope o~ the invention as defined in the ~ollowing cla~lm~

.

Claims (21)

I CLAIM:

1. An apparatus for anchoring and selective-ly tensioning and relaxing a sheet material on a panel structure, said apparatus comprising:
an elongated base member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section, said base member including a base plate portion and a pair of laterally spaced-apart leg portions protruding from said base plate portion, each of said leg portions having a slot formed therein, said slots facing generally toward one another;
means for fixedly interconnecting said elon-gated base member with the panel structure;
a clip member having a clip plate portion receiving within said slots for selective slidable longitudinal movement along said base member, an attach-ment portion for releasably angaging a portion of the sheet material, and clip biasing means for selectively biasing said clip member relative to said base member in a first longitudinal direction in order to selectively tension the sheet material on the panel structure; and release means for selectively moving said clip member relative to said base member in an opposite longitudinal direction in order to relax the sheet material.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment portion of said clip member includes a generally hook-shaped end adapted for releas-able engagement with the sheet material.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the sheet material includes an anchor member secured thereto, said anchor member having a groove formed therein for releasably receiving said hook-shaped end in an interlocking engagement with said anchor member.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said attachment portion of said clip member further includes an offset portion offset away from said base member and disposed adjacent said hook-shaped end, said anchor member on the sheet material being disposed between said offset portion and said base member when said hook-shaped end is received within said groove in said anchor member.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said offset portion of said clip member is reliantly biased into said offset relationship with said base member.

6. An apparatus for anchoring and selective-ly tensioning and relaxing a sheet material display on a billboard, said apparatus comprising:
an elongated base member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section, said base member including a base plate portion and a pair of laterally spaced-apart leg portions protruding from said base plate portion, each of said leg portions having a slot formed therein, said slots facing generally toward one another;
means for fixedly interconnecting said elon-gated base member with the billboard;
a clip member having a clip plate portion received within said slots for selective slidable longitudinal movement along said base member, an attach-ment portion for releasably engaging a portion of the sheet material display, and clip biasing means for selectively biasing said clip member relative to said base member in first longitudinal direction in order to selectively tension the sheet material on the billboard;
and release means for selectively moving said clip member relative to said base member in an opposite longitudinal direction in order to relax the sheet material.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said attachment portion of said clip member includes a generally hook-shaped end adapted for releas-able engagement with the sheet material display.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the sheet material display includes an anchor member secured thereto, said anchor member having a groove formed therein for releasably receiving said hook-shaped end in an interlocking engagement with said anchor member.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said attachment portion of said clip member further includes an offset portion offset away from said base member and disposed adjacent said hook-shaped end, said anchor member on the sheet material display being disposed between said offset portion and said base member when said hook-shaped end is received within said groove in said anchor member.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said offset portion of said clip member is resiliently biased into said offset relationship with said base member.

11. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the billboard structure includes a number of separate billboard panel portions secured together to define the front and rear faces onto which the sheet material display is disposed, each of the billboard panel portions having a frame structure on its rear face, at least one of said apparatuses being disposed on the rear face of each of the billboard panel portions, said base member of each of said apparatuses being fixedly secured to the frame structure of its respective billboard panel portion.

12. An apparatus for anchoring and selective-ly tensioning and relaxing a sheet material display on a billboard, said apparatus comprising:
An elongated base member having a renerally V-shaped lateral cross-section, said base member including a base plate portion and a pair of laterally spaced-apart leg portions protruding from said base plate portion, each of said leg portions having a slot formed therein, said slots facing generally toward one another, said base member further having a number of ratchet teeth serially spaced longitudinally therealong;
means for fixedly securing said elongated base member to the billboard;
a clip member having a clip plate portion received within said slots for selective slidable longitudinal movement along said base member, an attach-ment portion for releasably engaging a portion of the sheet material display, and clip biasing means for selectively biasing said clip member relative to said base member in first longitudinal direction in order to selectively tension the sheet material on the billboard;
and release means for selectively moving said clip member relative to said base member in an opposite longitudinal direction in order to relax said sheet material, said release means including an opening formed in said clip plate portion for allowing a lever member to be selectively inserted therethrough into engagement with said ratchet teeth in order to forcibly urge said clip member in said opposite longitudinal direction relative to said base member.

13. An apparatus for anchoring and selective-ly tensioning and relaxing a sheet material display on a billboard, said apparatus comprising:
an elongated base member having a generally U-shaped lateral cross-section, said base member including a base plate portion and a pair of laterally spaced-apart leg portions protruding from said base plate portion, each of said leg portions having a slot formed therein, said slots facing generally toward one another;
means for fixedly interconnecting said elon-gated base member with the billboard;
a clip member having a clip plate portion received within said slots for selective slidable longitudinal movement along said base member, an attach-ment portion for releasably engaging a portion of the sheet material display, and clip biasing means for selectively resiliently biasing said clip member rela-tive to said base member in first longitudinal direction in order to selectively tension the sheet material on the billboard; and release means for selectively moving said clip member relative to said base member in an opposite longitudinal direction in order to relax the sheet material, said release means including a handle member against the resilient biasing force of said clip biasing means to relax the sheet material and a second opposite longitudinal position wherein said clip biasing means is allowed to resiliently bias said clip member in said first longitudinal direction in order to selectively tension the sheet material.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said handle member is interconnected with said apparatus and is pivotally movable generally longitudi-nally between said first and second longitudinal posi-tions.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said handle member is also pivotally movable generally laterally in either said first or said second longitudinal pivoted position.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said handle member is also pivotally movable generally laterally in substantially any longitudinally pivoted position.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said handle member is interconnected with said clip member, said apparatus further including longitudi-nal adjustment means for selectively adjusting the range of longitudinal movement of said handle member.

18. An apparatus according to claim 16, further including an elongated base mounting member, means for fixedly interconnecting said elongated base mounting member with said billboard, said elongated base member being selectively longitudinally movable relative to said elongated base mounting member, and releasable means for fixedly interconnecting said elongated base member with said elongated base mounting member at any of a number of pre-selected longitudinal positions relative to said elongated base mounting member.

19. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said handle member is interconnected with said clip member, said apparatus further including longitudi-nal adjustment means for selectively adjusting the range of longitudinal movement of said handle member.

20. An apparatus according to claim 13, further including an elongated base mounting member, means for fixedly interconnecting said elongated base mounting member with said billboard, said elongated base member being selectively longitudinally movable relative to said elongated base mounting member, and realizably means for fixedly interconnecting said elongated base member with said elongated base mounting member at any of a number of pre-selected longitudinal positions relative to said elongated base mounting member.

21. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said clip biasing means includes a spring for resiliently biasing said clip member in said first longitudinal direction, said spring being resiliently compressed when said handle member is in said first longitudinal position to a degree of compression allow-ing said clip member to be disengaged from said portion of said sheet material display.