EP1805747B1

EP1805747B1 - Flexible frame and mutually engageable fastening means

Info

Publication number: EP1805747B1
Application number: EP05798364.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Dunlop Pitt; David Lutton; Gillian Durham
Original assignee: Agripa Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Agripa Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-28
Filing date: 2005-10-28
Publication date: 2013-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2025-10-28
Also published as: CA2585729A1; WO2006046064A2; CA2585729C; WO2006046064A3; AU2005298437A1; JP2008518259A; EP1805747A2

Description

This invention relates to a flexible frame for an advertising panel, the frame having a mutually engageable fastening means, especially, but not exclusively for attachment to a vehicle.
It is known to make an advertising panel by permanently bonding a printed vinyl panel to a mounting board. In the case of vehicles, the mounting board typically comprises a reinforced cardboard board (e.g. a corex board), which is slid into a frame mounted on the vehicle. When the advert needs to be changed, the vinyl panel must first be removed. In cold weather, the vinyl becomes brittle and breaks up, which makes removal both difficult and time consuming.
In the case of long vehicles (e.g. buses), the advertising panels span a large proportion of the length of the vehicle and are of the order of five to ten metres in length. It is not practical to make such long advertising panel/supporting boards, so these are typically made in five or more portions. This means that unwanted vertical lines are visible between neighbouring portions, which break up the image. Between neighbouring portions, plastic T-covers are affixed to cover any gaps and to space the portions correctly. However, when these T-covers break, they become discoloured, which is detrimental to the appearance of the advertising panel.
As described in European Patent publication No. 1408477 it is also known to provide an advertising system having frame members which can be attached to a flat sided vehicle. However, such frame members are rigid since they are designed for permanent attachment to the vehicle.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an advertising system comprising a frame for mounting an advertising panel on a structure, the frame comprising at least one elongate frame member having a flexible flange and a panel-receiving portion, the panel-receiving portion being adapted to releasably engage an advertising panel, and a mutually engageable fastening means comprising first and second elongate mechanical fasteners engageable with one another by applying pressure at a first location to engage said first and second fasteners at that location, the second elongate mechanical fastener being affixable to the structure, wherein the first elongate mechanical fastener is provided on a rear surface of the flange wherein the flexibility of the flange and the mutual engagement strength of the first and second elongate mechanical fasteners are such that the elongate frame and first elongate mechanical fastener may be separated from the second elongate mechanical fastener by peeling action. Preferably a part of the panel-receiving portion extends beyond the rear surface of the flange, towards the rear of the elongate frame member.
The frame being adapted to "releaseably engage" an advertising panel means that the advertising panel and the frame can be repeatedly engaged and disengaged, in contrast to a frame that is permanently fixed to the advertising panel, or a frame that comprises a part of the advertising panel.
Optionally, more than one frame member is provided. Optionally, a respective frame member is provided for each edge of the advertising panel, the frame members typically having substantially the same length as their respective edges.
Preferably, the flexible part of the frame comprises a flange.
In some embodiments, the whole of the frame has at least some flexibility. Such embodiments can be mounted on non-flat surfaces, for example on the curved exterior surface of a tanker, e.g. an oil tanker, or on other cylindrical/curved surfaces.
Preferably, the or each frame member has a panel-receiving portion, which is adapted to receive an edge of an advertising panel, and which is more rigid than the flexible part of the frame member. Typically, the flexible part of the frame and the panel-receiving portion comprise different materials. The panel-receiving portion being more rigid can help prevent the panel from becoming accidentally detached from the frame member. Preferably, the panel-receiving portion is not completely rigid and has some flexibility, so that it can bend to some extent with the flexing of the fastener part of the frame member. If the entire frame has some flexibility, this enables it to be mounted on a curved surface, for example on the convex surface of a tanker. Mounting on a concave surface is also possible.
Optionally, the frame comprises PVC.
Optionally, the frame comprises a thermoplastic elastomer.
Optionally, the frame comprises Sunprene™, which is a thermoplastic elastomer based on a high molecular weight PVC resin.
Optionally, the frame comprises a thermal plastic, or a material having similar properties to a thermal plastic.
Preferably, the frame comprises two different portions with different flexibilities, which are bonded together; a comparatively more flexible type for the fastener part of the frame and a less flexible type for the panel-receiving portion.
Optionally, the frame member has a recess to receive a protrusion on an advertising panel edge. Preferably, the frame member has an elongate slot that is small enough to retain the protrusion in the slot, but which is large enough to allow a planar part of the advertising panel to extend through the slot. Preferably, the frame member has at least one open end, so that the protrusion can be inserted into the recess.
Preferably, the frame members comprise track members.
Preferably, the mutually engageable fastening means comprises a mechanical fastener. Preferably, the mechanical fastener is releasably engageable, as opposed to providing a permanent engagement. Preferably, the mechanical fastener is engaged by pushing the first and second fasteners together and disengaged by pulling them apart.
In such embodiments, because the first fastener is provided on a flexible part of the frame, the frame can bend as the first and second fasteners are engaged and disengaged. This provides the advantage that the force does not have to be applied simultaneously along the entire length of the fasteners. Instead, the fasteners can be engaged at a first location by the application of a force on a relatively small area. As the force can act on a small area due to the flexing of the frame, a relatively small force can be used to create the threshold engagement pressure. In preferred embodiments, this force can be provided manually by a single person, without needing complex apparatus. The force can then be transferred along the length of the fasteners to successively engage more of the fasteners until eventually, preferably the entire length of the fasteners are engaged. On disengagement of the first and second fasteners, the flexibility of the frame allows the frame and first fastener to be separated from the second fastener by peeling action.
Preferably, the first and second fasteners have mushroom-shaped barbs, which interlock when the first and second fasteners are pressed into engagement. Preferably, the mushroom-shaped barbs are arranged in rows and columns, and in one of the first and second fasteners, the rows and columns form straight lines, and in the other fastener, the mushroom-shaped barbs in each row and column are offset relative to their neighbours. Preferably, the mutually engageable fastening means comprises a 3M™ Dual Lock™ system.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of mounting the advertising system on a structure, the method comprising the steps of affixing the first elongate fastener to a rear surface of the flange; affixing the second elongate fastener to the structure, and applying pressure at a first location to engage the first and second fasteners at that location, and transferring the pressure along the length of the fasteners to successively engage a larger proportion of the fasteners.
Typically, the pressure is transferred using a roller.
Such embodiments have the advantage that the frame can be mounted on the structure by a single person. Preferably, the frame is releasably mounted on the structure such that it can be dismounted when desired. In some embodiments, the frame can be easily mounted and removed with ease, as often as necessary. Using such a frame to mount an advertising panel can make it very easy to replace the advertising panel with another panel to change the advert.
Preferably, the frame members include panel-receiving portions, and the method includes the further step of installing an advertising panel in the frame.
Typically, the advertising panel comprises an advertising sheet and a protrusion attached to an edge of the advertising sheet, and the frame comprises at least one frame member having an elongate recess and an open end, and the method includes the step of threading the protrusion through the open end into the recess, to attach the frame member to the advertising panel.
Optionally, the frame comprises a plurality of frame members and a respective frame member is provided for attachment to each edge of the advertising panel.
Optionally, the frame comprises a plurality of frame members, and at least one frame member is mounted on the structure before being attached to its advertising panel edge. Alternatively, the frame comprises a plurality of frame members and at least one frame member is attached to the advertising panel before that frame member is mounted on the structure. A combination of both these methods can be used to mount all edges of the panel to the structure, even when the advertising panel edges have to be threaded through the frame members from one end.
Optionally, the method includes the successive steps of mounting one or more of the frame members on the structure and attaching the rest of the frame members to the advertising panel, attaching the advertising panel to the mounted frame member(s), and subsequently mounting the rest of the frame members on the structure. Alternatively, all of the frame members are attached to the advertising panel before mounting any of the frame members on the structure.
Optionally, only a first frame member is mounted on the structure before being attached to the advertising panel.
Typically, the method includes the successive steps of:

mounting the first frame member on the structure;
attaching an edge of the advertising panel to the first frame member and attaching an opposite edge of the advertising panel to a second frame member; and
mounting the second frame member on the structure.

Typically, the method includes the further step of tensioning the advertising panel before mounting the second frame member on the structure.
Alternatively, the advertising panel further comprises a tensioning means arranged between the protrusion and the edge of the advertising sheet, and the method includes the step of activating the tensioning means to reduce the distance between the protrusion and the edge of the advertising sheet, after the advertising panel has been attached to the frame member, thereby tensioning the advertising sheet. Optionally, the tensioning means comprises a releasable closure strip having inter-engaging formations and the method includes the step of closing the releasable closure strip.
Tensioning the advertising panel ensures that the mounted advertising panel does not sag. These methods enable an easier mounting of the advertising panel, as they do not require any simultaneous engagement with more than one already-mounted frame members, and they do not require the advertising panel to be pulled taut at the same time as simultaneously engaging two already-mounted frame members.
Optionally, the method includes the further steps of attaching a respective further frame member to each remaining edge of the advertising panel and then mounting these further frame members on the structure.
Optionally, the structure comprises a vehicle, e.g. a bus, a lorry, a car, a van, a bike, a tanker; however these are simply examples and the invention is not limited to a vehicle, or to any particular type of vehicle.
Optionally, the frame is mounted on a curved surface of the structure, e.g. the curved exterior surface of an oil tanker.
Optionally, the advertising panel is rectangular, but the invention is not limited to any particular shape of advertising panel.
Alternatively, the advertising panel is T-shaped, and one frame member is provided for each edge of the T-shape.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of replacing the advertising panel, the method including the steps of peeling at least one elongate frame member and attached first elongate mechanical fastener from a second elongate mechanical fastener attached to the structure, disengaging all elongate frame members from the original advertising panel, re-engaging the elongate frame members with the replacement advertising panel, and
re-attaching the peeled-off elongate frame members to the structure by applying pressure at a first location to engage the first and second elongate mechanical fasteners at that location, and transferring the pressure along the length of the elongate mechanical fasteners to successively engage a larger proportion of the elongate mechanical fasteners.
Typically, at least one frame member remains attached to the structure during the method. Preferably, only one frame member remains attached to the structure during the method.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig 1 shows an end view of a frame according to the present invention;
Fig 2 shows a plan view of the frame of Fig 1;
Fig 3 shows an end view of the frame of Fig 1 having an advertising panel coupled thereto (only part of the advertising panel shown);
Fig 4 shows a perspective front view of the frame and part of advertising panel of Fig 3;
Fig 5 shows a rear view of two frames of Fig 1 and a connector;
Fig 6 shows a side view the Fig 5 arrangement, the view having certain parts of the connector removed for clarity;
Fig 7 shows an enlarged view of part of Fig 6, the part designated by the circle A;
Fig 8 shows an enlarged view of a first frame overhang of Fig 7;
Fig 9 shows an enlarged view of a second frame overhang of Fig 7;
Fig 10 shows a front view of the connector of Fig 5;
Fig 11 shows a rear view of the connector of Fig 5;
Figs 12 and 13 show perspective views of the connector of Fig 5;
Figs 14 and 15 show side views of the connector of Fig 5;
Fig 16 shows a plan view of a structure with four attached base fasteners, two of which are attached to respective frame members;
Fig 17 shows a plan view of an advertising panel and two attached frame members;
Fig 18 shows a side view of a frame member being engaged with a base fastener;
Fig 19 shows a side view of a bus having an attached T-shaped advertising panel;
Fig 20 shows a side view of an edge strip engaged with a frame member of Fig 1;
Fig 21 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of edge strip in a non-tensioned state;
Fig 22 shows a side view of the edge strip of Fig 21 engaged with a frame member of Fig 1, the edge strip being in a tensioned state;
Fig 23 shows a side view of a further alternative embodiment of edge strip in a non-tensioned state; and
Fig 24 shows a side view of the edge strip of Fig 23 in a tensioned state.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig 1 shows a frame member 10 comprising a panel-receiving portion 12 and a flange 14. The upper surfaces of Fig 1 comprise the rear of the frame member 10 and the lower surfaces of Fig 1 comprise the front of the frame member 10.
The panel-receiving portion 12 is c-shaped in cross-section, having a bore 16 with a circular cross-section and a slot 18. As can be seen in Fig 2, the frame member 10 is elongate. The ends of the bore 16 are open. The panel-receiving portion 12 is relatively stiff but not totally rigid, and is typically made from high stiffness PVC or another plastics material. The invention is not limited to any particular material.
The flange 14 comprises low stiffness PVC, although other materials, e.g. flexible plastics, may also be used. It is preferable that the flange 14 is formed from a more flexible material than that used for the panel-receiving portion 12, for reasons which will be explained later. The flange 14 has a fastener 20 adhered or otherwise fixed to its rear surface (the upper surface in the Fig 1 view). The fastener 20 is part of a mutually engageable fastening means; its co-operating fastener is not shown here, but may be a base fastener fixed to a structure such as the side of a vehicle, as will be later described. In this embodiment, the mutually engageable fastening means comprises a 3M™ Dual Lock™ fastening system, but any other suitable fastening means can be used. The flange 14 generally has a constant depth, except for a groove 19 cut out of the flange end farthest from the panel-receiving portion 12. The groove is in the surface of the flange 14 that carries the fastener 20 (the upper surface of the flange 14 in Fig 1).
The fastener 20 and its co-operating fastener provide a mechanical fastening system. The fastener 20 and its co-operating fastener both comprise strips having mushroom-shaped barbs. When the fastener 20 and its co-operating fastener are pushed together, the heads of the barbs interlock and prevent the fasteners from coming apart, as shown in Fig 18. The barbs on each fastener are arranged in rows and columns. On one of the fasteners, the barbs in each row and column are aligned, and on the other fastener, each barb is offset relative to its neighbours. This creates an even firmer bond when the barbs interlock.
The invention is not limited to this type of fastening means.
Figs 3 and 4 show the frame member 10 and a part of an advertising panel 21.
The advertising panel 21 typically comprises an advertising sheet, e.g. of plastic material. The advertising sheet may be perforated (i.e. a mesh) or non-perforated. The advertising sheet is capable of being printed on, to provide an advertising image on one side. Any suitable printing process may be used, such as laser printing or screen printing. Non-perforated embodiments can be cheaper to make, as they do not require digital printing.
Typically, the panel 21 comprises a sheet of synthetic paper, e.g. vinyl on a polyester mat. Such advertising sheets can be cheap to make, robust, and translucent, such that they can be backlit when mounted in a frame. Alternatively, the panel 21 comprises a sheet of mesh, such as described in WO 03/069592 .
Reinforcing strips of reinforced PVC or similar material may be bonded to any or all of the edges of the advertising sheet to prevent the advertising sheet from tearing or stretching in use. The reinforcing strips may be bonded by adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. The strips may be of polypropylene or polyester scrim coated with PVC for easy joining to the advertising sheet. The thickness of the strips is chosen so that the panel 21 can be subject to the chosen printing process even with the strips attached. Typically the reinforcing strips are between 5 and 15cm wide, and extend to the perimeter of the panel 21.
The advertising panel 21 (only a part of which is shown) has a respective protrusion 22 along the length of each of its edges.
The protrusion 22 has a circular cross-section and, in use, is received within the bore 16 (see Fig 3). The diameter of the protrusion 22 is greater than the width of the slot 18, so the protrusion 22 cannot be removed from the bore 16 through the slot 18 without considerably deforming the slot 18. The protrusion 22 is insertable into, and removable from, the bore 16 via the open ends of the bore 16.
Preferably, a suitable stiff material is selected for the panel-receiving portion 12 so that it is stiff enough to prevent the slot 18 deforming sufficiently to allow the protrusion to pass through the slot 18. However, preferably the panel-receiving portion 12 has some degree of flexibility, to allow the panel-receiving portion 12 to flex in response to the flexing of the flange 14.
The protrusions 22 are bonded to the edges of the panel 21 with or without reinforcing strips, by wrapping the edge of the advertising panel 21 around the protrusion 22 and stitching with thread or bonding to form a hem, or by attaching and bonding an edge strip of any suitable plastic material. Thermal or adhesive bonding may be used. The protrusion 22 comprises a cord or rope, or extruded flexible plastic or rubber, held in the hem or edge strip. The cord or rope may be free to slide in the hem or edge strip, or may be restrained or bonded to the hem or edge strip. The edge strip may be of the same material as the reinforcing strips. The protrusion 22 and reinforcing strip may together comprise keder. A typical keder is a heavy duty coated polyester fabric welded to a cord of solid PVC material.
In alternative embodiments, the edge of the panel 21 does not have to be wrapped around a protrusion 22. Instead, the protrusion could comprise an extruded strip that is bonded to the panel 21. This protrusion could have a V-shaped extension in which the edge of the panel 21 is received. In these embodiments, the protrusion typically comprises Sunprene™, which is described and defined above.
Preferred embodiments of protrusion 22 provide a strong flexible and slippery track welting that slides easily and can bend around corners.
In alternative embodiments, the reinforcing strip and protrusion 22 may be replaced by keder in the form of an edge strip described below with reference to Figs 20 to 22.
Fig 5 shows the ends of two frame members 10, each of which is attached to a respective arm of an L-shaped connector 35, so that the frame members 10 are mutually perpendicular.
Various view of the connector 35 are shown in Figs 11 to 15. The connector's rear surface (see Figs 11 and 13) is shaped to match the front surface of the frame members (the upper surface in the Fig 4 view). The rear surface of the connector 35 has a flat, planar portion 36 on the outer sides of the L-shape, the flat portion 36 being adapted to receive the front of the flange portion 14. The rear surface can optionally have a fastener, e.g. 3M™ Dual Lock™ attached thereto (not shown), which could engage with a further fastener on a surface to which the connector 35 will be attached.
The connector 35 also has a curved semi-circular channel 37 along the inner sides of the L-shape, adapted to receive the front half of the panel-receiving portion 12 (the upper half in the Fig 4 view).
Figs 5 to 7 show the frame members 10 coupled to the connector 35. The frame members 10 are slid into engagement with the arms of the connector, with the panel-receiving portions in the channel 37, and the flanges abutting the flat portions 36.
The inside edge of the channel 37 and the outside edge of the flat portion 36 are provided with respective overhanging lips 42, 44, to retain the frame members in position, "inside" and "outside" being defined relative to the inner and outer corners of the L-shape. The lip 44 is best shown in Fig 8; the lip 44 engages the groove 19 in the flange 14. Fig 9 shows the lip 42, which overhangs the end of the front half of the c-shaped panel-receiving portion 12.
It should be noted that the connector 35 is not an essential element of the invention, as the frame members 10 are not necessarily connected to each other at all, and if they are, an alternative way of connecting the frame members 10 could be used.
The mounting of an advertising panel 21 on a structure 55 will now be explained with reference to Figs 16 to 18. The structure 55 may be a stationary structure, or it may form part of a vehicle. Fig 17 shows an embodiment of an advertising panel 21 to be mounted; the panel 21 is rectangular and comprises an advertising sheet 23 and a respective protrusion 22 attached to each edge of the advertising sheet 23.
Referring to Fig 16, a respective "base" fastener is adhered to the structure 55 for each edge of the panel 21; two base fasteners 50, 52 horizontally, and two further base fasteners 54, 56 vertically, at locations defined by the height and width of the panel. The term "base fastener" is used to mean a fastener with which the fastener 20 on the flange 14 can engage. The base fastener and the fastener 20 together comprise a mutually engageable fastening means.
Next, two frame members 10 are attached to the horizontal fasteners 50, 52; this stage is shown in Fig 16. Because the flanges 14 are flexible, only one person is needed to engage the fasteners 20 with the base fasteners 50, 52, as will now be explained.
As shown in Fig 18, the fasteners 20, 50 are pushed together at one end of the flange 14 first, causing the mushroom-shaped barbs at that end to interlock. The flange 14 bends so that the part of the fastener 20 to which pressure is applied is pushed downwards to engage the fastener 50, whilst the rest of the fastener 20 is still not engaged.
Next, the pressure is transferred from the end of the flange 14 along the flange 14, to engage successively more of the barbs. This is typically done by pushing a roller along the length of the flange 14, whilst applying downwards pressure to the roller. This causes successive barbs of the fastener 20 to engage with the barbs of the fastener 50, as these are pushed downwards in turn by the roller. The movement of the roller is indicated by the arrow F in Fig 18. It should be noted that this step does not require a roller; manually pushing the fasteners 20, 50 together also achieves a good result.
The flange 14 being flexible allows a specific part of the fasteners 20, 50 to be engaged, even when the rest of the fasteners are not engaged. Therefore, a single person pushing on a specific location of the flange 14, can cause the barbs at that location to engage, regardless of the other barbs. If the flange 14 was rigid, the fasteners 20, 50 would need simultaneous pressure along the entire length of the flange 14, to engage the fasteners 20, 50. This could not be done simply by one person, and would need either a complex mechanical aid, or many people working together.
The flexibility of the frame and the mutual engagement strength of the first and second fasteners 20, 50 is such that the fasteners 20, 50 can be disengaged by peeling action. The end of the frame member 10 is pulled at an angle relative to the plane of the fastener 50, causing the frame member 10 to bend, and the barbs of the fastener 20 to disengage from the barbs of the fastener 50.
Although Fig 18 shows deformation of the frame member 10 in a longitudinal direction along the frame member 10, the frame member 10 is also deformable in a lateral direction (or in a combination of longitudinal and lateral directions), to attach and detach the fasteners 20, 50.
Although the above refers specifically to the fastener 50, the fastener 52 is engaged in exactly the same way.
Next, two further frame members 10 are attached to the vertical protrusions 22 of the panel 21, by aligning the slot 18 with the advertising sheet 23 and threading the protrusion 22 into the bore 16 starting from one end of the frame member 10. The result of this is shown in Fig 17.
Next, the advertising panel 21 is attached to the structure 55, by threading the horizontal protrusions 22 of the panel 21 through the c-shaped panel-receiving portions 12 of the horizontal frame members 10 already attached to the structure 55. This aligns the flanges 14 of the vertical frame members 10 attached to the panel 21 with the vertical base fasteners 50, 52 attached to the structure 55. Finally, the vertical frame members 10 are attached to the vertical fasteners 54, 56, in the same way as the horizontal fasteners 50, 52 were attached to their respective frame members 10 (see Fig 18) .
The connectors 35 may be attached to adjacent frame members 10 as a final step, or may be attached to one frame member 10 before attaching that frame member 10 to the structure 55. Optionally, a fastener on a rear surface of the connector 35 can be engaged with a fastener attached to the structure 55, in addition to the attachment to the frame members 10 provided by the over-hanging lips 42, 44. To change the advertising panel, the above steps can be reversed; (i.e. the vertical frame members 10 can be pulled apart from their base fasteners 54, 56, and the horizontal protrusions can be then slid out of their panel-receiving portions 12, etc.). Since the protrusions of the advertising panel 21 can be slid into and out of the panel-receiving portions 12, the advertising panel 21 can be said to be releasably engageable with the frame members 10. The horizontal frame members 10 may also be detached from their base fasteners 50, 52, if desired.
In this way, the advertising panel 21 can be mounted and removed very easily by a single person. The c-shaped panel-receiving portions provide a secure mounting.
The mutually engageable fastening means 20, 50, provides a number of options regarding what stage each of the frame members 10 is attached to the structure 55.
In an alternative method, all four of the frame members 10 are slid into engagement with their respective protrusions before any of the frame members 10 are attached to the structure 55. In this method, the connectors 35 can be connected to the frame members 10 at this stage, before the frame members 10 are attached to the structure 55.
The detachable mechanical fastening of the frame members 10 to the structure 55 enables each edge of the panel 21 to be attached securely in a track of a frame member, which could not be done if the frame members 10 were permanently welded to the structure 55.
It should be noted that the order of the steps shown in Figs 16 and 17 could be reversed. Furthermore, it is not necessarily the horizontal frame members 10 that are attached to the structure 55 first, (although this is preferable, as it allows the advertising panel to be supported by the upper frame member 10 whilst the vertical frame members 10 are being attached). Alternatively, the vertical frame members 10 could be attached to the structure 55 before being attached to the panel 21, and the horizontal frame members 10 could be attached to the advertising panel 21 before being attached to the structure 55.
In a further alternative method, only one frame member 10 (e.g. the upper frame member) is initially attached to its respective base fastener. Then, the advertising panel 21 is attached to the mounted frame member 10, and the other edges of the advertising panel 21 are attached to further frame members 10; these steps could occur in either order. Next, the advertising panel 21 can optionally be tensioned, before mounting the frame member 10 that is opposite the initially-attached frame member 10 (e.g. the lower frame member) to the structure 55 by its base fastener. Finally, the remaining frame members 10 (e.g. side frame members) are attached to their respective base members, so that the frame is complete on all sides. In this way, it can be ensured that the mounted advertising panel 21 is correctly tensioned and does not sag.
This method also has the advantage that the advertising panel 21 is easier to mount, in comparison to methods in which two opposite frame members 10 are already/permanently attached to the structure 55. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, the advertising panel 21 can be engaged with each frame member 10 sequentially, instead of requiring any simultaneous engagement with two already-mounted frame members 10. Secondly, the advertising panel 21 does not have to be pulled taut to enable simultaneous engagement with two already-mounted frame members 10. Instead, a first edge of the advertising panel 21 can be engaged with the mounted frame member 10 without any tension needing to be applied to the advertising panel 21 at this time. Hence, the above method enables an easy mounting of the advertising panel 21, which can be accomplished by a single person.
To remove the advertising panel 21 from the structure 55, typically all of the frame members 10 are peeled away from their respective base members. Alternatively, one or two of the frame members 10 are left mounted on the structure 55, and the advertising panel 21 is slid out of engagement with these mounted frame members 10.
In a preferred method, only one frame member 10 remains mounted on the structure 55, whilst the other frame members 10 are peeled away. The advertising panel 21 to be removed is slid out of engagement with the peeled-away frame members 10, which are now put onto three edges of the replacement advertising panel 21. The remaining edge of the replacement advertising panel 21 is then slid into engagement with the mounted frame member 10. The replacement advertising panel 21 is typically tensioned, and the frame member 10 opposite the frame member 10 that remained mounted on the structure 55 is then attached to its respective base member so that the replacement advertising panel 21 is pulled taut. The rest of the method is as described above.
The invention is not limited to rectangular advertising panels. For example, in the case of buses, advertising panels are typically t-shaped, as shown in Fig 19.
Fig 19 shows a bus 60 having a T-shaped advertising panel 62. Preferred embodiments of the panel 62 are flexible and can be rolled up when not in use. The advertising panel 62 comprises a vertical trunk 63 and a horizontal branch 65. The horizontal branch 65 has three horizontal edges 64, 66A, 66B; a fourth horizontal edge is provided at the bottom of the vertical trunk 63. The horizontal branch has two vertical edges 70, 72, and the vertical trunk 63 has a further two vertical edges 74, 76.
Other than the different shape, the advertising panel 62 is the same as the panel 21, also comprising an advertising sheet having a protrusion on each edge.
The t-shaped advertising panel 62 is attached to a structure (in this example, the bus 60) in the same way as the rectangular advertising panel 21 is attached. One frame member 10 is again provided for each edge of the advertising panel 62.
First, base fasteners are attached (e.g. adhered to the bus) at locations corresponding to the desired mounted locations of the edges of the panel 62. Then, frame members 10 are engaged with the base fasteners corresponding to the edges 64, 66A, 66B, 74, 76 (pressing the barbs into engagement along the entire length of the frame members, e.g. manually or using a roller) as shown in Fig 18. Optionally, the remaining frame members 10 are threaded over their respective protrusions at edges 68, 70, 72 of the panel 62 at this stage, although this could also be done later.
The protrusions of the horizontal edges 64, 66A, 66B of the horizontal branch 65 are then threaded into the bores in their corresponding frame members attached to the bus 60. Next, the vertical trunk 63 is lifted up and bent to align the protrusions of the vertical edges 74, 76 of the trunk with the bore ends in their corresponding frame members 10. The protrusions are threaded through the bores, so that the vertical trunk 63 eventually lies flat against the bus. If the protrusions at edges 68, 70, 72 have not yet been engaged with their respective frame members 10, this can be done at this stage. The final step is to engage the frame members of edges 68, 70, 72 (attached to the advertising panel 62) with their respective base fasteners.
The above method uses the flexibility of the frame to engage the fasteners, and also the flexibility of the advertising panel 62, so that the vertical trunk 63 can be bent to thread the vertical edges 74, 76 into their respective frame members 10.
Some embodiments of the invention provide an advertising system in which advertising panels can be easily installed, removed and changed. In preferred embodiments, the frame is removable from the structure. In some embodiments, the frame is attachable to the structure using a relatively thin, unobtrusive fastener attached to the structure. These embodiments do not require any substantial modification to the structure itself, as opposed to the known way of welding a large bulky frame/track system to the structure.
A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig 20, which shows an edge strip 100 for an advertising sheet. The edge strip 100 is bonded to an edge of an advertising sheet 123 and is engaged with a frame member comprising an elongate slotted track member. In this embodiment, the frame member comprises the frame member 10 of Fig 1; however, in other embodiments, the frame member could be any elongate slotted track member. The advertising sheet 123 and at least one edge strip 100 form an advertising panel 121.
The edge strip 100 comprises a frame-engagement portion 102 and a flange 103. The frame-engagement portion 102 comprises a protrusion 104 and a planar portion 106. The frame-engagement portion 102 cooperates with the frame member 10; the protrusion 104 is substantially cylindrical and is dimensioned to fit within the bore 16 of the frame member 10. The planar portion 106 extends through the slot 18 of the frame member 10.
The frame-engagement portion 102 comprises a low friction plastic, whilst the flange 103 comprises a plastic of relatively higher friction. The low friction coefficient of the frame-engagement portion 102 enables the frame-engagement portion 102 to slide easily relative to the frame member 10. Both the protrusion 104 and the planar portion 106 are formed from the low friction material, which enables easy sliding within the bore 16 and the slot 18, respectively. The relatively higher friction of the flange 103 enables the flange 103 to be readily fastened to the advertising sheet 123.
In alternative embodiments, the frame-engagement portion 102 comprises a low friction material in the form of a low-friction coating (e.g. a PTFE coating), whilst the flange 103 does not have such a coating.
The frame-engagement portion 102 and flange 103 are typically formed together in a single extrusion.
The edge strip 100 is bonded to the advertising sheet 123 at the flange 103. The bonding typically comprises welding, e.g. high-frequency welding or heat welding. However, the edge strip 100 may be welded, bonded or fixed by any other means to the advertising sheet 123.
In use, the frame member 10 is attached to a structure, an edge strip 100 is bonded to an edge of an advertising sheet 123, and the protrusion 104 of the edge strip 100 is inserted into the bore 16 of the frame member 10. The opposite edge of the advertising sheet 123 may have a further bonded edge strip 100 and may optionally be inserted into a further frame member 10 before attaching that further frame member 10 to the structure. The method typically includes the steps of securing the remaining edges of the advertising sheet 123 to the structure, optionally in the same way as the first edge, using further frame members and edge strips.
A further embodiment of an edge strip 150 is shown in Figs 21 and 22.
Like the Fig 20 embodiment, the edge strip 150 comprises a frame-engagement portion 152 and a flange 153, and the frame-engagement portion 152 comprises a protrusion 154. These components are similar to the components of the Fig 20 embodiment, and serve the same purposes, and any of the features of the Fig 20 embodiment may or may not be incorporated in the edge strip 150. In particular, the frame-engagement portion 152 may comprise a low-friction material, and any optional features relating to this, as described with reference to the Fig 20 embodiment.
However, the Fig 21 embodiment differs in that it also includes a tensioning means 158 provided between the frame-engagement portion 152 and the flange 153. The tensioning means 158 comprises a resilient portion 160.
In its non-tensioned state shown in Fig 21, the resilient portion 160 comprises a hollow, substantially cylindrical portion.
In use, a frame member comprising an elongate slotted track member (which in this example comprises a frame member 10) is attached to a structure. An edge strip 150 is bonded at its flange 153 to an advertising sheet 163 to form an advertising panel 161. The protrusion 154 is then inserted into the bore 16 of the frame member 10.
To tension the advertising sheet 163, the advertising sheet 163 is pulled, causing the protrusion 154 to abut against the edges of the slot 18, and causing the resilient portion 160 to deform from the circular cross-section shown in Fig 21 to the oval cross-section of the tensioned state shown in Fig 22.
The resilient portion 160 optionally has a maximum stretch of 10mm; but alternative embodiments may have a different maximum stretch.
The opposite edge of the advertising sheet 163 is then secured to the structure, whilst the advertising sheet 163 is held in tension.
Optionally, the opposite edge of the advertising sheet 163 is secured to the structure using a further edge strip 150 and a second frame member 10, in the same way as the first edge. In such a case, the further resilient portion will provide a further maximum stretch of 10mm. The further edge strip 150 is typically engaged with the further frame member 10 before attaching that further frame member 10 to the structure. Alternatively, the opposite edge of the advertising sheet 163 may be attached to the structure by any other means, which might not comprise any resilient means.
After the opposite edge of the advertising sheet 163 has been attached to the structure, the resilient portion 160 attempts to return to its original shape shown in Fig 21, thereby maintaining tension in the advertising sheet 163. Hence, the tensioning means 158 serves to tension the advertising sheet 163.
Optionally, all remaining edges of the advertising sheet 163 are also secured to the structure in a similar way. Any further frame members 10 would typically be engaged with the advertising panel 161 before being attached to the structure.
A further embodiment of an edge strip 170 is shown in Figs 23 and 24.
Like the embodiments of Figs 20 to 22, the edge strip 170 comprises a frame-engagement portion 172 and a flange 173, and the frame-engagement portion 172 comprises a protrusion 174. In Figs 23 and 24, the protrusion 174 comprises a solid cylinder, but it could alternatively comprise a hollow cylinder as shown in Figs 20 to 22. These components are similar to the components of the embodiments of Figs 20 to 22, and serve the same purposes, and any of the features of the embodiments of Figs 20 to 22 may or may not be incorporated in the edge strip 170. In particular, optionally the frame-engagement portion 172 comprises a low-friction material, and any optional features relating to this, as described with reference to the Fig 20 embodiment.
Like the embodiment of Figs 21 and 22, the edge strip 170 comprises a tensioning means 178 provided between the frame-engagement portion 172 and the flange 173.
However, the edge strip 170 differs in that the tensioning means 178 comprises means to reduce the distance between the frame-engagement portion 172 and the flange 173. The means to reduce said distance comprises a releasable closure strip. The releasable closure strip comprises two elongate strip members 180, 182, arranged parallel to the protrusion 174, the strip member 180 being directly connected to the frame-engagement portion 172 and the other strip member 182 being directly connected to the flange 173. The strip members 180, 182 are provided with co-operating inter-engaging formations 180f, 182f. The formation 180f comprises a protrusion whilst the formation 182f comprises a corresponding recess. The recess formation 182f has a neck that is narrower than the widest part of the protrusion formation 180f.
The tensioning means also includes a flexible linkage portion 184, which connects the strip members 180, 182 together. The flexible linkage portion 184 is flexible such that it can bend and fold.
In the non-tensioned state shown in Fig 23, the strip members 180, 182 are in an open position, with their formations 180f, 182f not being engaged. The flexible linkage portion 184 allows the strip members 180, 182 to approach and move apart from each other to the extent allowed by the length of the flexible linkage portion 184, which is typically around 10mm.
In use, at least one edge strip 170 is attached to an edge of an advertising sheet 183, and is engaged with a respective frame member on a structure, as described above with reference to the edge strips 100, 150. The edge strip 170 should be engaged with the frame member whilst being in the non-tensioned state of Fig 23. Typically, a further edge strip 170 is attached to an opposite edge of the advertising sheet 183, and the further edge strip 170 is also engaged with a respective frame member on the structure. This further edge strip 170 should also be in the non-tensioned state of Fig 23 whilst being engaged with its frame member.
If edge strips 170 are used on both opposite edges of the advertising sheet 183, the dimensions of the advertising panel formed by the advertising sheet 183 and the edge strips 170 and the relative spacing of the frame members are arranged such that the mounted advertising sheet 183 now has around 20mm of slack (10mm provided by each flexible linkage portion 184).
To tension the advertising sheet 183, the strip members 180, 182 of one of the edge strips 170 are pressed together at one end of that edge strip 170, so that the formation 180f (a protrusion) engages in the formation 182f (a recess). The co-operating shape of the formations 180f, 182f, in particular the narrow neck of the formation 182f, holds the formation 180f within the formation 182f. The pressure can then be transferred along the length of that edge strip, until the entire (protrusion) formation 180f is trapped within the (recess) formation 182f; this entrapment holds the strip members 180, 182 closely together in a closed position, as shown in Fig 24: the tensioned state. The same process is repeated with the other edge strip 170 (on the opposite edge of the advertising sheet 183).
As shown in the tensioned state of Fig 24, the flexible linkage portion 184 has bent and folded up to allow the strip members 180, 182 to come together. The overall height of each edge strip 170 has reduced, by approximately the length of the flexible linkage portion 184 (e.g. approximately 10mm). Thus, since there was 20mm of slack in the advertising sheet 183 before tensioning, after tensioning, the advertising sheet 183 is held taut and tensioned in the frame members.
It will be understood that the distance between the frame-engagement portion 172 and the flange 173 has been reduced by the closing of the releasable closure strip.
The method typically includes the steps of securing the remaining edges of the advertising sheet 183 to the structure, optionally by means of further edge strips 100, 150, 170.
The edge strips 100, 150, 170 may be, but are not necessarily, used with respective frame members 10; the edge strips 100, 150, 170 can be used with any elongate slotted track members. The method may include any of the method steps described and claimed herein with respect to any embodiment of the invention.
The edge strips 100, 150, 170 optionally comprise keder.
Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, not all of these method steps relating to Figs 1 to 19 need to be done in the above order. For example, in an alternative method, more, or all of the frame members are engaged with all of the edges of the panel 62 before any frame member is attached to its respective base member. In this case, the advertising panel 62 would not need to be flexible.
The frame members corresponding to the panel edges 74, 76, are not necessarily attached to the bus before the horizontal protrusions are threaded into the frame members of edges 64, 66A, 66B. In this case, the frame members 74, 76 could be attached to the bus immediately after this step, and the rest of the method could be as described above. Alternatively, at this point, the panel edges 74, 76, 68 could be attached to their frame members 10 and then engaged with their base fasteners.
In one method, only the frame member corresponding to the top edge 64 is attached to its base member before the uppermost protrusion of the panel 62 is received in this frame member. The top frame member can support the weight of the panel 62, whilst the remaining fasteners are secured to their respective base fasteners and to the panel 62, in any suitable order. This allows the advertising panel 62 to be optionally tensioned if desired, before mounting the remaining frame members on the bus 60; thus, the advertising panel 62 can be pulled taut so that it will not sag. In this method, typically, the frame members of panel edges 66A, 66B would be mounted second, as these edges are opposite to the top edge 64.
The above modifications also apply to the rectangular embodiment of Figs 16 and 17.
The invention allows the panel 62 to be made as an integral single-piece item, instead of the conventional five or more bus panel portions.
The advertising panel may be flexible or rigid.
In some embodiments, the frame is attachable to the structure by means of a protrusion provided on the frame engaging a recess in the structure; for example, the structure may be provided with an elongate slot adjacent the recess, the slot having an open end, so that the protrusion on the frame can be threaded through the open end of the slot. The slot is narrower than the protrusion so that the protrusion is held within the slot.
As stated above, in the illustrated embodiment, the mutually engageable fastening means comprises a 3M^™ Dual Lock^™ fastening system, but any other suitable fastening means can be used. For example, the fastening means could be any "hook and loop" type fastener, or any mushroom-type fastener, e.g. where both first and second fasteners have protruding mushroom heads.
An advantage of using the 3M^™ Dual Lock^™, or a similar interlocking mechanical fastener, is that the frame does not need to be riveted or screwed into the structure. Instead, a part of the fastener is adhered or bonded to the structure.
In some embodiments, the first fastener and the frame may be integrally formed (i.e. formed as one piece).
The embodiments of Figs 20 to 22 need not be used with a frame member 10; these embodiments can be used with any elongate slotted track member, whether or not already fixed or fixable to a structure. Hence, the releasable fastener 20 on the frame member 10 is not an essential element of these embodiments.
Furthermore, the elongate slotted track member need not have a circular cross-section, as shown in Figs 20 and 22; oval, square, triangular embodiments could also work. The shape of the protrusion 104, 154, 174 need not correspond to the shape of the bore 16. The protrusion 104, 154, 174 merely needs to be able to fit within the bore 16 and be wide enough not to fall through the slot 18.
In some embodiments, it is not necessary to attach all edges of the advertising panel to a structure; and if attached, not all edges are necessarily attached in ways described herein. The invention includes where only one edge of an advertising panel is attached to a structure.
In the embodiment of Figs 23 and 24, it is not necessary for opposite edges of the advertising sheet both to have edge strips 170 with tensioning means 178. Alternatively, only one of a pair of opposite edges comprises an edge strip 170; the other edge could have no tensioning means. In this case, the advertising panel could still be engaged with respective frame members, whilst being in a non-tensioned state, due to the slack provided by the single tensioning means 178, and the advertising panel could be tensioned, in the same way as if two edge strips 170 had been present.
The flexible linkage portion 184 is not necessarily 10mm in length; it can be any suitable length, depending on the amount of slack in the advertising panel that is desired in the non-tensioned state, and depending on whether it is intended to use an edge strip 170 on one, or both, of opposite sides of an advertising sheet. Clearly, twice as much slack can be gained, if an edge strip 170 is used on both of sides.
Other modifications have also been described throughout the specification.

Claims

An advertising system comprising:
a frame for mounting an advertising panel (21) on a structure (55), the frame comprising at least one elongate frame member (10) having a flexible flange (14) and a panel-receiving portion (12), the panel-receiving portion (12) being adapted to releasably engage an advertising panel; and

a mutually engageable fastening means comprising first and second elongate mechanical fasteners (20, 50) engageable with one another by applying pressure at a first location to engage said first and second fasteners (20, 50) at that location, the second elongate mechanical fastener (50) being affixable to the structure (55); wherein the first elongate mechanical fastener (20) is provided on a rear surface of the flange (14) characterised in that the flexibility of the flange (14) and the mutual engagement strength of the first and second elongate mechanical fasteners (20, 50) are such that the elongate frame and first elongate mechanical fastener (20) may be separated from the second elongate mechanical fastener (50) by peeling action.
An advertising system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a part of the panel receiving portion (12) extends beyond the rear surface of the flange (14), towards the rear of the elongate frame member (10).
An advertising system as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the panel-receiving portion (12) is adapted to receive an edge of an advertising panel (21).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the flange (14) and the panel-receiving portion (12) comprise different materials.
An advertising system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the panel-receiving portion (12) is more rigid than the flange (14).
An advertising system as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the panel-receiving portion (12) comprises a recess (16) for receiving a protrusion (22) on an advertising panel edge.
An advertising system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mechanical fastener is engaged by pushing the first and second fasteners (20, 50) together and disengaged by pulling them apart.
An advertising system as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first and second fasteners (20, 50) have mushroom-shaped interlocking barbs.
An advertising system as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an advertising panel (21).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the advertising panel (21) is flexible.
An advertising system as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein at least a part of the advertising panel (21) is translucent.
An advertising system as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, wherein one frame member (10) is provided for each edge of the advertising panel (21).
An advertising system as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the advertising panel (21) is T- shaped, and wherein one frame member (10) is provided for each edge of the T-shape.
An advertising system as claimed in any of claims 9 to 13, wherein the advertising panel (121) comprises:
an advertising sheet (123) and an edge strip (100), the edge strip (100) comprising a flange (103) and a frame- engagement portion (102), the frame-engagement portion (102) comprising a protrusion (104); and wherein the flange (103) of the edge strip (100) is bonded to the advertising sheet (123).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the frame-engagement portion (102) and the flange (103) of the edge strip (100) are formed as a single extrusion.
An advertising system as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the frame-engagement portion (102) comprises a material that has a lower coefficient of friction than the flange (103) of the edge strip (100).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the frame-engagement portion (102) and the flange (103) of the edge strip (100) comprise two different materials, the material of the frame-engagement portion (102) having a lower coefficient of friction than the material of the flange (103) of the edge strip (100).
An advertising system as claimed in any of claims 14 to 17, wherein the edge strip (150) includes a tensioning means (158).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the tensioning means (158) comprises a resilient portion (160) arranged between the frame-engagement portion (152) and the flange (153).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the resilient portion (160) comprises a hollow cylinder, which, if stretched, urges a return to its original shape.
An advertising system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the tensioning means (178) comprises means to reduce the distance between the frame-engagement portion (172) and the flange (173) of the edge strip (170).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the means to reduce the distance between the frame-engagement portion (172) and the flange (173) of the edge strip (170) comprises a releasable closure strip arranged between the frame-engagement portion (172) and the flange (173) of the edge strip (170).
An advertising system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the releasable closure strip comprises two strip members (180, 182) having inter-engaging formations (180f, 182f).
A method of mounting an advertising system according to claim 1 on a structure, the method comprising the steps of:
affixing the first elongate fastener (20) to a rear surface of the flange (14); affixing the second elongate fastener (50) to the structure (55); and

applying pressure at a first location to engage the first and second fasteners (20, 50) at that location, and transferring the pressure along the length of the fasteners (20, 50) to successively engage a larger proportion of the fasteners (20, 50).
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the frame is releasably mounted on the structure (55).
A method as claimed in claim 24 or claim 25, including the further step of installing an advertising panel (21) in the frame.
A method as claimed in claim 26, wherein the advertising panel (21) comprises an advertising sheet and a protrusion (22) attached to an edge of the advertising sheet, and the frame comprises at least one frame member (10) having an elongate recess (16) and an open end, and the method includes the step of threading the protrusion (22) through the open end into the recess (16) to attach the frame member (10) to the advertising panel (21).
A method as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame members (10) and wherein at least one frame member (10) is attached to the advertising panel (21) before that frame member (10) is mounted on the structure (55).
A method as claimed in any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of frame members (10) and wherein at least one frame member (10) is mounted on the structure (55) before being attached to the advertising panel (21).
A method as claimed in claim 29, including the successive steps of mounting at least one of the frame members (10) on the structure (55) and attaching the rest of the frame members (10) to the advertising panel (21), attaching the advertising panel (21) to the at least one mounted frame member (10), and subsequently mounting the rest of the frame members (10) on the structure (55).
A method as claimed in claim 28 or claim 30, wherein only a first frame member (10) is mounted on the structure (55) before being attached to the advertising panel (21).
A method as claimed in claim 31, including the successive steps of:
mounting the first frame member (10) on the structure (55); attaching an edge of the advertising panel (21) to the first frame member (10) and attaching an opposite edge of the advertising panel (21) to a second frame member (10); and mounting the second frame member (10) on the structure (55).
A method as claimed in claim 32, including the further steps of attaching a respective further frame member (10) to each remaining edge of the advertising panel (21) and then mounting these further frame members (10) on the structure (55).
A method as claimed in claim 32 or claim 33, including the step of tensioning the advertising panel (21) before mounting the second frame member (10) on the structure (55).
A method as claimed in claim 27 or in any of claims 28 to 33 when dependent on claim 28, wherein the advertising panel further comprises a tensioning means (178) arranged between the protrusion (174) and the edge of the advertising sheet (183), and the method includes the step of activating the tensioning means (178) to reduce the distance between the protrusion (174) and the edge of the advertising sheet (183), after the advertising panel has been attached to the frame member (10), thereby tensioning the advertising sheet (183).
A method as claimed in claim 35, wherein the tensioning means (178) comprises a releasable closure strip having inter-engaging formations (180f, 182f) and the method includes the step of closing the releasable closure strip.
A method as claimed in any of claims 24 to 36, wherein the structure comprises a vehicle (60).
A method of replacing an advertising panel (21) attached to a structure (55) by a frame according to claim 1the method including the steps of:
peeling at least one elongate frame member (10) and attached first elongate mechanical fastener (20) from a second elongate mechanical fastener (50) attached to the structure (55);

disengaging all elongate frame members (10) from the original advertising panel (21);

re-engaging the elongate frame members (10) with the replacement advertising panel (21); and

re-attaching the peeled-off elongate frame members (10) to the structure (55) by applying pressure at a first location to engage the first and second elongate mechanical fasteners (20, 50) at that location, and transferring the pressure along the length of the elongate mechanical fasteners (20, 50) to successively engage a larger proportion of the elongate mechanical fasteners (20, 50).
A method as claimed in claim 38, wherein at least one frame member (10) remains attached to the structure (55) during the method.
A method as claimed in claim 38 or claim 39, wherein only one frame member (10) remains attached to the structure (55) during the method.