EP2705513A1

EP2705513A1 - Hanging device

Info

Publication number: EP2705513A1
Application number: EP12719630.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bo Karlsson; Niclas Hedell
Original assignee: BO FASTENING AB
Current assignee: BO FASTENING AB
Priority date: 2011-05-05
Filing date: 2012-04-26
Publication date: 2014-03-12
Also published as: SE1100355A1; SE535058C2; WO2012150168A1

Abstract

A hanging display (101) for visual display of selected images (104), which comprises a fabric material (102) and at least one suspension profile (103). The fabric material (102) has a top edge (105) and a bottom edge (106), and forms at least one suspension channel (107) extending substantially in parallel to and in the immediate vicinity of the top edge (105). The cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile (103) allows it to be slidably inserted into the suspension channel (107) to be enclosed by the fabric material (102) and forms at least one sliding channel, which is at least partially enclosed by walls of the suspension profile (103). The suspension profile (103) has at least two magnetic fasteners (110, 111), which are slidably disposed along the sliding channel to be capable of being brought into suitable positions for magnetic connection to metal surfaces of a ceiling or false ceiling. The suspension channel (107) is designed to be capable of enclosing at least the major portion of the length of the suspension profile (103) with portions of the fabric material (102) located between the magnetic fasters (110, 111) and the metal surfaces of the ceiling or false ceiling.

Description

HANGING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hanging display for visual display of selected images on a fabric material, wherein the images, for example, contain text, symbols, colour fields, patterns, drawings, paintings and/or pictures. The display is intended for hanging from metal profiles or other metal surfaces in a ceiling or a false ceiling. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In shops, supermarkets, museums, galleries, exhibition halls, station halls, air terminals, sport halls and other premises, there is often a need to be able to hang different displays from the ceiling, for example in order to display different types of information or messages, to display different art objects, or to decorate the room in an aesthetically pleasing way for visitors and/or persons working in the room in question. A commonly occurring type of such displays for visual display of different images is so-called banners, i.e. elongated fabrics of textile material or other material in fabric form, which can be provided with selected images and be placed hanging down from the ceiling or false ceiling of the room. Usually, hanging is done from a false ceiling consisting of a framework formed by metal profiles, having a cross-section of a T-shape upside down, wherein ceiling panels of a suitable material are fitted into the framework. A rail is attached below the metal profiles by means of clamps which are clamped around the ceiling profiles, after which the banner is hung from the rail, for example, by means of hook members, attached to the top edge of the banner, which curve around the outside of the rail between the rail and the ceiling so that the hook members with attached banner can be slid along the rail, if necessary. One problem with such a suspension is that it can be perceived as less aesthetically pleasing because of the visible rail and the gap between the top edge of the banner and the ceiling. Another problem is that dust can accumulate between the rail and the ceiling and on the top edge of the banner. Another disadvantage is that it often becomes necessary to cut holes or notches into the ceiling panels for lead-through of the suspension clamps of the rail so that they can be clamped around the metal profiles, which is time-consuming and results in a less tidy installation. If it is desired to remove or move a display to another position in the room, such holes are not desirable since they are difficult to fill up in a tidy fashion, which often means that the damaged ceiling panels will have to be replaced completely. Another problem with previously known systems for hanging displays, such as banners, is that there will normally be no space for inserting a clamp around the last metal profile adjacent to a wall . The fact is that conventional ceiling panels have a relatively low flexural rigidity, which requires that the framework of metal profiles encloses each ind ividual ceiling panel to avoid sagging thereof. Therefore, in normal circumstances, there will always be a terminating metal profile in the ceiling directly adjacent to the wall, but with the current suspension systems no banner can be hung in such a position . This is a disadvantage, since it would often be more effective or otherwise desirable, e.g . for space reasons, to be able to hang a display of the type in question such that it hangs down from the ceiling directly adjacent to the wall .

In rooms without a false ceiling, displays, such as banners, can be hung directly from the ceiling . Also in this case it has to be possible to attach the suspension devices of the banner to suitable points in the ceiling, for example a corrugated sheet metal ceiling, in that the rail for the hook members of the banner are attached by screwing to the ceiling, using screws. Such a hanging process, however, is time-consuming, since also suitable spacer members have to be fitted between the suspension rail and the sheet metal ceiling if the hook members of the banner are to be able to slide along the rail to enable subsequent adjustment thereof.

Accord ingly, displays according to the prior art described above are difficult, or even impossible, to attach to optimal attachment points in the ceiling in a quick and efficient way, at the same time as their rails, hooks, and other suspension devices can be perceived as less aesthetically pleasing and there is risk of dust accumulation on top of the suspension devices and the top edge of the display in the finished installation . Furthermore, the previously known types of suspension devices are often impossible to mount, move, readjust, clean, dismount and/or replace without using a ladder or personnel lift, which is not desirable since this is both labour intensive and costly, and may pose a safety risk to the staff.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a first object of the invention to provide a hanging display for visual d isplay of selected images, which can be hung in a simple, quick, safe, aesthetically pleasing and d ust-protected way from a ceiling or false ceiling, wherein hanging can easily be done while adapting to the suitable attachment points in the form of metal surfaces provided by the existing ceiling structure even directly adjacent to a wall, and normally without using any ladder or personnel lift. This first object is achieved by means of a hanging display according to claim 1, which comprises a fabric material and at least one suspension profile, wherein the fabric material exhibits said selected image at least on an intended front side thereof and has an intended top edge and an intended bottom edge, and wherein the fabric material forms at least one suspension channel extending substantially in parallel to and in the immediate vicinity of the top edge, wherein the suspension profile has a cross-sectional shape allowing it to be slidably inserted into the suspension channel to be enclosed by the fabric material, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile forms at least one sliding channel, which is at least partially enclosed by walls of the suspension profile, wherein the suspension profile has at least two magnetic fasteners, which are slidably disposed along the at least one sliding channel to be capable of being brought into suitable positions for magnetic connection to metal surfaces of a ceiling or false ceiling when hanging the display therefrom, and wherein the suspension channel is designed to be capable of enclosing at least the major portion of the length of the suspension profile, so that portions of the fabric material at the top edge are located between the magnetic fasters of the suspension profile and the metal surfaces of the ceiling or false ceiling after the magnetic connection. Thanks to the magnetic fasteners, the display according to the present invention normally requires no use of ladders or personnel lifts for hanging from the ceiling, since this can be done from the floor below using a simple tool, such as a telescopic fitting pole provided with a suitable holder or clamp for holding the suspension profile of the display with attached fabric material at one end thereof, and a handle at its other end . Such a tool can easily be manufactured by a skilled person in the field, while considering the geometrical design of the suspension profile and the fabric material of the display according to the invention, the ceiling heights for which the tool should be possible to use, and the ergonomic requirements placed on it. Furthermore, thanks to the magnetic fasteners, there is no need for any hole-making for suspension clamps in false ceilings, nor for any screwing into ceilings. Since the magnetic fasteners are slidably adjustable along a sliding channel, the adaptation to the existing attachment points in the ceiling determined to be optimal or desired is facilitated, and also such attachment points that are adjacent to a wall can be used. Thanks to the fact that the suspension profile is enclosed by the fabric material, the profile will be covered after hanging, which results in a more aesthetically pleasing installation and minimizes the problem of dust accumulation between the ceiling and the suspended display.

A second object of the invention is to provide a display which can be hung in a particularly aesthetically pleasing and dust-protected way. This second object is achieved by means of a hanging display according to claim 6, where the top edges of the walls of the suspension profile delimiting the sliding channel laterally extend substantially continuously in one and the same plane along substantially the entire length of the suspension profile. In this way, a tight contact is ensured between the top edge of the display and the ceiling or false ceiling after hanging.

A third object of the invention is to provide a display, which can be used for displaying selected images in very large formats, but which still can be packed, transported and stored in one or several relatively small packages.

This third object is achieved by means of a hanging display according to claim 7, where the suspension channel has a length allowing slidable insertion of several suspension profiles in a row after each other, so that all suspension profiles are enclosed by the fabric material after hanging the display from the ceiling or false ceiling.

Thanks to such a design, the suspension profiles can be made with a considerably shorter length than the width of the fabric material which is to be hung, which facilitates manufacturing, storage, packaging and handling of the suspension profiles before hanging the display. For example, by selecting the length of the suspension profiles based on the most commonly occurring sizes of ceiling panels in false ceilings, it is sufficient to provide suspension profiles in only a few different standard lengths. When hanging a banner of large width, a desired number of suspension profiles are slid into the suspension channel of the fabric material, and the last suspension profile is cut to length, if necessary. In this way, one and the same type of suspension profile can be used for hanging banners of many different widths, which offers economic advantages. Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, a number of embodiments of the invention will be described more closely, only as examples and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which : Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view, partially in cross-section, of a hanging display according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, before hanging;

Figure 2 shows a schematic perspective view, partially in cross-section, of a suspension profile of the display in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the suspension profile in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a schematic view, as seen from the front and partially in cross- section, of the hanging display according to the preferred embodiment, after being hung from metal profiles in a false ceiling; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic view, as seen from the front and partially in cross- section, of a particularly advantageous, alternative embodiment of a hanging display according to the invention, after being hung from metal profiles in a false ceiling.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a hanging display according to a preferred embodiment of the invention before hanging, whereas Figures 2 and 3 show different views of the suspension profile, which is inserted into the sliding channel in the display of Fig. 1. Figure 4 schematically shows the display according to the preferred embodiment after being hung from metal profiles in a false ceiling.

The hanging display 101 is intended for visual display of selected images, and comprises a fabric material 102 and at least one suspension profile 103. The fabric material 102 exhibits the selected image 104 (or images) at least on an intended front side thereof and has an intended top edge 105 and an intended bottom edge 106. In this context, the attribute "intended" means that the front side, the top edge and the bottom edge, respectively, have been defined as if the display were hung from the ceiling with its "back side" adjacent to a wall .

The fabric material 102 of the display 101 according to the invention forms at least one suspension channel 107 extending substantially in parallel to and in the immed iate vicinity of the top edge 105. Advantageously, the fabric material 102 consists of a material selected from the group of textile materials, nonwoven materials, paper, cardboard, plastic materials or metal foil, and is preferably made of a material with a textile-like "drapeability" . The fabric material has been provided with an image 104 containing text, symbols, colour fields, patterns, drawings, paintings and/or pictures, for example by means of printing .

The suspension profile 103 of the display 101 according to the invention has a cross-sectional shape allowing it to be slidably inserted into the suspension channel 107 to be enclosed by the fabric material 102. Advantageously, the suspension profile 103 consists of bent sheet-metal, aluminium, other lightweig ht metal, plastic or composite material, but is preferably a plastic profile. The cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile 103 forms at least one sliding channel 108, 109, which is at least partially enclosed by walls of the suspension profile 103. The suspension profile 103 of the display according to the invention has at least two magnetic fasteners 110, 111, which are slidably disposed along the at least one sliding channel 108, 109 to be capable of being brought into suitable positions for magnetic connection to metal surfaces M, M' of a ceiling or false ceiling 112 when hanging the display 101 therefrom . In the preferred embodiment, each magnetic fastener 110, 111 comprises a plate-shaped permanent mag net 117 for magnetic connection to a metal surface of the false ceiling or ceiling 112, and a fixing device, such as a fixing screw 118 screwed into a threaded hole in the mag net 117, to enable position fixing of the magnetic fastener 110 to the suspension profile 103. The fixing screw can be provided with a conventional bolt head 118, as is shown in Fig . 3, but can advantageously be provided with a head having an oblong shape (not shown in the figures) that prevents the head from rotating inside the suspension profile when the magnet is tightened or loosened (indicated by the arrow Z in Fig . 2) by an installer from the top side of the suspension profile. Thanks to the magnetic fasteners, hanging can easily be done while adapting to the suitable attachment points in the form of metal surfaces provided by the existing ceiling structure even directly adjacent to a wall, and normally without using any ladder or personnel lift.

The suspension channel 107 of the display 101 accord ing to the invention is designed to be capable of enclosing at least the major portion of the length of the suspension profile 103, so that portions of the fabric material 102 at the top edge 105 are located between the magnetic fasters 110, 111 of the suspension profile and the metal surfaces M, M' of the ceiling or false ceiling after the magnetic connection . This design makes it possible to hang the display with the fabric material in tight contact with the ceiling, without the suspension profile needing to be visible at all . This is an advantage from an aesthetic point of view and red uces the risk of dust accumulation .

In the preferred embodiment of the display according to the invention, the fabric material 102 further forms at least one weight load ing channel 113 extending substantially in parallel to and in the immediate vicinity of the bottom edge 106, wherein the weight load ing channel 113 is designed to allow slidable insertion of at least one elongated weight element 114. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated weight element is a steel rod but can, depending on the application and the properties of the fabric material, also be one or several rods of metal or another material of sufficient weig ht, a lead rope, a wire, or the like.

Depending on the application and the type of fabric material, suspension 107 and/or weight load ing channels 113 can be formed in the fabric material by sewing, gluing, riveting or welding .

In the preferred embod iment of the display 101 according to the invention, the suspension profile 103 comprises at least one rounded end plug 115, 116, which seals at least one end of the suspension profile 103 in order to facilitate the slidable insertion thereof into the suspension channel 107 formed by the fabric material 102.

In the preferred embod iment, the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile 103 is capable of accommodating the at least two mag netic fasteners 110, 111 substantially completely after hanging the display 101. Such a design enables a tight contact between the top edge of the display and the ceiling after hanging. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile 103 forms a first 108 and a second 109 sliding channel extending substantially in parallel to each other such that the first sliding channel 108 will extend substantially directly above the second sliding channel 109 after hanging, wherein the first sliding channel 108 accommodates magnetic elements 117 of the magnetic fasteners 110 and the second sliding channel accommodates heads 118 of screws or other fixing devices for the magnetic elements. Such a design makes the magnetic fasteners slidable in a simple way, and enables position fixing thereof. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the hanging display 101 according to the invention, the top edges 119, 120 of the walls of the suspension profile 103 delimiting the first sliding channel 108 laterally extend substantially continuously in one and the same plane along substantially the entire length of the suspension profile 103. Such a design ensures tight contact between the top edge 105 of the display 101 and the ceiling or false ceiling 112 after hanging, and thereby prevents light, which otherwise could pass between the roof and the top edge, from "blazing the eyes" and disturbing a viewer's perception of the image displayed on the display. Preferably, the above- mentioned top edges 119, 120 are parallel to each other, to ensure that the fabric material 102 will hang in an aesthetically pleasing way after hanging .

In a particularly advantageous, alternative embodiment of the hanging display according to the invention, illustrated in Figure 5, the suspension channel 207 has a length allowing slidable insertion of several suspension profiles 203, 203', 203" in a row after each other, so that all suspension profiles are enclosed by the fabric material 202 after hanging the display 201 from the ceiling or false ceiling 112. Thanks to such an embodiment, the suspension profiles can be made with a considerably shorter length than the width of the banner which is to be hung, which facilitates manufacturing, storage, packaging and handling of the suspension profiles before hanging the display, and makes it possible to use the same type of suspension profile for hanging banners of many different widths. Preferably, the weight loading channel 213 at the bottom edge 206 of the display 201 according to the invention has a length allowing slidable insertion of one or several elongated weight elements 214, so that all weight elements are enclosed by the fabric material 202 after hanging the display from the ceiling or false ceiling 112. Such a design ensures that also the bottom edge of the display is tidy and pleasing to a viewer's eye.

If necessary, the fabric material of the display according to the invention can be delivered folded and be ironed before one or several suspension profiles, and preferably also weight elements, is/are inserted into the channels of the fabric material and the display is hung from the ceiling . Depending on what is most convenient, the suspension profile (or suspension profiles) and the fabric material (or fabric materials) with a desired image (desired images) can be delivered separately, or in one and the same package, to the premises where the display (or displays) are to be hung.

In the foregoing, a number of embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the figures in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the described embodiments and the details in the figures should only be regarded as examples, and that many other embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A hanging display (101 ; 201) for visual display of selected images, wherein said display comprises a fabric material (102) and at least one suspension profile (103), wherein said fabric material (102) exhibits said selected image

(104) at least on an intended front side thereof and has an intended top edge

(105) and an intended bottom edge (106),

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n

that the fabric material (102) forms at least one suspension channel (107) extending substantially in parallel to and in the immediate vicinity of said top edge (105),

that the suspension profile (103) has a cross-sectional shape allowing it to be slidably inserted into the suspension channel (107) to be enclosed by said fabric material (102),

that the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile (103) forms at least one sliding channel (108, 109), which is at least partially enclosed by walls of the suspension profile (103),

that the suspension profile (103) has at least two magnetic fasteners

(110, 111), which are slidably disposed along said at least one sliding channel (108, 109) to be capable of being brought into suitable positions for magnetic connection to metal surfaces (M, M') of a ceiling or false ceiling (112) when hanging the display (101) therefrom, and

that the suspension channel (107) is designed to be capable of enclosing at least the major portion of the length of the suspension profile (103), so that portions of the fabric material (102) at the top edge (105) are located between the magnetic fasters (110, 111) of the suspension profile and the metal surfaces (M, M') of the ceiling or false ceiling after the magnetic connection.

2. The hanging display (101) according to claim 1,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the fabric material (102) further forms at least one weight loading channel (113) extending substantially in parallel to and in the immediate vicinity of said bottom edge (106), and that said weight loading channel (113) is designed to allow slidable insertion of at least one elongated weight element (114) .

3. The hanging display (101) according to claim 1 or 2,

ch a ra cte ri zed i n that the suspension profile (103) comprises at least one rounded end plug (115, 116), which seals at least one end of said suspension profile (103) in order to facilitate the slidable insertion thereof into the suspension channel (107) formed by the fabric material (102).

4. The hanging display (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile (103) is capable of accommodating said at least two magnetic fasteners (110, 111) substantially completely after hanging the display (101).

5. The hanging display (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a ra cte ri zed i n that the cross-sectional shape of the suspension profile (103) forms a first (108) and a second (109) sliding channel extending substantially in parallel to each other such that the first sliding channel (108) will extend substantially directly above the second sliding channel (109) after hanging, wherein the first sliding channel (108) accommodates magnetic elements (117) of said magnetic fasteners (110) and the second sliding channel accommodates heads (118) of screws or other fixing devices for said magnetic elements.

6. The hanging display (101) according to claim 5, ch a ra cte rized i n that the top edges (119, 120) of the walls of the suspension profile (103) delimiting the first sliding channel (108) laterally extend substantially continuously in one and the same plane along substantially the entire length of the suspension profile.

7. The hanging display (201) according to any one of the preceding claims, ch a ra cte ri zed i n that the suspension channel (207) has a length allowing slidable insertion of several suspension profiles (203, 203', 203") in a row after each other, so that all suspension profiles are enclosed by the fabric material (202) after hanging the display (201) from the ceiling or false ceiling (112).

8. The hanging display (201) according to any one of the claims 2-7, ch a ra cte ri zed i n that the weight loading channel (213) has a length allowing slidable insertion of one or several elongated weight elements (214), so that all weight elements are enclosed by the fabric material (202) after hanging the display (201) from the ceiling or false ceiling (112).

9. The hanging display according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the fabric material (102; 202) consists of a material selected from the group of textile materials, nonwoven materials, paper, cardboard, plastic materials or metal foil and/or that said suspension (107; 207) and weight loading channels (113; 213), respectively, have been formed in the fabric material by sewing, gluing, riveting or welding and/or that the suspension profile or profiles (103; 203, 203', 203") consists/consist of bent sheet-metal, aluminium, other lightweight metal, plastic or composite material.

10. The hanging display according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that the fabric material (102; 202) forms a banner where at least the intended front side, more specifically the side of the banner that will still be visible when the display (101; 201) has been hung from the ceiling or false ceiling (112) close to a wall so that the back side of the banner is facing the wall, has been provided with an image (104; 204) containing text, symbols, colour fields, patterns, drawings, paintings and/or pictures.