FR2974440A1 - Device for suspending fabric e.g. advertising poster in front of building, has maintaining unit maintaining fabric in tension regardless of dimensional variation caused by external atmospheric conditions - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a carrier structure (3) fixed on a wall (4) of a building. A shaft is connected to the structure and rotated around a pivot axis (I) to raise or lower a printed fabric (2). A beam (6) is connected to upper edge (2a) of the fabric. A tensioning beam (7) is connected to lower edge (2b) of the fabric. A locking unit locks the tensioning beam to prevent upward displacement of the tensioning beam beyond a predetermined position. A maintaining unit maintains the fabric in tension regardless of dimensional variations caused by external atmospheric conditions e.g. humidity.

Description

The present invention relates to a suspension device for a canvas, in particular a printed canvas such as an advertising poster. It is known to make devices for hanging advertising posters intended to be fixed on the facade of a building. These devices allow to suspend a canvas, hung on a rigid frame attached to the facade of a building. The canvas may include a visual or a printed message of an advertising nature. The appearance of the canvas, intended to be seen by the greatest number, is relatively important. However, under the effect of external atmospheric conditions, for example humidity or temperature, the dimensions of the fabric can be modified. This can result in the formation of folds when it relaxes. Also the present invention aims to overcome this disadvantage by proposing a suspension device of a fabric to maintain the canvas tension to prevent the formation of folds.

For this purpose, the subject of the present invention is a device for suspending a fabric provided with an upper edge and a lower edge, said device comprising: (i) a bearing structure intended to be fixed on a wall, ( ii) a shaft, connected to the supporting structure by a pivot connection of axis I, (iii) means for rotating the shaft relative to the axis I, intended to allow the raising or lowering of the fabric, (iv) a connecting beam connected to the upper edge of the fabric, (v) connecting means of the connecting beam and the shaft, (vi) a tension beam connected to the lower edge of the fabric (vii) means for locking the tension beam intended to prevent any upward movement of the tension beam beyond a predetermined position, characterized in that the device further comprises tension holding means 30 the canvas in order to maintain the canvas in tension despite its dimensional variations they. Thus, once the fabric is put in place and put in tension by the combined action of the means for rotating the shaft and the locking means of the tension beam, the invention makes it possible to maintain the tension of the fabric. 35 whatever the external conditions, absorbing any dimensional deviation that could result for example from the temperature.

According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the voltage holding means comprise at least one return member placed inside the voltage beam. Advantageously, the return member is connected to an attachment member on which is fixed the lower edge, said fastener being able to slide vertically inside the tension beam. According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the voltage maintaining means comprise a return member placed inside the connecting beam. According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the return member is connected to a fixing member on which is fixed the upper edge, said fixing member being able to slide vertically inside the beam of link. Advantageously, each return member is a compression member 15. This feature offers the advantage of preventing any risk of tearing or rupture of the organ (s) of return. Indeed, a return member in traction would have increased tearing risks. According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, each return member is made of elastic foam. According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, each return member is made of rubber. Advantageously, the connecting means comprise a leader cloth provided with an upper edge connected to the shaft and a lower edge, and the tension holding means comprise a second return member placed inside the the connecting beam. Preferably, the second return member is connected to a second fixing member on which is fixed the lower edge of the leader cloth, the second fastener being able to slide vertically inside the connecting beam. Advantageously, each fastener and is made of polycarbonate. Thus, each fastener can also deform under the effect of heat, and accompany the dimensional variations of the fabric to which they are connected. Indeed, polycarbonate is a material whose expansion coefficient is close to that of the fabric.

According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the upper edge and the lower edge are respectively connected to the connecting beam and the tension beam by elastic return means. This characteristic contributes to maintaining tension in the fabric.

Indeed, each fastener is a profile which extends in the connecting beam or in the tension beam, but not over the entire length thereof. Also, the resilient return means, arranged at the four corners of the fabric, to maintain these four corners of the fabric tension. According to yet another feature of the device according to the invention, the fabric has four corners, the elastic return means being arranged at the four corners of said fabric. Advantageously, the elastic return means comprise traction springs.

The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description given below of a particular embodiment of this invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a front view of a suspension device for a fabric according to a particular embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional and side view of the suspension device of a fabric according to an embodiment of the invention, in two different positions of use, one of them being shown in dotted lines, - Figure 3 is a sectional and side view of a carrier beam of a device for hanging a fabric according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figure 4 is a top view of a guide of a suspension device of a fabric according to one embodiment of the invention, - FIG. 5 is a profile view of a tensile rail 1 of a suspension device for a fabric according to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 is a profile view of a tab of a suspension device for a fabric according to a embodiment of the invention, - Figure 7 is a front view of a tab of a device according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figures 8 and 9 are side views of a base and a a slide of a mounting plate of a device according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figure 10 is a front view of a slide of a device according to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an example of locking means of a device according to another embodiment of the invention, FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view from behind of a beam. carrier and a mounting plate of a device according to another embodiment of the invention, - Figure 13 is a view in per spective of the suspension device of a fabric according to a particular embodiment, wherein the fabric is in a "low" position allowing its replacement by another fabric, - Figure 14 is a perspective view of the device according to a particular embodiment embodiment of the invention, wherein the fabric is in a "high" position to make it as visible as possible, - Figure 15 is a sectional and side view of the device according to a particular embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional and side view of a connecting or voltage beam of a device according to one embodiment of the invention, FIG. 17 is a sectional and side view of FIG. a return member and a device fixing member according to one embodiment of the invention, - Figures 18 and 19 are schematic sectional and side views of a connecting beam or a voltage beam of a device according to a mo embodiment of the invention, under different conditions of use, - Figures 20 and 21 are partial schematic views, respectively front and side, of a device according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a device 1 for suspending a printed fabric 2 according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 comprises a carrier structure 3 intended to be fixed to a wall 4, for example a wall or the facade of a building, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The carrier structure 3 comprises a carrier beam 3a. The beam 3a carrier may be for example extruded aluminum. The carrier beam 3a is fixed to the wall 4 by fixing means, for example a fixing plate 3b, as can be seen in FIG. 2. This fixing plate 3b is itself fixed on the wall 4, for example using screws.

The mounting plate 3b can allow adjustment in position of the carrier beam 3a in three dimensions. For this purpose, and as shown in Figures 8 to 10, the plate 3b may comprise a base 3d to be fixed on the wall 4, the base 3d having a hollow cylindrical portion in which can be inserted a slider 3e . The adjustment of the distance between the carrier beam 3a and the wall 4 can be achieved by sliding the slider 3e in the cylindrical portion of the base 3d until a predetermined length of the slider 3e is exceeded outside this cylindrical portion. This allows adjustment to a first dimension of the space. The slider 3e is held in position relative to the base 3b by screws 3f for example. The slider 3e comprises an end 3g which is a flat surface having two slots for fixing the carrier beam 3a to the end 3g of the slider by means of a screw-nut system (as shown in Figure 12). The two lights extend in a substantially vertical direction to allow adjustment in the vertical position of the beam 3a carrier. This allows a positional adjustment of the beam 3a carrier in a second dimension of the space. Finally, according to the example of Figure 12, the carrier beam 3a comprises a longitudinal slot in which are disposed the heads of the screws for binding the carrier beam 3a to the end 3g.

A winding shaft 5, visible in FIG. 2 and in FIG. 15, is connected to the beam 3a by a pivot connection of axis I. The device 1 comprises means for rotating the shaft 5 around the axis I, for example a motor (not shown). The motor may be attached to the carrier beam 3a. In the embodiment described, the carrier structure 3 also comprises a cover 3c intended to cover the shaft 5 and the motor in order to protect them. The cover 3c is screwed onto the carrier beam 3a, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The fabric 2 can be printed. It comprises an upper edge 2a and a lower edge 2b. In the embodiment described, the upper edge 2a is fixed to a connecting beam 6 while the lower edge 2b is fixed to a tension beam 7. As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting beam 6 and the tension beam 7 extend longitudinally along the entire length of the fabric 2. As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 11, the tension beam 7 can 18. The tension beam 7 can also serve itself as a ballast.

The device 1 comprises means for connecting the shaft 5 and the upper edge 2a of the fabric 2. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting means comprise the connecting beam 6 attached to the upper edge 2a and a web 8 of primer. The leader cloth 8 comprises an upper edge fixed on the winding shaft 5 and a lower edge fixed on the connecting beam 6. The leader cloth 8 is intended to be wound around the shaft 5 when it is rotated by the motor, in order to hoist the fabric 2 to a high position in which the fabric 8 of primer is no longer visible (because wrapped around the tree 5). The unfolding of the web 8 of primer allows to lower the fabric 2 to a low position in which an operator can easily replace the canvas 2 by another fabric 2, on which is printed a message or a different visual. FIG. 13 shows the fabric 2 in a low position: the different sections of the boot fabric 8 of the device 1 according to this embodiment are visible and partially unwound. FIG. 14 shows the fabric 2 in a high position: the sections of the leader fabric 8 are wound around the shaft 5 (inside the carrier structure 3) and are therefore not visible. This high position corresponds to a normal position of suspension of the fabric 2 to make it as visible as possible, avoiding that its view is masked by elements on the ground.

The shaft 5 may include grooves to increase its rigidity to limit flexion. The shaft 5 may also comprise several tubes connected to the carrier beam 3a and separated by intermediate bearings. The web 8 of primer can in turn comprise several sections, each section of the primer cloth being connected to a tube of the winding shaft. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the leader fabric 8 comprises three sections. The upper edge of each section of the leader cloth 8 comprises a rod which is housed in a slideway on the tube to which the section of the leader cloth 8 is fixed. Each ring is welded to the upper edge of a section of the primer cloth 8. Advantageously, the device 1 comprises locking means in translation of the lower edge 2b of the fabric 2 when the latter is raised to the high position. These locking means comprise a voltage rail 9 and at least one voltage lug. The rail 9 is intended to be fixed on the wall 4, for example by means of a plate 11 screwed onto the wall 4. The plate 11 may be similar to the plate 3b for fixing the beam 3a carrier. The rail 9 may extend longitudinally parallel to the tension beam 7. Each lug 10 is fixed to the tension beam 7. Each lug 10 advantageously has a shape complementary to that of the rail 9, so that each leg 10 and the rail 9 cooperate to block the stroke of the fabric 2, when the latter is raised to the high position. The rail 9 is for this purpose placed in the path of at least one lug 10. FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the lug 10 has a convex edge intended to come into contact with a concave edge of the rail 9, so that the tab 10 and the tension rail 9 fit together during the elevation of the fabric 2. FIG. 15 illustrates another embodiment in which the tab 10 has two parts delimiting between them a space in which is intended to accommodate the voltage rail 9. The lug 10 constitutes the female part and the tensioning rail 9 constitutes the male part, the space delimited by the two parts of the lug 10 having a shape complementary to that of the rail 9 of tension.

Alternatively, a lug 10 taken in combination with the tension beam 7 may have a shape complementary to that of the rail 9. This is the case of the rail 9 and the lug 10 respectively shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Figure 7 illustrates the tab 10 of Figure 6 front view. In this embodiment, the rail 9 has two surfaces inclined at an angle.

The tab 10 has a surface with a surface of the tension beam 7 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6) the angle a. This angle may be for example equal to 45 °. In operation, when an operator has finished positioning a new fabric 2 printed with a visual or a message, this operator raises the fabric 2 to its upper position by activating the motor. The motor drives the rotation of the shaft 5 on which the starter cloth 8 (or the different sections of the leader cloth 8) is wound until the cooperation of the tensioning rail 9 and at least one lug 10 blocks the tension beam 7 connected to the lower edge 2b. Under the combined action of the motor pulling the upper edge 2a and locking means stopping the stroke of the lower edge 2b, the fabric 2 starts to tension. The motor locks when a predetermined threshold voltage is reached. Thus, the motor and the locking means are used to vertically tension the fabric 2 and to obtain a stretched fabric 2.

It should be noted that the blocking means only block the vertical upward stroke of the lower edge 2a, and not its downward vertical stroke. The device 1 may also comprise guide means in translation of the connecting beam 6 and the tension beam 7. In the embodiment described, the guide means comprise a pair of substantially parallel and vertical cables 12. The cables 12 have an upper end attached to the carrier structure 3, and more particularly to the mounting plate 3b. The cables 12 also have a low end fixed to the wall 4, for example by means of a plate 13. Each cable 12 comprises a tensioner 14, visible in FIG. 2. Guides 15 are fixed to the connecting beam 6 and to the beam 7 of tension. These guides 15 comprise an opening traversed by one of the cables 12. In the example of FIG. 4, the guides 15 may comprise a carabiner 16 facilitating the positioning of the guides 15 with respect to the cables 12. A protective cover 17 may be screwed on the plate 13 to prevent access to the low end of the cables 12. In one embodiment (not shown), means for raising the lower end of each cable 12. These means of recovery include a motor on each side of the beam 3a carrier, these motors being adapted to rotate a tube on which is wound each cable 12. When the fabric 2 is hoisted in the high position, the motors allow to go up the low end of each cable 12 to the guides 15 connected to the voltage beam 7. The motors also allow to lower the lower end of each cable 12 to the height of the plate 13 and the cover 17, to allow to hang this low end to the plate 13. The fact of being able to raise the lower ends of cables 12 allows to position them in height, so that they are inaccessible to people. The connecting beam 6, the tension beam 7, the tensioning rail 9 and the cover 3c may be made of extruded aluminum. In a completely advantageous manner, the device 1 comprises means for maintaining the tension of the fabric 2 compensating for the dimensional variations of the fabric 2. These tension holding means comprise, in particular, return members 19. These return members 19 can be placed inside the connecting beam 6 and the tension beam 7, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 15, 16, 18, and 19.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 15 and 16, the connecting beam 6 and the tension beam 7 can be structurally identical. Take the example of the tension beam 7, shown in Figure 16. It comprises two cavities 7a, 7b, upper and lower, which extend longitudinally inside the tension beam 7. In the upper cavity 7a is disposed a return member 19. This return member 19 may be elastic foam or rubber foam. This return member constitutes a cellular damper. The return member 19 has an end connected to a fixing member 20, visible in FIG. 17. The fixing member 20 may be glued to the return member 19. The fixing member 20 is placed in the upper cavity 7a of the tension beam 7. It is able to slide vertically inside the tension beam 7. This fixing member 20 is intended to be fixed to the lower edge 2b of the fabric 2, by means of a circular groove, visible in particular in FIGS. 16 and 17, in which a welded rod may be inserted at the lower edge 2b of the 2. The fabric 2 is indeed intended to pass through a longitudinal slot 21 formed on the tension beam 7, this slot 21 opening on the upper cavity 7a. The return member 19 tends to move the fastening member 20 away from the slot 21, in order to keep the fabric 2 in tension. It exerts a continuous force on the fixing member 20 in order to keep it at a distance from the slot 21.

In the embodiment described, the return member 19 advantageously works in compression. As has been mentioned, the tension beam 7 may contain in its lower cavity 7b a weight 18. On the other hand, the connecting beam 6 comprises in its lower cavity 6b a return member 19 and a fastener member 20. fastening member 20 contained in the connecting beam 6 being connected to the upper edge 2a of the fabric 2. The fastening member 20 is preferably a polycarbonate profile, this material deforming in a manner similar to the fabric 2 and therefore accompanying the dimensional variations of the latter. Thus, when the fabric 2 is subjected to high temperatures (for example due to prolonged exposure to the sun), it expands. The distance separating its upper edge 2a and its lower edge 2b increases. The tension of the fabric 2 decreases. The return members 19, placed in the connecting beam 6 and in the tension beam 7, make it possible to correct this by exerting on the fastening members (hooked on the upper edge 2a and the lower edge 2b) a force tending towards the move away from each other (thus tending to move the upper edge 2a and the lower edge 2b away from each other). They absorb the dimensional deviation of the fabric 2, maintain the latter in tension and prevent the formation of folds. When the fabric 2 is subjected to lower temperatures, it shrinks. The distance separating the upper edge 2a and the lower edge 2b decreases. The fastening members 20, respectively connected to the upper edge 2a and the lower edge 2b, approach each other. These fasteners 20 slide in the lower cavity 6b of the connecting beam 6 and in the upper cavity 7a of the tension beam 7. The return members 19 are compressed by the displacement of the fasteners 20 which they tend to repel. The fabric 2 is held in tension despite its dimensional variations.

The upper cavity 6a of the connecting beam 6 may similarly contain a return member 19 acting on a fixing member 20 on which the lower edge of the leader cloth 8 is hooked, as can be seen in particular in the figure. 2 and Figures 18 and 19. The tension holding means may further comprise elastic return means, forming elastic bands 22 at the upper edge 2a and at the lower edge 2b of the fabric 2, as is shown in FIG. 17 and in FIG. 18. These elastic return means may be traction springs, for example. They can connect the upper edge 2a to the fixing member 20 placed in the lower cavity 6b of the connecting beam 6. Similarly, they can connect the lower edge 2b to the fastener 20 placed in the upper cavity 7a of the tension beam 7. Advantageously and according to a particular embodiment of a device 1 according to the present invention, the elastic return means comprise traction springs connected to the four corners of the fabric 2 and the connecting beam 6 or to the beam 7 Of voltage.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, this embodiment having been given as an example. Modifications are possible, particularly from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by the substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (14)

REVENDICATIONS1. Apparatus (1) for suspending a fabric (2) having an upper edge (2a) and a lower edge (2b), said device (1) comprising: (i) a carrier structure (3) for to be fixed on a wall (4), (ii) a shaft (5), connected to the structure (3) carrying a pivot axis connection (I), (iii) means for rotating the shaft (5) relative to the axis (I), intended to allow the elevation or descent of the fabric (2), (iv) a connecting beam (6) connected to the upper edge (2a) of the fabric ( 2), (v) means for connecting the connecting beam (6) and the shaft (5), (vi) a tension beam (7) connected to the lower edge (2b) of the wire (2) (vii) means for blocking the tension beam (7) intended to prevent any upward movement of the tension beam (7) beyond a predetermined position, characterized in that the device (1) comprises in in addition to means for maintaining the tension of the fabric (2) in order to maintain the fabric (2) in tension despite its dimensional variations. 2. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension-maintaining means comprise at least one return member (19) placed inside the beam (7). ) Of voltage. 3. Apparatus (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the return member (19) is connected to a fastening member (20) on which the edge is fixed ( 2b), said fixing member (20) being able to slide vertically inside the tension beam (7). 4. Apparatus (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tension-maintaining means comprise a return member (19) placed inside the beam (6) of connection. 5. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the member (19) is connected to a fastening member (20) on which is fixed the edge (2a ), said fixing member (20) being able to slide vertically inside the connecting beam (6). 6. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that each member (19) is a return biasing member in compression. 7. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each member (19) of return is 15 elastic foam. 8. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that each member (19) of return is rubber. 20 9. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the connecting means comprise a web (8) primer provided with an upper edge connected to the shaft (5) and a lower edge, and in that the tension holding means comprise a second return member (19) placed inside the connecting beam (6). 10. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second member (19) is connected to a second fixing member (20) on which is fixed the lower edge 30 of the web (8) of primer, the second member (20) of fixing being able to slide vertically inside the beam (6) connecting. 11. Apparatus (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that each member (20) for fixing and 35 is polycarbonate. 12. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to one of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the upper edge (2a) and the lower edge (2b) are respectively connected to the beam (6). ) and the tension beam (7) by elastic return means. 13. Device (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the fabric (2) has four corners, the elastic return means being arranged at the four corners of said fabric (2). 10 14. Apparatus (1) for suspending a fabric (2) according to claim 12, characterized in that the elastic return means comprise traction springs.