GB2185139A - An aerial banner for towing by an aircraft, and modules therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

In a laminar module adapted for stringing together with a plurality of like modules so as to form an aerial banner for towing by an aircraft, the means for fastening together adjacent such modules comprise spring clips 5 (7) arranged along one margin of the module and a glass fibre rod 6 (8) arranged along its other margin for cooperation with like rods and clips of adjacent modules. The module comprises a sheet of a flexible polyester-based laminate comprising a polyester scrim (9) sandwiched between polyester films (10), the latter being substantially transparent and the former substantially translucent. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A laminar module and an array of such modules This invention relates to a laminar module (hereinaf ter referred to as "a laminar module ofthe kind here inbefore specified") which is adapted for stringing together so asto produce an array of a plurality of like or substantially similar such modules in a common plane, said module comprising a sheet having a first and a second margin, said margins being substantially straight and parallel, said first margin having a plurality of first fastening means relatively spaced along said margin and extending outwardly from, and in the plane of said sheet, and said second margin comprising a corresponding and cor respondinglyrelativelyspaced plurality of second fastening means, saidfirstand second fastening means being complementary to each other so that said array may be formed by attachment of said first fastening means of a said module to the said second fastening means of an adjacent said module.

Modules ofthe kind herein before specified are, for example, used in so-called aerial bannertowing, viz.

for producing a said array which is towed by an aircraft. In such aerial bannertowing each module generally displays a letter ofthe alphabet and the said array provides a display of a message or slogan, e.g.

intheform of an advertisementfora particular brand of merchandise.

The present invention, without prejudice to the generality of its scope as hereinafter defined in the claims, particularly addresses itself to the provision of such modulesforthe purpose of such aerial bannertowing, i.e. to the provision of banners of such towing which are defined by arrays of modules as aforesaid.

Hence the invention will, forconvenience and without prejudice to its generality as aforesaid, be herein discussed in the context of such aerial banner towing.

The systems for producing such banners which are presently mostwidely used are those generally known as the "Gasser" and the "Dutch" systems, the former being the product of the GasserCorporation of Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

In the "Gasser" system, the construction of the letter modules is as follows: a letter-shape is cut from "rip-stop" (orsimilar) nylon fabric and sewn to eight polyesterwebbing tapes orstrapswhich are laid out parallel to one another in the fashion of the lines of a musical stave. The ends ofthe straps are terminated in loops which are formed by folding the tape back upon itself and stitching through the double thick nests of the tape some two centimetres from its extremity. The letter is given vertical stability and the tape spacing is ensured by the use of a glass fibre rod carrying tight-fitting wire clips at a spacing or pitch equal to that ofthe tape spacing on thefabric letter in its taut condition.The letter is attached to the glass fibre rod by means of its tapes and the rod's clips.

The clip is symmetricalaboutthe rod and comprises two closed loops of rectangular section and two Lshaped pins which are held againstthe rectangular loops bythespring tension inherent inthe clip. The method of attachment of the strap is by passing the terminal loop around the rectangular loop ofthe clip and then passingtheterminal loopofthestrapover the upright arm ofthe L-shaped clip. The strap is then tightened on the clip to seat the terminal loop firmly on the clip. The clip's own spring tension tends to preventthe loosening ofthestrap.

The "Dutch" system is similartothe "Gasser" system in that polyester webbing tapes are used in a similarfashion, but the letters are painted on tore- ctangularsheetsoffabricwhich arethen sewn to the tapes. The fastening system also differs, as described below. The straps in the "Dutch " system areterminated in loops at one end and in wooden toggles such as are used forduffle coats at the otherex tremity. Aglassfibre rod or piano wire is used for vertical stability and tape spacing. Fastening is effected by passing the toggle through the loop, again as found on a duffle coat.

Among the disadvantages of the present day sys tems hereinbefore outlined, which modulesemb- odying the present invention are intended to overcomearethefollowing: 1. The aerodynamic efficiency of such present day systems is relatively low. It has been found em piricallythatan aircraft is capable oftowing upto fourtimes the fabric area ifthefabric is in the form of a single sheet as opposed to being in the form of sep arate letter-shapes. This is duetothe much smoother airflowoveran uninterrupted length offabric,with an attendant reduction in dragforce.

2. Dueto the complexity ofthe various fastening methods presently employed, the time taken to assembleafifty-letter bannercan be as much astwo and a half two five hours, depending on the system employed.

3. There is a danger oftangling and snagging during all handling operations owing to an inherent lack of rigidity and because the clips used have protruding ends of stiff wire which tend to catch the letter fabric, the ground and the hands of ground crew members.

4. The clips used are easily distorted and rendered useless or unsafe by snagging on the ground during the banner launch or banner drop.

5. The wooden toggles used in the "Dutch" system are prone to saturation with water and the consequent swelling, splitting and rot which can occur. Moreover, thetoggles stand proud oftheir sheets when in flight and create excessive drag.

These and other disadvantages are overcome by providing banners made up of modules, examples of which will hereinafter be described.

The laminar module of the kind hereinbefore specified is, according to the present invention, in a first aspect thereof, characterised in that said second fastening means are incorporated in said second margin and substantiallycoplanarwith said sheet.

According to the present invention in a second aspect thereof, the laminar module ofthe kind hereinbefore specified is characterised in that said sheet comprises a flexible polyester-based laminate comprising a polyester scrim sandwiched between polyesterfilms.

A preferred form of laminar module embodying the invention in both of its aforesaid aspects and intended to form partofan aerial banner defined byan array of such modules, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure lisa plan view of the module; Figures2and3are respectively a plan viewand side elevation of said firstfastening means of said first margin; and Figure4isan enlargedfragmentaryplanviewof part of the module showing in greater detail the said second fastening means incorporated in the said second margin.

Referringtothedrawings,a laminarmodule 1 adapted for stringing together so as to produce an array a plurality of like orsubstantiallysimilar such modules arranged in a common plane and defining an aerial bannerfortowing by an aircraft comprises a sheet 2 having a first margin 3 and a second margin 4; the margins are straight and parallel.

The margin 3 has six first fastening means 5 relativelyspaced along said margin and extending out wardlyfrom, and in the plane of, the sheet 2.

The second margin4comprisessixcorrespond- ingly relatively spaced second fastening means 6, the fastening means 5 and 6 being complementaryto each other so that said array may (as will hereinafter be described) be formed by attachment of the fastening means 5 of one module to the fastening means 6 of an adjacent module.

Thefastening means6are(aswillhereinafterbe described) incorporated in the margin 4 and substan tiallycoplanarwiththesheet2.

Each of the six fastening means 5 comprises a spr- ing clip7which is madeofspring qualitystainless steel and adapted to snap overa glass fibre rod8 which defines partofthefastening means 6 of an adjacent said module 1.

The sheet 2 comprises a flexible polyester-based laminate comprising a polyester scrim 9 which is sandwiched between polyesterfilms 10. The scrim 9 issubstantiallytranslucentand the films 10 are substantiallytransparent.

Each of the margins 3,4 has a double-sided adhes ive fabric tape 11 applied to both sides of the sheet 2 and a sail cloth tape 12 applied and sewn tothetape 11.

Each of the clips 7 is attached to the sheet 2 by a polyester webbing tape 13.

The margin 4has-a pocket 14formed inthetape 12 to accommodate the rod 8, and is sealed at each of its ends by a metal crimp 15 similarto that used as an end stop on a slide fastener.

The pocket 14 has six cut-outs 16 whereat the rod 8 is exposed. A washer 17, defining a push fit on the rod 8, is placed at each end of each cut-out 16, the length of exposed rod between each pairofwashers being slightly greater than the width of the clips 7.

Thescrim 9 may be natural orcoloured,andthe letter (such as the letter "A" in Figure 1) is applied by stencil and spray or by roller in an opaque colourto oneofthefilms 100teach module.

Thetapesll and 12 are made of "Dacron" (registered trade mark),the latter being folded in half along its long axis, the tapes 13 having been sewn to the tape 12 ofthe margin 3 (which is sandwiched there between) after being passed through a slot 18 in the spring clip 7 and stitched to the clip 7 at 19 as shown in Figure 2.

The tapes 12 are sewn to the sheet 2 with a 3-step zig-zag stitch 20. Polyesterthread is used for all the stitching on the module.

Among the advantages ofthe module and aerial banner made up as hereinbefore described are the following: 1. The aerodynamic efficiency is high, owing to the almost complete absence of laterally protruding components and the smoothness ofthe sheet 2.

2. Thetime required to assembleafifty letter bannerwill not exceed 20 minutes, owing tothesim- plicity and ease of manipulation ofthefastening means 5, 6.

3. No tangling is likely and snagging is minimised bythe design ofthe clips7 andthesmooth- ness of the sheet 2.

4. The clips 7 are highly resistant to distortion and failure; a 100kg load applied to a clip 7 via the polyester webbing tape 13 will not distortthe clip.

5. No deterioration of the clips 7 due to weathering will occur, since they are made of stainless steel.

6. The clips 7 protrude only insignificantly into the airflow, andthereforethe drag induced bythem is insignificant.

7. The material ofthe sheet 2 cannot absorb water, is extremely strong and not easily torn. The scrim 9 tends to arrest anyfurther movement of a tear or split once formed.

8. No portion ofthe glass fibre rod 8 protrudes from the sheet 2; hence the possibility of snagging is further reduced.

9. Should repairs be necessary to the module 1, they may be effected on site with self-adhesive polyester tape.

Claims (11)

1. Alaminar module adapted forstringing together so as to produce an array of a plurality of likeorsubstantiallysimilarsuch modules ion a common plane, said module comprising a sheet having a first and a second margin, said margins being substantially straight and parallel, said first margin having a plurality of first fastening means relatively spaced along said margin and extending outwardly from, and in the plane of said sheet, and said second margin comprising a corresponding and cor respondingly relatively spaced plurality of second fastening means,saidfirstandsecondfastening means being complementary to each othersothat said array may be formed by attachment of said first fastening means of a said moduletothe said second fastening means of an adjacent said module, char acterisedinthatsaidsecondfastening meansarein- corporated in said second margin and substantially coplanarwith said sheet.

2. Amoduleaccordingto Claim 1,whereinsaid firstfastening means comprise spring clipstosnap over a rod defining part of said second fastening means.

3. Alaminarmoduleadaptedforstringing together so as to produce an array of a plurality of like or substantially similar such modules in a common plane, said module comprising a sheet having a first and a second margin, said margins being substantially straight and parallel, said first margin having a plurality offirstfastening means relatively spaced along said margin and extending outwardly from, and in the plane of said sheet, and said second margin comprising a corresponding and correspondingly relatively spaced plurality of second fastening means, said first and second fastening means being complementary to each othersothat said array may be formed by attachment of said first fastening means of a said moduleto the said second fastening means of an adjacent said module, characterised in that said sheet comprises a flexible polyester-based laminate comprising a polyester scrim sandwiched between polyester films.

4. A module according to Claim 3, wherein said films are substantially transparent and said scrim is substantially translucent.

5. Amoduleaccording to anyone ofthe preced- ing claims, wherein each of said margins has a double-sided adhesivefabrictape applied to both sides ofthe sheet and a sail cloth tape applied and sewn thereto.

6. A module according to Claim 2, wherein each of said clips is attached to said sheet buy a polyester webbing tape.

7. A module according to Claims 2 and 5, having a pocket for said rod in said sail cloth tape.

8. Amoduleaccording to Claim 7whereinsaid rod has a washer at each end of a portion of the rod where it is exposed at a cut-out from said pocket to define said second fastening means.

9. A module according to Claim 8wherein said rod is made of glass fibre.

10. A laminar module according to Claim 1 and constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

11. An array of modules according to any one of Claims 1 to 10 and defining a bannerfor aerial tow- ing.