GB2466874A

GB2466874A - Frame with tensioning means for tensioning flexible signs, in particular for vehicular use.

Info

Publication number: GB2466874A
Application number: GB1000202A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Leonard Calderwood
Original assignee: Carmelion Ltd
Current assignee: Carmelion Ltd
Priority date: 2009-01-08
Filing date: 2010-01-08
Publication date: 2010-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-08
Also published as: GB2466874B; GB0900244D0; GB201000202D0

Abstract

A frame system for securing flexible signs, such as plastic advertising sheets, to a surface such as a truck side wall, comprises a base profile secured to the surface and a pivoting lever profile. The base profile has a number of pivot ribs and securing ribs. The lever profile has a pivot foot, one or more securing flanges, and a fixing point for the edge of the skin located between the pivot foot and the securing flange(s). The pivot foot engages with a pivot rib so that the lever profile can be pivoted to tension the skin. The lever profile is movable to a closed position against the base profile in which position the securing flange(s) engage securing rib(s) to secure the lever profile in the closed position. Respective securing flanges/ribs are provided to correspond to each pivot rib. The tension in the sign is adjusted by engagement of the pivot foot with the appropriate pivot rib.

Description

Advertising frames The present invenUon relates to frames for securing advertising sheets (skins) to vertical sided trucks.

Such frames are known. In particular frames such as those described in EP1 606346A1 and W020071 1 3574A1 have recently been developed. These frames comprise a set of frame profiles made from aluminium or a similar material. The set has two elements: a fixed profile which is used to secure an edge of the skin in position, and a levered set of profiles, which are used to tighten the skin against the fixed profile and then to retain it relatively securely so that, in use, the skin remain secure and stretched.

The levered set of profiles itself comprises several elements in order to provide the levenng arrangement and to provide for security of the skin against dislodging or becoming loose on the side of the truck. In particular each of the claimed arrangements uses at least three inter-engaging profiles by which the skin is tightened and secured, and in some cases four such profiles. These are -working away from the truck side -a "frame" or base" profile, which has a flat face which is secured to the truck body, arid a series of ribs running in a direction parallel to the edge of the skin which is to be secured; an "intermediate profile" which can be suspended selectively from one of the ribs, so that its position can be adjusted; and an "anchor profile" which has a hinged connection with the intermediate profile, on the edge facing toward the skin; this anchor profile has an attachment for the edge of the skin so that, when the anchor profile is pivoted around the hinge, the skin can be tightened. This overall arrangement has a disadvantage that it is relatively complex and comprises several different elements. This itself is a disadvantage in use as there is greater expense in producing more parts, it means that there are more parts which can become damaged in use and which have to be transported when the system is not in use and therefore can become misplaced. Further in practice these elements become dirty and contaminated with grit and other debris, and the operation of the levering and securing mechanism may be impaired.

The applicant has now found that it is possible to achieve a satisfactory level of security with a significantly simpler system. This system reverts to a design closer to some of the earlier prior art, which had been rejected as not achieving the overall simplicity of fitting and security which was desired when the profile systems subject of EP1606346A1 and W02007113574A1 were developed. However, such earner designs still do not achieve the simple levering and securing mechanism of the present invention.

It is convenient to describe one embodiment of the invention subject of this patent application by reference to the W02007113574A1, and the full text of that application is incorporated by reference.

This embodiment uses a frame system similar to that shown in W02007113574A1.

However, the lever profile set is replaced by a very much simpler arrangement. This arrangement comprises a base profile with spaced apart ribs running longitudinally of the base profile, and a lever profile comprising a pivot foot running longitudinally of the ever profile, and which, in use, engages one of the ribs of the base profile (referred to below as pivot ribs"), a pair of securing flanges each running longitudinally of the lever profile and which, in use, engage with and secure the lever profile in a closed position onto one or more of other ribs of the base profile (referred to below as securing ribs"), and a means for securing the skin directly or indirectly to a point intermediate the pivot foot and the securing flanges, the base profile being provided with at least two such pivot ribs with which the pivot foot can engage, and the lever profile being provided with corresponding flanges and/or the frame profile being provided with corresponding securing ribs, positioned such that when the lever profile is pivoting on the second pivot rib, a pair of securing flanges engage with and secure the lever profile in a closed position onto one or more securing ribs of the base profile.

Preferably the lever profile has a pair of securing flanges and the base profile has a plurality of pairs of pivot and securing ribs (or sets of securing ribs), so that the lever profile can be adjustably pivoted on one of the pivot ribs and the securing flanges engage and secure onto the corresponding securing rib or set of securing ribs. An example where there might be a set of securing ribs is where one securing flange engages one securing rib, and the second securing flange engages as second securing rib, such that, in combination, the two securing flanges and two securing ribs engage and secure the lever profile in a closed position.

The pivot ribs and securing ribs may conveniently be provided in two spaced apart sets, one of the pivot ribs, and the second of the securing ribs.

The securing flanges and securing ribs are adapted such that they engage together, for example by a clip fit. The clip fit may be provided by a pair of securing flanges defining between them a longitudinal channel which is narrower at or towards its mouth than at or further towards its base, and a securing rib having a complementary shape, so that it is wider at or towards the extremity of the rib, and narrower at or towards its base such that the widest point of the rib is wider than the narrowest point of the channeL Preferably each of the channel and the rib have a lead-in to the respectively narrowest and widest point, so that when the rib is initially located against the channel as they are moved to being closed, the nose of the rib can conveniently be located in the mouth of the channel, and preferably they are so shaped that the continuing closing movement will readily cause the necessary distortion to permit the widest part of the rib to pass the narrowest part of the channel.

Preferably the securing ribs have a mushroom shaped cross section, being symmetrical on either face of the rib. Preferably the securing flanges engage each rib on the surfaces forming the channel between adjacent securing flanges and that surface has a complementary (half) mushroom shape.

The corresponding shape of the ribs and channels defined by the securing flanges can be adjusted to suit an appropriate insertion and extraction force (per unit length of profile). That force need not be the same, and preferably the insertion force is such that it is conveniently possible for a person carrying out installation to press the lever profile into a closed position by hand, by progressively working along the length of the profile. Extraction of the securing flanges from the securing rib (or set of ribs) can conveniently be carried out using a specialised tool. For example this may be in the form of a length of plate with a right angle flange on one edge, such that the right angle flange can be placed between a suitably designed protruding lip of the lever profile and face (or more probably the securing ribs) on the base profile, and used to lift a section of the lever profile away from the base profile.

Thus the cross section of the channel may have an asymmetric narrowing in the direction into and out of the channel -for example the mouth may narrow ess rapidly towards the narrowest point than the channel narrows from its interior to the narrowest point.

The pivot ribs may be of the same design as the securing ribs.

There may be a gap on the base profile between the set of pivot ribs and the set of securing ribs, where the base profile carries no ribs, for example is a plane surface.

A feature of the current invention which distinguishes t from the previous designs is that one of the pair of securing flanges has faces outwards -that is the securing surface faces away from the pivot foot. Preferably the lever profile is dimensioned such that, when the lever profile is in a closed position, this securing flange forces the pivot foot into more secure engagement, for example by forcing it against the securing rib with which t is engaged.

Such a force is counter-intuitive since it is applying a force on the lever in the same direction as the force apped by the skin on the lever profUe. It is beeved that the effect of arranging the lever profile in this manner is that the lever profile is more secure by ensuring that it iS effectively secure at both the pivot and securing end against movement away from the base profile and/or vibration. The invention may comprise a lever profile with only a single securing flange with its securing surface facing away from the pivot foot, in which the ever profile is configured to ensure that the securing flange forces the pivot foot into securing engagement. The securing point on the ever profile for the skin may further be configured such that when the tension in the skin increases, this tends to force the pivot foot and this securing flange further apart, thereby increasing the security of fixing when the skin is placed under further tension, such as when it is caused to flap in the course of use.

The pivot foot of the lever profile engages a pivot rib of the base profile, in a pivoting manner. Pivoting arrangements for profiles such as these are known in the art, and for example, spira' hinge type arrangements are known, as is used on the EP1606346A1. In the present invention, the pivot is preferably not a captive pivot (although it may be possible to have one which is press fit captive). Thus a fully captive spiral hinge, as in the Figure 3 embodiments in the EP1606346A1 patent will not be suitable. The reason for this is that, in order to place the lever profile in the correct position for the desired tension in the skin, it needs to be moved from one rib to another, and a fully captive hinge would make this extremely inconvenient as it wou'd be necessary to unthread the hinge longitudinally in order to achieve this level of adjustment. Accordingly, it is preferred that the pivot foot be adapted to be easily removed from engagement with the one pivot rib so that it can be moved to engage with another pivot rib. Preferab'y there is also an angular constraint (ie on the angle between the ever profile and the base profile) on the initial level of engagement. Preferably this means that the lever profile cannot enter the initial stage of engagement with a relevant pivot rib unless the angle is greater than a predetermined amount. In this way the user can determine by choosing the highest rib (ie closest to the opposite edge of the skin) with which the ever profile can enter its initial stage of engagement, to apply a known amount of tension to the skin, which is preferably chosen to the correct level of tension for the relevant installation.

Clearly the amount of strain (lengthening) of the skin in the direction the lever profile stretches it, for a given tension, will depend on the length of skin in that direction. In most cases the most important tension parameter is vertically on the side of the truck, and many trucks are of broadly uniform height. However, where it is required to induce less strain, resilient elements can be built into the edge securing rib on the skin, for example by incorporating integrated mouded plastics springs into the section immediately adjacent the fastening of the skin to the lever profile.

Preferably the minimum angle of entry of the pivot foot into the channel for engagement with a pivot rib is 45°. Alternatively, preferably the angle is adjusted to achieve a tension of in the range of an amount which those skilled in the art consider is appropriate for the application in question -for example securing the to the side of a truck travelling on autoroutes. The tension may depending on the material from which the skin is made and the appropriate tension and therefore entry angle can be determined conveniently by experiment. In each case t should be chosen such that there is an appropriate degree of tension to ensure security in transit of the skins. t will be appreciated that the total strain attributab'e to closing the lever profile i5 a function of the distance between the pivot point of the pivot foot and the securing point of the skin on the lever profile, and the angle that the lever profile moves through from its fully open position (le the maximum angle at which it can be inserted) and its closed position.

Preferably the arrangement of the pivot foot and the pivot ribs is designed such that the pivot foot can enter the channel between adjacent pivot ribs, and the lever profile is cranked such that, when the lever profile is in the closed position, and the main part of the lever profile is lying in broadly the same plane as the base profile, the pivot foot is angled into the cannel between the adjacent pivot ribs. Preferably, the foot is so dimensioned and shaped that, as soon as or shortly after the lever profi'e is moved towards a dosed position, the foot becomes captive in the channel into which t is placed, and cannot be withdrawn without reversing the pivoting movement. This may, for example, be achieved by designing the foot with a toe which, as the foot is rotated in the channel (with the pivoting of the lever profUe), lodges underneath a corresponding protrusion on the rib, so that the toe cannot be lifted out past the protrusion.

The invention is illustrated by way of example by the accompanying drawing which should be viewed with reference to W020071 1 3574A1 which is incorporated by reference.

In these drawings: Figure 1 shows a base profile (shown in red) and a lever profile in various positions showing the closing movement of the ever profile against base profUe The green position shows the extreme position of the lever profile for it to engage with the pivot ribs of the base profile; the blue, turquoise and magenta show progressive'y more closed positions, and the black shows the closed position of the lever profile. In each case the lever profile is shown without the skin attached.

Figure 2 shows a lever profile in closed position without skin attached, in an alternative position, with the foot of the lever profile against a different pivot rib from the position shown in Figure I. Figure 3 shows a lever profile in closed position without skin attached, in an alternative position, with the foot of the lever profile against a different pivot rib from the position shown fl Figure 1 or 2.

Figure 4shows an example of a lever profile.

Figure 5 shows an example of a base profile.

Claims

CLAIMA tensioning set of profiles for use in a frame system for securing advertising skins to a surface, comprising a base profile with spaced apart ribs running longitudinally of the base profile, and a lever profile comprising a pivot foot running longitudinally of the lever profile, and which, in use, engages one of the ribs of the base profile (referred to below as a "pivot ribs"), a pair of securing flanges each running longitudinally of the lever profile or at least one securing flange having a securing face facing away from the pivot foot and which, in use, engage with and secure the lever profile in a closed position onto one or more of other ribs of the base profi'e (referred to below as securing ribs"), and a means for securing the skin directly or indirectly to a point intermediate the pivot foot and the securing flanges, the base profile being provided with at least two such pivot ribs with which the pivot foot can engage, and the lever profile being provided with corresponding flanges and/or the frame profile being provided with corresponding securing ribs, positioned such that when the lever profile is pivoting on a second pivot rib, a pair of securing flanges engage with and secure the ever profile in a closed position onto one or more securing ribs of the base profile.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWSCLAIMS1. A tensioning set of profiles for use in a frame system for securing advertising skins to a surface, comprising a base profile with spaced apart ribs running longitudinally of the base profile, and a lever profile comprising a pivot foot running longitudinally of the lever profile, and which, in use, engages one of the ribs of the base profile (referred to below as a pivot nbsb), a pair of securing flanges each running longitudinally of the lever profile or at least one securing flange having a securing face facing away from the pivot foot and which, in use, engage with and secure the lever profile in a closed position onto one or more of other ribs of the base profile (referred to below as securing ribs"), and a means for securing the skin directly or indirectly to a point intermediate the pivot foot and the securing flanges, the base profile being provided with at least two such pivot ribs with which the pivot foot can engage, and the lever profile being provided with corresponding flanges and/or the frame profile being provided with corresponding securing ribs, positioned such that when the lever profile is pivoting on a second pivot rib, a pair of securing flanges or at least one securing flange with a securing face facing away from the pivot foot engage(s) with and secure(s) the lever profile in a closed position onto one or more securing ribs of the base profile.
2. A tensioning set of profiles in accordance with claim 1, having at least a pair of securing flanges which engage with and secure onto one or more securing ribs, in which, in each pair, at least one securing flange has a securing face facing away from the pivot foot.
3. A tensioning set in accordance with claim I or 2, in which the pivot ribs and securing ribs are respectively provided in two spaced apart sets.
4. A tensioning set In accordance with any of the preceding claims, in which the securing ribs have a mushroom shaped cross section.