US3166117A

US3166117A - Fabric wall and ceiling supporting means

Info

Publication number: US3166117A
Application number: US251326A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ivan V Abadjieff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-01-14
Filing date: 1963-01-14
Publication date: 1965-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 1982-01-19

Description

Jan. 19, 1965 l. V. ABADJIEFF FABRIC WALL AND CEILING SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Jan. 14, 1963 FIG- FIG.8

FIG-9 v INVENTOR.

IVAN v. ABADJIEFF ATTORNEY properly stretched conditions.

United States i Patent FABRKC WALL AND CEILING SUPPQRTING V MEANS f Ivan V. Ahadjiefi, 2h Bergiin Lane, Worcester, Mass.

Filed Jan. 14, 1963, er. No. 251,326 116323118. 7 (ill. Mil-3%) This invention relates to a new andimproved device for improved holding of fabric ceilings and walls under advantages to fabric ceilings particularly as well asto fabric walls but heretofore the process of applying [the fabric has always been extremely cumbersome and j timeconsuming which'results in making it very expensive.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide means whereby such ceilings and wall'fabrics can There are a great many.

depressed membef-SSadding to the 'springine'ss of the strip-like member. Each

arm

34 and 36 terminates in an inwardly directed; shorthook as;at 40 and 42.1 One arm, that at 34, is provided with cloth holding means such as struck-up spikes or sharp points 44 for rigidly holding the fabric to the clip, the-points extending'to the left.

in addition .each clip is provided with a pivoted'lock generally indicated at46 and some. means such asa rivet 48 can be used to rotatively mount the lock d-6 to .the i V v

springy clip member

34, 36 for instanceat the;bottom-- of member.38.. This lock is in the form of a strip having a length so that the ends thereof impinge upon the inside.

he applied quickly andeasily in an improved manner and.

at less cost.

It is a further object of the invention to provide means I as aforesaid by which the fabric can be applied under required tension, i.e., about twenty pounds per linear inch, which is necessary in order to provide the optimum conditions for holding thefabric in positionyand the provision of novel channeland cooperating locking clip means for accomplishing the purpose of putting up the fabric quickly and easily and under uniform conditions of "tension.

Another-object of the invention isto provide ability'to loosen the fabric at any desired location for position and tension correction without any damage to the cloth or the locking clip means.

The invention 'further relates to arrangements and aspects of. the'terminal portions oflegs 34 and 36 as is.

shown in FIG.v l. The entire clip is applied in open condition as in FIG. 5,-by a tool which isfshown in FIG. 2 and indicated bythe'reference numeral 50. This'tool is provided witha magnet at 52 and a pair of

projections

54, 54.

which correspond to

openings

56,56 in the lock 46. The

tool may have a convenient handle.57."IThe ends of the lock are rounded off as M58, 58 to provide for. atight I wedging action of thelock 46 relative to the ends of the 1

springy arms

34 and 36, and this provides. a cam lock for use .ineither. rotative direction. 1

. In the applicatio'n of thedevice, the. channel 16 is first positioned and fastened as stated. edge of the cloth is then secured with respect to thepoints" 44 :of'theleg combinations of parts whichwill be hereinafter described fication md illustrating the clip inopen condition;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified channel;

FIG. 7 isa view partly in sec'tion illustrating a modification of the fabric holdingclip;

FIG. 8 is a view in side elevation illustrating'a further modification of the fabric holding strip;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view, looking in the direction of arrow 9 in FIG; 8, and

for applying the fabric holding FIG. 10 is a view inelevation, partly in section, showing 7 a modification of the'device'of'FIG. 7.

Referring nowtoFIG; 1, there is shown a representation of a ceiling 10 having an adjoining wall at 125 The a ceiling is to be covered with a fabric such as canvas indicated by the reference. numeral, 14. T

A rigid elongated channel member. generally indicated by the reference numeral 16 is applied byffasteners such as at 18 to the ceiling and wall. :This' channel-is pre- Q f ferably extruded and is relatively strong andrigidand'it extends in lengths alongithe entire sides or ends of the room. j

This channel comprises a base 24) and a pair of space'd arms 22 and 24 which in this case extend outwardly at an angle from the'base 2t). Both arms terminate in inv Wardly directed

flanges

26, 28. a V

positioned.

'A series of fabric holding clips'are now Each clip comprises a springy strip-like member. which i i can be made of any suitable material, the same including a pair of

arms

34 and 36 which are joined bya centrally 340i the spring clip. The tool 50 is then applied to'the lock entering projections 54 into holes {56"and holding the lock by-the magnet. The lock is magnetic or has a magneticportion and is originally located transversely of- 'the'spring clip. I Theclip is then thrust into the channel with the'hook at 42engaging behind the curved'edge at 23. The proportions of the device arezsuch that it then takessome force to snap the springy arm' 36'past :the

curved portion 26, of arm '22 of channel 16, but when i this is done, the end 4t). of arm 36 snaps into the recess formed byflange 26 and this positions theclip and thefabric. Then the tool 54 is turned toengage the cam surfaces 58 of locking member 46-withthe' two hooks 42 and ifi jamming' :the same rigidly against the insidei surfaces of the legs 22 and 24, so that the fabric holding spring clip is very solidly locked in position, this being" shown in F16 1, The clip can be positioned directly hand without use of the tool, which can thenbe used simply to'turn the lock.

The fabric I i-now being anchored across one end or 'along one' side of the'room, a similar action-is carried out-withf'respect. to-the'opposite side of'the room, but in this case thefa'bric will be extended at the side of the channel which is indicated by' the broken line 60 (FIG. 1') so" that the operator can pull to therdesired extent downwardly in the direction of arrow 62in order to have the correct tension applied to 'the fabric across the room. Thecloth is capable of moving in this direction because-it slides over the pointsd i 'on jthefclip arm' 34,

. but the points will not allow-the cloth to. be retracted.

itively trimmed off; ornamental i I If desired the books 4%) and 42 0f the spring clips can be notched (or depressed)v as indicated at 68 for the snap-in reception of projectionsfidon, the edge por tions of thelock 46 in order to. make positive locking.

When the correct tension 'isreached, then'theo'perator applies the clips "to thisside of the 'room. This; adds tension to the cloth, but this can be varied by loosening the :fabrics'and adjusting it on the clip,

. When the fabric has been installed, a snap cover in elongated form as indicat'e'datdd and havingthe inwardly directed snapends .66 is applied-"over the"

portions

26 and 28 of the channel 16 forming a complete cover.

itself so that the edges of the ceiling, or wall; are attrac- The vmembers 6d can be plain: or]

strip covering all of the clips as well as the channel 3,165,117 Patented Jain 19., 1965 A. modification of the channel is shown in section in FIG. 6. In'this case the channel which is indicated at 72 is provided with a relatively thick pair of

outside legs

74 and 76 for the

reception'of fasteners

78, 78,:and'in" this case it will be seen that the legs74, 76 cannot be spread under any circumstances. Otherwise the same locking clips as above described, finish'strip, etc. are used in the same way a sabove stated, the channel 72 having reentrant corners or the like as'at'77 which: are equivalent to the terminal portion's 26 and 28 of the Channel 16. 7

.Another modification is shown in FIG. wherein the spring clip having the arms 80, 82 instead of engaging,

I the cloth directly is provided with an intermediate. solid j -member 84' having struck-up points .86 similar' to those at 44. In this case the locking member .is indicated at 88 but instead of having arivet143' it has a bolt or the like90 Whichuponbeing turned in the appropriate a direction will cause the solid member 84 to risegthus in It isQto be under! addition pulling the cloth tighter.

stood however that this fclip (FIG. 7) .may'be'used in.

the channel 16 or thelchannel 74.

FIGS.:8 and' 9'also show a modification wherein the spring cliphas a solid side. 92 which is not springy,

and a springy arm 94. In this case the action is similar to that above described but the solid portion 92 is in-.

. serted first and it can. have .cloth holding points .96 if'desi'red equivalent to those 'at. 44. The springy member 94 is then pushed into the channel, either that shown,

at 16 or, at .72;.and the half-locking member 98 is' then turned as'fromflotted'lineposition in FIG. 9 to .the solid line portion in FIGS." 8. and .9. Otherwise however the construction and operation oflthe parts is the same-as above described. 1 Referring now to FIG. 10 therenisfshown adevice similar .to that-of FIG; -7. In FIG.; IO'theeIip isgenerally indicated at.100 and the'lo'ckat102. The lock has 7 a fastener such as 104 which is similar to that at 90 in FIG. 7 and a cloth-holding plate 106 similar to that at 84 in FIG. 7is provided with points 10.8 to hold thecloth; However,in FIG. 10 the plate 106 is recessed.

originally in

depressions

110 and 112 formedin the arms of the clip, 100-so thatthe points originally do not im-.

pinge upon the cloth in any Way until .the fastener d1 '104 is turned.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages. thereof, I do" not wish to be limited to the details herein disclosed, otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is: v Q i 1; Apparatus for stretching 'and mounting a. fabric same .into tight locking engagement with the inside surfaces of'the outwardly directed arms of the channel, locking the spring clips in place within the channel .and substantially permanently holding the cloth of the fabric,.the locks each having a length greater than the distance between the inclined portions at the ends of the spring clips. 1 1

. 2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein each :lock 1 is pivotally mounted on its individual spring clip and is rotated into and 'out of engagement with the portions of 1 the spring clips adjacent theinclined end portionsthereof.

I 3. Apparatus as described in claim 1 including 'an'elongated finish strip including'side edge terminal portions. adapted to snap onto the inwardly directed terminal pertions of the side edges of the channel.

4. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including fabric holding points on the spring 'clip;

- 5. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including Ifabric". {holding points on oneportion of each spring clip, said.

fabricholding points being arranged in a direction oppo.-. ,siteto the extent of 'the fabric panel over the superstructure preventing loss of tensionof'the panel.

6. Apparatusas recited in claim 1 wherein said lock the springclips I 7. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including a-solid ends are cam-shaped for providing increasing tension on V member mounted on said.spring'clip and 'means on the spring clip exerting pressure on .the solid member, urging;

- the same away from'the spring clip, the fabric being adapted to be disposed over the solid portion whereby extra tension is applied to the fabricby saidmeans.

8. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein the legs of i the channel are solid and include the means for securing the channel to the superstructure.

9. Apparatus as recited 'in claim 1 wherein said spring clip includes a generally central loop increasing the spring iness of the legs of the clip thereof.

.10. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including a separate I plate on the spring strip, fabric holding points on said tions receiving said separate plate therein.

panel on a superstructure .comprisin'g'an elongated, sub

stantially rigid channel, said channel comprising 'a'base member andapair of spaced side'edge :arms extending outwardly therefrom at an angle thereto,means to secure. the channel to the superstructure, saidqarms eachfter minatingin an inwardly directed portion extending along the length of the channel, I a g H and a series of strip-like resilient elongated spring clips for engagement with the fabricpa'nel adjacent anedge thereof; eachsaid sprin'gflclip terminating at its ends ininclined portions engaging in and "behind said inwardly directed terminal portions of the channels, said spring clipseach having an original length greater thanthedistance between the terminal. 1

I portions of; the channel.

' a and a lock having endsj engaging. the inclined, portions.

'at the ends of said spring'clips and forcing the said plate with the points'upwardly into contact with the BENJAMIN Examiner;

separate plate, and means on the spring clip for moving said plate with the fabric.

11. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 including a separate plate on the spring strip, fabric holding points on said separate plate, and means on the spring clip for moving fabric, said spring clip being provided with indented por- References Cited by the Erraminer UNITED. STATES PATENTS 195,849 Seybold; .11- 215-53 :VHARRISONR. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

points upwardly into contact with the

Claims

1. APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING AND MOUNTING A FABRIC PANEL ON A SUPERSTRUCTURE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID CHANNEL, SAID CHANNEL COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER AND A PAIR OF SPACED SIDE EDGE ARMS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM AT AN ANGLE THERETO, MEANS TO SECURE THE CHANNEL TO THE SUPERSTRUCTURE, SAID ARMS EACH TERMINATING IN AN INWARDLY DIRECTED PORTION EXTENDING ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE CHANNEL, AND A SERIES OF STRIP-LIKE RESILIENT ELONGATED SPRING CLIPS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FABRIC PANEL ADJACENT AN EDGE THEREOF, EACH SAID SPRING CLIP TERMINATING AT ITS ENDS IN INCLINED PORTIONS ENGAGING IN AND BEHIND SAID INWARDLY DIRECTED TERMINAL PORTIONS OF THE CHANNELS, SAID SPRING CLIPS EACH HAVING AN ORIGINAL LENGTH GREATER THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TERMINAL PORTIONS OF THE CHANNEL. AND A LOCK HAVING ENDS ENGAGING THE INCLINED PORTIONS AT THE ENDS OF SAID SPRING CLIPS AND FORCING THE SAME INTO TIGHT LOCKING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE INSIDE SURFACES OF THE OUTWARDLY DIRECTED ARMS OF THE CHANNEL, LOCKING THE SPRING CLIPS IN PLACE WITHIN THE CHANNEL ANS SUBSTANTIALLY PERMANENTLY HOLDING THE CLOTH OF THE FABRIC, THE LOCKS EACH HAVING A LENGTH GREATER THEN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE INCLINED PORTIONS AT THE ENDS OF THE SPRING CLIPS.