Fabric holder suspension arrangement

Abstract

A fabric support arrangement for maintaining a flexible fabric in a straight and aligned manner, from a support structure. The fabric support comprises an elongated housing extrusion having an elongated central chamber therein. An elongated fabric clamp assembly may be folded along an elongated flexible mid-portion thereof, and is receivingly disposed within the elongated central chamber. The fabric clamp is comprised of an first fabric frame and a second fabric frame. A flexible fabric is biasedly secured in a generally sinusoidally shaped path within the fabric clamp assembly between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

This invention relates to an arrangement of elongated fabric-gripping extrusions for supportively hanging a flexible fabric therebetween, from a support structure.

2. Prior Art

In the commercial merchandising field, it is often desirable to display a banner which has been fabricated from a flexible fabric. The problem is, that these sheets or banners typically require their ends to be sewn with pockets to accept dowels or other straightening means. Maintaining these banners or sheets in a generally flat configuration, while permitting them to be easily changed from one promotion to another, has not always been easily accomplished.

It is an object of the present invention, to overcome the disadvantages that are common with the prior art.

It is still a further object of the present invention, to provide a banner support arrangement for holding the upper and lower edges of a flexible fabric material in a proper and attractive suspended manner.

It is another object of the present invention, to provide a support and holding arrangement for a flexible fabric material which may accommodate that fabric material in a readily changeable manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pair of elongated extrusion assemblies which lockingly grab the upper and lower edges of a fabric panel, for support thereof, from an overhead or other suspension or support structure. Each elongated extrusion assembly is the mirror image of its corresponding elongated extrusion assembly arranged parallel thereto. Such an elongated extrusion assembly has an elongated suspension means engagement channel disposed on a first edge thereof, to permit the uppermost elongated extrusion assembly to be suspended by a support means which is attached to a structure, such as for example, an overhead ceiling rail. Each elongated extrusion assembly comprises an elongated, extruded, manipulable fabric clamp assembly which is slidingly received within an elongated central chamber of an elongated outer-house extrusion. The elongated fabric clamp comprises an first fabric-frame which is preferably connectibly attached by a living hinge to a parallel second fabric-frame. The first fabric-frame has a first elongated “L”-shaped, bendable flange adjacent a distal edge thereof. The first fabric-frame has a second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange facing the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange. The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange and the second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange face one another and define an open “receiving” space therebetween.

The second fabric-frame comprises a first outer flange along a first elongated edge flange thereon, and a second outer flange along a distalmost elongated edge thereon. A first snap finger and a second snap finger, each being elongated, face one another in a V-shaped distalmost configuration thereat, defining between them, in a spaced-apart relationship, a fabric locking channel. A generally rectangularly-shaped fabric or flexible banner or the like, which is desired to be supported between the pair of elongated extrusions on parallel sides thereof, is first set into a first elongated fabric clamp by the first side edge of the fabric being laid against the second fabric-frame wherein an elongated fabric lock-extrusion may be pressed and sandwiched against the fabric and into the fabric locking channel, wherein the first snap finger and the second snap finger biasedly receive the fabric and the elongated fabric lock snapped therewithin. One edge of the fabric is thus laid within the second fabric-frame and against the first outer flange thereof.

The fabric thus lies in a somewhat sinusoidal pattern against the second fabric frame and over the first snap finger, lying lockingly within the fabric locking channel with the elongated fabric lock pressed thereagainst, and around the second snap finger and into a channel between the second snap finger and the second outer flange. The first fabric frame is then in one preferred embodiment, bent around and pressed against the inner face of the second fabric frame. The bending is taking place along the elongated living hinge between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame. In a further preferred embodiment of the fabric clamp, the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame thereof may also be formed of two separate pieces without any “living hinge” connecting them together, while all other structural aspects thereof remaining as recited.

The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange of the first fabric-frame are pressed just outside the first snap finger and the second snap finger respectively, the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange bending slightly outwardly and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange bending slightly outwardly so as to yield and subsequently snap against an inner “waist” portion of the first snap finger and the spaced-apart second snap finger. The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange and the second L-shaped elongated bendable flange thus bias the fabric between themselves and their respective adjacent first snap finger and second snap finger. The fabric is also biasedly engaged within the fabric locking-channel with the elongated fabric lock wedged between the spaced apart first snap finger and the second snap finger with their associated V-shaped troughs facing and securably pinching the fabric thereat.

Each elongated extruded fabric clamp with its fabric therein (at opposite and parallel sides of the fabric) is/are then slid within the elongated central chamber of their respective elongated outer housing extrusions comprising the upper and lower portions of the fabric being suspended from a support structure.

The elongated outer housing extrusion comprises a first “C”-shaped shell facing in an open manner a corresponding second “C”-shaped shell. Each elongated first and second “C”-shaped shell are connected to one another by an elongated bridge member at a “near”-central portion thereof. Each “C”-shaped shell has a first distalmost edge which between them define and elongated slot through which the suspension means may extend. The bridge connecting the first “C”-shaped shell and second “C”-shaped shell has a pair of parallel hinge alignment flanges extending therefrom, and into the elongated central chamber. Each “C”-shaped shell may have an “L”-shaped elongated fabric clamp side-guide extending from an inner surface thereof and spaced apart from one another. Each “C”-shaped shell has a second “J”-shaped elongated edge which define a gap between one another at the second edge of the elongated housing extrusion.

The fabric clamp assembly, once formed into a generally “U”-shaped arrangement in its “living hinge” embodiment, thus is bent so as to permit the first fabric-frame and the second fabric-frame to mate respectively with one another, with the fabric pinched therebetween, and permits a portion of the fabric to extend out through the gap between the fabric clamp end-guides at the second edge of each respective elongated outer housing extrusion.

Thus, with an elongated outer housing extrusion and a fabric clamp arranged along two spaced apart parallel edges of a fabric, such fabric may be supported from a suspended overhead support with the elongated clamps and elongated housings maintaining a weight and proper alignment support for the fabric for a proper display from a structure.

The invention thus comprises a fabric support arrangement for maintaining a flexible fabric in a straight and aligned manner, from a support structure, comprising: an elongated housing extrusion having an elongated central chamber therein, an elongated fabric clamp assembly, folded in one embodiment thereof, along an elongated mid-portion thereof, and receivingly disposed within the elongated central chamber, the fabric clamp assembly having an first fabric frame and a second fabric frame. In a further embodiment of the fabric clamp assembly, the first fabric frame is separate from the second fabric frame. In either embodiment of the first and second fabric frame members, a flexible fabric is biasedly secured in a generally sinusoidally shaped path of the fabric clamp assembly between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame. The sinusoidal path helps maintain the fabric in place and in proper alignment. The fabric is also releaseably secured into a fabric locking channel in the second fabric frame by an elongated generally cylindrically shaped fabric lock. The elongated fabric lock is pinchably received between a pair of parallel, spaced apart snap fingers, unitarily extruded with the second fabric frame. The first fabric frame has a first “L”-shaped bendable flange and a second “L”-shaped flange thereon which define a first receiving channel between one another. The parallel, spaced apart snap fingers are mateably received in the first receiving channel. The fabric is disposed in a generally sinusoidal pattern between the first fabric frame and the second fabric frame.

The elongated housing extrusion comprises a pair of generally “C”-shaped shells arranged to face one another, connected by a bridging member unitarily disposed therebetween. Each of the “C”-shaped shells preferably has an “L”-shaped side guide extending off of an inner portion thereof, and towards one another. The bridging member preferably has a pair of hinge alignment flanges extending therefrom and into the elongated central chamber. The elongated mid-portion of the fabric clamp assembly preferably comprises a “living hinge”. In another preferred embodiment the second frame and the first frame members of the fabric clamp are separate individual members and are connected only when sandwiched about a piece of fabric. In the “hinged” embodiment, the hinge alignment flanges preferably extend from the bridging member are in sliding contact with the living hinge during assembly, to keep the fabric clamp assembly in alignment in the elongated housing extrusion. The “L”-shaped side guide extending inwardly from each of the “C”-shaped shells help centrally align the fabric clamp in the elongated housing extrusion. The elongated housing extrusion has a first edge having a slot therealong, the bridging member and the first edge of the elongated extrusion housing being preferably comprised of said “C”-shaped shells defining a suspension means engagement channel to enable a suspension means to be slidingly received therein. The elongated housing extrusion has a second edge having a slot therealong, the second edge of the elongated housing extrusion comprised of said “C” shaped shells each having a “J”-shaped elongated fabric clamp guide and defining an elongated second slot therebetween. The second slot disposed between the “J”-shaped elongated fabric clamp guide has the fabric extending therebetween. The fabric support arrangement also comprises a second elongated housing extrusion and a corresponding elongated fabric clamp received therein, wherein each of the elongated housing extrusions are secured to opposite parallel edges of the fabric, an upper one of the housings attached to suspension means and a lower one of the housings functioning as an alignment means for keeping the fabric straight and evenly hanging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and, advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pair of elongated housing extrusions each with a fabric clamp assembly slidably inserted therewithin, showing a fabric shown stretched therebetween;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational or end view of a fabric clamp assembly in a linear or unbent orientation, with a fabric and an elongated fabric-lock shown spaced apart therefrom prior to its assembly;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, with a fabric clamp assembly, unformed yet receiving a fabric within its second fabric frame and locked therein by an elongated fabric-lock;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational or end view of the elongated fabric clamp assembly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, with the first fabric frame in a mating relationship with the second fabric frame and a fabric shown lockingly disposed therebetween;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational or end view of the elongated outer housing extrusion; and

FIG. 6 is an end view of the elongated outer housing extrusion supporting an elongated fabric clamp and associated fabric material locked therewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown the present invention which comprises a pair of elongated extrusion assemblies 10 and 10′ which each respectively lockingly grab the upper and lower edges “U” and “L”, of a fabric panel 12, for support thereof, from an overhead or other structure, not shown for clarity. Each elongated extrusion assembly 10 and 10′ is the mirror image of its corresponding elongated extrusion assembly (10) arranged parallel thereto, as is represented in FIG. 1. Such an elongated extrusion assembly 10 and 10′ has an elongated suspension means engagement channel 14 disposed on a first edge 16 thereof, to permit the (uppermost) elongated extrusion assembly 10 to be suspended by a support means 18 which is attachable to a structure, such as for example, an overhead ceiling rail. Each elongated extrusion assembly 10 and 10′ comprises an elongated, extruded, manipulable fabric clamp assembly 20 which is slidingly received within an elongated central chamber 22 of an elongated outer-house extrusion 24.

The elongated fabric clamp assembly 20, best represented in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, comprises an first fabric-frame 26 connectibly attached by a living hinge 28 to a parallel second fabric-frame 30. The first fabric-frame 26 has a first elongated “L”-shaped, bendable flange 32 adjacent a distal edge thereof. The first fabric-frame 26 has a second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange 34 facing the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange 32. The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange 32 and the second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange 34 face one another and define an open, elongated first “receiving ” space or channel 36 therebetween.

The second fabric-frame 30 comprises a first outer flange 38 along a first elongated edge 40 thereon, and a second outer flange 42 along a distalmost elongated edge 44 thereon. A first snap finger 46 and a second snap finger 48, each being elongated, face one another with a V-shaped distalmost configuration 50 thereat, defining between them, in a spaced-apart relationship, a fabric locking channel 52, as best represented in FIG. 2. The generally rectangularly-shaped fabric or flexible banner or the like 12, which is desired to be supported between the pair of elongated housing extrusions 10 and 10′ on parallel sides thereof, is first set into the first elongated fabric clamp assembly 20 by the first side edge (“U”) of the fabric 12 being laid against the second fabric-frame 30 wherein an elongated fabric lock-extrusion 54, preferably having a fabric engaging textured outer surface 56 may be pressed and sandwiched against the fabric 12 and into the fabric locking channel 52, wherein the first snap finger 46 and the second snap finger 48 biasedly receive the fabric 12 and the elongated fabric lock 54 snapped therewithin, as represented in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. One edge (“U”) of the fabric 12 is thus laid within the second fabric-frame 30 and against the first outer flange 38 thereof, as is represented best in FIG. 3.

The fabric 12 thus lies in a somewhat sinusoidal pattern against the second fabric frame 30 and over the first snap finger 46, lying lockingly within the fabric locking channel 52 with the elongated fabric lock 54 pressed thereagainst, and around the second snap finger 48 and into a channel 60 between the second snap finger 48 and the second outer flange 42.

The first fabric frame 26 is then bent around, as represented by arrow “A” in FIG. 3, and pressed against the inner face of the second fabric frame 30, as is represented in FIG. 4. The bending is thus taking place along the elongated living hinge 28 between the first fabric frame 26 and the second fabric frame 30. The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange 32 and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange 34 of the first fabric-frame 26 are pressed just outside the first snap finger 46 and the second snap finger 48 respectively, as represented in FIGS. 4 and 6, the first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange 32 bending slightly outwardly and the second “L”-shaped bendable flange 34 bending slightly outwardly (apart) so as to yield and subsequently snap against an inner “waist” portion 70 of the first snap finger 46 and the spaced-apart second snap finger 48.

The first elongated “L”-shaped bendable flange 32 and the second “L”-shaped elongated bendable flange 34 thus bias the fabric 12 between themselves and their respective adjacent first snap finger 46 and the second snap finger 48. The fabric 12 is also biasedly engaged within the fabric locking-channel 52 with the elongated fabric lock 54 wedged between the spaced apart first snap finger 46 and the second snap finger 48 with their associated V-shaped troughs 50 facing and securably pinching the fabric 12 thereat.

Each elongated extruded fabric clamp 20 and 20′ with its fabric 12 therein (at opposite and parallel sides of the fabric), as represented in FIG. 1, is/are then slid within the elongated central chamber 22 of their respective elongated outer housing extrusions 24 and 24′ comprising the upper and lower portions of the fabric being supportable from a support structure.

The elongated outer housing extrusion 24 (and 24′) comprises a first “C”-shaped shell 72 facing in an open manner a corresponding second “C”-shaped shell. 74, as represented in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each elongated first and second “C”-shaped shell 72 and 74 are connected to one another by an elongated bridge member 76 at a “near”-central portion thereof. Each “C”-shaped shell 72 and 74 has its first distalmost edge 16 which between them define and elongated slot 78 through which the suspension means 18 may extend. The bridge 76 connecting the first “C”-shaped shell 72 and second “C”-shaped shell 74 has a pair of parallel hinge alignment flanges 80 extending therefrom, and into the elongated central chamber 22. Each “C”-shaped shell 72 and 74 has an “L”-shaped elongated fabric clamp side-guide 82 and 84 extending from an inner surface thereof and spaced apart from one another, as represented in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Each “C”-shaped shell 72 and 74 has a second “J”-shaped elongated edge 86 which define a gap 88 between one another at a second edge 90 of the elongated housing extrusion 24 (or 24′).

The fabric clamp assembly 20, once formed into a generally “U”-shaped arrangement with its living hinge 28 bent so as to permit the first fabric “guide” or frame 26 and the second fabric “guide” or frame 30 to mate respectively with one another, with the fabric 12 pinchably secured therebetween, permits a portion of the fabric 12 to extend out through the gap 88 between the fabric clamp guards 26 and 30 at the second edge 90 of each respective elongated outer housing extrusion 24 (and 24′).

Thus, with an elongated outer housing extrusion 24 and 24′ and a fabric clamp assembly 20 arranged along two spaced apart parallel edges “U” and “L” of a fabric 12, such fabric 12 may be supported by connective support means 18 from a support structure (not shown) with the elongated clamps 20 and elongated housings 24 and 24′ thus maintaining a weight and proper alignment support for the fabric 12 for a proper display from a support structure.

Claims

1. A fabric support arrangement for maintaining a flexible fabric in a straight and aligned manner, from a support structure, comprising:

an elongated housing extrusion having an elongated central chamber therein;

an elongated fabric clamp assembly receivingly disposed within said elongated central chamber, said fabric clamp assembly having a first fabric frame and a second fabric frame;

a flexible fabric biasedly secured within said fabric clamp assembly between said first fabric frame and said second fabric frame.

2. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said fabric is releaseably secured into a fabric locking channel in said second fabric frame by an elongated fabric lock.

3. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 2, wherein said elongated fabric lock is pinchably received between a pair of parallel, spaced-apart snap fingers, unitarily extruded with said second fabric frame.

4. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 3, wherein said first fabric frame has a first “L”-shaped bendable flange and a second “L”-shaped flange thereon which define a first receiving channel between one another.

5. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 4, wherein said parallel, spaced apart snap fingers are mateably received in said first receiving channel.

6. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 5, wherein said fabric is disposed in a generally sinusoidal pattern between said first fabric frame and said second fabric frame.

7. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated housing extrusion comprises a paid of generally “C”-shaped shells arranged to face one another, connected by a bridging member unitarily disposed therebetween.

8. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said “C”-shaped shells has an “L”-shaped side guide extending off of an inner portion thereof, and towards one another.

9. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 7, wherein said bridging member has a pair of hinge alignment flanges extending therefrom and into said elongated central chamber.

10. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein said second fabric frame and said first fabric frame of said fabric clamp assembly are flexibly connected to one another by an elongated “living hinge” co-extruded therewith.

11. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 10, wherein said hinge alignment flanges extending from said bridging member are in sliding contact with said living hinge to keep said fabric clamp in alignment in said elongated housing extrusion.

12. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 11, wherein said “L”-shaped side guide extend inwardly from each of said “C”-shaped shells help centrally align said fabric clamp in said elongated housing extrusion.

13. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 12, wherein said elongated housing extrusion has a first edge having a slot therealong, said bridging member and said first edge of said elongated extrusion housing comprised of said “C”-shaped shells comprise a suspension means engagement channel to enable a suspension means to be slidingly received therein.

14. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 13, wherein said elongated housing extrusion has a second edge having a slot therealong, said second edge of said elongated housing extrusion comprised of said “C” shaped shells each having a “J”-shaped elongated fabric clamp guide and defining an elongated second slot therebetween.

15. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 14, wherein said second slot disposed between said “J”-shaped elongated fabric clamp guide has said fabric extending therebetween.

16. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 15, which also comprises a second elongated housing extrusion and a corresponding elongated fabric clamp received therein, wherein each of said elongated housing extrusion are secured to opposite parallel edges of said fabric, an upper one of said housings attached to suspension means and a lower one of said housings functioning as an alignment means for keeping said fabric straight and evenly hanging.

17. A fabric support arrangement for maintaining a flexible fabric in a straight and aligned manner, from a support structure, comprising:

an elongated housing extrusion having an elongated central chamber therein;

an elongated fabric clamp assembly folded along an elongated mid-portion thereof, and receivingly disposed within said elongated central chamber, said fabric clamp assembly having a first fabric frame and a second fabric frame defining a sinusoidally shaped fabric gripping path therebetween;

a flexible fabric biasedly secured within said fabric clamp within said sinusoidal path between said first fabric frame and said second fabric frame.

18. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 17, wherein said fabric is biasedly held in said sinusoidal path by an elongated fabric lock wedged in said path.

19. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 18, wherein said elongated fabric lock is a generally cylindrically shaped extrusion.

20. The fabric support arrangement as recited in claim 18, wherein said first fabric frame pinches a waist portion of a pair of snap fingers on said second fabric frame after said snap fingers have received said fabric and said elongated fabric lock therewithin.