Abstract: A suspension apparatus for suspending a three-dimensional display article from a pole has at least one of an upper and lower article support member to which an upper or lower perimeter of the display articles attaches. Each support member has at least one strap attached to it at an end of the strap and also attached an opposed end of the strap to a fastening member securable to the pole.

Abstract: A clip for securing a banner to a banner mounting rail of apparatus for raising and lowering a banner in accordance with the invention includes a clamshell housing having two halves hinged together at one side of each housing half. One of the housing halves has at least one pin extending outwardly therefrom and the other of the housing halves having a receptacle in which the pin is received when the housing halves are closed together, wherein the pin pierces a banner received between the two housing halves when the two housing halves are closed together. An apparatus for raising and lowering the banner includes a housing, at least one cable secured to the rail, and a motor that winds and unwinds the cable on a tube arranged within the housing. The banner has a plurality of clips secured to the banner with the clips received in the inner channel of the rail.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering an article has a housing and a cable secured to the housing. A motor winds and unwinds the cable on a tube arranged within the housing. A retractable power cord assembly is coupled to the housing. The retractable power cord assembly has a power cord that is wound and unwound from the retractable power cord assembly as the cable is wound and uwound on the tube.

Abstract: A frame for holding a flexible banner in tension, and a frame and flexible banner assembly in which the flexible banner is held in tension, has a frame including segments that are positioned together to define an enclosed area. Each segment has two main parts that are held together with a hinge that runs along the entire length of the outer edge of the segment. One main part is a base and the other one serves as a decorative cover. To keep the covers closed, each segment has a number of springs that secured to both the base and cover. To load the frame with a banner, each cover can be opened by hand a device inside the frame can be used to hold the covers open. Once loaded, the banner is held in place and tensioned with banner tensions, which may be springs that stretch from posts in the frame to holes in the banner.

Abstract: An apparatus for raising and lowering an article includes a tube, a motor coupled to the tube for rotating the tube, a plurality of cables secured to the tube and to the article in spaced relation to each other, and a cable indexer synchronously coupled with the tube for indexing the plurality of cables along the tube as the plurality of cables are wound on the tube to wind the plurality of cables on the tube uniformly with respect to each other.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system is provided for designing and producing customized display articles. The system generally includes at least one user interface, an applications server, a storage medium, a low-resolution graphics engine, a high-resolution graphics engine and an output subsystem. The user interface displays a customizable display article to a customer as well as captures information relating to the customization of the display article from the customer. The storage medium stores the customized data for the display article. In operation, the applications server manages the customization of the display article. The low-resolution graphics engine builds a low resolution representation of the display article which is displayed on and used to facilitate the customization of the display article at the user interface.

Abstract: A mounting bracket for affixing a banner to a side panel of a truck body, the truck body having a top panel, a side panel, and a top rail extending along a side of the top panel and a top of the side panel and joining the top and side panels. The mounting bracket includes the top rail having a first attachment member projecting outwardly therefrom and a mounting channel having a second attachment member projecting therefrom. The mounting channel has a channel for receiving a keder bead affixed to a top edge of the banner. The second attachment member of the mounting channel mates with the first attachment member of the top rail. The first and second attachment members are illustratively opposed dovetails that mate together.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system is provided for designing and producing customized display articles. The system generally includes at least one user interface, an applications server, a storage medium, a low-resolution graphics engine, a high-resolution graphics engine and an output subsystem. The user interface displays a customizable display article to a customer as well as captures information relating to the customization of the display article from the customer. The storage medium stores the customized data for the display article. In operation, the applications server manages the customization of the display article. The low-resolution graphics engine builds a low resolution representation of the display article which is displayed on and used to facilitate the customization of the display article at the user interface.

Abstract: In a method according to this invention, a manufacturer of truck bodies manufactures the truck bodies with mounting hardware for the banners. The manufacturer then receives a share of revenues from sales of banners to be affixed to truck bodies made by the manufacturer with the mounting hardware for the banners. In another embodiment of the invention, a virtual marketplace provides for the owners of truck bodies with the banner mounting hardware to register their truck bodies if they are willing to allow banner advertisements to be placed on their truck bodies. Media buyers can then access the database to determine what truck bodies have been made available for banner advertising.