Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
' -1-
BANNER HANGER
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to display hanging devices. In
particular,
the invention relates to hanging devices which may be easily fabricated from
extruded materials such as plastics. More particularly, the invention relates
to a
one-piece extruded banner hanger for hanging flexible sheets of material such
as
banners or posters.
Background of the Invention
For many applications but particularly for retail trading, there is a need for
convenient ways to hang signs and cards from walls, shelves, cases and
ceilings.
Therefore, there is a need for producing sign holding devices which are easy
to
use and which permit the user to engage or disengage a sign or a poster
therefrom, without damaging the sign or the poster. There is also a need for
sign
holding devices capable of withstanding rude climatic conditions as well as
relatively light impacts.
Typically, a banner or poster hanging device is a clip which comprises a pair
of
opposed gripping members having a slot or channel therebetween within which
the
poster is retained when the opposed members are shut. This may be
accomplished by providing an elongate member having a channel, the lips of
which
include one or two flanges biased against a member to grip a sheet. The flange
may be flipped or snapped open to permit replacement of the poster, and then
flipped shut to firmly grip the poster between the gripping members.
Display hanging devices of this general type in which the poster is held by a
spring
bias action have been described in numerous patents, and several of these have
achieved commercial success in the market. For example, U.S. Patent No.
6,009,652 to Smith discloses a clip element for holding a sign. The clip is
adapted
to be used outdoors and includes an extruded thermoplastic channel having a
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
-2-
generally circular cross section. The channel comprises an arcuate U-shaped
bight and opposed flanges having outwardly flared portions at their free
edges.
The plastic material of the channel has sufficient resilience to allow it to
be
snapped open and flipped shut to grip the edge of the sign. The bulbous cross-
section of the channel allows the device to firmly grip the sign.
In a similar fashion, U.S. Patent No. 5,718,402 to Hoffman et al. discloses an
elongated extruded plastic clip element including a channel. The clip which
comprises a planar base portion and a planar leg joined together by a bridging
portion, operates according to essentially the same principle of operation as
the
Smith patent. U.S. Patent No. 5,863,019 to Rose et al. also discloses a poster
gripping elongated extrusion featuring a channel. The device comprises a
planar
base, a channel, elongated legs attached to the channel and arranged to be
rotatable into a poster holding orientation by movement about a hinge
extending
from the channel, thereby defining two spaced apart pressure strips biased
against
the planar base, for the pinching of a poster therebetween.
There is still a need for hanging devices presenting a greater degree of
efficiency
and which are additionally, simple to manufacture and assemble, which provide
a
low failure rate in operation and which tightly and securely grips a poster.
There
is a particular need for a simple system for suspending a poster from a
ceiling or
other overhead member.
It will be noted that the terms "sign", "poster" and "banner" are used
generally
interchangeably to refer to any flexible sheet of material such as a banner,
poster,
paper, card, fabric or plastic sheet or the like.
It will be further understood that the invention is described herein in a
particular
orientation, namely with the elongate extruded clip member horizontal, and
positioned to hang a poster downwardly. However, such reference is only for
convenience of description. The device may be positioned and used in any
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
-3-
orientation, with references such as "up", "down" etc. changed accordingly.
References to "outwardly" are relative to an imaginary plane extending
vertically
through the central axis of the clip.
Summary of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved banner hanger
formed in a single extrusion process from extruded material such as plastic or
the
l0 like, for tightly but releasably gripping and securing a poster, and which
may be
readily fastened or engaged with a variety of substrates.
In one aspect, is a banner hanger clip, consisting of an elongate extruded
member
consisting of upper and lower parts. The lower part consists of a pair of
spaced
apart wall members defining an interior space therebetween, the wall members
meeting at their upper edges, and separable along their lower edges to grip a
poster therebetween. The upper part is joined to the lower part and provides a
biasing force to urge the wall members together when the clip is in the
closed,
poster gripping position and urges the lower wall members apart when the clip
is
20 in an open position. As will be described herein, the clip is maintained in
either its
open or closed position by virtue of an over-center mode of operation. The
upper
part consists of a pair of spaced apart legs, joined by a bridging member. The
legs
are each fastened at their lower edge to a corresponding wall member. The
upper
part has a degree of resiliency. The lower wall members are joined where they
meet along their upper edges by a hinge, preferably a living hinge formed by a
co-
extrusion. The combination of the central hinge and resiliency of the upper
part
provides the elements of an overcenter biasing means.
A lock means is provided to increase the gripping force of the lower part when
the
30 same is in its closed, poster-gripping position. The lock means comprises a
pair
of overlapping ribs, a first rib protruding upwardly from the lower part, and
a mating
second rib depending downwardly from the upper part. The ribs have sufficient
resiliency to permit them to flex sufficiently to slide past each other as the
clip is
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
-4-
opened. However, they are of sufficient rigidity such that when the clip is in
the
closed position, and the ribs overlap and contact each other, they resist
opening
of the clip. The ribs are positioned such that when the clip is closed, the
locking
means urges the lower part into a tightly closed position. Preferably, two
sets of
similar lock means are provided, one on either side of the clip. Conveniently,
the
upper rib may depend downwardly from the bridging member of the upper part,
forming a molded in place protrusion or extension of the upper part, whilst
the
lower rib forms a similar molded protrusion from the lower part.
In a further aspect the clip is symmetric about a central vertical plane
extending
lengthwise for suspension of the clip from a ceiling or other overhead member
and
for hanging a poster from the suspended clip.
According to another aspect the central hinge joining the side walls of the
lower
component comprises a living hinge which is co-extruded with the clip.
Further,
each of the legs of the upper part may be similarly hinged to opposing sides
of the
lower part, each by way of a similarly co-extruded living hinge.
According to yet another aspect, the opposed side members each have an
exterior
face on which is located a position whereby each of said lower edges of said
wall
members is hinged, the two positions being directly opposed to each other and
being slightly above a plane coinciding with the widest plane of said lower
part.
According to another aspect, the banner hanger is formed from first and second
co-
extrusions, wherein at least one of said living hinge means comprises said
first co-
extrusion, said second co-extrusion comprising other elements of said banner
hanger.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional view of a banner hanger according to the present
invention,
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
-S-
in the closed position;
Figure 1A is a sectional view of a portion of the banner hanger;
Figure 2 is a further sectional view showing the banner hanger in a fully open
position;
Figure 3 is a further sectional view showing the banner hanger in the over-
center
position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a banner hanger
according
to the invention, in the closed position;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a banner hanger according to the present
invention,
in the closed position, showing a poster engaged and supported therewith;
Figure 6 is a perspective view, partially in section, of another embodiment of
a
banner hanger according to the invention, in the closed position; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a T-clip for suspending the banner hanger.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. In this
version, the
hanging device is composed of a generally elongate plastic extrusion 10,
having
an upper part 12 and a lower part 14. The extrusion is symmetrical about an
imaginary vertical bisecting plane which extends lengthwise along the
extrusion.
Thus, the right and left lateral sides are mirror images. The lower part 14
has a
generally annular cross section and is partially covered by the upper part.
The two
parts define a closed hollow interior space 16. The upper part, which includes
a
bridging portion 38 and a pair of opposed strip-like leg members 42a and 42b
has
the configuration of a channel or track 30 opening upwardly to the periphery
of the
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
-6-
banner hanger for permitting the device to be attached to an external support
(not
shown). The leg members border the elongate upward sides of the bridging
portion and the elongate downward sides are bordered by wall members 43a and
43b. The legs 42a and 42b curve together upwardly such that their respective
upper edges 44a and 44b face toward each other. The wall members 43a and 43b
are slightly curved upwardly.
The lower part 14 of the extrusion has opposed curved side members 15a and
15b,
which, when the device is in the closed position, form a hollow ovaloid or
cylindrical space 16 for receiving a poster, a banner or the like 50 (Figure
5).
Opposed lips or flanges 18a and 18b extend downwardly and outwardly from the
lower edges of the sides members. The flanges flare outwardly and downwardly,
permitting the user to open the side members to insert a poster. A first
living hinge
24 joins the side members 15a and 15b, at their respective upper edges 26a and
26b. The living hinge 24 is both resilient and stretchy in order to assist in
the
overcenter biasing of the lower part, as will be described below.
On the interior face of each flange member 18a and 18b, and proximate to the
upper edge of the flange is respectively located a pair of soft beads 20 on
one
interior face 19a, arranged in spaced apart parallel relationship, and a
single soft
bead 22 on the other interior face 19b. The pair of beads 20 and the single
bead
22 are arranged in such a way that, when the device is in the closed position,
the
single bead 22 on one interior face fits between the paired beads 20 on the
other
interior face. The beads provide a soft and resilient gripping contact when a
poster
is engaged between the two gripping members 18a and 18b. Not shown but
contemplated are a plurality of beads 20 and 22 arranged in parallel rows.
The upper part 12 and the lower part 14 are hinged together via second and
third
living hinges 32a and 32b joining respectively each lower edge 34a and 34b of
the
wall members, to a position located on the exterior face of each of the side
members 15a and 15b. The living hinges 34 are also resilient and may have a
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
degree of stretchiness. The two positions are directly opposed to each other
and
are at or slightly above the midline of the lower part 14, the midline being
defined
by the horizontal plane coinciding with the widest plane of the lower part 14.
The side members 15a and 15b may be selectively maintained in either of an
opened position as illustrated in Figure 2 or a closed position as illustrated
in
Figure 1, by means of an over-center principle of operation. Their movement is
effected around the living hinge 24. When in the closed position, the side
members are biased firmly against each other, thereby allowing the gripping of
a
poster between the flanges 18a and 18b. The upper part 12, in cooperation with
hinge 24, urges the sides 15a and 15b towards both of the fully closed and
fully
opened positions. The forces urging the sidewalls 15 together are generated by
flexure of the sides of the upper part 12, which flatten as the lower part
open. The
upper part 12 is arranged to provide at all times a biasing force towards the
closed
position. In the open position of Figure 2, this force will be high, whilst in
the
closed position of Figure 1, the forces will still urge the sides of the upper
part
together but by a lesser amount. The biasing force applied by the upper part
acts
to either urge the lower part to the open position or the closed position
depending
on which side of the overcenter position the lower part is residing. A portion
of the
lower part is urged downwardly when the device is in the open position (Figure
2),
and is urged upwardly when the device is in the closed position (Figure 1 ).
As the
device moves from the closed position to the opened position, it passes an
over-
center position (Figure 3). The first, second and third living hinges 24, 32a
and
32b are stretchy and resilient to absorb pulling and compressive forces
exerted
between the wall members 43a and 43b, and the side members 15a and 15b.
Further, the central hinge 24 stretches when in the open position (Figure 2)
to
countervail the forces generated by the upper part, which in the fully open
position
urge the sidewalls 15 apart. The hinge 24 thus limits the extent of opening of
the
lower part.
As seen with particularity in Figure 1 A, on either side of the extrusion is
positioned
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
_$_
a pair of overlapping resilient ribs or nubs consisting of a lower nub 60 and
an
upper nub 62. When in the closed position of Figure 1, the nubs overlap and
contact each other, thereby resisting opening of the device. The nubs are co-
extruded with the extrusion 10, and are composed of a material having
sufficient
resiliency to permit the overlapping nubs to flex as the device is opened in
order
to slide past each other as the clip 10 is opened. However, the nubs have
sufficient rigidity to provide a degree of locking force when the device is in
the
closed position. The nubs 60 and 62 may alternatively be composed of the same
composition as the main extrusion 10 rather than comprising a co-extruded
member.
Operation of the device will now be described by reference to Figures 1 to 5,
commencing in the opened position as illustrated in Figure 2. The fully open
position is maintained by the converging retractive forces exerted by the wall
members 43a and 43b on the side members 15a and 15b, balanced by the pulling
force exerted by living hinge 24. This combination of forces will tend to
maintain
the side members in a fully open position. The hinge 24 is stretched
horizontally
and resists further movement of the sidewalls 15. As the lower part is closed,
the
upper part is forced to open still further, thus progressively resisting
closure of the
lower part. However, when the lower part reaches the position shown in Figure
3
(the "overcenter position"), the tension exerted by the upper part is balanced
by the
generally linear positioning of the sidewalls 15 of the lower part 14. At the
over-
center position, the enclosed portion of the lower part is close to planar and
the
living hinge 24 is compressed (Figure 3). At this stage, continued rotation of
the
side members has the effect of changing the effect of the retractive forces of
the
upper part 12, such that the sidewalls 43 now act to urge the lower part
towards the
closed position. This effect is achieved at least in part by the resiliency of
the
second and third living hinges, while the rotation of the side members is
achieved
at least in part by the resiliency of the first living hinge. As the side
members are
closed, the first living hinge flexes and is snapped upwardly, absorbing at
least
some of the compressive forces exerted by the wall members on the side members
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
and by each side member on the other one. Since the side members 43 are
relatively rigid, i.e. they resist flex along their axis, the compressive
force exerted
thereby increases as they close.
Figure 6 illustrates a slight variation of the device according to the
invention,
wherein no peripheral hang track is provided. The leg members 42a and 42b are
absent and apertures 40 located on the bridging portion 38 are provided.
Apertures 40 are preferably drilled into the extrusion. The remaining elements
are
the same as in Figures 1 to 5. This embodiment allows for an alternate
suspension, wherein the device is suspended from hooks inverted into apertures
40 located on the bridging portion.
Figure 7 illustrates a form of "T-clip" which may be used for suspending the
banner
hanger from a ceiling or other overhead member. In a contemplated use, the
banner hanger may be suspended from the T bar of a suspended or hanging
ceiling. The T-clip comprises a central vertical fin 72, having two L-shaped
legs
74 at its lower edge. The legs 74 oppose each other and each terminate in
outwardly-extending foot 76. One or more apertures 78 extend through the fin
72,
for tying a cord 80 thereto. The cord 80 may in turn be tied to a T-bar or
other
overhead member. The legs 74 may be pushed together, as shown by the arrows
in Figure 7, against the natural biasing urge of the legs 74 which tend to
urge the
legs outwardly apart from each other. Pushing the legs together thus creates
an
outward force on the legs 74. With the legs thus in the closed position, the
clip 70
may be slidably engaged with the banner hanger, by sliding the lower part of
the
legs 74 into the interior space 30 defined by the upper part 12. Once
released, the
outward biasing of the legs 74 prevents the hanger from slipping relative to
the clip
70. The fin 72 extends through the uppermost slot between legs 42(a) and (b).
Conveniently, the gripping device 10 according to the invention is formed in a
single extrusion. The living hinge 24, 32a and 32b as well as the soft beads
20
and 22 and ribs 60, 62 may be co-extruded with the other rigid elements.
CA 02348194 2001-05-18
Preferably, the main extrusion is formed from a relatively rigid plastic
material such
as PVC.
The banner hanger according to the invention may be positioned to hang a
poster
in any orientation. It may also be used either individually or in a pair. In
particular,
a poster may be suspended or mounted between two of its opposed sides by using
two banner hangers of the invention, arranged in either vertical or horizontal
orientation.
It will be further understood that although the present invention has been
described
in detail by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, persons skilled in the art
to
which this invention pertains will be able to make numerous modifications and
variations to the invention. These variations and modifications will still
remain
within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is described and
characterized
within appended claims.
