Banner system for attachment to a surface

Abstract

A banner assembly 30 for attachment to a surface comprises a flexible sheet having an outer edge. Primary and secondary peelable strip fastenings, 10 and 20, extend around at least part of the perimet

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a banner system particularly, but not exclusively, for attachment to a substantially planar external surface of a structure such as a vehicle. BACKGROUND An advertising banner of vinyl sheet is often adhesively attached to the side of a vehicle. These banners are very difficult to remove. Some vehicle operators prefer a more adaptable branding system which allows a removable banner to be attached to the side of the vehicle. If the banner can be changed frequently and easily the vehicle becomes a mobile advertising hoarding, potentially generating lucrative additional income for the operators. One such system known as SpedianRTM has been around for about twenty years. This is a very simple system which uses a high strength releasable fastening material known as 3MRTM Dual LockRTM to directly attach the banner to the side of the vehicle. Although Dual Lock is very resistant to direct pulling perpendicular to the strips it is much more susceptible to peeling from the ends. To counter this, large rivet-like fasteners are sometimes used at the ends of the strips to reduce the risk of separation in use. Another variation on this system known as AgripaRTM incorporates a framing system which includes a moulded channel known as a keder rail, which has been used to attach caravan awnings for many decades. Edges of the banner are provided with protrusions known as keders (usually of rope) which are slid into a semi-rigid keder rail which is in turn attached to the vehicle using the Dual Lock material. The use of the semi-rigid keder means that the Dual Lock material is less likely to peel and cause the banner to detach when in motion. Neither system allows the banner to be taken up to the side edges of the vehicle. The banners normally stop about 15 cm from the edges, and sometimes up to 30 cm. This is because of the framing which is generally used in vehicle manufacture to make the sides rigid. This framing is usually not smooth but corrugated to increase its strength and rigidity. It is not possible to attach Dual Lock to such framing with any confidence that it will hold. In addition, some vehicles are now being manufactured with non-rectangular sides to create a more aerodynamic shape and reduce drag, meaning that even greater gaps may exist in some places. Many customers would prefer that the advertising banner went right up to the edge of the vehicle to increase the available display area and because, in their opinion, it would look better. Furthermore, both systems suffer from problems of tensioning the banner. Neither system allows for easy re-tensioning on a daily basis, which is quite important as part of the daily inspection which should be carried out before the vehicle goes on the road. Banners can sag slightly simply due to flexing of the vehicle. Furthermore, in very hot conditions they can expand and sag with the heat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its simplest form the present invention proposes a banner assembly for attachment to a carrier surface. The assembly includes a flexible sheet (30) having an outer edge. Primary and secondary peelable strip fastenings (10 and 20) extend around at least part of the perimeter of the sheet. The primary fastening (10) is inset from the outer edge of the sheet and the secondary fastening (20) is located between the primary fastening and the outer edge of the sheet. The the primary fastening (10) provides stronger engagement than the secondary fastening (20) in respect of separation by peeling. The primary fastening can be located inside the vehicle frame providing the main strength of the banner attachment. The secondary fastening carries comparatively little load yet still allows the edges of the banner sheet to be securely held right up to the edge of the vehicle side or other carrier surface. The secondary fastening alleviates some of the load on the primary fastening and effectively shields the primary fastening from forces which could lead to separation. Furthermore, by peelingly separating the fastenings along one edge (e.g. the bottom edge) the banner sheet can easily be tensioned and then re-secured to mitigate sagging or stretching. The primary fastening (10) may take various forms, but preferably comprises first and second strip components having mushroom-like protrusions. The secondary fastening (20) may, for example, comprise first and second hook-and-loop strip components. In an embodiment the secondary peelable strip fastening (20) extends along at least one edge flap (51, 52, 53) which is configured to extend over a face which is angularly disposed relative to the the carrier surface. In an embodiment the primary peelable strip fastening (10) is secured to the flexible sheet (30) via a semi-rigid frame member (60). The frame member (60) has a channel portion (61) which receives a protrusion (63) on the flexible sheet. The frame member (60) also has a flange portion (62) to which the primary peelable strip fastening (10) is attached. In a preferred embodiment the banner assembly is attached to a vehicle. The invention also provides a method of providing a surface with a banner assembly. The method includes providing a flexible sheet (30) having an outer edge with primary and secondary peelable strip fastenings (10 and 20) to extend around at least part of the perimeter of the sheet, locating the primary fastening (10) inset from the outer edge of the sheet, and locating the secondary fastening (20) between the primary fastening and the outer edge of the sheet, wherein the primary fastening (10) provides stronger engagement than the secondary fastening (20) in respect of separation by peeling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a vehicle which is to be provided with a first embodiment of the banner assembly; Figure 2 is a sectional detail of a primary fastening used in the banner assembly; Figure 3 is a sectional detail of a secondary fastening used in the banner assembly; Figure 4 is a rear view of an advertising banner used in the first embodiment; Figure 5 is a side view of the vehicle with the first embodiment of the banner assembly attached thereto; Figure 6 is a side view of another vehicle which is to be provided with a second embodiment of the banner assembly; Figure 7 is a rear view of an advertising banner used in the second embodiment; Figure 8 is a side view of the vehicle of Fig. 6 with the second embodiment of the banner assembly attached thereto; Figure 9 is a rear view of a modified advertising banner used in a third embodiment of the banner assembly; Figure 10 is a side view of another vehicle which is to be provided with a fourth embodiment of the banner assembly; Figure 11 is a rear view of an advertising banner used in the fourth embodiment; Figure 12 is a side view of the vehicle of Fig. 10 with the fourth embodiment of the banner assembly attached thereto; Figure 13 is a cross section through a keder rail and keder which may be used in each banner assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The vehicle shown in Fig. 1 is an articulated transporter vehicle having tractor unit 1 and a load-carrying trailer 2. The trailer has a pair of substantially planar opposite sides 3, a top 4, a rear end 5 and a front end 6. The sides 3 are both substantially rectangular and each provide a substantially planar carrier surface to which the banner assembly may be attached. They may typically comprise a skin of lightweight metal (e.g. aluminium) attached to a rigid metal frame. Purely by way of example, the sides 3 may typically be 10 metres long by 3 metres high. In accordance with the first embodiment of the banner assembly, the vehicle is prepared for attachment of an advertising banner by attaching first components of primary and secondary peelable strip fastenings 10 and 20. In the embodiment shown, the primary fastening 10 extends in a rectangular configuration around the perimeter of the side 3, inset equidistant from its edges. It should be noted however that the fastenings 10 and 20 need not be continuous. There could be drainage gaps for example to stop water from collecting behind the banner. The secondary fastening 20 also extends in a rectangular configuration around the perimeter of the side 3, but in this case the first component of the fastening 20 is located between the primary fastening 10 and the edges of the side 3. The fastening 20 can be be attached to framing which is used to make the sides of the trailer rigid, so that the fastening is positioned adjoining or adjacent to the edges of the side 3. Referring to Fig. 2, the primary peelable strip fastening 10 comprises substantially identical first and second mutually engageable flexible strip components 11 and 12, such as 3M Dual Lock for example. Each component, 11, 12, includes a flexible substrate 13 having a plurality of mutually spaced stems 14 protruding substantially perpendicularly from the substrate. Each stem has a head 15 at its distal end, with a diameter which is greater than that of the stem 14. The stems 14 and heads 15 are substantially symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to the substrate and in this embodiment are generally mushroom-shaped. The two components 11 and 12 can be mutually engaged by application of substantial pressure perpendicular to the substrates 13, e.g. using a roller, such that the heads 15 of one component pass between the heads of the other component causing the heads to become mutually interlocked and highly resistant to pulling them apart in the opposite direction. The two components may nevertheless be released using a peeling action when required. In this embodiment one of the components 11 is bonded to the trailer, e.g by an adhesive applied to the rear face of the substrate 13. The second component is bonded to the rear face of an advertising banner, as described below. Referring now to Fig. 3, the secondary peelable strip fastening 20 comprises first and second mutually engageable flexible strip components 21 and 22. Each component, 21, 22, includes a flexible substrate 23, but the first component 21 carries a multiplicity of protruding loops 24. The other component 22 has a multiplicity of hooks 25 which protrude from the substrate 23. The two components 21 and 22 can be mutually engaged by application of moderate pressure perpendicular to the substrates 23, such that the hooks 25 become engaged with the loops 24. Although the two components are highly resistant to pulling them apart in the opposite direction they may be released using a peeling action when required. Either of the components 21 and 22 can be bonded to the trailer, e.g by an adhesive applied to the rear face of the substrate 23. The other component is bonded to the rear face of an advertising banner, as described below. It will be appreciated that the primary fastening 10 provides stronger engagement against separation by peeling than the secondary fastening 20. Referring to Fig. 4, the banner assembly includes a flexible sheet 30 of printable material, e.g. polyvinyl chloride (pvc). The sheet has an outer edge 31 which conforms to the size and shape of the carrier surface formed by the side 3 of the trailer shown in Fig. 1. The second components of the primary and secondary peelable strip fastenings 10 and 20 (Fig.s 2 and 3) are affixed to flexible sheet 30 corresponding to the positions in which the first components are attached to the trailer. It will again be noted that the primary fastening 10 extends in a rectangular configuration around the perimeter of the sheet 30, inset equidistant from the edges 31. The secondary fastening 20 also extends in a rectangular configuration around the perimeter of the side 3, located between the primary fastening 10 and the edges 31, adjoining or adjacent to those edges. To attach the banner to the trailer the first and second components of the primary strip fastening 10 which extend along the top edge of the banner are first mutually engaged by application of pressure, e.g. running a roller along the strips. The flexible sheet 30 therefore becomes suspended in position, allowing the remainder of the primary fastening to be engaged with the sheet suitably tensioned. The two components of the secondary fastening 20 are then mutually engaged to secure the outer edges of the sheet 30, again ensuring that the sheet 30 is suitably tensioned. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the banner system allows the flexible sheet 30 to substantially cover the entire side face of the vehicle. Most of the weight of the banner assembly is supported by the primary fastening 10, which is inherently stronger than the secondary fastening but is also less likely to fail due to its location away from the frame of the vehicle. This location also better resists ballooning of the flexible sheet which could cause increased drag on the vehicle. The secondary fastening 20 is subject to less loading and, being located near the edge of the side 3, is subject to lower aerodynamic stresses. Furthermore, the secondary fastening 20 eliminates, or at least considerably reduces, the risk that the primary fastening will start to peel in use. The primary and secondary fastenings thus act as an insurance to prevent a major failure on the road, but will also support the banner at least until a vehicle can safely stop if a major detachment should begin. In fact, in the unlikely event that the outer secondary fastening begins to separate this will normally be found and re-secured during routine inspections. In addition, the banner can be tensioned far more easily if required, using a tool or by hand, because the space between the primary and secondary fastenings can form the edge of a skirt, which is very convenient. Dual Lock has to be subject to an impact or a sufficiently high pressure to make it engage, and so the first and second components can ride over each other while the sheet is being tensioned. By pulling the skirt rather than the primary fastening the sheet can be held in position and then an impact applied to the primary Dual Lock fastening to secure the tensioned sheet. The present banner system is also better adapted to use with vehicles having non-rectangular sides, as in the second embodiment shown in Fig.s 6 to 8. In this example the trailer 2 incorporates a sloping portion 40 at its top-front and is also stepped at the bottom 41 to accommodate the rear of the tractor unit 1. For ease of attachment and tensioning of the banner assembly the primary fastening 10 is again applied to the vehicle side 3 in a rectangular configuration. However, the secondary fastening 20 follows the perimeter of the side 3, adjoining or adjacent to the side edges. The flexible sheet 30 (Fig. 7) is shaped to conform to the edges of the side 3, with a sloping top edge portion 42 and a stepped bottom portion 43. When the banner is affixed to the vehicle (Fig. 8) the flexible sheet 30 extends up to the extreme edges of the vehicle side, as shown. In a third embodiment the secondary peelable strip fastening 20 extends along at least one narrow edge flap which is formed on the flexible sheet 30, as shown in Fig. 9. In this embodiment the banner assembly is intended to be secured to the vehicle shown in Fig. 6, but such edge flap may be provided for use with vehicles of any shape, including those with plain rectangular sides as in Fig. 1. In this third embodiment the sheet 30 is formed with three edge flaps 51, 52 and 53, extending along the top, sloping and front edges respectively. Further flaps may be provided to cover the other edges if desired. The secondary peelable strip fastening 20 again follows the shape of the perimeter of the sheet 3, but in this case sections of the secondary fastening 20a, 20b and 20c are applied to the flaps 51, 52 and 53, as shown. When the banner assembly is attached to the vehicle the flaps are folded over the top, sloping and front faces of the vehicle to which corresponding first components of the secondary fastening have first been applied. The flaps formed on the flexible sheet 30 therefore extend over the top, sloping and front faces of the vehicle which are angularly disposed at 90 degrees relative to the the side face 3. Extending the flaps around the front of the trailer by say 10 cm lessens the possibility of air flowing behind the banner or entering from the top. This is particularly important at the corners where unpeeling normally starts. Unpeeling of the secondary fastening 20 is therefore reduced still further. The present banner system is very suitable to use with vehicles having curved side edges, as in the fourth embodiment shown in Fig.s 10 to 12. In this example the trailer 2 incorporates a curved top 140 for improved aerodynamic shape. The primary fastening 10 is again applied to the vehicle side 3 in a rectangular configuration, but the secondary fastening 20 follows the perimeter of the side 3, with a curved portion 142 extending along the curved top edge. The flexible sheet 30 (Fig. 11) is shaped to conform to the edges of the side 3, with a curved top edge 143. When the banner is affixed to the vehicle (Fig. 12) the flexible sheet 30 extends up to the extreme edges of the side 3, including the curved top edge as shown. In all of the above-described embodiments the first and second components of the primary fastening 10 are secured directly to the vehicle and the banner sheet 30. Although in these embodiments, as explained, the unpeeling risk of the primary fastening 10 is small it may be advantageous to incorporate a keder rail into the primary fastening in some circumstances. For example, if the top section of the primary fastening incorporates a keder rail the speed and ease of initial attachment of the banner assembly may be increased. Fig. 13 shows a keder rail 60 which may be extruded from a semi-rigid material such as a polymer or aluminium. The keder rail provides a C-shaped channel portion 61 and a flange portion 62. A keder 63 is secured to the flexible banner sheet 30 in known manner, e.g. by sewing a length of flexible rope into a sleeve 64 which is stitched or bonded to the sheet 30. The flexible strip component 12 of the primary fastening 10 is bonded to the flange portion 62 to engage the first flexible strip component 11 which, in use, is bonded to the side of the vehicle. The secondary fastening 20 is also bonded to the periphery of the sheet 30 spaced from the primary fastening 10, as described. When the banner assembly is attached to the vehicle the keder 63 is slid longitudinally into the keder rail in the usual way. Although an articulated transporter is shown in the above embodiments it will be appreciated that the present banner system is applicable to any suitable structure having a substantially planar external carrier surface, including buses, non-articulated lorries, railway goods vehicles, boats, ships, buildings, advertising hoardings etc. Furthermore, although the term 'advertising banner' is used herein for brevity it will be appreciated that the banner may display any information and / or decorative material, as desired. Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

1. A banner assembly for attachment to a carrier surface: - a flexible sheet (30) having an outer edge;- primary and secondary peelable strip fastenings (10 and 20) which extend around at least part of the perimeter of the sheet;- wherein the primary fastening (10) is inset from the outer edge of the sheet;- wherein the secondary fastening (20) is located between the primary fastening and the outer edge of the sheet;- wherein the primary fastening (10) provides stronger engagement than the secondary fastening (20) in respect of separation by peeling.

2. The banner assembly of claim 1 wherein the primary peelable strip fastening (10) includes first and second fastening components (11, 12) which are mutually engageable by application of pressure and releasable by a peeling action, the first fastening component being attached to the flexible sheet (30) and the second fastening component being attachable to the carrier surface.

3. The banner assembly of claim 2 wherein the first and second fastening components (11, 12) of the primary fastening are of substantially identical structure.4.The banner assembly of claim 3 wherein the first andsecond fastening components (11, 12) of the primary fastening each comprise a substrate (13) and a plurality of mutually spaced stems (14) protruding substantially perpendicularly from the substrate, each stem having a head (15) with a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the stem.

5. The banner assembly of claim 4 wherein the stems (14) and heads (15) of the first and second fastening components are substantially symmetrical about an axis perpendicular to the substrate (13).

6. The banner assembly of claim 4 or 5 wherein the stems and heads of the first and second fastening components are substantially mushroom-shaped.

7. The banner assembly of any preceding claim wherein the secondary peelable strip fastening (20) includes first and second fastening components (21, 22) which are mutually engageable by application of pressure and releasable by a peeling action, the first fastening component being attached to the flexible sheet and the second fastening component being attachable to the carrier surface;8. The banner assembly of claim 7 wherein the first and second fastening components (21, 22) of the secondary fastening comprise hook and loop fasteners.9.The banner assembly of claims 2 and 7 wherein themutual engagement strength of the primary fastening (10) is greater than that of the secondary fastening (20) requiring application of a relatively greater peeling force to separate the first and second components of the primary fastening means.

10. The banner assembly of any preceding claim wherein the secondary peelable strip fastening (20) extends along at least one edge flap (51, 52, 53) which is configured to extend over a face which is angularly disposed relative to the the carrier surface.

11. The banner assembly of any preceding claim wherein the primary peelable strip fastening (10) is secured to the flexible sheet (30) via a semi-rigid frame member (60).

12. The banner assembly of claim 11 wherein the frame member (60) has a channel portion (61) which receives a protrusion (63) on the flexible sheet.

13. The banner assembly of claim in which the channel portion (61) is generally C-shaped.

14. The banner assembly of any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the frame member (60) has a flange portion (62) to which the primary peelable strip fastening (10) is attached.

15. A vehicle having a side face with the banner assembly of any preceding claim attached thereto.

16. A method of providing a surface with a banner assembly: - providing a flexible sheet (30) having an outer edge with primary and secondary peelable strip fastenings (10 and 20) to extend around at least part of the perimeter of the sheet, locating the primary fastening (10) inset from the outer edge of the sheet, and locating the secondary fastening (20) between the primary fastening and the outer edge of the sheet, wherein the primary fastening (10) provides stronger engagement than the secondary fastening (20) in respect of separation by peeling.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the primary peelable strip fastening (10) includes first and second fastening components (11, 12) which are mutually engageable by application of pressure and releasable by a peeling action, the first fastening component being attached to the flexible sheet (30) and the second fastening component being attachable to the carrier surface.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the first and second fastening components (11, 12) of the primary fastening are of substantially identical structure.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first and second fastening components (11, 12) of the primary fastening each comprise a substrate (13) and a plurality of mutually spaced stems (14) protruding substantially perpendicularly from the substrate, each stem having a head (15) with a diameter which is greater than a diameter of the stem.

20. The method of any of claims 16 to 19 wherein the secondary peelable strip fastening (20) includes first and second fastening components (21, 22) which are mutually engageable by application of pressure and releasable by a peeling action, the first fastening component being attached to the flexible sheet and the second fastening component being attachable to the carrier surface;21. The method of claim 20 wherein the first and second fastening components (21, 22) of the secondary fastening comprise hook and loop fasteners.

22. The method of any of claims 16 to 21 wherein the secondary peelable strip fastening (20) extends along at least one edge flap (51, 52, 53) which is configured to extend over a face which is angularly disposed relative to the the carrier surface.

23. The method of any of claims 16 to 22 wherein the primary peelable strip fastening (10) is secured to the flexible sheet (30) via a semi-rigid frame member (60).

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the frame member (60) has a channel portion (61) which receives a protrusion (63) on the flexible sheet.

25. The method of any of claims 23 or 24 wherein the frame member (60) has a flange portion (62) to which the primarypeelable strip fastening (10) is attached.?|c ?|c ?|c ?|c

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