Patent Application
20210070098
The invention relates to a method for mounting a sheet in a planar configuration. Furthermore, the invention relates to a mounting system for mounting a sheet in a planar configuration. The invention also relates to a connection member and to an assembly comprising a mounting system and a sheet.
Patent document EP 2 331 347 (Van Os and Van der Veld) describes a method and system for mounting a canvas or sheet substantially in one plane. The invention provides a method for mounting a sheet delimited by edges essentially in one plane, comprising attaching a plurality of engagement members on the back of the sheet in the vicinity of corners between two edges and fitting at least one mounting member in between. By providing engagement members and mounting member(s) on the back, it is ensured in this case that the entire sheet remains visible, and no parts of the image are obstructed. The method furthermore comprises attaching the corner segments to the back of the sheet, and the subsequent forcing outward of the corner segments.
Using the method of EP 2 331 347, the outward force towards the corners may establish a torque, which may result in bending of the sheet.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for mounting a sheet delimited by edges substantially in a plane, the method comprising providing a plurality of corner segments on the back of the sheet at least in the vicinity of corners between two edges; and connecting the corner segments by fitting at least one mounting member in between the corner segments; attaching each corner segment to a connection member, which is flexible and glued to the back of the sheet; and subsequently forcing the corner segments apart outwardly substantially in the plane.
The mounting member may be adjustable in length and tensioned by means of a spring. Using this method, the tensile forces in the outward direction are transferred via the corner segments and to the connection members. The tensile forces which may originate from the mounting member in the outward direction are distributed to the corner segment and then to the connection member, which is itself glued, stuck or adhered to the back of the sheet. The outward force is transferred to the connection member very close to the plane, at a distance from the plane equal to the thickness of the planar portion of the connection member. As a result, no force can exist in a direction perpendicular to the plane. In this way a flat appearance of the corner area is established.
The invention applies to canvasses or sheets of any shape that can fit in the plane. Using this method, a printed image, such as a poster, a photograph, a screen or anything comparable, can be mounted in a planar manner, without obstructing part of the image on the front side of the sheet. A skilled person will understand that the term ‘sheet’ may as well refer to other equivalent terms, such as poster, photograph, screen, canvas, drawing, map, and any equivalences thereof. ‘Gluing’ may refer to any equivalent manner of permanently attaching without leaving a trace at the front side of the sheet. The corner segment may be made of polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or any other injection molded plastic or metal. In this context, ‘substantially’ is meant to include deviations that will have the same effect, as can be understood by a person skilled in the art. The connection member may be a sticker or laminate, and is stuck to the plane over a relatively large area, typically more than 10 cm2, in some embodiments more than 25 cm2.
A flexible connection member that is glued to a sheet is convenient when rolling up the sheet, for example for efficient transport or storage. In this way, the connection members may be kept glued to the sheet and do not need to be removed. The connection member may be made of flexible plastic, such as polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”), polycarbonate or polypropylene.
According to an embodiment, providing a plurality of corner segments comprises: providing at least two engagement members, which each comprise two adjacent corner segments and a main segment connecting the two corner segments and extending along a central part of an edge of the sheet, and wherein connecting the corner segments comprises: fitting the at least one mounting member in between the engagement members.
The engagement members may be adjustable in length. Each engagement member may comprise one main segment and two corner segments, which extend from either end of the main segment to the respective corners of the sheet. The main segment and the corner segments may be pivotably connected. As the mounting member may be tensioned, the engagement members may be forced apart, such that the corner segments are forced outwardly in the plane. In this way, a planar configuration of the sheet is established.
According to an embodiment, each corner segment is attached to the connection member using at least one connection region. The connection region may be elongated. If only one elongated connection region is provided, it may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the net outward force. In this context, elongated refers to a longitudinal size which is at least 3 times larger than a transversal size.
According to an embodiment, at least two connection regions are provided which are each elongated and substantially aligned to one of the edges adjacent to the respective corner. The connection regions of one connection member are substantially aligned with an adjacent edge, i.e. making an angle of less than 40 degrees with a respective edge.
According to an embodiment, at each corner, at least two connection regions are substantially perpendicular to each other. Perpendicular connection regions promote efficient transfer of force to the corner segments, especially in case of square or rectangular canvasses or sheets. It also ensures that the outward force defines an angle of less than 45 degrees with at least one of the connection regions. If the connection regions would be substantially perpendicular to the outward force, the outward force could establish a torque, and bending of the corner around the connection region could happen. Substantially perpendicular connection regions counteract this. In this context, ‘substantially’ is meant to include deviations to the perpendicular angle that will have a similar effect, as can be understood by a person skilled in the art.
According to an embodiment, the connection regions comprise at least one folded part of the connection member, folded towards the corner segment, out of the plane. The at least one part of the connection member may extend outside the sheet and is foldable in an out-of-plane direction, thus extending out of the image plane towards the back side of the sheet. The folding lines together with the folded parts constitute the connection regions. The corner segment can be placed against the folded parts in a form-fitting manner. When the corner segments are forced apart, the forces are transferred to the folded parts and thus to the connection member. Tensile forces are thus substantially uniformly distributed over a large area close to the corners of the sheet, promoting a flat appearance of the sheet. In an embodiment at least two parts of the connection member are folded in the manner as described herein.
According to an embodiment, at least one folded part of the connection member is attachable to the corner segment. The attachment of the folded parts improves the stability of the construction. This attachment can be permanent or non-permanent. Attachment may happen by means of clamping, gluing, mechanical fixing, melting, fusing, or equivalents thereof.
According to an embodiment, the folded parts each comprise at least one opening which is adapted for attachment to the corner segment.
According to an embodiment, the method further comprises: providing at least one cover member and placing at least one cover member over the openings. The cover member or the corner segment comprises at least one protrusion, wherein each protrusion is adapted to be accommodated inside an opening. The cover member is placed over the openings in order to attach the folded parts to the corner segment. The cover member is fixed to the corner segment, to maintain the folded parts in place and keep the folded parts attached to the assembly that comprises the cover member and the corner segment.
The corner segment may be placed against the folded parts first, and the cover member may be placed against the folded parts and the corner segments afterwards. Alternatively, the cover member may be placed and fixed, either permanently, e.g. glued, or non-permanently, against the outer side folded parts first. Then, the corner segment is placed against the inner side of the folded parts.
According to an embodiment, the cover member comprises at least one protrusion, wherein each protrusion is adapted to be accommodated inside an opening. While bringing the cover member to the corner segment, the folded parts are folded and attached to the cover member by means of the protrusions and the openings. When fixing the cover member to the corner segment, the folded parts are provided in between the cover member and the corner segment and maintained in place by means of the protrusions. After fixing the cover member to the corner segment, the folded parts are durably fixed to the cover member and corner segment. In this embodiment, the corner segment may comprise at least one cavity, wherein each cavity is adapted to at least partially accommodate a protrusion therein. The cavities provide an additional means to ensure fixture of the folded parts to the corner segment and cover member.
According to an embodiment, the corner segment comprises at least one protrusion, wherein each protrusion is adapted to be accommodated inside an opening. The folded parts are folded around the corner segment and the protrusions are accommodated inside the openings. In this way the folded parts are fixed to the corner segment. One or more cover members may be placed over the folded parts and fixed to the corner segment. While fixing the cover member to the corner segment, the folded parts are attached in between the cover member and the corner segment and maintained in place by means of the protrusions. In this embodiment, the cover member may comprise at least one cavity, wherein each cavity is adapted to at least partially accommodate a protrusion therein. The cavities provide an additional means to ensure fixture of the folded parts to the corner segment and cover member.
When the protrusion is accommodated inside the opening, friction forces and/or the exact shape may keep it in place. In this way, the connection member is fixed in movement in the plane, and also in movement out of the plane. There may be a single protrusion and opening, or one at both sides of the corner, or two at both sides of the corner, or any other configuration with at least one protrusion and at least one opening. The cover provides an additional fixture to the connection between the folded parts and the protrusions. The cover member may be pivotably connected to the other part of the corner segment and folded over the folded parts. Alternatively, the cover member may be a separate part. The protrusions are either provided on the cover member, or on the corner segment.
According to an embodiment, the corner segment or the cover member comprises at least one cavity, wherein each cavity is adapted to at least partially accommodate a protrusion therein. The cavities provide an additional fixture to the connection between the folded parts and the protrusions. If the protrusions are provided on the cover member, the cavities are in the corner segment. If the protrusions are provided on the corner segment, the cavities are in the cover member.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a mounting system for mounting a sheet delimited by edges substantially in one plane, comprising: a plurality of engagement members to be attached to the back of the sheet in the vicinity of corners between two edges of the sheet; and at least one mounting member to be fitted between the engagement members. Each engagement member comprises: at least one main segment extending along a central part of the respective edge; and at least two corner segments extending on either side of the main segment up to the corners, which are pivotable in the plane with respect to the main segment while their movability in a direction at right angles to the plane is limited. Each corner segment is connected to a connection member which is flexible and glued to the back of the sheet. The direction at right angles to the plane refers to the direction perpendicular or orthogonal to the plane.
The mounting system has the same advantages as provided by the method described above. Reference to the above-mentioned part of description is made in further describing the present mounting system and its embodiments.
According to an embodiment, each corner segment is attached to the connection member using at least one connection region.
According to an embodiment, at each corner, at least two connection regions are provided which are each elongated and substantially aligned to one of the edges adjacent to the respective corner and which are substantially perpendicular to each other.
According to an embodiment, the at least one connection region comprises at least one folded part of the connection member, folded towards the corner segment, and wherein the at least one folded part of the connection member is attachable to the corner segment.
According to an embodiment, the folded parts each comprise at least one opening, and the corner segment comprises protrusions wherein each protrusion is adapted to be accommodated inside an opening, in order to attach the folded parts to the corner segment.
According to an embodiment, the mounting system further comprises at least one cover member, placed against and/or over the folded parts to maintain the folded parts in place and keep the folded parts attached to the corner segment.
According to an embodiment, the at least one cover member comprises at least one cavity, wherein each cavity is adapted to at least partially accommodate a protrusion therein.
According to an embodiment, each corner segment comprises; a first attachment part which is connected to the main segment; and a second attachment part; wherein the second attachment part is attachable to the respective connection member; wherein the first attachment part is connectable to the second attachment part, possibly with a pivotable connection which can be loosened. The first attachment part is connected to the main segment, possibly in a pivotable manner. The attachment between first and second attachment parts possibly has a U-shaped cross-section, wherein one of the parts can be shifted in between the legs of the ‘U’. In this way, the first and second attachment parts cannot move any more in the direction perpendicular to the plane, while movement in a direction in the plane is limited because of the outward force applied from the mounting system towards the sheet, and the inward (tension) force applied from the sheet towards the mounting system. Using a corner segment comprising two different parts allows a user to easily unmount the mounting system without the need to detach the sheet from the connection member, the connection member from the corner segment or the corner segment from the main segment.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a connection member, comprising: a planar portion, adapted to be attached to the back side of a sheet; and at least one folded part, adapted to be attached to a corner segment; and wherein the connection member is adapted to be used in the method as described herein. The connection member may already be folded. It may also be provided with pre-applied folding lines separating the planar portion from the folded part, enabling a user to fold the folded parts when applying the method or using it in a mounting system as described herein.
According to an embodiment, the planar portion comprises an adhesive, to make the connection member attachable to a back side of a sheet. ‘Adhesive’ may refer to any equivalent manner of permanently attaching without leaving a trace at the front side of the sheet. It may be a multi-layer laminate with an adhesive layer and a cover which needs to be removed prior to sticking it to a back side of a sheet.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an assembly, comprising a mounting system as described herein and a sheet, attached to the mounting system.
Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which corresponding reference symbols indicate corresponding parts.
The figures are meant for illustrative purposes only, and do not serve as restriction of the scope or the protection as laid down by the claims.
The mounting member 3 is tensioned by means of a spring element 11 which is provided around at least one of the telescopic ends 7 after the telescopic ends 7 have been inserted in apertures 20 in an engagement member 12. The stiffness properties of the engagement members 12 and the mounting member 3 are such that any possible deformation of the entire mounting system 1 can result in only a very small component in a direction perpendicular to the plane S of the sheet compared to the characteristic dimensions of the sheet. For example, a perpendicular deformation in a sheet with dimensions around a metre would be limited to only a few millimetres.
The engagement members 12 comprise two corner segments 12a which are connected to the main segment 12b. The corner segments 12a are each located in the vicinity of a corner 32 of the sheet 2. The corner segments 12a each extend from the main segment 12b to a corner 32 of the sheet 2. The corner segments 12a can move in the plane S, particularly pivot around a pivot point which is the pivotable connection to the main segment. The movement of the corner segments 12a in the direction perpendicular to the plane S is limited. The corner segments 12a are connected to connection members 14, via folded parts 16 of the connection members 14.
The connection between the second attachment part 18 and the connection member 14 comprises two connection regions (not visible), which are each substantially aligned to one of the edges 13a,13b adjacent to the corner 32. When the corner segments 12a are forced apart, the forces are transferred to the connection member 14 via the connection regions. Tensile forces are thus substantially uniformly distributed over a large area close to the corners 32 of the sheet 2, promoting a flat appearance of the sheet 2.
In
The second attachment part 118 comprises two cover members 142 that are pivotably connected with the main part of the second attachment part 118, and can be folded over the protrusions 141 after the openings 140 in the folded parts 116 have been placed around the protrusions 141. The cover members 142 comprise cavities 143, which can partially accommodate the protrusions 141. The cover members 142 can then be fixed to the main part of the second attachment part 118 using fixing mechanisms 144.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that alternative and equivalent embodiments of the invention can be conceived and reduced to practice. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Reference numerals in the claims are not meant to be limiting for the scope. For conciseness, similar reference numerals corresponding to similar features of the described embodiments are referred to by their basic reference numerals (e.g. without the hundreds), wherever multiple embodiments are concerned. This does not suggest only referring to features corresponding with their basic numerals, i.e. (1) should be interpreted as (1; 101; 201) wherever this is relevant. Where correspondence is related to a specific embodiment, specific reference numerals with hundreds are used in the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020236 | Jan 2018 | NL | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/NL2018/050891 | 12/28/2018 | WO | 00 |
