Border piece for wall fabric

• US 5,230,377 A
• Filed: 09/13/1991
• Issued: 07/27/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Joel Berman Associates Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Joel Berman Associates Incorporated
• Inventors: Berman, Joel C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US07/759,577
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 160/327, 160/328, 160/371, 160/380, 160/378, 160/399, 160/402, 52/222, 52/273, 24/543, 24/487, 24/559
• US Class Current: 160/327
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 7/022 Tapestry work
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 9/303 for flexible tensioned membranes

Abstract

An extruded border piece for mounting a fabric sheet in parallel relationship with a plane surface, the border piece including a body portion, a locking portion and a hinge portion connecting the body portion and the locking portion. The locking portion is movable from an open position to a closed position in which the fabric sheet is trapped between the locking and body portions. The body portion may have a surface to which the fabric sheet can be temporarily securable in desired pre-tensioned condition by basting tracks.

Claims

1. A border piece for mounting a fabric sheet in parallel relationship with a plane surface, said border piece comprising an extruded member including a body portion providing said border piece with a base adapted to engage the plane surface, a locking portion, and a hinge portion connecting said body portion and said locking portion, said locking portion providing said border piece with a cover that is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position in which the fabric sheet is trapped between said body portion and said locking portion;

said locking and body portions having confronting movable and stationary surfaces, respectively, and said locking portion having first and second flanges projecting from said movable surface with said second flange between said first flange and said hinge portion, said body portion having first, second and third ribs projecting from said stationary surface, said first flange and said first rib being positioned to overlap each other in said closed position, and said second flange and said second rib being positioned to overlap each other in said closed position, said first flange and said first rib having surfaces that overlap and functionally interengage each other in said closed position, and said second flange and said second rib having surfaces that overlap and interengage each other in said closed position, said first rib and said first flange providing means for clamping the fabric sheet therebetween, and said second rib and second flange providing means for positive and direct interengagement to lock said locking portion in said closed position;

said first and second ribs being between said first and second flanges, and each of said second and third ribs having a barb at its upper end facing said barb on the other of said second and third ribs, and said second flange having two barbs thereon for locking interengagement with said barbs on said second and third ribs.

2. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein said locking and body portions have confronting surfaces which, when said locking portion is moved to its closed position, cooperate with each other to hold said locking portion in said closed position and crimp the fabric piece to hold the same.

3. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein said locking portion and said body portion are of relatively rigid plastic material and said hinge portion is coextruded of a blend of said plastic material and an elastomer.

4. A border piece according to claim 1 further comprising an additional flange projecting from said movable surface at a location between said first and second flanges, said additional flange serving as a stop to prevent the end of the fabric sheet from fouling the positive and direct interengagement of said locking and body portions.

5. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein, when said cover is moved to said closed position, said second flange enters a gap between said second and third ribs, and said additional flange and said second flange straddle said second rib with said additional flange not engaging said second rib.

6. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein said member is configured and dimensioned such that, prior to moving said cover to said closed position, staples may be driven through said base to attach said border piece to the plane surface.

7. A border piece according to claim 1 where said body portion further includes a wall having a lower edge joining said base and an upper edge joining said hinge portion.

8. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein the side of said base from which said ribs project has, at a location between said first rib and a free end of said end, a V-notch so that the portion of said base between said V-notch and said free end can be removed and discarded.

9. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein the side of said base remote from said locking portion has serrations.

10. A border piece according to claim 1 further comprising tape with adhesive on both sides on the side of said first flange facing away from said second flange and tape with adhesive on both sides on the side of said cover facing said base, between said first and second flanges.

11. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein said plastic material is polyvinyl chloride.

12. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein said cover in said open position makes a normal acute angle of about 30°

with said base.

13. A border piece according to claim 1 wherein said second rib defines an enlarged spherical head at its free end and said second flange defines a socket-like recess adapted to receive said enlarged spherical head therewithin and maintain said enlarged head therewithin against accidental displacement.

14. A border piece for mounting a fabric sheet in parallel relationship with a plane surface, said border piece comprising an extruded member including a body portion providing said border piece with a base adapted to engage the plane surface, a locking portion, and a hinge portion connecting said body portion and said locking position, said locking portion providing said border piece with a cover that is pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position in which the fabric sheet is trapped between said body portion and said locking portion;

said locking and body portions having confronting movable and stationary surfaces, respectively, and said locking portion having first and second flanges projecting from said movable surface with said second flange between said first flange and said hinge portion, said body portion having first, second and third ribs projecting from said stationary surface, said first flange and said first rib being positioned to overlap each other in said closed position, and said second flange and said second rib being positioned to overlap each other in said closed position, said first flange and said first rib having surfaces that overlap and functionally interengage each other in said closed position, and said second flange and said second rib having surfaces that overlap and interengage each other in said closed position, said first rib and said first flange providing means for clamping the fabric sheet therebetween, and said second rib and second flange providing means for positive and direct interengagement to lock said locking portion in said closed position;

said body portion further including a wall having a lower edge joining said base, an upper edge joining said hinge portion, and a web that provides a surface to which the fabric sheet is temporarily securable, said web making an integral juncture with said wall at its said upper edge and extending therefrom in the direction away from said front end of said body portion, a leg depending from the edge of said web remote from said juncture and a foot extending from the edge of said leg remote from said web in the direction away from said wall to a back end of said body portion, said foot being essentially complanar with said base.

15. A border piece according to claim 14 wherein said web furnishes said border piece with a basting surface.

16. A border piece according to claim 14 wherein said web makes a small acute angle with the plane of said base.

17. A border piece according to claim 16 wherein said small acute angle is about 1°

49'"'"'.

18. A border piece according to claim 14 wherein, when said locking portion is in said closed position, said cover is essentially a continuation of said web, making said small acute angle with said base.

19. A border piece according to claim 14 wherein, when said cover is in said closed position, the fabric sheet is trapped and tensioned between said body portion and said locking portion and blocking substantially the entirety of said border piece from normal viewing.