Method and system for mounting a sheet

Abstract

A method for mounting a sheet delimited by edges substantially in a plane, the method involving 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.

Claims

1. 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; interconnecting the corner segments by fitting at least one mounting member in between the corner segments; providing a connection member, which is flexible and glued to the back of the sheet, part of the connection member forming at least one connection region that is configured to attach one of the corner segments to the connection member, the connection region comprising at least one attachment portion that is folded or foldable towards the corner segment and out of the plane; attaching each corner segment to a respective attachment portion that is folded out of the plane; and subsequently forcing the corner segments apart in outward directions substantially along the plane.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein providing a plurality of corner segments comprises: providing at least two engagement members, each comprising 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.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each corner segment is attached to the connection member using at least one connection region.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein 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.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the at least two connection regions at each corner are substantially perpendicular to each other.

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion comprises at least one opening which is adapted to be attached to the corner segment.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: providing at least one cover member, wherein the cover member or the corner segment comprises at least one protrusion that is adapted to be accommodated inside an opening; placing at least one cover member over the openings, in order to attach the at least one attachment portion to the corner segment, wherein the at least one cover member is fixed to the corner segment, to maintain the at least one attachment portion in place and keep the at least one attachment portion attached to the cover member and the corner segment.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the corner segment or the cover member comprises at least one cavity, the cavity being adapted to at least partially accommodate a protrusion therein.

11. A mounting system configured to mount a sheet delimited by edges substantially in one plane, wherein the plane is defined by the sheet, the system comprising, a plurality of engagement members configured 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, wherein 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, and wherein each corner segment is connectable to a connection member which is flexible and adherable to the back of the sheet, the connection member including an attachment portion that is folded or foldable towards the corner segment and out of the plane when the connection member is adhered to the back of the sheet, and the corner segment being connectable to the connection member by attaching to the attachment portion when folded out of the plane.

12. (canceled)

13. The mounting system according to claim 11, wherein 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.

14. (canceled)

15. The mounting system according to claim 11, wherein the at least one attachment portion comprises at least one opening, and the corner segment comprises at least one protrusion that is adapted to be accommodated inside the at least one opening.

16. The mounting system according to claim 11, further comprising at least one cover member placed against the attachment portion to maintain the attachment portion in place and keep the attachment portion attached to the corner segment.

17. The mounting system according to claim 16, wherein the at least one cover member comprises at least one cavity, wherein the at least one cavity is adapted to at least partially accommodate a protrusion therein.

18. The mounting system according to claim 11, wherein the at least attachment portion each comprise at least one opening, and wherein the mounting system further comprises at least one cover member, which comprises at least one protrusion, wherein the at least one protrusion is adapted to be accommodated inside an opening and the cover member is placed over the at least one attachment portion and attached to the corner segment, to maintain the at least one attachment portion in place and to attach the at least one attachment portion to the corner segment.

19. The mounting system according to claim 18, wherein the corner segment comprises at least one cavity, the cavity is being adapted to at least partially accommodate a protrusion therein.

20. The mounting system according to claim 11, wherein 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 a connection member which is attachable to the back of the sheet, wherein the first attachment part is connectable to the second attachment part.

21. A connection member, comprising: a planar portion, adapted to be attached to the back side of a sheet; at least one attachment portion, adapted to be attached to a corner segment; and wherein the connection member is adapted to be used in the method according to claim 1.

22. The connection member according to claim 21, wherein the planar portion comprises an adhesive to make the connection member attachable to the back side of a sheet.

23. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] 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.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a back side view of a mounting system with sheet according to an embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an enlarged part of FIG. 1;

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a second attachment part and a connection member according to an embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional image of a part of a mounting system with a sheet according to an embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a second attachment part and a connection member according to an embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a second attachment part and a connection member according to an alternative embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a second attachment part and a connection member according to an alternative embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 8 shows a back side view of a mounting system with sheet according to an embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 9 shows a back side view of a mounting system with sheet according to an embodiment;

[0044] 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.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a back side view of a mounting system 1 with sheet 2. The sheet 2 is delimited by two long edges 13b, 13d and two short edges 13a, 13c. The mounting system 1 comprises two engagement members 12, which can each be attached to the back 2a of the sheet 2, virtually out of sight when viewed from the image side 2b. To this end, an engagement member 12 has a substantially elongate shape and has movable and length-adjustable components. In addition, the engagement member 12 is designed to engage with the sheet 2 at certain positions. Furthermore, the mounting system 1 comprises one mounting member 3, which is arranged between the engagement members 12. The mounting member 3 serves to keep the engagement members 12 at a virtually attached position with respect to one another, during use of the mounting system 1 when keeping the sheet 2 mounted. Each engagement member 12 extends along substantially the entire length of a respective edge 13a,13c of the sheet. In this case, each engagement member 12 only acts on the corners 32 of the sheet 2. The mounting member 3 is also adjustable in length. This is achieved in a simple manner, as the mounting member 3 has a base part 6 and a part 7 which is displaceable therefrom, for example a telescopic part 7. As a result thereof, a mounting member 3 of such a design can be used with canvasses or sheets 2 of different dimensions. In addition, attaching means are present by means of which each mounting member 3 is attached at a set length. These attaching means are formed by a crossing member which has an aperture through which the telescopic part 7 extends in the embodiment shown. The attaching means can alternatively be designed as a simple adjusting screw or other attachment means in other embodiments.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged part of FIG. 1, depicting a portion of the back side 2a of sheet 2 in the vicinity a corner 32. A corner segment 12a, at one side connected to a main segment 12b, is at the other side connected to a connection member 14. The connection member 14 is a flexible sticker, glued to the back side 2a of the sheet 2. Here, the corner segment 12a consists of a first attachment part 17 and a second attachment part 18, which are releasably connected. The connection member 14 comprises two folded parts (not shown), folded out of the plane S defined by the sheet 2, towards the back side 2a of the sheet 2. The second attachment part 18 is adapted to engage with the folded parts in a form-fitting manner. A cover member 42 is placed over the folded parts and attached to the second attachment part 18 to hold the folded parts in place.

[0049] 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.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the second attachment part 18, the connection member 14 and the cover member 42. The connection member 14 defines folded parts 16 which are folded in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sheet (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The folding lines connecting the folded parts 16 with the remainder of the connection member 14 together with the folded parts 16 are connection regions 15. The folded parts 16 each comprise openings 14. The cover member 42 comprises protrusions 41, which can be accommodated inside the openings 40 and in cavities 43 which are provided in the second attachment part 18. The cover member 42 and second attachment part 18 further comprise fixing mechanisms 44, which are adapted to engage with each other to stably connect the cover member 42 and the second attachment part 18. As such, the folded parts 16 are fixed to the second attachment part 18 and thus to the corner segment. When the second attachment part 18 and the cover member stay connected, the connection member 14 cannot be released, other than by tearing material of the connection member 14.

[0051] FIG. 4 schematically shows a cross-section of a part of FIG. 2. The sheet 2 is provided with the connection member 14, glued to the sheet 2 until close to the edge 13b. Part of the connection member 14 is folded out of the plane defined by the sheet 2, forming a connection region 15 with a folded part 16. The folded part 16 is in this case folded backwards to the back side 2a of the sheet 2, until an angle of 90 degrees between the sheet 2 and the folded part 16. A second attachment part 18 is accommodated against the connection member 14 in a form-fitting manner. The first attachment part 17 is connected to the second attachment part 18. A cover member 42 with a protrusion 41 is placed over the folded parts 16 while the protrusion 41 is accommodated in an opening in the folded part 16.

[0052] FIG. 5 schematically shows an alternative shape of a second attachment part 118 and a connection member 114. Features that have already been described above with reference to the first embodiment may also be present in FIGS. 5-6, and will not all be discussed here again. For the discussion with reference to FIGS. 5-6, like features are designated with similar reference numerals preceded by 100, to distinguish the embodiments.

[0053] In FIG. 5, the connection member 114 comprises a folded part 116 perpendicular to the sheet 102. The folding line with the folded part 116 forms a connection region 115. An opening 140 in the folded part 116 accommodates a protrusion 141, which is itself covered by a cover member 142. In this way, the second attachment part 118 is well attached to the sheet 102.

[0054] 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.

[0055] FIG. 6 shows a second attachment part 218 and a connection member 214. The second attachment part 218 comprises four protrusions 241, protruding in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion 226 of the connection member 214. The connection member 214 comprises four openings 240 in the folded parts 216, arranged such that they can each accommodate a protrusion 241 when the second attachment part 218 is placed against the connection regions 215. The connection member 214 is flexible, such that the openings 240 can be stretched to accommodate the protrusions 241, and will remain fixed afterwards.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a second attachment part 318 and a connection member 314. The second attachment part 318 comprises six protrusions 341, protruding in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion 326 of the connection member 314. The connection member 314 comprises six openings 340 in the folded parts 316, arranged such that they can each accommodate a protrusion 341 when the second attachment part 318 is placed against the connection regions 315. The connection member 314 can be flexible, such that the openings 340 can be stretched to accommodate the protrusions 341, and will remain fixed afterwards. An L-shaped cover member 342 is firstly placed (e.g. glued) against the folded parts 316, and the second attachment part 318 is placed against the folded parts and the inner side of the cover member (with the protrusions 341 engaging through the openings 340) afterwards.

[0057] FIG. 8 shows a back side view of an embodiment of a mounting system 101 mounted at the back side 102a of a rectangular sheet 102. The mounting system 101 comprises an X-shaped mounting member 106, which consists of two rods that are pivotally connected in their centre. The four legs 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d of the X-shaped mounting member 106 extend all to a different corner 132 of the sheet 102. At each leg 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d, a corner segment 112a has been connected via a spring element 111, such that the corner segment 112a can resiliently translate in a direction defined by the longitudinal axis of the respective leg 106a. The corner segment 112a is attached to a flexible connection member 114, which is glued to the back 102a of the sheet 102 in the vicinity of a corner 132. In use, the spring elements 111 force the corner segments 112a apart in the plane defined by the sheet 102, such that a flat sheet 102 is ensured.

[0058] FIG. 9 shows a back side view of an embodiment of a mounting system 201 mounted at the back side 202a of a rectangular sheet 202. The mounting system 102 comprises a rectangular mounting member 206, which has a shape defined by the edges of a rectangle. At each corner 206a, 206b, 206c, 206d of the rectangular mounting member 206, a corner segment 212a has been connected via a spring element 211, and extends towards a corner 232 of the sheet 202. The corner segment 212a can thus resiliently translate with respect to the rectangular mounting member 206. The corner segment 212a and/or the spring element 211 may be pivotally connected to the rectangular mounting member 206, such that the mounting system 201 can adjust for the shape of the sheet 202. Only pivoting in the plane defined by the sheet 202 may be allowed. Each corner segment 212a is attached to a flexible connection member 214 which is glued to the back 202a of the sheet 202 in the vicinity of a corner 232. The spring elements 211 can force the corner segments 212a outward in the plane defined by the sheet 202, such that a flat sheet 202 is ensured.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.