Connection device and a method of forming a panel assembly

Abstract

A connection device 10 is provided which securely attaches to a hard plastic or glass pane 101 . The connection device 10 comprises a connection member 11 having a double-sided adhesive tape 35 and having one adhesive side 37 attached to a first surface 50 of the connection device 10 , and a second adhesive side 37 attached to an edge 107 of a glass or plastic pane 101 . A soft fabric material 102 is further attached to the connection device 10 to create a frame portion 104 which encapsulates the connection device 10 . A method 299 is also provided for forming a panel assembly 100.

1 ) A connection device comprising:
 a flexible connection member comprising a first surface and a second surface;   a first and second rib disposed on top surface of said connection member, wherein said first and said second ribs form a channel on said first surface; and   a pliable double-sided adhesive tape attached to said channel and effective to allow said first surface to be securely attached to a surface of a pane.   
   
   
       2 ) The connection device of  claim 1  wherein a thickness of said connection member varies from a first edge to a second edge. 
   
   
       3 ) The connection device of  claim 2 , wherein said connection member is Polyvinyl chloride. 
   
   
       4 ) The connection device of  claim 3  wherein said adhesive tape has a first adhesive surface attached to said channel and a second opposite adhesive surface that is attached to a surface of said pane. 
   
   
       5 ) A connection device comprising
 a body having a first edge of a first height and a second edge of a second height, said second height being longer than said first height;   a groove portion formed between said first and said second edges and being linearly coextensive to said first and said second edges, wherein said groove portion has a varying thickness along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said groove portion and said thickness increases from said first edge to said longitudinal axis and said thickness decreases from said longitudinal axis to said second edge; and   a double-sided adhesive portion attached to said groove and being linearly coextensive to said groove and having an exposed adhesive surface, effective to allow said body to be securely attached to a clear pane.   
   
   
       6 ) A connection assembly comprising
 a pane having a first surface and a second surface;   a first connection device and further comprising a body having a first edge of a first height and a second edge of a second height, said second height being longer than said first height; a first groove portion formed between said first and said second edges and being linearly coextensive to said first and said second edges, wherein said first groove portion has a varying thickness along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said first groove portion; and a first adhesive portion attached to said first groove and being linearly coextensive to said first groove and having a second adhesive surface attached to said first surface of said pane;   a second connection device further comprising a body having a third edge of a third height and a fourth edge of a fourth height, said fourth height being longer than said third height; a second groove portion formed between said third and said fourth edges and being linearly coextensive to said third and said fourth edges, wherein said second groove portion has a varying thickness along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of said second groove portion; and a third adhesive portion attached to said second groove and being linearly coextensive to said second groove and having a fourth adhesive surface attached to said second surface of said pane;   a first and second fabric material attached to said first and said second connection devices, effective to cause said first and said second connection devices to be securely attached to said window pane.   
   
   
       7 ) A method for forming a panel assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a non-porous semi-rigid pane having a first smooth surface and a second smooth surface;   providing a plurality of connection devices, wherein said connection devices having double-sided adhesive tape;   encasing said semi-rigid pane in a flexible frame, made of flexible fabric material, by
 1) folding a first flexible fabric material around a first connection device while exposing said pliable adhesive tape, and stitching said flexible fabric material along folded end; 
 2) folding a second flexible fabric material around a second connection device while exposing said pliable adhesive tape and stitching said fabric material along said folded end; 
 3) stitching first connection device to second connection device so as to form a pocket 
 4) inserting said semi-rigid pane into said pocket; 
 5) attaching adhesive strip of first connection device to said first surface of said pane and second connection device to said second surface of said pane; 
 6) stitching said first fabric material to said second fabric material; and 
 7) repeating steps 1-6 to completely encase semi-rigid panes in a flexible frame.