With Fabric-fastening Elements Patents (Class 38/102.91)
  • Patent number: 11111678
    Abstract: A modular wall overlay system for installation on a support surface includes a frame; a cover that is securely, yet detachably, retained on and along a front face of the frame by a tensioning mechanism that is configured to tension the cover; and elastic corner inserts that are disposed in corners of the frame and include curved outer surfaces that are configured to permit the cover to be stretched over the elastic corner inserts creating radiused corners and preventing tearing of the cover in corners thereof when the cover is tensioned by the tensioning mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: RAYVA International LLC
    Inventors: Paul Stary, Theodore Kalomirakis
  • Patent number: 10334972
    Abstract: A modular poster print stretch frame for displaying a variety of sizes of poster prints. The modular poster print stretch frame may comprise a plurality of modular frame sections, each having a section body and two or more connectors disposed on at least two faces of the section body, each connector being configured to link the modular frame section to at least one other modular frame section. Modular frame sections may also include a plurality of retaining structures which may be used to retain a fabric sheet, such as a poster print. Some or all of the modular frame sections may be substantially identical to and interchangeable with each other, allowing for simple and easy assembly of the modular poster print stretch frame to a variety of sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Inventor: Vitali Servutas
  • Patent number: 10137726
    Abstract: A painting rack assembly, including a frame portion having a first pair of spaced, parallel elongated members, a second pair of spaced, parallel semi-elongated members connected to the first pair of spaced, parallel elongated members to define a parallelogram further defining a working plane, a respective centered pivotable connector operationally connected to each respective semi-elongated member, and a plurality of fabric connection assemblies operationally connected to and distributed around the parallelogram, and a support assembly operationally connected to the frame portion having a pair of elongated support members, each respective elongated support member connected to a respective pivotable connector at one end and having a connection socket at the other, oppositely disposed end, and a pair of spaced elongated stabilizing members extending orthogonally from each respective elongated support member and oriented parallel to the working plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Inventor: David Murrow
  • Patent number: 9470039
    Abstract: A framed architectural mesh panel system including a mesh panel; a frame assembly; and a tensioning system; wherein the tensioning system is integrated within the frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Cambridge International, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9289081
    Abstract: A window screen system including two main parts, namely, a reinforced window frame and a combined window and a force resistant flex screen system or assembly. The window frame has at least one forward and one reward vertical slot capable of receiving the combined window and flex screen. The frame is securable to a structure and extends thereinto providing for easy removal of the systems received in the vertical slots. The screen system is formed of a mesh flex screen material. Winding rods, with teeth extending therefrom, line each edge of the flex screen and engage the screen material rotatably secure the screen with the teeth. Each juncture of the winding rods is secured by a corner cap. The flex screen system is sealed with a polymer seal about the winding rods. A screen cap is securely placed along the top edge and secured by the polymer seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Valerie J. Wells
  • Patent number: 9186880
    Abstract: A print screen frame tensioning system, generally rectangular in shape and fabricated from extruded tubular rails, each rail of the frame having a longitudinal channel, generally circular in cross sectional area, formed in each of the tubular rails for substantially the length of the tubular rails for receipt of a tension roller, the tension roller having its entire length axially serrated in order to accept a tensioning tool at one end, the tension roller having a longitudinal groove or slot formed therein for receipt of a fabric panel and locking strip, there being a locking strip associated with each edge of a fabric panel being slidably secured to each tension roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Michael M Vasilantone
  • Publication number: 20150068075
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stretching device for artistic media, which includes a pair of horizontal and vertical frame members. The horizontal frame members and the vertical frame members can be removably connected by means of L-shaped joints to form a rectangular frame. Each of the horizontal frame members and the vertical frame members include an upper flat bar and a lower flat bar slideably attached thereto by means of slide screws. The upper flat bar and the lower flat bar can be brought closer together so as to hold an edge of a piece of paper therebetween by adjusting clamping screws affixed thereto. The upper flat bar and the lower flat bar can be moved away from the horizontal frame member or the vertical frame member by means of stretch knob screws. In one embodiment, the device may be utilized to stretch watercolor paper and prevent the paper from wrinkling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel R. Lareau
  • Publication number: 20140352184
    Abstract: A novel display surface framing and support apparatus capable of temporarily or permanently securing canvas art and other substrates in a taunt manner without damaging the display surface. Upon assembly, the structural members join in a self-squaring fashion creating a square or rectangular frame. In preferred embodiments, the framing and support apparatus generally comprises four frame members which are substantially three sided in profile, and four corner joiners that are inserted into the ends of each frame member and being secured with a plurality of fastening means. The periphery of the display surface wraps over and around the frame members and is secured into a securement groove that is continuous along each frame member. In some embodiments, a spline element may be used to press the display surface into the securement groove of each frame member to thereby fix the display surface to the apparatus in a taunt fashion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen Taylor Hall
  • Patent number: 8900392
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of directing bias tows of a fabric to be wrapped around a form to create a fabric preform. The fabric includes at least a first set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another and a second set of bias tows that are generally parallel with one another but that are not parallel with the first set of bias tows. An edge strip is attached to ends of the first set of bias tows at a first lateral edge of the fabric relative to a feed direction of the fabric onto the form. The edge strip is moved to direct the first set of bias tows. The fabric is wrapped around the form by rotating the fabric and form relative to one another about the central axis of the form to create the fabric preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Aerospace Services Structures, Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Robert Hayse
  • Publication number: 20140190047
    Abstract: A retractable quilt clamp apparatus is disclosed having a clamp attached to a strap, and a strap retraction mechanism attached to the strap. The strap retraction mechanism is configured to retract and retain at least part of the strap. The strap retraction mechanism includes a case, a spool, a spiral spring, and a brake. The case at least partially houses and retains the spool. The case and the spool retain the spiral spring. The strap is attached to the spiral spring, which biases the strap to be wound about the spool. The case includes a brake region for retaining and guiding movement of the brake. The brake is configured to press against the strap when in a locked position, and to allow clearance for the strap to move relative to the case when in an unlocked position. A bracket is used to attach the apparatus to a quilting frame, such as a quilting frame of a longarm quilting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: Quilter's Gear, LLC
    Inventors: Catherine Mae McCoy, Richard Thomas McCoy, Donna C. Watford
  • Patent number: 8752312
    Abstract: A stretching system to stretch a canvas or material on a frame without the use of stretching pliers and staples. Special purpose corner clamps are used to secure the stretcher bars into an initial open miter frame to orient the double sided adhesive strip on the side of the stretchers towards the canvas or material while maintaining the adhesive strip from touching the canvas or material. After alignment, the stretching bars are pressed down and attached onto the canvas or material and the corners are released. The corner clamps are removed and canvas or material corners are cut and folded into the open miter ends which also have adhesive strips. By rotating the stretchers axially 90 degrees into the final frame, thus closing the miters, and upon inserting U-shaped fasteners into the grooves placed on the back of the stretcher, the canvas or material is stretched and ready to display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Vaz
  • Patent number: 8662137
    Abstract: A system for attaching a shade material to a roller having recesses in its surface includes inserting portions of the shade material into an associated elongated recess and retaining the material in the recess with an attachment member having peaks and valleys along its length for intermittent engagement with the material within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Industries BV
    Inventor: Jörg Bohlen
  • Patent number: 8627590
    Abstract: Disclosed is a frame assembly including a framing member and an extrusion member. The frame assembly further includes a sheet having a graphic thereon. The sheet includes a gasket at a perimeter thereof, and the gasket is positioned in a channel of the extrusion member such that the channel supports the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: James D. Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8453361
    Abstract: A quilt fabrication and display device and kit of parts for producing the display device. The device includes upper and lower stretcher rails separated from one another by use of a pair of rail support members, the upper stretcher rails and lower stretcher rails being substantially parallel to one another and the rail support members being substantially parallel to one another and substantially orthogonal to the upper and lower stretcher rails. The upper and lower stretcher rails and the rail support members are of two subparts and the kit includes fasteners for selectively connecting the subparts for assembly and disassembly of the device. A set of four butterfly wing extenders are provided each extender selectively attachable to the upper stretcher rails and lower stretcher rails such that when assembled, two of the butterfly wing extenders extend above the upper stretcher rails and two of the butterfly wing extenders extend below the lower stretcher rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Roberto Garcia
  • Patent number: 8430027
    Abstract: A frame unit for tensioning a printing screen, the frame unit comprising a frame including at least one frame member, the at least one frame member comprising: a supporting frame element; at least one engagement element for engaging a fitted printing screen to tension the same, wherein the at least one engagement element comprises a body which is pivotally coupled to the supporting frame element such that the at least one engagement element is pivotable in one, tensioning sense to tension a fitted printing screen and the other, opposite sense to adopt a configuration in which a printing screen can be fitted to or removed from the frame unit, a first, engagement arm extending from the body for engaging a fitted printing screen, and a second, biasing arm extending from the body to which a biasing force is applied to bias the at least one engagement element to pivot in the tensioning sense; and at least one biasing element operative to apply a biasing force to the biasing arm of the at least one engagement eleme
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: DEK International GmbH
    Inventors: Fraser Shaw, James Graham Hall, Lesley Piatek
  • Patent number: 8413356
    Abstract: A canvas or material stretching system designed to allow a professional or amateur user to stretch a canvas or material on a frame without the use of stretching pliers and staples, both of which require considerable skill and strength. Special purpose corner clamps are temporarily used to secure the stretcher bars into an initial open miter frame. The purpose of this is to orient the double sided adhesive strip on the side of the stretchers towards the canvas or material while maintaining the adhesive strip from touching the canvas or material. Once alignment is achieved, the stretching bars are pressed down and attached onto the canvas or material and the corners are released. The corner clamps are removed and canvas or material corners are cut and folded into the open miter ends which also have adhesive strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Artex Picture Frames Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Vaz
  • Publication number: 20120324770
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stretcher bar frame and canvas fastening system specifically designed for artists. The stretcher bar framing system consists of side bar, corner, and connecting segments that snap fit and interlock for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. The snap fit interlocking side bar, corner, and connecting segments features a locking mechanism that utilizes a male plug member and a female socket member. The connecting segment plug member includes four resilient flexible arms with flat tooth surfaces that interlock when fully inserted into the socket members of the side bar and corner segments. The plug and socket members snap together for a tight and straight fit that can be quickly released and separated using a side release mechanism. The side release mechanism disengages the stretcher bar frame's side bar, corner, and connecting segments by pressing inward on the flat tooth surface of the flexible latching arms of the connecting segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Claudia Marie Cappelle, Richard David Karasiewski
  • Publication number: 20120227293
    Abstract: A stretching system to stretch a canvas or material on a frame without the use of stretching pliers and staples. Special purpose corner clamps are used to secure the stretcher bars into an initial open miter frame to orient the double sided adhesive strip on the side of the stretchers towards the canvas or material while maintaining the adhesive strip from touching the canvas or material. After alignment, the stretching bars are pressed down and attached onto the canvas or material and the corners are released. The corner clamps are removed and canvas or material corners are cut and folded into the open miter ends which also have adhesive strips. By rotating the stretchers axially 90 degrees into the final frame, thus closing the miters, and upon inserting U-shaped fasteners into the grooves placed on the back of the stretcher, the canvas or material is stretched and ready to display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Vaz
  • Patent number: 8220387
    Abstract: A frame for tensioning fabric such as a silkscreen mesh is described. The frame includes a groove for securing the fabric using a locking strip. The groove includes a central cavity between a groove floor and a groove entrance, an insertion cavity coupled to the groove entrance and the floor, a side cavity opposite the central cavity from the insertion cavity and coupled to the groove entrance and the floor, and a pivot disposed on the groove floor. The side cavity includes a vertex. The insertion cavity may be adjacent the central cavity. A portion of the side cavity may be removed at an end of the frame for softening corners of the fabric or mesh. Locking strips may be stitched to edges of the fabric or mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: John O. H. Niswonger
  • Patent number: 8156668
    Abstract: A method and tool for stretching a fabric with a fastener eyelet socket to mate the fastener eyelet socket with a fastener stud, the method and tool aligning the socket with the stud for final fastening, the fabric stretching tool with a handle at one end and a shaft secured to the second end with a wedge-shaped tip located at a distal end of the shaft, a sloped surface defined on the wedge-shaped tip, and a semi-spherical concave cavity formed in the sloped surface of the wedge-shaped tip to mate with the fastener stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mutual Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Marvin W Garrett, Leo M Moore
  • Patent number: 8122624
    Abstract: A stretching system to stretch a canvas or material on a frame without the use of stretching pliers and staples. Special purpose corner clamps are used to secure the stretcher bars into an initial open miter frame to orient the double sided adhesive strip on the side of the stretchers towards the canvas or material while maintaining the adhesive strip from touching the canvas or material. After alignment, the stretching bars are pressed down and attached onto the canvas or material and the corners are released. The corner clamps are removed and canvas or material corners are cut and folded into the open miter ends which also have adhesive strips. By rotating the stretchers axially 90 degrees into the final frame, thus closing the miters, and upon inserting U-shaped fasteners into grooves placed on the back of the stretcher the canvas or material is stretched and ready to display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Paul Vaz
  • Publication number: 20120005926
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stretcher bar framing and canvas fastening system specifically designed for artists. The stretcher bar framing system consists of side bar segments of variable lengths and pre-molded corner segments that are snap fitting and interlocking for quick and easy assembly and disassembly. The snap fit interlocking bar and corner segments feature a locking mechanism that utilizes a male plug member and a female socket member. The plug member includes a pair of resilient flexible arms with a flat surface tooth that interlocks when fully inserted in the socket member. The plug and socket members snap together for a tight and straight fit that can be quickly released using a side release mechanism. The side release mechanism disengages the stretcher bar segments by pressing inward on the flat tooth surface of the latching arms located within the side aperture on the bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: CLAUDIA MARIE CAPPELLE, Richard David Karasiewski
  • Patent number: 7797864
    Abstract: A modified static silkscreen frame including elongated elements on the upper surface of each frame element to mate with downwardly facing securement elements along the edge of a silkscreen panel, such that the panel may be properly tensioned and retensioned as necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Inventor: James D. Larson
  • Publication number: 20100218404
    Abstract: A canvas or material stretching system designed to allow an inexperienced user to stretch a canvas or material on a frame without the use of stretching pliers and staples, both of which require considerable skill and strength. Special purpose corner clamps are used to secure the stretcher bars into an initial open miter frame. The purpose of this is to orient the double sided adhesive strip on the side of the stretchers towards the canvas or material while maintaining the adhesive strip from touching the canvas or material. Once alignment is achieved, the stretching bars are pressed down and attached onto the canvas or material and the corners are released. The corner clamps are removed and canvas or material corners are cut and folded into the open miter ends which also have adhesive strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: Artex Picture Frames Ltd.
    Inventor: Paul Vaz
  • Patent number: 7774960
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for applying canvas to a frame comprising a surface (112) for supporting a sheet of canvas and a frame, a pair of parallel members (114) mounted on the support surface of the apparatus, means (141) for retaining the canvas and the frame on the support surface and control means for controlling operation of the apparatus. Each member (114) has a clamping bar arrangement (128) operable to engage a side end of the canvas to be applied, a stretcher bar (137), clamping drive means (125) operable to engage the canvas against side edges of the frame and stretcher bar drive means (139) operable to stretch the canvas over the edge of the frame and retain the canvas in the stretched state to enable the canvas to be secured to the frame. Means (129) for adjusting the clamping bar arrangement (128) and the clamping drive means (125) are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Aidan Joseph Whelan
  • Publication number: 20100192428
    Abstract: A stand includes a horizontal beam supported at two opposite ends by two respective footed legs. The legs and beam are sized to straddle a chair or bed while a human user is sitting in the chair or bed. A top surface of the beam is at a vertical level such that the user may comfortably quilt with a quilting hoop supported by the top surface of the beam. Two lateral supports are attached to the beam in spaced apart relationship and extend above the top surface of the beam. The supports are spaced apart by a distance less than a width of a quilting hoop such that the quilting hoop may be partially inserted between and abut against the supports while being supported by the beam. The supports limit movement of the hoop in lateral directions and in a direction away from the user while the hoop is being supported by the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: INA RUTH GOSNEY
  • Patent number: 7757416
    Abstract: A portable and stowable quilting wall has generally rectangular body composed of a smooth backing sheet sewn peripherally to a mating front sheet of heavy nap felt. A top hem mounts spaced pieces of hook fasteners interspersed with holes. A bottom hem confines a heavy rod, while the backing sheet mounts strips of loop fasteners that are spaced to engage the hook fasteners when the wall is rolled up on itself to retain the quilting wall in a rolled-up condition for easy movement and storage. The felt nap releasably engages pieces of quilt pieces placed and retains them in both rolled-up and unrolled conditions, without the use of added adhesive or mechanical fasteners. The holes in the top hem receive hooks to hang the unrolled sheet against a wall or door, while the rod maintains the quilting wall flat against a vertical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Inventors: Kim Shearrow, Mary Montgomery
  • Patent number: 7752963
    Abstract: A screen fabric frame is disclosed including a locking strip and a frame member. The frame member includes a locking strip groove extending at least a portion of a length of the frame member. The locking strip groove includes a central groove configured to receive the locking strip, a minor side groove having a minor depth, and a major side groove distal the central groove, the major side groove having a major depth greater than minor depth of the minor side groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Inventor: John O. H. Niswonger
  • Patent number: 7698840
    Abstract: Artists prefer to paint on canvas. Paintings previous to this invention, canvas paintings hung on flat walls because the have a flat back. This invention, a tubular canvas can not be place flat on a wall; it must either hang from the ceiling, set on flat pedestal so the viewer can walk around to see the painting in its entirety. With the Full Moon Canvas, the artist paints not on a flat canvas surface but a 360 degree round-tube-shaped, always curving, canvas of any height or circumference. Oil, acrylic or any art media can be applied. (To clarify only, visualize a drum where the sides are painted). It is constructed out of light weight wood. The flat top and bottom are exposed folded canvas from stretching the canvas. When the piece is finished, the flat ends are covered with smooth wood thus creating the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventor: Willow Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7699091
    Abstract: An improved staple-in fabric awning system is provided. The awing has a frame made of ribs with outwardly exposed longitudinally extending staple slots. A fabric canopy covers the frame and is tucked into and secured within the staple slots. A vinyl strip is configured to snap into the staple slots of the awning atop the canopy to span and hide the tucked in portions and cover the staples therein. The vinyl strip is covered at least on its exposed top portion with fabric that may visually blend into the fabric of the canopy or that may visually contrast with the fabric of the canopy. The system includes snap-in and snap-on plastic perimeter flanges and out rod flanges that are mounted on the perimeter ribs and out rods that form a grid on the underside of the awning. The plastic flanges form inwardly projecting lips around the openings of the underside grids that support egg crate ceiling panels to form an aesthetically pleasing underside ceiling of the awning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Steel Stitch Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Fisher, Sr., Larry Fisher, Jr., West Fisher
  • Patent number: 7681510
    Abstract: An embroidery frame holding workpiece cloth for embroidery sewing includes a lower frame receiving a lower side of the workpiece cloth and having a cloth clamping side, an upper frame holding the workpiece cloth in cooperation with the lower frame between the frames and having a cloth holding side, a clamp mechanism pressing the upper frame against the lower frame and retaining the upper frame in a pressing state, and a hold assisting member enhancing hold of the workpiece cloth and detachably attached to the cloth holding side of at least one of the upper and lower frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7644526
    Abstract: An extension tool is provided for stretching a sheet-shaped material over its entirety with minimal adjusting portions and uniform tension. Four corner members are disposed along with four frame members for forming a rectangular frame. Four rods are disposed so as to pass through the four frame members and allow the sides and corners to move towards and away from each other for adjusting the size of the frame. One set of corner members are located on the diagonals and are provided with a moving mechanism for moving the rods along the sides of the rectangle. The extension tool for tensioning the material further comprises a transmission mechanism for converting the movement of a rod in a first side of the rectangle between first corner pairs into a reversing and approaching movement of a second rod in a second side of the frame between second corner pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Inventor: Furetsu Kasuya
  • Publication number: 20090217557
    Abstract: This application relates to systems and methods for stretching artistic media, such as watercolor paper and/or canvas. In particular, this application discusses an artistic media stretcher and associated methods. Generally, the media stretcher includes a frame on which the medium is stretched and a hinged clamping mechanism that is adapted to both stretch the medium and to secure the medium to the frame. Some examples of suitable hinged clamping mechanisms include a double-hinged; single-hinged, tongue-and-catch; a barbell-hinged, half-barbell hinged, and a hybrid-hinged clamping mechanism. In some cases, the media stretcher is made so that paint can run off the medium without collecting at the edges. For example, the medium may be raised above the closest edges of the hinged-clamping mechanism so that paint is not retained in contact with the medium by the clamping mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventor: Duane Serrano
  • Patent number: 7506596
    Abstract: The present invention provides an embroidery holder assembly for use in embroidery machines. The invention includes an embroidery hoop with two attachment points on opposite sides for attaching removable mounting tabs that secure the hoop to a locking mechanism in an embroidery machine. The tabs are specifically shaped for the model of machine used and can be replaced with different tabs for use with other models. A metal frame fits within the hoop and has tongue tabs that fold over and rest on the upper surface of the hoop ensuring the hoop supports the weight of the frame. A holder plate fits over the metal frame within the hoop and holds fabric between itself and the frame. The plate has a cutout section that defines an embroidering area in which the machine stitches a pattern. Magnets are placed in side slots in the plate that overlie the metal frame to secure the holder plate in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Monier Bowlus
  • Publication number: 20090071044
    Abstract: A method and tool for stretching a fabric with a fastener eyelet socket to mate the fastener eyelet socket with a fastener stud, the method and tool aligning the socket with the stud for final fastening, the fabric stretching tool with a handle at one end and a shaft secured to the second end with a wedge-shaped tip located at a distal end of the shaft, a sloped surface defined on the wedge-shaped tip, and a semi-spherical concave cavity formed in the sloped surface of the wedge-shaped tip to mate with the fastener stud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: MUTUAL HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Marvin W. Garrett, Leo M. Moore
  • Patent number: 7469493
    Abstract: A stretched painting canvas having a stretcher bar structure and a canvas wrapped across the stretcher bar structure so as to create a display surface, wherein at least two opposing sides of said stretcher bar are angled inward relative to said display surface such that a sum of said opposing sides' inward angles is equal to the angle formed by two intersecting walls, where each said inward angle of said opposing sides is greater than 0 degrees and said angle formed by two intersecting walls is greater than 0 degrees but less than 180 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Tara Materials Inc.
    Inventor: John Pacovsky
  • Patent number: 7458174
    Abstract: The invention relates to an embroidery frame and a frame cover configured to mate with the fabric frame and align a fabric frame opening with a frame cover opening to provide a single embroidery frame opening, where the frame cover has a plurality of engagement members adapted to releasably engage the fabric frame and cover the gripper strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc.
    Inventors: Clella Gustin, Jared Burton, Chad McBride, Gerry Ayala
  • Publication number: 20080289229
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stretcher lath to be used in a frame for a painter's canvas or the like, wherein the stretcher lath comprises a main part and attached thereto a flexible leg. The leg is flexible in a direction substantially perpendicular in the principal plane of the frame. The free end of the leg is located in or within the periphery of the frame. The invention further relates to a frame, comprising a stretcher lath according to the invention and to a painter's canvas fastened to a frame according to the invention. The invention also relates to a method for fastening a painter's canvas to a frame according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: Hoopman V.o.f.
    Inventor: Jeroen Joost Van Beeten
  • Patent number: 7418771
    Abstract: A clip for clamping a cloth according to the invention is mounted on an embroidery frame including an outer frame, and an inner frame which is internally engaged with the outer frame thereby to hold a cloth to be worked between the outer frame and the inner frame. The clip includes a leaf spring member which can be detachably mounted on the outer frame, and an urging member which is fitted to this leaf spring member and adapted to press the cloth to be worked onto the inner frame. The leaf spring member has a first engaging portion adapted to be engaged with a lower part of the outer frame from outside, a first plate portion extending upwardly from the first engaging portion, a second plate portion formed in an upper part of this first plate portion by way of a bent portion and downwardly inclined along an inner face of the outer frame, and a second engaging portion formed in this second plate portion and adapted to be engaged with an upper part of the outer frame from inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masayuki Hori
  • Patent number: 7377222
    Abstract: A clamping device and method for a conventional sewing or embroidery machine has a pair of movable arms. Each of the arms includes a fixed section and a movable section for receiving material or item to be embroidered therebetween. A manual lever allows the movable arm to be raised for insertion of the material and a scale on the arm allows the depth of insertion to be easily determined for accurate insertion. Each arm is movable along a slotted mounting plate affixed to the sewing machine proximate the sewing head. The clamping device provides uniform, taut material for accurate, smooth embroidering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Inventor: E. Frank Moore, III
  • Patent number: 7306022
    Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for manufacturing a filtering screen, a frame of plastics coated metal or reinforced plastics material is located in a jig and at least two sheets of wire cloths are placed over the frame and their edges gripped by pneumatically operated clamps carried by the jig. The clamps are pneumatically driven outwardly of the frame to tension each cloth in orthogonal directions. The tensioned cloths are pressed against the frame and heated in order to bond the cloths to the frame. The heated material is allowed to cool, and after completion of the bonding step the clamps are released, allowing the frame to be removed from the jig. Where necessary the cloths are trimmed back to the edges of the frame. A separate set of pneumatically operated clamps may be provided for gripping all four edges of each wire cloth layer to allow each layer to be individually tensioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: United Wire Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Hughes, Morton Barrowmore Auld
  • Patent number: 7293378
    Abstract: A device for tensioning and maintaining a canvas, comprising a frame having a groove, and at least one deformable batten. The canvas is stretched and maintained on the frame by wedging it between the groove and the deformable batten. The deformable batten comprises a substantially V-shaped section which is oriented towards the bottom of the groove, a sharp edge which is used as a pivot to enable the deformation thereof, and two flanks which are used to wedge the canvas in the groove. The invention is characterized in that the batten is locked in a narrow section of the groove by two enlargements extending on one flank of the batten in the same direction as the batten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Prismaflex International
    Inventor: Eric Bihr
  • Patent number: 7278459
    Abstract: A method for mounting a film, used to fabricate a mask for use in screening an electronic device, to a common carrier frame. The common carrier frame has an outer edge along an outer periphery and an opening in a central portion of the frame. The method includes applying external pressure to the frame outer edge to compress the frame inward and reduce the opening, securing a film to the frame, the film covering the frame opening, and releasing the pressure on the frame to expand the opening and place the film in tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Baan, Harry D. Cox, John P. Gauci, John R. Lankard, Jr., David C. Long, Thong N. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7222445
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for uniformly pulling a base fabric taut for rug hooking. The apparatus includes an open rectangular frame having spaced parallel upper and lower members and spaced parallel side members having upper surfaces in a common plane. Grippers are pivotally supported on each of the frame members, wherein each of the grippers has a hinged outer edge and an upper surface adapted to grip the base fabric. Each gripper is independently pivotal between a relaxed position wherein the upper surface is parallel to the frame common plane and a raised position in which its upper surface is inclined outwardly. The apparatus further includes gripper actuators each having a gripper engagement end and a hand engagement end. The actuators are pivotal between a relaxed position and an engaged position, whereby the actuator moves the gripper to its raised position when the actuator is moved to the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Stephen Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7207128
    Abstract: A pair of elongate holding devices (7a, 7c) extending along opposite sides of an imaginary rectangle have respective longitudinal recesses (12, 21) which hold respective edge portions (6a, 6c) of a poster (6). One holding device (7c) has a fixed bearing member (16) and a movable member (18) which contains the recess (21) and which is pivotable about a pivot axis (19) from an active position, in which the recess (21) is open in a direction away from the opposite holding device so that the poster (6) tums back on itself near the edge portion (6c), the poster being under tension between the pair of holding devices, to a passive position, in which tension in the poster is released sufficiently to allow the edge portion (6c) to be removed from the recess (21). The holding device (7a) is preferably an upper holding device with an undercut slot (12) slidably receiving a bead (14) at the upper edge portion (6a) of the poster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Inventor: Sam Cook
  • Patent number: 7191555
    Abstract: Display panels made at least partially of stretch fabric are disclosed. Different ways of mounting these display panels onto supporting structures such as folding frames are disclosed. The display panels can be used indoors and outdoors. The versatility of the display panels makes them an excellent display media for trade shows and temporary exhibitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventor: Robert P. Hughes
  • Patent number: 7178281
    Abstract: A fabric sign having a pair of parallel support elements (1, 2) and a fabric (3) with two parallel edge portions (4, 5) for assembly on one each of the support elements, at least one of the support elements comprising a frame profile (7) with a counter support (12) having an inner wall section (17) forming a continuation of said attachment part (14), an outer, flange-like wall section (19) with a free supporting end (20) to form a pivot (A), and an end wall section (18) connecting the inner and outer wall sections with each other, said wall sections defining between them a clamping pocket (25), and a clamping profile (8) for clamping the fabric to the frame profile, which clamping profile has a pressure part (28) for manual actuation, retaining devices (48, 49) for retaining the edge portion of the fabric, and an engagement part (27) arranged to cooperate with the inner and outer wall sections of the counter support when the pressure part is pressed against the attachment part while the clamping profile is tu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventors: Göran Johansson, Patrik Johansson
  • Patent number: 7168197
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting a flexible material sign to a billboard structure includes a plurality of tensioning clamps affixed to the billboard structure. Each of the plurality of clamps includes a bracket adapted to be secured to the billboard structure and an adjustable J-bolt moveably secured to the bracket. The J-bolt includes a hooked section for passing through and hanging the flexible material sign to the billboard structure. To tautly mount the flexible material sign to the billboard structure, the brackets are secured to the billboard structure with fasteners. The hooked sections of the J-bolts are passed through the sign to hang the sign from the billboard structure. The J-bolts are adjusted relative to the bracket to hang the sign a preselected distance from the billboard structure and to apply a tension to the sign to maintain a desired tautness of the sign.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: John Siegenthaler
  • Patent number: 6983524
    Abstract: A canvas framing system and method for attaching canvas to an extruded aluminum frame to achieve a taut mount painting surface, including forming the frame of aluminum material, rounding selected corners and edges of the frame, temporarily securing a first portion of the canvas to the frame and attaching the canvas to the frame, preferably with staples using a modified staple gun, stretching the canvas on the frame and temporarily securing an opposing portion of the canvas to an opposing side of the frame, which is then stapled thereto, and stretching and attaching remaining portions of the canvas to the frame with the staple gun. Cross bracing can be installed on the frame to prevent bending when the canvas is stretched taut thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Mark T. Eastwood
  • Patent number: 6976326
    Abstract: Provided is an embroidery frame clip which can effectively prevent itself, without marring operability of fitting it to an embroidery frame, from slipping off the frame, when the tension of an embroidering cloth is increased as stitching goes on. The embroidery frame clip is designed to hold an embroidering cloth a in tension over a rectangular embroidery frame 1 by clipping the cloth a between a rail 2 formed on an upper surface of the embroidery frame circumferentially along the inner rim thereof and the clip fitted on the rail 2. The clip has a clip main body 6 to be fitted on the rail 2 and auxiliary members 7 attached to the clip main body 6, for preventing the clip main body 6 from deforming to open as stitching of the embroidering cloth goes on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Tokai Kogyo Mishin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Tajima, Aisuke Murase, Isao Ohashi