Design Wall

Abstract

A design wall has a design surface attached to a roller, which is attached to a wall and allows the design surface to be rolled up out of the way when not in use. An ideal design surface has a fabric backing and batting front, which will hold design elements, such as fabric samples in place. Another design surface is made of a flexible material, and design elements are attached by adhesive applied to the design surface, or by pinning or other means of attachment. Design elements are applied to the design wall and moved around to test different designs. When not in use, the design wall is rolled up and can be hidden behind a valance.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to craft construction and to devices which aid in design and construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When designing a craft, such as a quilt, the artist can utilize a design wall to audition various design elements, finding the best pattern or combination of elements for use in the final product. See, e.g., Patricia Bolton, Design Wall on a Dime, Cloth Paper Scissors Studios 90 (2008).

Making quilts from small patches of fabric of different colors and prints, arranged to create pictures or patterns, is well known. Fabric samples may be cut by hand using scissors, and stitched together by hand using needle and thread. In addition, quilting may be done using sewing machines and cutting may be done with various templates, rotary cutters, and cutting mats.

The quilt design that appears on the top layer of a quilt is generally produced in one of three ways. In one type of quilting, the quilt top is made of a single fabric and quilting stitches form the design. In another type of quilting, the top is appliqued, wherein pieces are cut from various cloths and stitched onto a background fabric, making a picture or pattern. In a third type of quilting, the quilt design is produced in a process called patchwork, wherein units of cloth are sewn together edge to edge to form a fabric with geometric patterns.

Quilt makers, whether they are working with a traditional design or creating their own design, generally prepare design plans, or mock-up blocks, to see how individual fabrics work as patches in relation to each other. The quilt maker creates mock-up blocks of patches of the basic unit of the quilt construction, usually a square or a triangle, using samples of fabrics in various colors and prints. The mock-up blocks may be temporarily attached, using pins or adhesive spray, to a fabric-covered board. See, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,823 (2002). Quilters also use batting or plain white flannel on their design walls, because the blocks and other components stick to it easily without pinning. Once attached to the fabric-covered board, the quilt maker may want to temporarily hang the board on a vertical surface so that the proposed quilt design may be viewed from a distance. The quilt maker may also want to transport the board with the proposed quilt design attached thereto to a quilting class for others to review.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention introduces a design wall that can be mounted on a wall and rolled up for transport or storage. The design wall itself has a cylindrical roller which is attached to a design surface that has a front surface. The front surface is made of a flexible material, such as fabric, and either made of batting material, or a dry, non-transferable adhesive is applied. Fabric samples are removably attached to the front surface of the design surface.

If the front surface is made from batting, it is attached to a dimensionally stable, flexible layer on the back surface to limit distortion.

In one embodiment, the design surface is attached to the roller in a way that allows it to be removed and quilting done directly on this surface.

In an embodiment, the roller is attached to brackets, which are used for mounting it to a wall or other surface, and in one embodiment, the roller is removable from the brackets.

The design wall can incorporate a valance that surrounds the rolled up design wall, at least partially hiding it from view when it is rolled up.

The roller is rotated by a variety of means, including by a motor, a pulley, or a spring.

This design wall is used in a method for designing where design elements are attached to a design wall with a roller and an attached design surface. These design elements are then removed and placed in a different orientation.

In addition, the invention presents a kit for laying out a quilting design. The kit contains a roller and a design surface. The roller is substantially cylindrical in shape, has two ends and an outer surface, and is rotatable axially in first and second directions to unroll and roll up the design surface. The design surface is a dimensionally stable, flexible material with top and bottom edges, first and second side edges and front and back surfaces, and the front surface either is batting material attached to the flexible material on the back surface or a non-transferable, dry tacky adhesive is applied to the front surface. The design surface is attachable at the top edge of the design surface to the outer surface of the roller.

In an embodiment, the kit also contains brackets attachable to the ends of the roller, or a valance. In another embodiment, a means for rotating the roller is included in the kit.

In an embodiment, the kit contains one or more quilting patterns. In an embodiment, the kit contains fabric samples attachable to the front surface of the design surface.

In an embodiment, additional adhesive is included, which can be applied to the design surface if the original adhesive wears out to renew the design surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with mounting and rotation hardware and a weight.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roller with a slit cut into the entire length.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Not many crafters are able to have a dedicated place or room for their sewing and designing. Most times, the space or room has other primary functions such as a family room, or guest room and can't be dedicated to a sole studio function. The present invention provides a design wall that is attached to a wall and rolled up out of the way when not in use.

Being able to see a design attached to a flat surface lets the designer step back and study the project. This is a key step of the auditioning process. The design elements, such as strips, or squares adhere to the surface until the crafter is satisfied with the design, or it can be changed into another arrangement to maximize the interplay of design and color. When the space needs to be converted to another use, the crafter can simply photograph the design, remove the pieces, and roll the shade up behind the valance and it disappears. A design wall may also hold various design elements the crafter has chosen for the project, to serve as reference.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the specification and claims of this application, the following terms are used and should be understood as follows:

“Design surface” is the part of the invention where design elements are applied, and moved around to work on ideas for orientation of the finished product. It is constructed of batting or a dimensionally stable, flexible material, such as a fabric. If batting is used, fabric will adhere to the batting. As batting can stretch out and deform when weight is applied, especially less densely woven versions, the batting should be attached to a dimensionally stable, flexible layer to prevent it from stretching. This is done by fusing, gluing, or stitching the batting to the material. For example, the material may be a piece of fabric, such as muslin or poplin. If another material besides batting is used, design elements are attached using pins, adhesive, or hook and loop (e.g., Velcro). The design surface is preferably rectangular in shape. It is either of a size large enough to visualize the project, or of a size large enough to apply a single pattern.

A “Roller” is a cylindrical shaped object that rotates in two directions. Ideally, it is slightly longer than the design surface. It is made of a solid material, such as wood, metal, or plastic. It is solid or tubular. It may include structures to aid in attaching the design surface, such as hook and loop (e.g., Velcro), tie strings, or a slot (as shown in FIG. 3). If a slot is used, the design surface will slide into one end of the slot and be pushed down along the slot until in the proper position.

“Brackets” are used at each end of the roller to attach it to the surface where it is to be located. The brackets hold the roller securely, but allow it to rotate freely. The brackets can be attached so the roller is removable. If the roller is tube-shaped, this also includes use of a string or wire run through the center and tied into a loop or attached to the wall to hang the roller from.

“Means for rotating the roller” refers to an object that applies rotational force to the roller to cause it to rotate. This includes a pulley, a spring, a ratchet, or a motor.

“Batting” is a fiber wadded into rolls or sheets, used for stuffing furniture and mattresses and for lining quilts. It can be cotton, wool, or synthetic fiber. It is also known as wadding or filler. This is used as the interior of quilts for volume and insulation.

“Fabric” is a flexible material made up of a network of natural or artificial fibers.

“Flexible” means the material may be rolled up without cracking or breaking.

“Dimensionally stable” material indicates that the material does not stretch or deform unreasonably within a 48 hour period when a reasonable amount of weight is applied to the bottom sufficient to pull it taut.

“Design elements” are the individual pieces that are combined to create a finished product. The pieces can be of a variety of materials and medium, such as photographs, fabrics samples, pieces of paper, glass, plastic, or organic materials such as twigs, or leaves. The crafter moves the design elements around on the design surface, and exchanges different design elements until satisfied with the project. The design elements may then be removed from the design wall and used in the project, or left on the wall to serve as a reference for the project.

“Fabric samples” are pieces of fabric of a variety of fabric types, cut into various shapes, such as squares and triangles, or more complex polygons and figures. These fabric samples will be the top of the finished quilt and will create a decorative effect. When designing a quilt, the quilter will have a variety of fabric samples being used at any given time where some will be attached to the design wall and some will not be. These fabric samples are removably adhered to the front of the design surface.

“Orientation” refers to the design pattern of the fabric samples on the design wall.

“Removably attached” as related to the fabric samples means that the fabric sample is attached to the front of the design surface such that it is removable without damaging the surface or the fabric. Most types of batting have sufficient surface area that a piece of fabric will adhere. If the batting is not sufficient, or if a type of dimensionally stable, flexible material is used, other methods of attachment are used. This includes methods such as hook and loop (e.g., Velcro), dry and tacky adhesive, pinning, and friction. If the fabric samples are in an orientation the quilter is happy with, they can be permanently attached to the design surface.

“Surface” refers to the flat front and back of the design surface which are substantially flat. As the design surface is made of a flexible material, some flexibility will occur, but should not affect the overall appearance of the design.

“Non-transferable, dry tacky adhesive” is an adhesive that retains its adhesiveness when the design surface is washed with lukewarm water and stays tacky. The adhesive also does not leave a residue on the fabric samples, and only adheres to the design elements enough to hold them in place, but allows them to be removed without damaging the design surface or the design elements. A pressure sensitive adhesive is ideal. The acrylate copolymer described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,691,140 is an example, as are the adhesives described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,823 and the adhesives marketed under the name Pros-Aide.

“Weight” is an object of sufficient mass to pull the design surface taut so that it remains flat. It is attached to the bottom of the design surface.

“Valance” is short drapery, decorative board, or wood or metal strip mounted to conceal the design wall when it is rolled up. It may cover the design wall on the front only, on the front and the sides, or the front, sides, and top.

“Substantially cover” as referring to the valance means that the valance hides the rolled up design wall from sight such that a normal person would not notice it upon a cursory glance. It need not fully hide the design wall from all angles, nor if a person is trying to look around it.

“Roll up” means to turn a roller such that a connected design surface will go from an design position to a storage position by shortening its length.

Design Wall

The design wall is constructed such that the front surface of the design wall will allow fabric samples to removably adhere to its surface. It is attached to a roller so that it is rolled up when not in use.

In a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the design surface is made from batting material 102. This material is fibrous enough that fabric samples will adhere to it. These samples may then be removed and repositioned. As batting will stretch, it is adhered to piece of dimensionally stable, flexible material, such as fabric 101 to provide additional strength. This is done by adhesive, fusing, or stitching.

In another embodiment, the design surface is made of a piece of dimensionally stable, flexible material. Design elements or fabric samples are attached by pinning, hook and loop attachment or by adhesive.

The design surface 101, 102 is attached 104 to a roller 103 as shown in FIG. 1, which, when rotated will raise and lower the design surface. It is attached by adhesive, by clamp, hook and loop (Velcro), or friction. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a slot 320 is formed along the length of the roller 303 and the design surface is inserted into one end 321 of the slot 320 and slides down into place. It is held in place, for example, by a dowel inserted into a pocket formed at the end of the design surface.

The roller is approximately the same length as the design surface, or is longer than the design surface. The roller is at least a foot in length.

There are numerous types of rollers and means for making them rotate known in the art which are used in this invention. Several useful examples are found in the window shades field. See, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,424,224 (1966), 4,223,714 (1976), 4,424,852 (1980), 4,674,550 (1984), and EP Pat. 1,443,172 A2 (2004). As shown in FIG. 2, the roller 203 and means for rotating may comprise brackets 208 attached to a rotatable end cap 210 at one end and a pulley system with a clutch 209 attached to a pull chain 211 at the other end.

The roller is attached to a wall by brackets attached at each end of the roller. In another embodiment, the rollers are attached to a valance. In another embodiment, the rollers are attached to a horizontal surface, such as a table, allowing the design wall to be extended horizontally. In another embodiment, the brackets are attached to a free-standing stand. These brackets allow the roller to rotate freely.

If the design surface is removably attached to the roller, in an embodiment it is removed and used directly as quilting material. Any excess fabric used to attach the surface to the roller is removed. For example, if a pocket is formed to hold the fabric in a slot in the roller, or a hook and loop is used, that portion is removed. A new design surface is then attached to the roller.

In an embodiment, a weight is attached to the bottom end of the design surface to pull the design surface taut. As shown in FIG. 2, this is attached by forming a pocket 218 in the material of the design surface and sliding the weight 212 into the pocket.

In an embodiment, a valance is used to hide the design wall from view when it is rolled up. This valance is attached to a wall and substantially covers the design wall. The brackets may be attached to the wall or attached to the valance.

Method for Designing a Craft Project

A method for designing is disclosed. This entails attaching design elements to a design surface which is attached to a roller. These design elements are then removed and design elements are placed on the design surface in a new orientation, possibly with new design elements.

In one embodiment, the front surface is batting material, the back surface is fabric and the batting material is attached to the fabric. The batting is attached by adhesive, fusing, or stitching.

In another embodiment, a non-transferable, dry tacky adhesive is applied the front surface. The adhesive will allow the design elements to adhere, but will not transfer to the samples.

In an embodiment, the brackets are attached to each end of the roller. The brackets are attached to a wall, a valance, or a table. In another embodiment, the design wall is unrolled on a horizontal surface, such as the floor.

If the design surface is removably attached to the roller, when a quilter is happy with the design pattern, the design surface is removed. The fabric samples are then stitched together into a quilt.

Kit for Laying Out a Design

The invention presents a kit for laying out a design. This kit contains, in packaged form, the necessary components. Specifically, this includes at a minimum, a roller and a design surface. The roller is substantially cylindrical in shape, has two ends and an outer surface, and is rotatable axially in first and second directions to unroll and roll up the design surface. The design surface is a dimensionally stable, flexible material with top and bottom edges, first and second side edges and front and back surfaces, and the front surface is batting material attached to a dimensionally stable, flexible material on the back surface or wherein a non-transferable, dry, tacky adhesive is applied to the front surface. The design surface is attachable at the top edge of the design surface to the outer surface of the roller.

In embodiments, the kit contains additional components, such as brackets attachable to the ends of the roller, or a valance to hide the design surface when it is rolled up. In another embodiment, a means for rotating the roller is included in the kit.

In other embodiments, the kit contains components useful for design. The kit contains one or more quilting patterns that a user may follow to try various designs or obtain inspiration. In another embodiment, the kit contains design elements attachable to the front surface of the design surface.

In another embodiment, additional adhesive is included, which can be applied to the design surface if the original adhesive wears out to renew the design surface.

All of the patents and publications referenced herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A design wall comprising a roller and a design surface

wherein the roller is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises first and second ends and an outer surface; wherein the roller is rotatable axially in first and second directions to unroll and roll up the design surface;

wherein the design surface comprises a dimensionally stable, flexible material with top and bottom edges, first and second side edges and front and back surfaces; wherein the front surface is batting material attached to the flexible material on the back surface of the batting material or wherein a non-transferable, dry tacky adhesive is applied to said front surface;

wherein the design surface is attached at the top edge of the design surface to the outer surface of the roller; and

wherein said design surface is unrolled to a design position and rolled up to a storage position.

2. The design wall of claim 1 wherein the design surface is removably attached to the roller.

3. The design wall of claim 1 further comprising brackets attached to the first and second ends such that the roller may freely rotate when attached to the brackets and such that the brackets are mountable on a surface.

4. The design wall of claim 3 further comprising a valance wherein said valance is attached to the same surface as the design wall and is of dimensions that will substantially cover the roller and design surface when the design surface is rolled up.

5. The design wall of claim 1 further comprising a means for rotating the roller axially in said first and second directions.

6. The design wall of claim 1 wherein the back surface is fabric; wherein the front surface is batting material; and, wherein the batting material is attached to the fabric.

7. A method for designing comprising removably attaching design elements to a design wall in a first orientation;

wherein said design wall comprises a roller, and a design surface;

wherein the roller is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises first and second ends and an outer surface; wherein the roller is rotatable axially in first and second directions to unroll and roll up the design surface;

wherein the design surface comprises a dimensionally stable, flexible material with top and bottom edges, first and second side edges and front and back surfaces; and,

wherein the design surface is attached to the outer surface of the roller at the top edge of the design surface; and

wherein said design surface is unrolled to a design position and rolled up to a storage position.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising removing said design elements and removably attaching said design elements in a second orientation.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising removing the design surface from the roller after said design elements are attached.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the front surface is batting material, the back surface is fabric and wherein the batting material is attached to the fabric.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein a non-transferable, dry tacky adhesive is applied to said front surface.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising rolling up the design wall for storage.

13. A kit for laying out a design comprising, in packaged combination, a roller and a design surface,

wherein the roller is substantially cylindrical in shape and comprises first and second ends and an outer surface; wherein the roller is rotatable axially in first and second directions to unroll and roll up the design surface;

wherein the design surface comprises a dimensionally stable, flexible material with top and bottom edges, first and second side edges and front and back surfaces; wherein the front surface is batting material attached to the flexible material on the back surface of the batting material or wherein a non-transferable, dry tacky adhesive is applied to said front surface; and,

wherein the design surface is attachable at the top edge of the design surface to the outer surface of the roller.

14. The kit of claim 13 further comprising brackets attachable to each end of said roller.

15. The kit of claim 14 further comprising a valance.

16. The kit of claim 14 further comprising a means for rotating the roller axially in said first and second directions.

17. The kit of claim 13 further comprising a valance.

18. The kit of claim 13 further comprising one or more patterns.

19. The kit of claim 13 further comprising one or more design elements attachable to said front surface of the design wall.

20. The kit of claim 13 further comprising a container of adhesive, for renewing the adhesive surface of the design surface.