Abstract: A mounting system for easily mounting flexible materials, such as needlepoint, is disclosed. The system uses a compressed foam unit placed between the flexible material and a mounting member. The compressed foam unit consists of a foam material sealed between two sheets of air impermeable material with the air having been removed. Once the flexible material is secured to the mounting member, the air impermeable material is punctured and the foam returns to its original state, thereby stretching the material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for tensioning fabric and particularly, but not exclusively, to a method and apparatus for tensioning a fabric supported by a frame in a marquee. A tensioner (2) is provided with means (4) for mounting the tensioner to a frame (100) of a marquee and means (6, 8, 42) for connecting said mounting means (4) to a fabric to be tensioned. The connecting means (6, 8, 42) comprises a resiliently bendable elongate member (6, 8) which is resiliently connected to said mounting means (4) and comprises means (42) for engaging said fabric so as to permit a transfer of force between said fabric and said mounting means (4). The tensioner thereby allows fabric to be tensioned in a convenient and rapid manner.

Abstract: A device for compactly holding a large quilt during the sewing phase of the quilt-making operation including a three-sided frame having spaced-apart side members, each the side member of terminal length and attached to a single, common cross-member, the frame adapted to enter into close juxtaposition or nesting arrangement with the free arm of a portable sewing machine, a quilt-holding fitting extending from each terminal end of each side member for holding opposed, curled portions of the quilt apart from each other to create a wrinkle-free, planar work area of the quilt therebetween, and a plurality of wheels for moving the frame over a small support surface, such as a card table, to allow machine

Abstract: For gripping and stretching fabric such as art canvas, a system of specially-shaped gripping members are attached to the material in line along each edge in a manner that in co-operative engagement with the frame via special frame channels, facilitates two-dimensional stretching and mounting as well as subsequent dismounting of the material from the frame, rolling up for shipping or storage, and reassembly and re-mounting onto the frame. The gripping members slide into the frame channels which then engage a fixed or adjustable frame; optionally the fabric may be stretched around the frame perimeter. The gripping members are attached in pairs: one on each sides of the fabric, arranged in line near the edge of the fabric and are made to slide freely in the frame channels to enable two-dimensional stretching of the fabric. The members of each pair are permanently attached together by wire staples or thread, gripping the fabric between interfacing surfaces which may be shaped to enhance gripping.

Abstract: A method of assembling a frame assembly for a partition system is disclosed. The frame assembly includes a partition panel, a fabric covering the panel, and a frame component. The frame component automatically and evenly tensions the fabric about the panel. The frame component provided according to this method includes a support element, a lockable element, and an integral hinge defined between the support and lockable elements. The support element defines a cavity for receiving and supporting the panel. The lockable element extends from and is moveable relative to the support element. The panel is inserted into the cavity, and the fabric is mounted to the lockable element. Next, the lockable element is moved about the integral hinge such that the fabric mounted to the lockable element is automatically and evenly tensioned about the panel. A backing strip may be mounted to the frame component to protect the fabric from the integral hinge.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses for mounting screens on frames. Border strips with improved structural designs enable screens to be mounted so as to achieve higher tension more quickly and easily. Improved method permits screens to be mounted on frames with fewer steps. Also, improved bonding of border strips to screen fabric is taught.

Abstract: A frame apparatus and method of stretching a flexible material over a frame apparatus. The frame apparatus includes a first frame assembly positioned adjacent a second frame assembly for relative movement to stretch a material positioned over the first frame assembly and attached to the second frame assembly. One preferred embodiment repositions the first frame assembly defining a first plane parallel to the second frame assembly defining a second plane in a direction approximately perpendicular to the second frame. A further preferred embodiment includes the second frame assembly positioned on a rear side of the first frame assembly. The first frame assembly and second frame assembly having a spreading mechanism for increasing the distance between at least part of the first frame assembly from at least part of the second frame assembly.

Abstract: A portable, hand-operated quilting clamp capable of holding multiple layers of quilting material firmly together while being easily grasped by the user. A manually openable clamp body comprises top and bottom portions hingedly connected together and moveable between a clamping position and an open position and defining a fabric receiving gap. At least one spring is connected to the clamp body and biases the clamp closed. The clamp top portion has a handle extending away therefrom to aid in both opening the quilting clamp and gripping the quilting clamp by the user. With the clamp bottom portion supported from underneath, pressing on the handle urges the clamp top portion towards the open position. A cushion material, such as felt, is disposed on all or part of the bottom side of the bottom portion. The quilting clamp is ≧2 inches wide, but not more than about 4 inches.

Abstract: A stretcher bar framing device having a narrow top surface, an interior surface, an exterior surface and an angled edge such that a stretched canvas touches only the top surface. The top surface provides a surface for supporting a painting canvas, reducing the surface area contacting the canvas and increasing the paintable surface. A bottom surface of the frame contains a channel so that the canvas material is folded over the top along an exterior surface and folded into a channel so that a rubber spline may be inserted attaching the canvas to the frame without the need for staples.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the treatment of hides and skins (3). The hide or skin is placed on a support (1, 2) and sealed to the support around the edges of the skin or hide. A treatment liquor is then supplied under pressure between the skin or hide and the support to distend and stretch the skin or hide to permit the more rapid penetration of the treatment liquor into the skin or hide.

Abstract: A method includes steps for modifying tensile stresses in an unpainted canvas that is mounted on a frame under applied tensile stresses. The canvas is formed of material that can undergo heat-shrinking when at or above a thermoplastic shrinking temperature, and can undergo heat-softening when at or above a thermoplastic softening temperature. The method includes heating the canvas to a temperature at or above the thermoplastic shrinking temperature and the thermoplastic softening temperature. The method further includes maintaining the canvas at a temperature at or above the thermoplastic shrinking and softening temperatures. This induces heat-shrinking, and thereby increases the tensile stresses in any portions of the canvas in which the applied tensile stresses are less than the opposing stresses of the heat-shrinking.

Abstract: A method of locking a precut silkscreen fabric to splines which are then inserted into retensionable roller frames, wherein the fabric is scored where it contacts the spline, permitting the adhesive to lock the sections of the spline together through the scores in the fabric, mechanically locking the fabric in place.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching a sheet of material such as a sheet of watercolor paper utilizes a flat board and a frame assembly for bending the board into a dish shape. The board has a plurality of radially extending segments separated by radially extending slots therebetween. The board is bent into a dish shape by a mechanism attached to the frame. The sheet is then affixed to the bent board with anchors while the frame is attached to the board and subsequently the frame is released from the bent board allowing the board to resume its originally flat condition thereby resulting in the sheet being stretched.

Abstract: A clamp for use in quilting that includes a top and a bottom quilt clamp portion that are forced together by a pair of springs to hold multiple layer of quilting materials, such as fabric and batting, firmly together while stitching the quilt pattern. To facilitate movement of the multiple layers in the desired quilt pattern, the quilt clamp is provided with a handle. The bottom surface of the quilt clamp is covered with felt to enhance the slidableness of the clamp on quilting tables and sewing machines.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for positionally retaining flexible material. The apparatus is a substantially rectangular footed stand with an elongated cantilever member adjustably disposed along the footed stand's rectangular portion. A flexible material retaining mechanism is connected along the cantilever member's longitudinal length via a clamping mechanism. The retaining mechanism is selectively positionable about the clamping mechanism 360° in both the vertical and horizontal plane.

Abstract: A textile or other material holding frame portion having a pair of side members and two or more lateral members extending between the sides to define a generally rectangular configuration. One embodiment uses stationary frame members with retainers for material retention and/or tensioning, and another embodiment uses rotating frame members to provide the desired tensioning. Both embodiments may include pressure joints and/or slip joints, be self-supporting, table supported or utilize a base support.

Abstract: An information display system, mountable on planar surfaces such as the walls of buildings or the sides of semi-trailers, includes a frame and a polygonal flexible sheet perimetricly anchored to the frame. The system includes at least one anchoring bracket rigidly attached to the planar surface at each of the sheet's apices or corner locations. Other anchoring brackets may be rigidly attached to the planar surface at various locations along the sign's edges. The sign may be a sheet of flexible polymeric material which may be optionally fiber-reinforced. Alternatively, the sign may be cloth made from tightly woven natural or synthetic fibers. An advertising message or other graphic information is printed on the sign, which is hemmed along its perimetric edges to create a sleeve surrounding the sheet. At least one retaining device is inserted through the perimetric sleeve, and the sheet is secured by tensioning means attached to the anchoring brackets which act on the retaining device(s).