Abstract:
A suspension system for hanging fabric articles such as quilts or the like from a vertical surface such as a wall or partition. A C-shaped bar is passed through a sleeve of the fabric article which is conventionally provided for accommodating a hanger. A mounting bracket has a projecting tab which enters the opening of the bar and engages the sleeve. The article is pinned in place by its own weight in a manner which avoids making or needing holes in the sleeve, while concealing of the mounting apparatus. The mounting bracket engages the wall by adhesive or fasteners, or alternatively is suspended from a wall mounted rod from above. Optionally, an integral motion detector operates an alarm.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/718,824 filed Sep. 20, 2005 and claims priority thereto in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §119(e). 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to apparatus and methods of suspending fabric articles such as quilts from vertical surfaces, as for display. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Makers of fabric articles such as quilts, wall hangings, hand made blankets, banners, tapestries, weavings, needle art, embroidery, flags, rugs, carpets, curtains, drapes, fabric or soft sculptures, and other like articles display these from time to time. In fact, articles that may benefit from the invention may include any flexible, generally planar article such as paper, cardboard, non-woven fabrics, animal hides, plastic sheets, and still others. As such articles may be somewhat large, arranging them in large numbers for public exhibitions entails certain difficulties. To display a fabric article to best effect, the article must be spread out flat, preferably in a vertical plane such as against a wall, which requires considerably more space than would be required to store the article in a folded condition. Typically, those displaying such articles suspend each article from a suitable support so that the articles hang straight down due to gravity. 
     The most frequently practiced way to suspend fabric articles is from the top edge. Sleeves and loops are conventionally sewn or otherwise affixed to the back of the fabric near the top edge to accommodate a pole or other support structure such as hooks. Poles, where used, are typically greater than the width of the article being displayed. The pole or hooks are then suspended from a wall, partition, or display frame by suitable brackets or in any other suitable way. 
     While these measures succeed, they suffer from undesirable characteristics. Illustratively, poles, hooks, chains, and their supporting structure which are visible when the fabric article is displayed detract from the appearance of these fabric articles such as quilts which are, after all, forms of art work. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     The prior art has attempted to develop suspension systems that eliminate exposure of suspension components. Some of these require that holes be present in the sleeve of the fabric article, for example to accommodate support brackets. This also is undesirable since the suspension arrangement can still be excessively conspicuous and further may cause the sleeve to bunch or tear or otherwise distort its appearance. A notable example is when poles supported at their two extreme ends are used to support the displayed article. Because they span a significant extent unsupported in the middle, they must be of relatively large diameter. This creates a bulge in the displayed article which bulge is perceptible from the front or displayed surface. The requirement for holes requires that intact or unslit sleeves, which are frequently the type of sleeve provided, be cut or slit. This adds a step to preparation for display, and may introduce distortions in the fabric article. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,401, issued to Honig on Mar. 7, 1989, shows engagement of a drapery pole (see FIG. 5). The arrangement of Honig would have a greater tendency to tear or distort quilts or like objects, compared to the less intrusive interaction of a pole or the like and its supporting bracket of the present invention. 
     There remains a need for suspension apparatus for suspending a fabric article in vertical orientation, which conceals or minimizes exposure of the suspension apparatus. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a support or mounting system for engaging a fabric article having a sleeve for receiving a pole or the like for suspending the article. The system includes a first member, which occupies the sleeve, and a second member that, together with the first member, interengages the sleeve without penetrating the sleeve. The first member is preferably a C-shaped bar, and the second member is a bracket bearing a projection or finger which enters the opening of the C. The two members interfit to a degree to entrap the sleeve between the two members to form a curved or serpentine path as it winds between the projections of the two suspension members. This interfit and serpentine path enable the suspension members to engage and support the fabric article without piercing or penetrating the sleeve, and without requiring that any piercings or penetrations be preformed in the sleeve, while enabling the fabric article to conceal the suspension system when suspended thereby. Weight of the suspended fabric article urges the two members against one another, thereby promoting stability of the assembled suspension system and the fabric article. 
     One of the two members is a bracket which attaches to a wall or other vertical environmental surface, or which in an alternative embodiments may be suspended from a rod, pole, wire, hooks, or the like provided to support fabric articles. This bracket receives adhesive or driven fasteners to engage the wall. No other component of the system, apart from other such brackets if plural brackets are utilized, is necessarily subjected to adhesives and fasteners. 
     The novel system saves time over prior art practice, especially where poles inserted through the sleeves are used, because the entire fabric article with the pole must be handled to mount and adjust the same. By contrast, one or more small brackets used in the novel suspension system may be mounted and leveled on a wall or other environmental supporting surface without involving the fabric article and the C-shaped bar. Then, the latter two components are assembled, the brackets having been mounted before. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a suspension system for suspending a fabric article such as a quilt having a mounting sleeve extending along one side thereof on a vertical surface such as a wall or partition, without piercing or penetrating any part of the fabric including the sleeve, and without requiring that any part of the fabric including the sleeve be pre-formed to include a hole, piercing, or other interruption of continuity of its constituent fabric. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a suspension system for a fabric article which entirely conceals suspension structure which must contact the fabric article for the purpose of engaging the same. 
     A further object of the invention is to exploit gravity acting on the weight of the fabric article to assist in retaining the fabric article on a suspension system. 
     Still another object of the invention is that only one or more wall brackets use fasteners or adhesive, and no other component of the suspension system need be fastened to another component of the system or to an environmental entity by fastener or by adhesive. 
     It is another object of the invention to save time in mounting fabric articles for display. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental end elevational view of one embodiment of the invention, showing how the sleeve of a fabric article is entrapped within the novel suspension system and one way in which the novel suspension system engages a wall. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the two principal components of the suspension system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational detail view of the component seen in the upper right of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an end elevational view showing interengagement of the two principal components of  FIG. 2 , without a fabric article being engaged thereby. 
         FIG. 5  is an end elevational view of another embodiment of the component seen at the upper right of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is an end elevational view of still another embodiment of the component seen at the upper right of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross sectional view of still another embodiment of the component seen at the upper right of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, showing an alternative to the component seen at the lower left of  FIG. 2 , and associated apparatus for enabling suspension from a pole, wire, or other supporting structure (none of these is shown). 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment, corresponding to  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of a further variation on the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 12  is an environmental, side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary, environmental side elevational view of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a rear perspective detail view showing a further stage of assembly of the embodiment of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is an end elevational view of another embodiment of the invention, showing a variation of the embodiment of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 16  is an elevational view of another embodiment of the component shown at the upper right of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 17  is a side elevational detail view of a further embodiment of a component shown at the upper right of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective detail view of another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  is an end elevational view of another embodiment of the component shown at the upper right of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  of the drawings shows one embodiment of a suspension system for suspending a fabric article  2  having a sleeve  4  extending horizontally therealong from an environmental support so as to generally occupy a vertical plane. As employed herein, terms pertaining to orientation will refer to directions and associated orientation when fabric article  2  is mounted to a generally vertical environmental surface so as to hang generally vertically. In  FIG. 1 , fabric article  2  is depicted as being attached to a wall  6 . Of course, the embodiment of  FIG. 1  would be suitable for use with a partition, door, free standing panel, or any other corresponding generally vertical surface suitable for receiving the weight of and having space to display fabric article  2 . 
     The principal components of the suspension system of  FIG. 1  include a mounting bracket  10  and an elongated bar  12 . Mounting bracket  10  is disposed to transfer weight of fabric article  2  and its sleeve  4  to an environmental support which is in the depiction of  FIG. 1  wall  6 . To this end, and referring also to  FIG. 2 , mounting bracket  10  has a broad wall engaging portion  14  having a flat surface bearing holes  16  for receiving and retaining driven fasteners  18 . Fasteners  18  could be screws, nails, tacks, wall anchors, hooks, or any other manually or tool driven device for securing mounting bracket  10  to wall  6 . Wall engaging portion  14  is one embodiment of an engagement element for engaging an environmental supporting surface or object and attaching mounting bracket  10  from the environmental support. Mounting bracket  10  is also seen to have fixed thereto a projection  20  the purpose of which will be explained presently. 
     It will be appreciated that in some circumstances the fastening element for gripping wall  6  or other environmental vertical support surface may be any suitable adhesive, such as a construction mastic, hook and loop fastener, a permanently hard setting cement, or any other material capable of sustaining the weight of fabric article  2 . Adhesive will be understood to encompass substances which display tackiness characteristics, substances which cure or evolve to permanently engage surfaces which they contact, and substances and materials which interact so as to be manually separable and reattachable. Regardless of the fastening element which is chosen, it will be capable of maintaining mounting bracket  10  at a predetermined location on the environmental vertical support surface when the weight of fabric article  2  is imposed on the suspension system. 
     Elongated bar  12  is intended to be placed inside sleeve  4  of fabric article  2 . Elongated bar  12  has at least one slot  22 . It is preferred that one slot  22  be formed in elongated bar  12  and extend continuously along the length of elongated bar  12 , although several shorter slots, holes, or openings arranged in series along elongated bar  12  (this is not shown) could be provided if desired. It is a significant advantage of slot  22  that slot  22  will accommodate location of bracket  10  anywhere along elongated bar  12 . No precise measuring to establish bracket location is required. Also, caps or other structure (not shown) could be provided at the ends of elongated bar  12  such that slot  22  would not extend along the entire length. Of course, the slots, holes, or openings may be continuous or discontinuous along elongated bar  12 . They may, for example, be located at a small number of predetermined locations, and may be dimensioned and configured to receive projection  20  in close cooperation along the length of elongated bar  12 . It is preferred, however, that slot  22  extend the full length of elongated bar  12  to permit adjustment of location of projection  20  with respect to elongated bar  12  at the user&#39;s discretion. 
     Projection  20  is dimensioned and configured to enter and occupy slot  22  while leaving sufficient room to entrap fabric such as sleeve  4  within slot  22  between itself and elongated bar  12 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , when mounting bracket  10  and elongated bar  12  are in their deployed positions supporting fabric article  2 , such as the material of sleeve  4 , constituent material of sleeve  4  is forced into a serpentine path as it extends around the curved surfaces of bar  12  and around projection  20  of mounting bracket  10 . 
     It will be noted that the vertical member of elongated bar  12  opposite the slot is flat and vertically oriented when elongated bar  12  is in the deployed position depicted in  FIG. 1 . These characteristics help in avoiding bulging of fabric article  2  where the latter contacts elongated bar  12 . This is an improvement over prior art suspensions wherein a circular pole or the like (not shown) is inserted into sleeve  4 , especially where sleeve  4  has little slack to accommodate horizontal displacement by large diameter rods or poles. Such displacement has caused noticeable and objectionable bulging of fabric article  2  visible from the front thereof. 
     Another important characteristic and advantage of the invention is that elongated bar  12  is dimensioned and configured to make abutting contact against mounting bracket  10  at a point which is both below projection  20  of mounting bracket  10  and is also outside slot  22 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 1 , abutting contact occurs with affected members located in horizontal opposition when deployed (the affected members being lower end  36  of elongated bar  12  and section  38  of bracket  10 , which will be described further hereinafter). The advantage of this arrangement is that fabric of sleeve  4  need only wind around projection  20 , rather than having to also wind around additional structure of either bracket  10  or elongated bar  12 . Noting that aspects of the present invention encompass abutment and contact between mounting bracket  10  and elongated bar  12 , it must be stressed that abutment and contact are said to occur as if fabric of sleeve  4  of fabric article  2  did not intervene between mounting bracket  10  and elongated bar  12 . 
     As is clearly seen in  FIG. 2 , elongated bar  12  is preferably formed in two generally similar sections  24 ,  26  each of which slidably or telescopically engages the other so as to enable sliding adjustment of the collective length of sections  24  and  26 . This feature enables the effective length of elongated bar  12  to be adjusted most advantageously to the actual length of fabric article  2 . Similarity of the two sections  24 ,  26  is intended to relate to their mutual interfit. Structural dissimilarities such as the nature of slots or holes, of constituent material, color, surface roughness, internal or external configuration, and other characteristics are not encompassed by the term similarity. 
     It is preferred that elongated bar  12  be adjusted so as not to be visible at the ends of sleeve  4 . As the overall length of a large quilt or other fabric article  2  may become rather heavy, it may become desirable to provide a plurality of mounting brackets  10 . In such a case, each mounting bracket  10  would be independently affixed to wall  6 , arranged so that the projection  20  of each would engage slot  22  of elongated bar  12  as described prior. 
     It is presently contemplated that elongated bar  12  may be formed from sheet metal or the like. However, other constructions are possible. For example, elongated bar  12  may be formed from a wooden or plastic pole. Slot  22  may be molded or routed or otherwise formed in the pole. It is presently contemplated that a single slot be formed in the bar, the slot extending the full length of the bar. However, the slot may be modified to extend less than the full length of the bar or alternatively, that several slots be provided along the bar. 
     Although not strictly critical to the invention, mounting bracket  10  preferably has a spacer which is disposed to space fabric article  2  away from the environmental vertical support surface when fabric article  2  is suspended on the suspension system. This function is provided by section  28  of mounting bracket  10 , which section  28  is arranged at approximately a forty-five degree angle to wall engaging portion  14 . The precise angle and nature of the spacer are not critical. The spacer is particularly useful where fabric articles may be displayed on exterior walls, large windows, and the like, which may possibly be susceptible to condensation and other sources of moisture. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , mounting bracket  10  is formed by shaping a piece of sheet metal. Bending projection  20  as seen in  FIG. 2  leaves two tabs  30 ,  32  which are preferably bent as shown to form a V-shaped valley therebetween. Upper end  34  (see  FIG. 1 ) may come to seat within this valley. This has the consequence that elongated bar  12  will be constrained in a generally vertical orientation, and will resist rotating and wobbling. Positioning of elongated bar  12  is thus made more stable. It will be seen from  FIG. 3  that elongated bar  12  has a height H when oriented in the deployed position and a thickness T in the deployed condition. Thickness T is less in magnitude than is height H. This configuration enables lower end  36  of elongated bar  12  to prop itself against section  38  of mounting bracket  10 , with constituent material of sleeve  4  separating lower end  36  and section  38 . These components are also seen in  FIG. 4 , from which fabric article  2  and its sleeve  4  have been deleted. In summary, mounting bracket is dimensioned and configured to maintain elongated bar  12  in an orientation such that height H of elongated bar  12  is generally vertical when elongated bar  12  is in the deployed condition. 
     Another important consequence of this construction is that mounting bracket  10  and elongated bar  12  each have corresponding abutment portions near the lower end  36  of elongated bar  12 . These abutment portions need not literally abut. As seen in  FIG. 1 , contact of mounting bracket  10  with elongated bar  12  is prevented by intervening material of sleeve  4 . Where the novel system is employed with fabric articles having loops rather than continuous sleeve  4 , mounting bracket  10  and elongated bar  12  may contact one another directly at several points including the abutment portions. Regardless of whether actual contact is made, the abutment portions oppose pivotal disengagement of elongated bar  12  from projection  20  of mounting bracket  12  by interference should elongated bar  12  be subjected to a bending or pivoting moment imposed by the weight of fabric article  2 . This occurs since the corresponding abutment portions are located below the point of weight supporting contact of mounting bracket  10  and elongated bar  12  when the novel suspension system is in the deployed condition depicted in  FIG. 1 . As employed herein, the deployed condition may encompass actual supporting contact of fabric article  2 , or alternatively may be considered to encompass only the positional relationship of mounting bracket  10  and elongated bar  12  when these components are supporting fabric article  10 . 
     Inclusion of abutment portions is preferred for stability, but is not critical to the invention. 
     It is not necessary that elongated bar  12  have the generally elongated C-shape in cross section as depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . C-shaped, as employed in this description, signifies that the outer surfaces collectively form a smoothly or gently curved outer parametric boundary which will not snag, stick on, or similarly engage a woven fabric in a destructive or potentially destructive manner, such as would occur for example by having a sharp corner pierce the fabric or engage an interstitial space between constituent filaments of the fabric. The C-shape is seen when the bar is viewed in end elevation or in cross section. The bar may be capped if desired. If a cap or other structure is provided at the exposed ends, then the C-shape is that which is seen when the cap or other structure is removed. The bar need not literally be C-shaped as long as outer surfaces will not engage fabric of the article destructively, while still accommodating or forming a slot or opening for receiving the tab or projection of the wall bracket. 
     Elongated bar  12  is preferably non-circular, when viewed in cross section or from the end, as seen in  FIG. 1 . In addition to presenting a flat face to fabric article  2 , the non-circular configuration, preferably with height exceeding depth, assists in stabilizing elongated bar  12  when installed as depicted in  FIG. 1 . This is achieved by, in conjunction with the propping surface formed at lower end  36  of elongated bar  12 , rendering elongated bar  12  less likely to pivot out of engagement with projection  20 . It should be noted here that propping surface  36  and abutment portion  38  act together to maintain the face of bar  12  vertical. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7  illustrate some alternative cross sectional configurations. Nonetheless, it remains important that respective slots  22 A ( FIG. 5 ),  22 B ( FIG. 6 ), or  22 C ( FIG. 7 ) be present to receive projection  20  of mounting bracket  10 . 
     Regardless of the selected cross sectional configuration of the elongated bar, its diameter and weight are reduced from those of poles and rods (not shown) which are inserted through sleeves and supported from their extreme ends. Supporting the elongated bar at several points along the length of the fabric article, and not just at the right and left ends, enables a reduction in dimensions and weight, compared to a full length pole or rod supported at the ends. Reduced diameter also reduces bulging of the fabric article, as well as the flat profile at the front of the elongated bar. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the present invention also accommodates suspending a fabric article from a horizontal rod, pole, cable, ceiling, or any other overhead supporting structure which may be provided for example at exhibition facilities for suspending fabric articles. An alternative embodiment of the novel suspension system includes a mounting bracket  40  which is the functional equivalent of mounting bracket  10  of  FIG. 1 , although mounting bracket  40  is modified to incorporate a hook arrangement for supporting weight of the fabric article (e.g., fabric article  2 ) from an overhead horizontal elongated support member (not shown). Mounting bracket  40  has an opening  42  formed therein and a projection  44  which is functionally a counterpart of projection  20 . That is, projection  44  is dimensioned and configured to enter and occupy the same slot  22  of elongated bar  12  as is engaged by projection  20  of mounting bracket  10 . The same elongated bar  12  may be utilized in the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9  as was employed in the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
     The hook arrangement includes a hook  46  disposed to engage, for example, by partially encircling the elongated support member (not shown), and a cord  48  which engages hook  46  and which passes through opening  42  of and engages mounting bracket  40 . In the preferred embodiment, the hook arrangement includes a cord lock  50 . Cord locks are known, and by way of brief explanation, comprise a body, a passage extending entirely through the body for receiving a cord such as cord  48  and a manual element which engages and immobilizes the cord, so that the cord lock does not travel or slip along the cord. In the preferred embodiment, which is operable by only one hand, the cord lock has an internal spring which biases an internal plunger or locking member to immobilize the cord by pinching the same, and a manual release button for releasing grip of the locking member on the cord. Other types of cord locks, such as those employing wedging action may be employed, or any device serving as a stop to prevent mounting bracket  40  from moving past a predetermined desired point along cord  48 . Cord  48  could be knotted to establish a stop, if desired. When the cord is released, position of cord lock  50  along the length of cord  48  and thus the effective length of cord  48  between hook  46  and mounting bracket  40  may be adjusted. This enables vertical adjustment of the location of mounting bracket  40  below hook  46  so that the fabric article can be selectively positioned with respect to the overhead horizontal elongated support member. Cord  48  could comprise a single filament rather than a two filament closed loop as depicted. 
     It will be appreciated that the hook arrangement is merely representative of many types of attachment apparatus which may be employed to suspend cord  48  from an overhead support. In the hook arrangement, mounting bracket  40 , cord  48 , and cord lock  50  or its equivalent serve collectively to provide an engagement element disposed to attach mounting bracket  40  to the overhead environmental support. 
     It is presently preferred that a rigid sleeve such as metallic or plastic tube  52  be provided and located as follows. With cord  48  having been passed around upper member  54  of mounting bracket  40 , cord  48  is passed through tube  52  and then through cord lock  50 . Upper member  54  becomes a supporting surface on which mounting bracket rests when cord  48  is supported from above. Cord lock  50  prevents tube  52  and hence bracket  40  from slipping down along cord  48 . Tube  52  both provides a resting place other than cord lock  50  and also serves as a spacer which enables cord lock  50  to be located accessibly and visibly below mounting bracket  40 . 
       FIG. 9  shows how bracket  40  and its projection  44  interact with elongated bar  12 . Interengagement is generally similar as that depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     Mounting brackets  10  of  FIG. 1 and 40  of  FIG. 8  are preferably arranged such that their respective lengths are closer to vertical than to horizontal, when in the deployed condition supporting a fabric article  2 . This orientation assists in resisting distortion which might result from the weight of fabric article  2 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a variation on the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 10 , tube  56  has two structural modifications compared to tube  52  of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . At its top, tube  56  has a V-shaped groove  58  which enables elongated bar  12  to seat therein, thereby eliminating necessity for a separate mounting bracket such as bracket  40  of  FIG. 8 . The second modification is rounding of the bottom end of tube  56 , shown at  60 , which receives cord lock  50  in close cooperation therewith. Tube  56  thus cooperates with cord  48 , cord lock  50 , and elongated bar  12 , the latter three components having played corresponding roles in the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 11  shows a further variation on the embodiment of  FIG. 8 . In  FIG. 11 , cord lock  50  is eliminated in favor of a knot  62  formed in cord  48 . This embodiment may employ either tube  52 , as depicted, or tube  56  of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a fastener having an enlarged head, such as screw  64  (or nail, etc.), is used in place of mounting bracket  10  of  FIG. 1 . Screw  64  is driven into wall  6  and engages elongated bar  12  in the same manner as projection  20  of  FIG. 1 . The shank of screw  64  serves as an engagement element disposed to attach screw  64  to the environmental support, which is in this embodiment wall  6 . The head of screw  64  serves as a projection for engaging elongated bar  12 . 
     Fabric article  2  and sleeve  4  are also engaged in similar manner as in  FIG. 1 , although sleeve  4  is not fully shown in  FIG. 12 . Obviously, in fabric articles having a series of loops affixed near the top edge in place of sleeve  4 , screw  64  will directly contact elongated bar  12  as shown, whereas sleeve  4 , where present, would actually intervene to separate screw  64  from elongated bar  12 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein elongated bar  12  is eliminated in favor of one or more hole bearing members such as washer  66 . Washer  66  is permanently affixed to fabric article  2  by enclosing washer  66  within a loose fitting pocket formed by stitching a patch  68  onto the back of fabric article  2  in place of or in addition to sleeve  4 . Patch  68  may be stitched to sleeve  4  or to loops if desired, in order to avoid impinging directly on fabric article  2 . The projection of a suitable mounting bracket enters opening  70  of washer  66  to engage the latter. 
       FIG. 14  provides a rear view showing engagement of washer  66  (not visible in  FIG. 14 ) is engaged by the projection  72  of a mounting bracket  74 . Patch  68  is inwardly displaced by projection  72 , seen as puckering of patch  68  in  FIG. 14 . The arrangement of  FIGS. 13 and 14  would also work with mounting brackets  10  (see  FIG. 1 ) and screw  64  (see  FIG. 12 ). 
     Other modifications may be made to the components of the novel suspension system. Illustratively, and referring to  FIG. 15 , mounting bracket  76  is generally similar to mounting bracket  10  (see  FIG. 4 ), having a projection  78  for engaging elongated bar  12 , but lacks tabs  30 ,  32  of mounting bracket  10  (see  FIG. 1 ).  FIG. 15  also shows seating of elongated bar  12  at the top of projection  78 , as opposed to seating in the valley formed between projection  20  and tabs  30  and  32  of mounting bracket  10 , as seen in  FIG. 4 . 
     In a further modification shown in  FIG. 16 , elongated bar  80 , which is in other ways a structural and functional counterpart of elongated bar  12  of  FIG. 2 , has a series of openings  82  rather than single continuous slot  22  seen in elongated bar  12  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Openings  82  may obviously depart from the elliptical configuration shown in  FIG. 16 . Illustratively, square, rectangular, and circular openings (not shown) may be utilized, among others. 
     It should be stressed that the component which attaches to fabric article  2 , such as elongated bar  12  of  FIG. 1 , elongated bar  80  of  FIG. 16 , and washer  66  of  FIG. 13 , are interface elements which adapt fabric article  2  to present a rigid, durable receptacle for receiving a projection such as projection  20  ( FIG. 1 ), projection  64  ( FIG. 12 ), or projection  72  ( FIG. 14 ), or any other projection (none shown). The projection is fixed to a supporting environmental surface or object, and the receptacle is fixed to fabric article  2 . Fabric article  2  is then mounted to its supporting environmental surface or object by placing it into engagement with the appropriate projection. 
     In a preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , elongated bar  84 , which is in other respects structurally and functionally similar to elongated bar  12 , is preferably formed such that corners C are rounded or radiused to prevent snagging of quilt fabric and other textiles. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , elongated bar  86 , which is in other respects structurally and functionally similar to elongated bar  12 , is an alternative embodiment wherein the flat broad back of elongated bar  12  is eliminated. 
       FIG. 18  shows an optional feature of the invention. A motion detector  88  is affixed to elongated bar  12 . Motion detector  88  is a conventional device which includes an internal battery cell (not visible in  FIG. 18 ), an audible alarm  90 , and an on-off switch  92 . The audible alarm will sound if elongated bar  12  is moved beyond a predetermined degree, as would occur if the fabric article suspended thereon were being removed. It would be possible to modify the alarm to provide visible indication in addition to or instead of audible indication of motion, and to include in addition to or instead of audible and visible outputs a radio frequency or other radiant energy signal for reporting motion to a remote monitoring station (not shown). 
     The invention may also be thought of as a method of suspending fabric article  2  having a sleeve  4  or instead having loops (not shown) extending horizontally therealong from a vertical surface or from above. The method comprises the steps of providing elongated bar  12  having at least one slot  22  formed therein and providing at least one mounting bracket  10  or  40  having a projection ( 20  or  44 , respectively) which is dimensioned and configured to enter and occupy slot  22  while leaving sufficient room to entrap fabric within slot  22  between elongated bar  12  and projection  20  or  44 , with fabric article  2  supportingly engaged by elongated bar  12 . The following steps are practiced in the method. Mounting bracket  10  or  40  is secured to a supporting environmental surface such as, for example, wall  6 , a ceiling surface, or alternatively suspended from above by a rod, pole, chain, hook, clip, or cable, as described with regard to the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 . A step of placing elongated bar  12  inside sleeve  4  of fabric article  2  is performed. Elongated bar  12  is placed against mounting bracket  10  or  40  such that respective projection  20  or  44  enters into and occupies slot  22  while entrapping fabric of sleeve  4  between elongated bar  12  and projection  20  or  44 , while avoiding penetrating through the fabric and also while obviating need for a preformed opening (not shown) which might otherwise be required in sleeve  4  to receive projection  20  or  44  of mounting bracket  10  or  40 . Optionally and preferably, the method includes the further steps of providing elongated bar  12  as a telescoping bar formed in two or more sections each of which slidably engages the other, and adjusting telescoping elongated bar  12  such that it is slightly shorter than sleeve  4  of fabric article  12 . 
     It will be appreciated that while description of the invention has made reference to sleeves formed at the top of a fabric article, the top being the uppermost portion of the article when the article is hanging and generally occupying a vertical plane, other structure can be substituted for the sleeve as shown and described. For example, the sleeve may have openings or windows at the back or front or both to enable suspension using hooks in addition to being used as described herein. These windows or openings may be small or large. It will be further appreciated that as the windows become quite large, the amount of material in the sleeve becomes commensurately small. With windows which are quite large, remaining sleeve material may take the form of loops. The sleeve may take the form of a tab which does not close on itself to form a closed loop, as long as there is sufficient material to be entrapped in a serpentine path or otherwise secured by engagement with elongated bar  12  and mounting bracket  10  or  40 . Therefore, the term “sleeve” as employed herein is intended to encompass all constructions ranging from continuous, uninterrupted sleeves to one or more loops attached to the top of the fabric article. 
     It should be stressed at this point that the novel suspension system works both with fabric articles  2  provided with full sleeves  4 , and also with fabric articles having loops (not shown). This is because whereas projections  20  or  44  of the brackets must engage elongated bar  12 , projections  20 ,  44  can do so either by pinching or engaging sleeve  4 , or alternatively, in the absence of sleeve  4 , directly engaging elongated bar  12 , the latter engaging loops (not shown) at locations spaced apart from brackets  10 . Method steps set forth above may be modified to reflect the absence of sleeve  4  where projections  20  or  44  engage elongated bar  12 . 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.