Patent Publication Number: US-6209240-B1

Title: Textile holding frame

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to quilting, needlework and other textile holding frames, and more particularly to improvements in the art of textile holding frames to facilitate the support, retention, and/or tensioning of the textile or other materials for comfortable and efficient use, and the maintenance of proper tension on the textile or other materials to be worked. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Quilting frames and other textile supporting frames have traditionally been constructed from various types of wood, and have frequently included some form of structure for orienting the materials to be worked into a comfortable position for the user. The simplest wooden frames were four lengths of wood arranged in a rectangle, temporarily attached at the corners with metal clamps usually supported on chairs over which was stretched the basted quilt to be worked. These tensioned the quilt adequately, and were inexpensive, but were awkward, essentially immobile, required basting of the quilt “sandwich” before actual quilting, and took up a large amount of space. The more sophisticated wooden frames included three or even four rotating parallel wooden poles with a support for positioning the frame in a comfortable position. The first rotating pole farthest from the quilter held the fabric which would comprise the top surface/side of the quilt; the second rotating pole held a supply of fabric and batting which would comprise the underside and middle batting layer of the quilt; and the third rotating pole received the three layers comprising the finished quilt after the quilting operation had been completed. Structure was provided for applying the necessary tension to each of the rotating poles to tension the quilt “sandwich” ready for quilting, generally a ratchet mechanism. Advantages of the three pole frames are the ability to quilt without first basting the quilting layers together, and retaining the textile totally on the frame members for cleanliness and neatness. Although generally satisfactory, the most sophisticated wooden frames using the two, three or four rotating pole design are often expensive to produce, large, immobile, heavy, and difficult to assemble for use and to disassemble for storage. 
     Kramer U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,522 discloses a quilting/textile frame that represents an improvement over the prior art wooden frame designs. The &#39;522 patent discloses a generally rectangular frame that is somewhat analogous to a large embroidery hoop in function, and is formed from lightweight but firm tubular plastic material (PVC) held together with plastic pressure connections along with permanently attached connections, and uses crescent shaped clamp members that are snap fitted over the textile and rod member for tensioning the textile. As compared with prior art wooden frames, the device disclosed in the &#39;522 patent is lightweight, easy to store, relatively easy to assemble and disassemble, easy to move, easy to tension the textile through rotation around the smooth stationary frame member, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture. However, the crescent shaped clamp members disclosed in the &#39;522 patent can be difficult to install, and because of the snap fit and lack of a place to grip the clamp can be quite difficult to remove. Because the clamps must be removed and replaced multiple times to change the position of the textile, this is a major deficiency. In addition, the device of the &#39;522 patent does not provide a structure for supporting the frame in a position comfortable and healthy for the user, either in orientation or height. Furthermore, the &#39;522 frame design uses only clamps for tensioning, and does not provide an alternate frame design providing adequate means for tensioning materials for quilting without first basting the quilting layers together before actual quilting, as in the 2, 3, or 4 rotating pole wooden frames. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a textile holding frame which overcomes the foregoing and other deficiencies noted in the prior art. The inventive apparatus includes a textile holding frame having a pair of side frame members and two or more lateral frame members extending between the sides to define a generally rectangular configuration, all as is well known in the art. The invention includes two basic embodiments, each using an alternate textile tensioning method, along with suggested frame support bases. One embodiment uses stationary frame members with improved retainers for tensioning, and the alternate embodiment uses rotating frame members to provide the desired tensioning and which may be used with the improved retainers for retention of the textile. Both embodiments may be constructed in a wide variety of frame designs and sizes, and utilized with or without additional slip joints for ease of use, ease of assembly and disassembly, and the comfort and health of the needleworker. As used herein, a “slip joint” is a sliding, rotating, and/or pivoting contact between PVC connectors or other cyclindrical components having varying diameters and/or thickness. This feature of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detailed in the final six paragraphs of the Summary of the Invention, infra. Alternative frame designs include small “lap” supported versions, table supported versions for machine sewing, or a variety of larger, floor supported versions. 
     The first “stationary member frame” embodiment of the invention employs improved retainers for securing the quilt materials, other needlework/textiles, or other materials to the stationary, firm plastic frame members. The retainers are removable clamp members which include one or more extensions or other structural features to allow an improved hand or fingertip hold to assist in the placement and removal of the retainer from the frame, thus overcoming a deficiency of the prior art. Even though similar in shape to prior art clamps, these structural changes significantly improve the ease of placement, positioning and removal of the retainer. The retainers preferably have roughly the cross-sectional shape of the Greek letter “Omega” due to the presence of lip or flange portion(s), which features can be gripped by the user&#39;s fingertips and are therefore readily slipped into and out of engagement with the frame member to secure the quilting material or textile to effect both retention and tensioning. One version of the inventive retainer includes directional ridges on the inside surface for greater ability to grip the textile, thus increasing tensioning ability when rotating the retainer around the stationary frame member. The Omega-shaped retainer at least partially encircles the stationary pole (e.g., at least 180 degrees). The preferred stationary member frame embodiment includes a base portion to support the frame in an appropriate position. 
     The alternate “rotating member frame” embodiment of the invention also has the advantage of a frame made with tubular plastic and pressure joints and retains the advantages of the prior art three pole wooden quilting frames, but without the disadvantages. The three lateral member design allows for a no-baste technique—a significant time saver. In addition, it maintains the entire lengths of textile rolled onto the lateral members for cleanliness and ease of use. 
     The rotating member frame embodiment may include two, three or four rotatable lateral frame members adapted to selectively rotate relative to stationary side frame members. The rotatable lateral frame members may be supported internally or externally by the stationary side members. Textiles other than quilts can be supported when two rotatable lateral members are used for tensioning. Structure is provided for applying the necessary stability or positioning of each of the rotatable lateral members to tension the textile or quilt “sandwich”. The rotatable poles/lateral members may be rotated and held in a selected position by an internal or external ratchet, friction, elastic cords, removable pins or other means. The textile may be held onto the rotating members by the inventive Omega-shaped retainers or alternate means. 
     Both embodiments of the inventive apparatus preferably include a base portion which supports the rectangular frame portion holding the quilting material or textile in an angular, horizontal or vertical orientation to provide the best posture and comfort for the user. The orientation of the rectangular frame portion (actually holding the quilt or textile) may be fixed between zero and ninety degrees relative to the floor for needle working and the like, or may be fully variable to be able to place the needlework, textile or quilt in the most comfortable position for work. This work includes but is not limited to planning, viewing, basting, quilting, needling, tying and the like, along with storage, or viewing the underside of the quilt or textile. The variable positioning may be achieved by but is not limited to use of a slip joint between the rectangular frame portion and the support base portion, where it easily rotates and is easily separated for disassembly. Angle adjustment may be achieved by but is not limited to variable height adjustment from the legs of the support base portion. The support base may be adjustable in angle and height, such as by the use of telescoping tubular members, spacers, apertures with locking pins, extensions, or other mechanisms. Variations of frame and support base design include but are not limited to those allowing for expansion of size, such as for use with multiple needle workers or alternate uses. 
     The inventive apparatus may also utilize one or a variety of forms of a “slip joint”. The slip joint may be a prominent feature of various frame designs and may be the basis for very easy assembly and disassembly, easy addition of attachments such as a support base or light bar, and rotating pivot points for angle adjustment. A variation of the slip joint provides the alternate tensioning method in the rotating member frame embodiment. The slip joint represents an alternate use of PVC connections which are normally stationary and water tight when cemented, or are stationary pressure/friction joints as has been used in the prior art. The slip joint allows for easy movement whether pivoting/rotational or parallel with the pipe/connector. The slip joint is based on standard PVC pipe and connectors that fit closely inside and slip within one another, as opposed to the stationary pressure joint. 
     Examples of slip joints include, but are not limited to: 
     a. Connectors only—a standard 1 inch (2.54 cm) PVC cap fits closely inside and slips/pivots within a standard 1¼ inch (3.18 cm) el or tee, and provides for a pivoting joint between the rectangular frame (lateral and side members) holding the textile and the supporting frame base. 
     b. Pipes only—a 1 inch (2.54 cm) (any thickness) PVC pipe that fits closely inside 1¼ inch (3.18 cm) schedule  40  PVC pipe can rotate or slide lengthwise. 
     c. Combination pipes and connectors—a 1 inch (2.54 cm) straight connector and pipe slides easily into and out of a 1¼ inch (3.18 cm) connector and schedule  40  pipe for ease of assembly and disassembly. Various sizes of pipe and types of connectors from ½ inch (1.27 cm) may be used for the slip joint. 
     For use in the rotating member frame embodiment, a variation of the slip joint may be used. For example, an external 1¼ inch (3.18 cm) schedule  40  PVC pipe (rotating member) upon which the textile is placed, rotates relative to and is supported by an internal stationary 1 inch (2.54 cm) PVC pipe attached to the end member, though other variations or combinations could be used. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a prior art quilting/textile frame; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a basic lap-sized stationary member frame embodiment of the textile holding frame of the present invention; 
     FIGS. 3,  3 A,  3 B and  3 C are side elevation cross-sectional views of retainers used in the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lap-sized three lateral rotating member frame embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a larger stationary member frame, illustrating the extendable legs on the rear of the support base having been raised to place the textile holding frame in an angled position relative to the user; and 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a larger rotating member frame as mounted on a support base in an angled position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a quilting/textile frame of the type disclosed in Kramer U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,522. The quilting frame  10  comprises lateral members  12  and  14  and side members  16  and  18  all formed from PVC tubing. Four elbows  20  also formed from PVC tubing interconnect the lateral members  12  and  14  and permanently connect the side members  16  and  18  to define a rectangular configuration. Clamping members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  function to secure material to be quilted in engagement with the lateral members  12  and  14  and the side members  16  and  18 , respectively. The clamping members  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  comprise lengths of PVC tubing which are slit lengthwise to define a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration. A further understanding of the construction and operation of that quilting frame may be had by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,522, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a textile holding frame  30  comprising a first “stationary member frame” embodiment of the present invention. The frame  30  includes an upper textile supporting frame  32  comprising lengths of PVC tubing  34 ,  36  forming the lateral members, and  38 ,  40 ,  42 , and  44  forming the side members. Four elbows  46  and two tee&#39;s  48 , also formed from PVC, interconnect the tubing sections  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  42  and  44  to define the rectangular fabric supporting frame  32 . 
     The frame  30  further includes base  52  comprising a horizontally disposed length of PVC tubing  54 ; vertically disposed lengths of PVC tubing  56  and  58 , and two elbows  60 . The rectangular textile supporting frame  32  is supported on the base  52  by engagement of the vertically disposed tubing sections  56  and  58  with the tee&#39;s  48 . The base  52  of the frame  30  is adapted for use as a “lap” frame, as when the needle worker is sitting on a couch, chair or bed. 
     The frame  30  further comprises a plurality of Omega-shaped retainers  80  which function to secure the material being quilted in engagement with the tubing sections  34  and  36 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the cross-sectional configuration of the retainers  80  takes roughly the form of the Greek letter Omega. Thus, each Omega-shaped retainer  80  has at least one or a pair of radially outwardly extending lips or flanges  82  which facilitate engagement and disengagement of the retainer  80  relative to the tubing sections  34  and  36 . Each retainer  80  is preferably further provided with an interior texture or structure, such as a plurality of longitudinally extending ridges  84  disposed around at least some portion of its interior surface, whereby the retaining and tensioning of the material to be quilted in engagement with the tubing section  34  and  36  is facilitated. 
     FIG. 3A illustrates an alternate retainer  80   a  bearing a single, terminally-disposed flange  82   a  and a single, medially-disposed flange  82   b  with directional ridges  84   a  disposed around at least some portion of the interior surface. FIG. 3B illustrates an alternate retainer  80   b  bearing a single terminally disposed flange  82   b  with directional ridge  84   a.  FIG. 3C illustrates an alternate retainer  80   c  bearing a pair of medially-disposed flanges  82   c,  and without interior texture or structure. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a rotating member frame embodiment  90  of this invention which constitutes a significant variation of the frame  30  illustrated in FIG.  2 . The frame  90  is provided with rotatable lateral members or tubing sections  92 ,  94 , and  96 , and additional retainers  80 . When the frame  90  is employed as a quilting frame, the upper layer of material to be quilted is disposed over the first lateral member (tubing section)  92 , the lower layer of material to be quilted and the padding which is to be disposed between the two layers of material to be quilted are disposed over the second lateral member (tubing section)  94 , and the completed quilt is disposed over the third lateral member (tubing section)  96 . In each instance the material is secured in place by the Omega retainer  80 , or alternate retention as by attachment to a cloth apron (not shown). 
     The rotating members serve to tension and hold lengths of textiles in easily variable positions through rotation to expose unworked sections. The rotatable nature of the lateral members can be accomplished in a variety of ways. For example, the rotating member may utilize a locking pin tensioning arrangement including a collar  100  bearing apertures  102 , adapted to be aligned with apertures on sleeves  104  secured to side members  106 , and locked in a selected rotational position by insertion of locking pin  108 . Alternatively, any other selective rotational positioning method could be employed, including ratchet mechanisms, or even simply high-friction engagement of the respective parts (e.g., collar  100  to sleeve  104 ). 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a larger stationary member frame  120  as mounted on a support base  122 , and in a angled position illustrating the rear legs  132  of the support base  122  having been raised to place the textile holding frame  120  in an angled position. Legs  132  may be adjusted in height by use of selective placement of locking pins  134  through apertures  136  in legs  132  to support the inner telescoping legs  138  in a raised position. Alternatively, any other height-adjustment mechanism could be used. Support base  122  may include a plurality of vertical and horizontal structural members to provide a stable base and support for a frame, all as described previously. In particular base  122  preferably includes slip joints consisting of a pair of receivers  124  to pivotally engage frame side member extensions  126 , and a pair of height-adjustable rests  128  to support frame side members  130 . 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the larger rotating frame  140  using the same support base as FIG.  5 . 
     While this invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, along with two suggested designs for base support portions, it is obvious that modifications and changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art to which it pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, for the purpose of retention, tensioning, and ease of use, the retainer may be plastic or an alternate material, can have alternate attachments or extensions for the purpose of gripping which may be an integral part of the clamp, attached, or removable, may be plastic, fabric, rope or other material, or may be single or multiple. The retainer may have an alternate internal surface structure, texture, or different material to provide the ability to grip the textile. It is even possible to have a smooth internal surface though this is less effective. The stationary or rotating frame members may also be directionally textured or bear other surface features (as opposed to being smooth) to work in tandem with the retainer. The stationary or rotating frame members can have internal structure for added stiffness. The slip joints could be used in any PVC structure to provide pivoting joints, sliding connections, the feature of assembly and disassembly while maintaining stability, etc. Accordingly, the scope of this invention should be determined not by the embodiment(s) illustrated but is to be limited only by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.