Patent Abstract:
A T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger has a generally flat mounting rail that attaches to a wall via one or more T-slotted grooves on its rear surface. The apparatus incorporates a second T-slotted groove on its front surface to which a plurality of suspension units can be attached. The suspension units utilize a screw, knob, arm and jaw to securely hold the quilt, textile, or other media to the rail without damaging the item and can be quickly loosened to reposition or remove the hanging item. Permanent contact point stresses on the item are minimized. Additionally, a third T-slotted groove can be added to the top surface of the rail to provide attachment points for a shelf or other items.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/626,018 entitled T-SLOT RAIL QUILT, TEXTILE, AND MEDIA HANGER and filed on Sep. 19, 2011 which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of interior decorating and wall hangings, and more particularly to a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger apparatus. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The production of textiles, fabrics and fibers has a long and storied history. The need for body coverings that could be produced without the direct conversion of animal skins drove many early developments as did the need for bedding. One particular type of bedding is the quilt, which is traditionally composed of three layers of fibers. A woven cloth top layer and a woven back layer together containing a layer of wadding or batting define a conventional quilt. The process of combining these layers is called quilting. Often, a number of individual fabric pieces are combined into a patchwork of blocks that form a decorative top layer. 
         [0004]    Although traditionally designed as bedding, the often complex and artistic nature of the quilt has led to the displaying of quilts as works of art in their own right. And because of their size, one common display method is to hang quilts vertically from a wall surface so that the entire quilt can be seen and appreciated. This has led to a need for a quilt hanging apparatus that allows a quilt to be easily hung without damaging the quilt. Additionally, because of their utility for bedding purposes—and for other reasons—quilts often need to be removed from the wall hanging and then replaced or substituted with other quilts, textiles, or media. Current methods of hanging quilts include: tacking or otherwise piercing the quilt, incorporating a sleeve or other attachment onto the back of the quilt, or otherwise damaging or modifying the quilt to allow for easy display on the wall. Tacking or otherwise piercing the quilt can cause damage to the quilt and modifying the quilt by the addition of a sleeve can similarly compromise the usefulness and appearance of a quilt. In answer to these problems, a number of current quilt hanging products have been introduced, but such items can be difficult and time-consuming to use, can put undo strain on contact points on the quilt, and can otherwise compromise or damage the quilt. 
         [0005]    Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus that provides for the vertical displaying of a quilt as a wall hanging without piercing or otherwise modifying the quilt. Such an apparatus should allow the quilt to hang naturally without creating permanent contact point stresses in a quilt and should allow for the easy removal of the quilt and replacement with another quilt, textile, or wall-display media. Furthermore, because the resulting wall display is meant to be appealing to the eye, the apparatus should be unobtrusive and should not detract from the artistic presentation of the quilt, textiles or wall-display media that it supports. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    One embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus having a generally flat mounting rail that securely attaches to a wall or other vertical surface via one or more T-slotted grooves on its rear (or wall-facing) surface. The apparatus also incorporates a second T-slotted groove on its front (or room-facing) surface to which a plurality of suspension units can be attached. The suspension units securely hold the quilt, textile, or other media to the rail and can be quickly loosened to reposition or remove the quilt as needed. Because the suspension units provide for quick and easy repositioning of the quilt, permanent contact point stresses on the quilt are minimized without excessive user effort. The suspension units allows the user to adjust the amount of pressure that is placed on the quilt at each contact point, unlike any spring-loaded, or fixed attachment devices. Furthermore, supplementary suspension units can be added to reduce the load on each quilt contact point, accommodate heavier or larger quilts or textiles, etc. as needed. Additionally, a third T-slotted groove can be added to the top (or ceiling-facing) surface of the rail to provide attachment points for a shelf, valance, lighting or other items. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The aforementioned and other features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the invention itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of a preferred embodiment and other embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger with a sample quilt in place; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspension unit for a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspension unit for a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger holding a sample quilt in place; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side elevation cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side elevation cross-section view of another exemplary embodiment of a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger having an additional, top-mounting T-slot; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a mounting rail. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger  100 . The embodiment of the rail hanger apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a mounting rail  110 , a rear T-slot  120 , a front T-slot  130 , and a plurality of suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180 . The mounting rail  110  is shown in  FIG. 1  as having a generally rectangular body that attaches relatively snugly to the wall  198  or other generally vertical surface. The rail  110  extends generally horizontally along the surface of the wall  198  and has a first end  112  and a second end  114  defining the length of the rail  110 . In other embodiments, the rail  110  can be stylized, have rounded-off corners, etc. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the rear T-slot  120  can be utilized to removably attach the rail hanger  100  to the wall  198 . In a preferred embodiment, the rear T-slot  120  runs generally along the length of the rail  110  from its first end  112  to its second end  114 . The rear T-slot  120  is generally centered vertically on the rear surface of the rail  110 . In another embodiment, two or more rear T-slots  120  can be utilized. In yet another embodiment, the rear T-slots  120  do not run the full length of the rail  110 . See  FIG. 7  for another alternate embodiment of rear T-slots  120  (there,  720  and  721 ). 
         [0017]    As can be seen more clearly in  FIG. 5 , the rear T-slot  120  ( FIG. 5 , item  520 ) has a cross-sectional shape resembling a letter “T”. This shape allows a screw head to move back and forth along the horizontal length of the rear T-slot  120 . However, because the head of the screw is larger than the vertical portion of the “T”, it can not slide through the rear-facing opening of the T-slot (see  FIG. 5 ). It is preferred that periodic access points be added to the rear T-slot  120  to allow the wall mounting screw heads to enter the rear T-slot  120  at points along its length rather than only at either end of the rear T-slot  120 . In such a configuration, wall mounting screws can be attached to the wall  198  at a set interval, say every sixteen inches on each standard wall stud, and the rail hanger  100  can then be placed over the protruding screw heads and slid left or right to lock the screw heads into the rear T-slot  120 . If the gap between the bottom of the wall mounting screw heads and the wall surface is approximately equal to the distance between the ends of the horizontal portion of the T and the rear surface of the rail hanger  100 , then the wall mounting screw heads will fit snugly into the rear T-slot  120  and will securely hold the rail hanger  100  snugly against the wall surface  198 . Alternatively, a plurality of attachment ports  155  can be employed. Such attachment ports  155  can be placed on the front, or room-facing, portion of the mounting rail  110  directly over the rear T-slot  120 . The attachment ports  155  can be generally elongated ovals, rectangles, or any shape that allows access to the screw heads in the rear T-slot  120 . The attachment ports  155  can be placed every four, eight, or sixteen inches and allow access to the wall mounting screw heads, allowing a user to place the mounting rail  120 , adjust it to the exact position they&#39;d like it to rest, and then tighten the wall mounting screws directly. Once a quilt, textile, or other media is inserted into the rail hanger apparatus  100 , the plurality of attachment ports  155  are no longer visible. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the rear T-slot  120  is not used for securing the rail hanger  100  to the wall  198 . Instead, a number of screws or other attachments are utilized to simply screw or otherwise affix the rail hanger apparatus  100  directly to the wall  198 . Other attachments can include, but are not limited to: glue, nails, hook and loop material, magnets, bolts, etc. Additionally, the rear T-slots can still be used without screws, bolts, nails, and other similar wall attachment devices can be employed that are themselves secured to the wall and have a head or similar protrusion extending outwards from the wall that can be engaged and held by the T-slot. 
         [0019]    The front T-slot  130  can be shaped and sized approximately similar to the rear T-slot  120 . However, it is preferred that the front T-slot  130  not be positioned in the vertical center of the rail  110 , but instead be placed generally in the upper third of the rail  110 . Such placement not only serves to allow room for the plurality of suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  to function properly, but also ensures that the rail  110  isn&#39;t unduly weakened by the close proximity of the rear T-slot  120  and the front T-slot  130 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  and the front T-slot  130  can be configured such that the units  160 ,  170  and  180  are vertically centered; i.e., the portion of the mounting rail  110  that is visible above and below the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  is approximately equal. As an example, one-half inch of the mounting rail  110  can be visible above the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  and one-half inch of the mounting rail  110  can be visible below the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180 . In other embodiments, the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  are not centered vertically on the mounting rail  110 . 
         [0020]    The plurality of suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  are removably attached to the front T-slot  130  by a sliding screw head that can be loosened or tightened by turning the knurl knobs  162 ,  172  and  182  on the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  (for additional detail, see  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 ). In other embodiments, the knurl knobs  162 ,  172 , and  182  can be wing-nuts, regular nuts, artistic knobs, or any other device that attaches to the underlying screw and can be tightened thereto, thereby squeezing the quilt, textile or media between the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  and the mounting rail  110 . As with the rear T-slot  120 , the front T-slot  130  can extend from the first end  112  of the rail  110  to the second end  114 , or it can run for a distance that is less than the length of the rail  110 . Furthermore, both the rear T-slot  120  and the front T-slot  130  can, in other embodiments, comprise a plurality of T-slots, they do not have to be continuous. Furthermore, if access ports are utilized (on either or both of the T-slots), the T-slots are not required to extend all the way to either end  112  and  114  of the rail  110 . Just as on the rear T-slot  120 , the front T-slot  130  can have one or more access ports added so that the attachment screw head extending from the rear of a suspension unit can be placed into the front T-slot  130  at various points along its length and slid left or right. A knurl knob  162 ,  172  or  182  can then be tightened to lock the suspension unit in place on the rail  110 . 
         [0021]    Before tightening the knurl knobs  162 ,  172  and  182  fully, the upper edge of a quilt, textile, or wall-display media should be inserted between the jaw of the suspension unit  160 ,  170  and  180  and the rail  110  (for more detail, see additional FIGs.). Because many quilts, textiles and wall-display media have an edge that is large and bulky, the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  incorporate an edge spacer that ensures extra space to accommodate this bulk between a portion of each of the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  and the rail  110  (again, for more detail see additional FIGs.). 
         [0022]    Although the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shows three suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180 , other embodiments can have one, two, four, or more. Furthermore, the length of the individual suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as being relatively short in comparison to the length of the rail  110 . In other embodiments, the dimensions of the suspension units  160 ,  170  and  180  can vary. 
         [0023]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger  200  with a sample quilt  202  in place. The embodiment of the rail hanger apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 2  comprises a rail  210 , a front T-slot  230 , and a plurality of suspension units  260 ,  270 ,  280 ,  290  and  291 . The rail  210  is shown in  FIG. 2  as having a generally rectangular body that attaches relatively snugly to the wall  298 . The rail  210  extends generally horizontally along the surface of the wall  298  and has a first end  212  and a second end  214 . 
         [0024]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the plurality of suspension units  260 ,  270 ,  280 ,  290  and  291  can vary in number from the three units shown in  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , five units are illustrated. The suspension units  260 ,  270 ,  280 ,  290  and  291  grasp the quilt  202  and hold it gently but securely against the rail  210 . Because the rail hanger  200  is oriented generally horizontally, the quilt  202  hangs approximately vertically and is displayed to full effect on the wall  298 . Although the scale in  FIG. 2 , causes them to be difficult to see, the knurl knobs can be replaced with decorative items such as butterflies, color-coordinated objects, etc. (see  FIG. 4  for more an example with more detail). 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspension unit  360  for a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger. The suspension unit  360  shown in  FIG. 3  comprises: a mounting base  366 , an extension arm  367 , a jaw  364 , an edge spacer  365 , a knurl knob  362 , and a rail attachment screw  363 . 
         [0026]    The mounting base  366  provides a solid base that can be tightened against the mounting rail of the rail hanger. The suspension unit  360  can be made from wood, metal, plastic, and/or any other suitable materials. Similarly, the rail is illustrated in various FIGs. as being made from wood, but other suitable materials can be used. 
         [0027]    Attached to the mounting base  366  is an extension arm  367 . The extension arm  367  connects the mounting base  366  and the jaw  364  and serves to transmit the clamping force to the jaw  364  so that when the mounting base  366  is tightened against the mounting rail, the jaw  364  is also clamped against the mounting rail. 
         [0028]    The shape of the extension arm  367  also provides space between the arm  367  and the rail in the form of an edge spacer  365 . The edge spacer  365  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  as having a generally half-circle or elliptical shape; in other embodiments, other shapes may be utilized to accommodate the extra bulk often found at the edge of quilts, textiles, etc. It is significant to note that, once the jaw  364  is tightened against the rail, the bulky edge of the quilt, textile, etc. can no longer slip between the jaw  364  and the rail, ensuring that the quilt, textile, etc. remains suspended. 
         [0029]    In order to tighten the suspension unit  360  against the mounting rail, the T-slot system described in  FIG. 1  is utilized. The rail attachment screw  363  has a head which fits into the front T-slot on the rail. The screw extends through the mounting base  366  so that the knurl knob  362  can engage it on the other side of the suspension unit  360 . As the knurl knob  362  is turned, the head of the rail attachment screw  363  is pulled towards the mounting base  366 , tightening snugly against the inside of the front T-slot in the rail. As the knurl knob  362  is loosened, the head of the rail attachment screw  363  releases its contact with the front T-slot and the entire suspension unit  360  can then slide back and forth along the front T-slot. As discussed above, access ports can also be placed on the front T-slot so that the head of the rail attachment screw  363  can be inserted into the front T-slot at various points along its length rather than just at either end. 
         [0030]    Although the knurl knob  362  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  as a decorative brass knob, other types of tightening devices are contemplated. Such devices can include, but are not limited to: wing nuts, standard nuts, decorative handles, knobs of any kind, etc. Furthermore, although the screw head of the rail attachment screw  363  is illustrated in  FIG. 3  as resembling a generally round-headed screw, other types of screws, bolts, etc. can be used. For example, a square, rectangular, or hexagonal bolt head can be utilized; such a bolt head can be sized to fit to close tolerances within the T-slot so that it can not rotate when the knurl knob  362  is tightened or loosened as the corners of the bolt head impact the T-slot and prohibit rotation of the rail attachment screw  363 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close-up, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a suspension unit  460  for a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger  400  holding a sample quilt  402  in place. The front T-slot  430  and the rear T-slot  420  can be clearly seen at the end of the rail  410 ; in other embodiments, the front T-slot  430  and/or the rear T-slot  420  do not extend to the ends of the rail  410 . 
         [0032]    A decorative butterfly-shaped knurl knob  462  is illustrated in  FIG. 4  and can be compared to the brass knurl knob  362  of  FIG. 3 . As discussed above, other types, shapes, and sizes of knurl knobs can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. Also shown in  FIG. 4  is the bulky edge  403  of the quilt  402 . Note how the bulky edge  403  is contained within the edge spacer  465  of the suspension unit  460 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates a side elevation cross-section view of an exemplary embodiment of a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger  500 . The rail  510  and suspension unit  560  are the two main vertical components. The knurl knob  562  and rail attachment screw  563  are illustrated and it should be clear that as the knurl knob  562  is turned it draws the rail attachment screw  563  head tight into the front T-slot  530 . As the head draws tight, the suspension unit  560  is similarly tightened against the rail  510 , causing the extension arm  567  to exert pressure against the jaw  564 , and thereby securing the quilt, textile, or media between the jaw  564  and the rail  510 . 
         [0034]    The wall attachment device  522  (here, a screw) was discussed in the detailed description of  FIG. 1  but was not visible in that FIG. As mentioned previously, the wall attachment device  522  can be a bolt, screw, etc. and the head of the wall attachment device  522  can selectively slide through the rear T-slot  520  or engage therewith. Alternatively, other mounting means as discussed above are contemplated. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  illustrates a side elevation cross-section view of another exemplary embodiment of a T-slot rail quilt, textile and media hanger  600  having an additional, top-mounting T-slot  640 . The top-mounting T-slot  640  can be T-shaped and can run the length of the top of the mounting rail  610 . Alternatively, in other embodiments, other shapes and locations are contemplated. The purpose of the top-mounting T-slot  640  is to provide an attachment point to allow the mounting of a shelf, valance, lighting or other items. Since the user of the rail hanger  600  is already familiar with the T-slot attachment system, he or she will readily be able to utilize another T-slot at the top of the rail to attach additional items to the rail hanger  600 . Note that “T-slots” as used herein include slots that are variations of the T, for example, they can be shaped as an inverted “V”, “U”, trapezoid, pyramid, etc. 
         [0036]    The rail  610  and suspension unit  660  are the two main vertical components shown in  FIG. 6 . The knurl knob  662  and rail attachment screw  663  are illustrated and it should be clear that as the knurl knob  662  is turned it draws the rail attachment screw  663  head tight into the front T-slot  630 . A similar mounting system can be employed in the top-mounting T-slot  640 . 
         [0037]    As the suspension unit  660  is tightened against the rail  610 , it causes the extension arm  667  to exert pressure against the jaw  664 , and thereby securing the quilt, textile, or media between the jaw  664  and the rail  610 . The wall attachment device  622  can be a bolt, screw, etc. and the head of the wall attachment device  622  can selectively slide through the rear T-slot  620  or engage therewith. Alternatively, other mounting means as discussed above are contemplated 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of an alternative exemplary embodiment of a mounting rail  710 . The rear face (wall-facing portion) of the mounting rail  710  is shown. Also illustrated is one end of the front T-slot  730 . 
         [0039]    In this embodiment, the plurality of rear T-slots  720  is illustrated in a vertical configuration instead of the horizontally configured rear T-slots in earlier FIGs. The number of rear T-slots  720  shown is two, in other embodiments fewer or more rear T-slots  720  can be employed. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the wall mounting screws would be placed in the wall, leaving the head of the screws exposed just enough to slide into the rear T-slots  720  as the rail  710  is slid downwards over them while being held against the wall. In this mounting scenario, the screws would have to be properly located in the wall so that the spacing between them matched the spacing between the rear T-slots  720 . 
         [0040]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been described and disclosed in the present application, it should be understood that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is not the intention of this application to limit this invention in any way except as by the appended claims. 
         [0041]    Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
         [0042]    The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0043]    In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the invention. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments of the invention and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the invention as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
         [0044]    While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in an number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention. 
         [0045]    The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0