Abstract:
A quilting frame apparatus is disclosed, which provides a user with a more efficient work area than is provided with traditional quilting frames. The quilting frame apparatus comprises concentric rectangular outer and inner frames. The outer frame is constructed from four elongate members attached in a mortise-and-tenon arrangement at each of its four corners and secured by wingnuts. The quilting frame may be adjusted at different angles to suit the user. The apparatus may also be folded for convenient storage.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
   The present invention relates generally to equipment used in the production of hand-made quilts. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved apparatus for holding an item of work during the quilting process. 
   BACKGROUND ART 
   The craft of producing hand-made quilts has long been an American tradition. Generally, a quilt is composed of three layers, a top layer, a layer of batting, and a layer of backing. The top layer of a quilt may be a single layer of fabric, but is more often composed of multiple pieces of fabric sewn together end to end to form a single layer. In some quilt designs, small pieces of fabric are sewn together in a mosaic or patchwork pattern, while in others, the top layer is made up of individual squares, with each square containing some sort of design (possibly embroidered or composed of multiple pieces of material of different colors). 
   Underneath the top layer of the quilt is the batting. Batting is a filling or stuffing material. Modern quilts generally utilize some form of synthetic fiber-fill material (generally in a sheet form) as batting, although other similar materials (including both natural and artificial materials) that provide bulk and insulation to the quilt may be used. Beneath the batting is the backing layer, which is usually a single layer of fabric. The backing and top layers of the quilt are sewn together along their edges to form a seam that encloses the backing. 
   The process of “quilting” refers to the particular manner in which the three layers are sewn together. In addition to being stitched together with seams around the edges, quilts are stitched together at locations in the middle of the quilt as well. These “interior stitches” extend through all three layers of material and generally form some form of decorative pattern that complements the design of the top layer. 
   As is also the case with embroidery, is it difficult to produce attractive “interior stitches” without some convenient way to hold the material, since the needle must pass through both sides of the work. In embroidery, it is common to use round or oblong “hoops” to hold and stretch the material being embroidered into a generally planar configuration that is easy to work with. These hoops generally consist of two concentric hoops of some rigid material (such as wood, plastic, or metal), where the material to be embroidered is stretched over the inner hoop, and the outer hoop is placed around the material and inner hoop to hold the material against the inner hoop. Often the outer hoop will have a screw or other adjustment mechanism to allow the inner diameter of the outer hoop to be adjusted to allow the hoop to be tightened around the material and inner hoop. 
   Traditionally, quilters have employed quilting frames that are a close analogue of the embroidery hoop to position and hold their work. These frames, like embroidery hoops, are generally constructed in some rounded or oblong shape, but in a larger size, so as to accommodate the larger dimensions of typical quilts. In addition, quilting frames are usually constructed so as to be free-standing, to support the large size and weight of typical quilts. The traditional round or oblong quilting frame shape, however, suffers from a number of disadvantages. First, traditional round or oblong frames provide a limited work area in relation to their size. Second, since most quilts are rectangular in shape, the traditional frames do not conform well to the shape of the quilt. As a consequence of these first two disadvantages, a quilter must frequently reposition the quilt within the frame as work progresses. A third disadvantage of the traditional design is that the durability of the traditional frame is limited by the fact that the round or oblong outer hoop must be flexed in order to tighten or loosen the frame; this places limitations on the strength and useful operating life of such a frame. What is needed, then, is a durable quilting frame that provides a larger and more useful work area than is possible with traditional quilting frames. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a quilting frame apparatus that provides the user with a more efficient work area than is provided with traditional quilting frames. The quilting frame apparatus comprises concentric rectangular outer and inner frames. The outer frame is constructed from four elongate members attached in a mortise-and-tenon arrangement at each of its four corners and secured by wingnuts. The quilting frame may be adjusted at different angles to suit the user. The apparatus may also be folded for convenient storage. 
   The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity, simplifications, generalizations, and omissions of detail; consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the present invention, as defined solely by the claims, will become apparent in the non-limiting detailed description set forth below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a quilting franc apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a mortise-and-tenon joint used in the outer frame of a quilting frame apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram depicting a mechanism used to adjust the viewing angle of a quilting frame apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram depicting a quilting frame apparatus in a folded position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram depicting a preferred method of use of a quilting frame apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a diagram of a quilting frame apparatus  100  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Quilting frame apparatus  100  provides a large rectangular work area, which allows a quilter to work for longer periods of time without the inconvenience of moving the quilt being worked on. Further, since many quilts are constructed of square or rectangular pieces, the rectangular shape provides a work area that better conforms to such rectangular quilt layouts than with conventional oblong quilting frames/hoops. 
   Turning now to the details of construction, the rectangular work area is defined by an outer frame, which comprises four removable outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 , and an inner frame  110 , the four sides of which are permanently connected together to form a rectangle. In a preferred embodiment, inner frame  110  is glued and nailed together from four elongated pieces of wood. 
   Outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  are connected at the corners using bolts and wingnuts in a mortise and tenon arrangement, as depicted in FIG.  2 . For example, outer piece  104  is fitted to outer piece  106  at mortise  105  (of outer piece  106 ) and secured with a bolt and wingnut  103 . Wingnut  103  and the other wingnuts connecting outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  serve the dual role of assembling outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  into a rectangular shape as well as allowing a user to adjust the tension with which the work (i.e., the quilt being worked on) is held. When quilting frame apparatus is in use, the work is held between the outer frame (outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108 ) and inner frame  110 , as shown in FIG.  5 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, outer pieces  102  and  106  are approximately 45.5 inches in length, and outer pieces  104  and  108  are approximately 34 inches in length. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that embodiments may be constructed in different sizes and with different dimensions, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   Since each of outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  must be attached individually to form the outer frame of quilting frame apparatus  100 , outer-frame supports ill extend outward from inner frame  110  to support outer piece  102  and outer piece  106  temporarily until these pieces can be joined with outer piece  108  and outer piece  104  to complete the outer frame. 
   Two adjustable rotating arms  112  and  114  connect inner frame  110  to support posts  120  and  122  at spacers  116  and  118 , respectively. Rotating arms  112  and  114  allow the user of quilting frame apparatus  100  to adjust the work/viewing angle of the quilt and also allow the user to fold up quilting frame apparatus  100  for storage, as depicted in FIG.  4 . Additional support for inner frame  110  is provided at support pins  124  and  126 , which rest at the apexes of support forks  128  and  130 , which are located at the tops of support posts  120  and  122 . 
   Additional structural stability is provided by cross beam  123 , which extends horizontally to connect the bases of support posts  120  and  122 . Corner braces  125  and  127  provide a secure and stable connection between cross beam  123  and support posts  120  and  122 . 
   An embodiment of the present invention is preferably constructed from a hardwood, such as ash or oak. One of ordinary skill in the art, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be constructed from other rigid materials, including non-wood materials, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2  is an exploded-view diagram providing additional detail regarding the mortise and tenon connections that connect outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  to form the outer frame. In  FIG. 2 , outer piece  104  has a tenon  200  from which a bolt  202  extends outward. To connect outer piece  104  to outer piece  106 , tenon  200  is inserted into mortise  105  and secured at bolt  202  with washer  204  and wingnut  103 , as shown. Washer  204  should be of a sufficient outer diameter to extend over the edges of mortise  105  so as to securely fasten outer piece  104  to outer piece  106 . 
     FIG. 3  provides additional detail regarding the construction and operation of the mechanism used to adjust the viewing angle of quilting frame apparatus  100 . For simplicity, only one side of quilting frame apparatus  100  is depicted; the opposite side operates similarly. Inner frame  110  is supported by support fork  130  of support post  122  at support pin  126 . Inner frame  110  (and the outer frame that is attached to it) may pivot about support pin  126 . Rotating arm  114  is used to hold inner frame  110  at a constant angle, according to the user&#39;s preferences. Rotating arm  114  is connected to inner frame  110  at bolt and wingnut assembly  304 , which provides a second pivot point for inner frame  110 . Rotating arm is secured to support post  122  at bolt and wingnut assembly  302 , which extends through slot  300  in rotating arm  114  and which forms a triangle with support pin  130  and bolt and wingnut assembly  304 . The angle of inner frame  110  can be adjusted by positioning rotating arm  114  in different relative positions with respect to bolt and wingnut assembly  302 . Tightening bolt and wingnut assembly  302  then causes this angle to be fixed. 
     FIG. 4  is a diagram depicting quilting frame apparatus  100  having been folded into a compact configuration for storage. Support pins  124  and  126  are lifted out of support forks  128  and  130 , and the inner/outer frame assembly (comprising outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  118  and inner frame  110 ) is lowered by the rotation of rotating arms  124  and  126  about bolt and wingnut assemblies  402  and  302 . The inner/outer frame assembly is further positioned, by way of pivoting at bolt and wingnut assemblies  404  and  304 , so that the geometric plane defined by inner frame  110  is approximately parallel to the vertical direction. The inner/outer frame Assembly partially rests upon support posts  128  and  130  at spacers  116  and  118 . 
     FIG. 5  is a diagram depicting quilting frame apparatus  100  as configured for use during the quilting process. A quilt  500  is draped over inner frame  110  (not shown). Outer pieces  102 ,  104 ,  106 , and  108  are positioned over quilt  500  and connected so as to form an outer frame that holds quilt  500  securely against inner frame  110 . Quilt  500  is thus held by quilting frame apparatus  100  in a relatively taught fashion to permit the user of quilting frame apparatus  100  to have a rectangular and approximately planar surface of quilt  500  to work with, while also allowing the user access to the reverse side of quilt  500 , as is necessary for hand stitching. 
   According to a preferred method of use of the present invention, one makes the backing and batting for the quilt extend at least four inches beyond the edges of all four sides of the top layer of the quilt. A three-inch-wide strip of scrap fabric is then basted to all four sides of the top layer. This allows a user of quilting frame apparatus  100  to quilt to the edge of quilt  500 . According to this preferred method, one starts quilting in the middle of quilt  500  and quilts outward toward the edges of quilt  500 . To keep quilt  500  from touching the floor, the edges of quilt  500  are rolled up toward quilting frame apparatus  100  and tied with a string  502 , as shown in FIG.  5 . 
   The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.