Patent ID: 7735540

Claim:
A frame for supporting a fabric comprising: a fabric; and a structure including a longitudinal member having a base wall, a first outer wall, and a flange projecting from the first outer wall, a channel formed between the base wall, the first outer wall, and the flange, and a spline pivotally attached to the longitudinal member about a pivot, the pivot fixedly attaching the spline to the longitudinal member and located opposite the channel, the spline including a U-shaped radius nose and an arch extending from the radius nose to the pivot, the pivot, arch and radius nose being a resilient continuous member; wherein the spline is pivotable to a position in the channel such that the fabric is pinched between the radius nose of the spline and the base wall; and when the spline is in the closed position in the channel the radius nose is moved further into the channel upon application of a downward force to the convex side of the arch so as to stretch the fabric, movement of the arch in response to the downward force translating into movement of the radius nose.