FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to hangers for textiles. Textiles, such as rugs, wall hangings, fabrics, banners, and tapestries, are commonly hung for display in homes, offices, public buildings, galleries and museums. These textiles may serve a decorative or functional purpose, and may be extremely heavy, fragile, or antique.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention provides a textile clamp comprising a frame and a compression assembly. The compression assembly includes a compression plate and a compression bar. Pressure applied between the frame and the compression plate provide compression to hang a textile. In some embodiments of the invention, surfaces of the frame and compression plate are coated with a non-slip coating. In various embodiments of the invention, the user controls the distance between the interior surface of the frame and the interior surface of the compression plate to engage a textile. The closer the distance between the interior surface of the frame and the interior surface of the compression plate, the greater the pressure exerted on the textile. This distance may be manipulated in various embodiments of the invention using screws, brackets, clamps, springs, interlocking ridges, and the like.

[0003] In various embodiments, the frame of the textile clamp may be provided in a variety geometric shapes or configurations to suit the size, shape, or thickness of the textile, or to match decorative schemes. In conjunction, the compression plate, compression assembly and hanger may be provided in various shapes and configurations to suit the design of the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIP TION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of a textile clamp. [0005] FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of a textile clamp, shown holding a hanging textile.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a perspective back view of an embodiment of a textile clamp, shown holding a hanging textile.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a perspective back view of another embodiment of a textile clamp.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a side view of one embodiment of a textile clamp, shown holding a hanging textile.

[0009] FIG. 6 is a perspective back view of an embodiment of a textile clamp.

[0010] FIG. 7 is a perspective back view of an embodiment of a textile clamp.

[0011] FIG. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a textile clamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0012] Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and/or the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having," and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. The terms "connected" and "attached" are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect connections and attachments. Furthermore, terms such as "top," "bottom," "side," "inner," "outer," "interior" and "exterior" and the like are only used to describe elements as they relate to one another, but are in no way meant to recite specific orientations of the apparatus, to indicate or imply necessary or required orientations of the apparatus, or to specify how the invention described herein will be used, mounted, attached, or positioned in use. [0013] The present invention provides textile clamps of varying designs. In one aspect of the invention, the invention provides textile clamps of a design allowing for the engagement of a textile between a frame and a compression plate. A textile clamp 10 embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. As shown in FIGS. 2-3 and 5, the textile clamp 10 is designed to hold a textile 100 between a frame 20 and a compression plate 30.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1-7 the textile clamp 10 comprises the frame 20, and a compression assembly 40. The frame 20 and compression assembly 40 are suitably comprised of a sturdy material. Such material can include metal, metal alloys, wood, or other material such as plastic.

[0015] m various embodiments, the frame 20 may be provided as a three-sided slant faced frame (FIG. 4), a four-sided frame (FIGS. 1, 3, 6, 7), a U-shaped frame (FIG. 2), a triangular frame (FIG. 8), a rectangular frame (FIG. 5), other various other geometric- shaped frames suitably designed for the size, shape, or thickness of the textile or hanging surface, or suited to various decorative schemes. No matter the geometric design, all of the frames 20 contain a first interior surface 12, a second interior surface 13, and an exterior surface 14.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 7, a four sided frame is provided. The frame 20 comprises a front face 60, a back face 62, a slanted front portion 64, and a slanted back portion 66. The exterior surface 14 extends over the exterior of the front face 60, back face 62, slanted front portion 64 and slanted back portion 66. The first interior surface 12 extends over the interior of the front face 60 and the slanted front portion 64. The second interior surface 13 extends over the interior of the back face 62 and the slanted back portion 66.

[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 2, a U-shaped frame is provided. The frame 20 comprises a front face 68, a back face 70, and an apex 72. An exterior surface 14 extends over the exterior of the front face 68, back face 20 and apex 72. The first interior surface 12 extends over the interior of the front face 68 extending to the apex 72. The second interior surface extends over the interior of the back face 70 extending to the apex 72. [0018] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a three sided slant faced frame is provided. The frame 20 comprises a front face 74, a back face 76, and a slanted front portion 78. The exterior surface 14 extends over the exterior of the front face 74, back face 76 and slanted front portion 78. The first interior surface 12 extends over the interior of the front face 74 and slanted front portion 28. The second interior surface 13 extends over the interior of the back face 76.

[0019] In yet another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a rectangular frame is provided. The frame 20 comprises a front face 80, a back face 82, and a top 84. The exterior surface 14 extends over the exterior of the front face 80, back face 82 and the top 84. The first interior surface 12 extends over the interior of the front face 80. The second interior surface 13 extends over the back face 82.

[0020] In still another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a triangular frame is provided. The frame 20 comprises a front face 86 and a back face 88. The exterior surface 14 extends over the exterior of the front face 86 and back face 88. The first interior surface 12 extends over the interior of the front face 86. The second interior surface 13 extends over the interior of the back face 88.

[0021] The compression assembly 40 of the textile clamp 10 comprises a compression plate 30 and a compression bar 32. The compression assembly 40 may also comprise a handle 34, which may be fixably or releasably attached to the compression bar 32. The compression plate 30 also contains an interior surface 16 and an exterior surface 18. The compression bar 32 is attached to the compression plate 30, by a fixable or releasable attachment of the compression plate 30. In one embodiment of the invention, the compression plate 30 contains a threaded aperture 38 for receiving the compression bar 32 via threading 36 on the compression bar 32. In another embodiment the compression bar 32 and the compression plate are fixably fused.

[0022] The frame 20 also contains one or more bar apertures 22 which are designed to receive the compression bar 32. In some embodiments the compression bar 32 may contain threading 36 capable of being received by the bar aperture 22. Additionally, in this type of embodiment, the handle 34 may be rotatably turned to rotate the compression assembly 40, including the compression bar 32 and the compression plate 30. This rotation is manipulated by the user in order to position a specific distance between the first interior surface 12 of the frame 20 and the interior surface 16 of the compression plate 30. This distance manipulation may be made by screwing or unscrewing the compression assembly 40 through a bar aperture 22 in the frame 20. By closing the distance between the first interior surface 12 of the frame 20 and the interior surface 16 of the compression plate 30 a textile 100 is pinched between the frame 20 and the compression plate 30 with sufficient pressure to allow the textile 100 to hang from the textile clamp 10.

[0023] In another embodiment, the user may adjust the tension of the textile clamp 10 by moving the assembly 40 backward or forward to engage or disengage the textile between the between the interior surface 18 of the compression plate 30 and the first interior surface 12 of the frame 20. In other embodiments, the compression assembly 40, may be otherwise adjusted using screws, brackets, clamps, springs, interlocking ridges, and the like in order to manipulate the distance between the first interior surface 12 of the frame 20 and the interior surface 16 of the compression plate 30.

[0024] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments of the invention, the frame 20, may also contain a ledge 24 projecting interiorally from the interior surface 12 of the frame 20. The ledge 24, provides additional support to the textile compressed between the frame 20 and the compression plate 30. In other embodiments, particularly where a lightweight textile is being held, the frame 20 may not comprise a ledge 24.

[0025] In various embodiments of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the textile clamp 10 is designed such that all or a portion of the frame 20 and compression assembly 40 are coated with a non-slip coating 26. Suitably, the first interior surface 12 of the frame 20, the ledge 24, and the interior surface 16 of the compression plate 30 may be coated with a non-slip coating 26. Suitable coatings include rubber, Plasti-Dip® by Performix, plastic, or various textured coating. It is within the scope of the invention that the exterior surface 14 of the frame 20, the handle 34, or other components of the textile clamp 10 may also be coated in a non-slip coating 26. The non-slip coatings provide traction to hold the textile without damaging or perforating the fabric. [0026] In other embodiments of the textile clamp, as shown in FIG. 8, the interior surface 12 of the frame 20 can contain a non-slip surface integrated into the frame 20 itself. The non-slip surfaces can include a series of treads, bumps 200, or other textured surfaces.

[0027] These designs allow for even thick or heavy textiles, such as rugs, to be displayed from a wall, ceiling, or hanging rod. These designs also allows textiles to be interchanged or moved without damaging the fabrics.

[0028] The textile clamp 10 may also include at least one hanger 50, designed to attach the textile clamp 10 to walls, ceilings or other structures (FIGS, 1-4 and 7). The hanger 50 is suitably formed of a sturdy material, such as durable plastic, wood, wire or metal. It is within the scope of the invention that the hanger 50 of the frame 20 may also be coated in a non-slip coating 26. The frame 20, compression assembly 40, and hanger 50 may also be painted, decorated, or coated to match various color schemes or designs for decorative purposes. The hanger 50 may be used to affix the textile clamp 10 (with or without the textile 100) to walls or ceilings, via, wire, cords, brackets or from hanging rods or tubes.

[0029] In the embodiment, FIG. 3, the hanger 50, contains an aperture 52, which receives the frame 20. In some embodiments the hanger 50 may include multiple apertures 52 for receiving one or more frames 20.

[0030] hi another embodiment, FIG. 4, the frame 20, contains an aperture 102, which receives the hanger 50. In some embodiments the frame 20 may include multiple apertures for receiving one or more hangers 50.

[0031] In an additional embodiment, FIG. 5, the frame may be provided without a hanger 50.

[0032] In another embodiment, FIG. 6, the frame 20 may be provided without a hanger 50, and may be hung using a wire, bar, rod, hook, or other surface.

[0033] In another aspect the invention, the invention provides a textile clamp kit, including a plurality of textile clamps 10 each comprising a frame 20, a compression assembly 40 and at least one hanger 50. Additional equipment included with the kit may include textile rods or tubes, hanging assemblies, including wire or cord, brackets, hooks, or clips.

[0034] The invention also provides a method of hanging a textile by the use of a textile clamp 10. The method comprises providing a textile clamp comprising a frame having a first interior surface, a second interior surface, and a bar aperture. The textile clamp further comprises a compression assembly comprising a compression plate and a compression bar. A textile is then placed between the first interior surface of the frame and the compression plate. The textile may be positioned facing the front or the back face of the frame, which ever is desired by the user. Then compression assembly is then manipulated so that so the compression plate pinches the textile between the compression bar and the interior surface of the frame. The textile clamp is then hanged from a structure such as a wall, rod, wire, or other fixed structure.

[0035] While the present invention has now been described and exemplified with some specificity, those skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications, including variations, additions, and omissions that may be made in what has been described. Accordingly, it is intended that these modifications also be encompassed by the present invention and that the scope of the present invention be limited solely by the broadest interpretation that lawfully can be accorded the appended claims.