U.S. patent number 3,906,647 [Application Number 05/519,437] was granted by the patent office on 1975-09-23 for hoop for embroidery and the like.
This patent grant is currently assigned to C. J. Bates & Son, Inc.. Invention is credited to Hamilton C. Bates, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,906,647 |
Bates, Jr. |
September 23, 1975 |
Hoop for embroidery and the like
Abstract
A hoop for embroidery, needlecraft, painting and the like where
a taut fabric is desirable for working which comprises inner and
outer ring elements, the outer ring element being split and having
means associated therewith for adjusting the diameter thereof, the
inner ring element having a peripheral flange or bead extending
outwardly therefrom so as to overlie the upper surface of the outer
ring element when the two elements are positioned one within the
other, with the outer element clamping the inner element, the
flange or bead functioning as a stop for adding a more positive
"bite" on the fabric disposed over the inner ring element and
passing over and around the flange or bead and between the
contiguous inner and outer ring elements as tension on the fabric
is increased.
Inventors: |
Bates, Jr.; Hamilton C.
(Chester, CT) |
Assignee: |
C. J. Bates & Son, Inc.
(Chester, CT)
|
Family
ID: |
24068300 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/519,437 |
Filed: |
October 31, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
38/102.2;
D3/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D05C
1/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
D05C
1/00 (20060101); D05C 1/04 (20060101); D05C
001/04 () |
Field of
Search: |
;38/102.2 ;160/371,380
;38/102-102.91 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Larkin; Geo. V.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ross, Ross & Flavin
Claims
I claim:
1. A stretching frame for holding a fabric used in embroidery,
needlework, painting and the like comprising in combination: an
inner ring, a split outer ring circumscribing the inner ring, means
for adjusting the diameter of the outer ring relative to the
diameter of the inner ring for snug embracement of the one by the
other, and stop means on the inner ring defined by a peripheral
flange extending radially outwardly from the upper portion of the
outer side face of the inner ring and overlying the upper planar
surface of the outer ring for exerting a positive grip on the
fabric disposed upon the inner ring and passing over and around the
stop means and between the contiguous rings with a downward tension
on the fabric being increased responsively to a concomitant
increase of the bite of the stop means upon the fabric.
Description
A primary object of the invention is to provide a hoop for
embroidery or the like which comprises inner and outer ring
elements, the diameter of the outer ring element being adjustable,
so as to clamp the inner ring element for creating greater tension
and the inner ring element having stop means in the form of a
flange or bead for positively gripping the fabric.
In most prior art hoops, additional tension on the fabric tends to
force the inner ring element downwardly, gradually reducing holding
power or "bite" to a point where the inner ring element will
disengage itself from the outer ring element, thus releasing the
fabric. With the new construction hereof, increased tension on the
fabric, which is resilient to some extent, tends to increase the
bite, the added bite being held due to the spring-like action of
the fabric pulling down on the inside ring element relative to the
outside ring element, thus positively seating the inner ring flange
on the top surface of the outer ring.
Another object is to provide a hoop of the type described which is
inexpensive in its manufacture and extremely simple and reliable in
its use.
These and other features will be more readily apparent from a
consideration of the annexed drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the outer ring
element thereof;
FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the inner ring
element thereof; and
FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged, fragmentary cross sectional view
showing the manner of use of the outer and inner ring elements with
a piece of fabric.
The hoop of the invention includes an outer ring element 10 and an
inner ring element 12, both preferably, but not necessarily, formed
from unbreakable plastic material. The hoop may also be formed from
resilient wood or metal or other plastic material and fall within
the spirit and scope of the invention.
Inner ring element is of suitable diameter so as to fit snugly
within and to be clamped by outer ring element 10, while leaving a
clearance area for fabric.
Outer ring element 10 is split as at 14 and has a pair of bosses 16
extending radially outwardly from its outer periphery.
A screw 18 is fixed at one end to one of the bosses and extends
loosely through and outwardly of the other boss, the screw having a
knurled nut 20 threaded thereon.
Appropriate rotation of nut 20 will vary the size of the opening 14
between the bosses and, concomitantly, the diameter of the outer
ring.
I do not wish to be limited to the particular adjustment means
shown and described above, since a spring or toggle or other screw
adjustment can be employed wherein the bosses 16 are eliminated,
all with equal facility.
Inner ring element 12 is provided with a peripheral flange or bead
22 which extends horizontally-outwardly from its upper planar
surface so as to overlie the upper face of outer ring element 10
when the two ring elements are juxtaposed with the inner ring
element positioned within and being clamped by the outer ring
element to create a greater tension.
This flange or bead provides an important advance in the art,
acting as a stop, with the fabric F passing around and over it as
shown in FIG. 4, thereby adding a more positive bite or grip to the
fabric, this bite or grip being increased when tension on the
fabric is increased as by pulling thereon, thereby to provide a
highly desirable taut surface upon which to sew, paint, embroider
or the like.
* * * * *