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.

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.

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.