Load bearing textile clamp

• US 20090205166A1
• Filed: 04/24/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Edward Murray
• Original Assignee: Michael Edward Murray
• Inventors: Murray, Michael Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,028,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 16/221
• CPC Class Codes: A47H 23/01 Bottom bars for stretching hanging curtains; Magnets, slide fasteners, or the like to improve closing of curtains
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/646 the fixing members being locked by an additional locking member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44043 Channel and inserted bar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44051 having operator or locking means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/4406 Resilient channel or bar
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44274 having either discrete flaccid or thin, nonbiasing, integral, connecting hinge

Abstract

An invention where a removable load bearing textile clamp comprised of a locking clamp portion configured to accept an internally positioned rod such that a textile sheet can be led around the rod and positioned inside the clamp and secured by closing the clamp and engaging the locking mechanism.

Claims

1. A load bearing textile clamp comprising:

a) a locking clamp having a substantially flat cross section comprised of a first flat side with first curved section and a second flat side with a second curved section joined by a living hinge, where the hinge allows said clamp to be closed forming a U-shaped sleeve;

b) a rod of variable length;

c) said rod being entrapped within the space formed by the curved sections of said clamp;

d) said curved sections of the clamp being shaped complementary to said rod;

e) said rod and clamp in conjunction with a textile sheet forming a clamp assembly;

f) said clamp assembly being secured by a locking mechanism incorporated into the first hole and second hole of the clamp;

g) said first flat side having a first hole with an elongated neck and a lip;

h) said second flat side having a second hole complementary to the first flat side hole with a catch.

2. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 such that the textile sheet is positioned around said rod and back on itself then inserted into the space formed by the curved sections of said clamp.

3. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 such that the clamp assembly is secured by a locking mechanism incorporated into the body of the clamp, such that upon closing the clamp the locking mechanism is engaged through a hole cut in the textile sheet.

4. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 incorporating a hinge.

5. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where said first hole elongated neck conceals the cut edges of hole in the textile sheet.

6. A load bearing textile of claim 1 where said first hole elongated neck and said second hole form an opening for a fastener.

7. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where the rod is of a durable material resistant to compression and degradation.

8. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where the clamp is of a durable material resistant to degradation.

9. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where the clamp is formed in a single piece by injection molding.

10. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where a series of clamps placed along the edge of a textile sheet forms a load bearing textile panel where the number and spacing of said clamps determines the load capacity of said panel.