Load bearing textile clamp

• US 8,028,381 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2009
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Edward Murray
• Original Assignee: Michael Edward Murray
• Inventors: Murray, Michael Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): SANDY, ROBERT JOHN
• Application Number:
  US12/386,859
• Publication Number:
  US 20090205166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 244/87, 244/59, 244/60, 244/61, 244/62, 160/380, 160/378, 160/395, 160/399, 160/402, 160/403, 160/273.1, 160/290.1, 160/270, 160/267.1, 381/029.1
• US Class Current: 24/460
• 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

A removable load bearing textile clamp including 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 a first curved section and a second flat side with a second curved section, each of said curved sections being joined to each other by a living hinge, where said hinge allows said locking clamp to be closed forming a U-shaped sleeve;

b) a rod of variable length;

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

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

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

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

f) said second flat side having a second hole complementary to said first flat side hole with a catch; and

h) said clamp assembly being secured by a locking mechanism incorporated into said first hole and second hole of said locking clamp.

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

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

4. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where said first hole elongated neck conceals edges of a hole in said textile sheet.

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

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

7. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where said locking clamp is of a durable material resistant to degradation.

8. A load bearing textile clamp of claim 1 where said locking clamp is formed in a single piece by injection molding.

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