Load bearing textile clamp
View Patent ↗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.
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.