Framed embroidery assembly
This invention relates to a framed textile fabric assembly for use in embroidery. 
     For doing embroidery a frame is used to hold the textile fabric taut. When the embroidery has been completed the embroiderer would often like to have it framed but is put off by the trouble and expense involved. 
     The present invention provides means serving both purposes and consists in a framed textile fabric assembly comprising an open peripheral frame, a textile fabric secured across the frame, a back member adapted to be fitted to the frame behind the textile fabric and a resilient pad adapted to be interposed between the textile fabric and the back member so as to support the textile fabric. 
     The open frame supports the textile fabric while it is embroidered. 
     Some textile fabrics become stretched during embroidering so that the finished article may hang loosely in the frame. The resilient pad, for example of foam plastics, is provided between the textile fabric and the back to take up the slack in the textile fabric and indeed enhances the appearance of the finished product by giving a threedimensional effect. When the needlework is finished the pad is placed on the back of the textile fabric and the back is secured to the frame thereby completing the picture frame. 
     In one form of the invention the open frame is a moulding in toughened polystyrene, although any plastics material which can be moulded to give a rigid frame would be acceptable. 
    
    
     One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components comprising a framed textile fabric assembly according to the invention, 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the assembled frame assembly shown in FIG. 1, and 
     FIG. 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of FIG. 2 on a larger scale. 
    
    
     With reference to the accompanying drawings the assembly 1 comprises an integrally moulded rectangular open frame 2 with a textile fabric 3 secured thereto, a resilient pad 4 and a back member 5. 
     The frame 2 comprises two side members 6 and two end members 7 and is made from a suitable thermoplastic material, such as toughened polystyrene. The side and end members are of narrow Vee cross-section so as to be hollow at the back for convenience and economy in moulding. The frame 2 has an internal rebate 8, open to the rear, formed by a narrow internal flange 9. Canvas, or other suitable textile fabric 3 is stretched across the frame 2 and secured to the rear face of the flange 9 by pressing the fabric 3 against the flange 9 by the edge of an electrically heated frame (not shown) of an outline which overlies the flange 9 and formed from several suitably arranged blades or a single continuous blade bent to the required outline. The blade forms a groove 10 in the flange 9 by melting the thermoplastics under the fabric 3 in contact with the blade. The melted thermoplastics penetrates the weave of the fabric 3 and on removal of the blade the thermoplastics hardens fixing the fabric 3 in the groove 10. The fixing operation also serves to tension the fabric 3 by stretching it into the groove 10 as it is formed. Alternatively the fabric 3 may be attached to the rebate 8 behind the flange 9 by any other suitable means, for example by securing the fabric 3 to the rear face of the flange 9 by use of a suitable adhesive. 
     Retaining tabs 11 for the back 5 are formed integrally with the moulded frame on the side members 6 and project inwards from opposite sides of the rear edge of the frame 2. The tabs 11 are spaced from the rebate 8 so that the back 5 of thick card, hardboard or the like, shaped to fit the rebate 8 can be slid under the retaining tabs 11 into the rebate 8 and held there. Before the back is fitted the pad 4 of resilient, polyurethane foam, smaller than the frame opening, is placed against the back of the textile fabric 3 followed by a sheet of paper or other suitable material (not shown) which will allow the back 5 to slide easily over the surface of the foam pad 4. As best seen in FIG. 3 when the back is fixed to the frame the pad 4 takes up any slack in the textile fabric 3. 
     The back 5 may be provided with a prop or the back or frame may have picture rings or other suitable known means of support for display (not shown).