Quilting stand

Abstract

A stand includes a horizontal beam supported at two opposite ends by two respective footed legs. The legs and beam are sized to straddle a chair or bed while a human user is sitting in the chair or bed. A top surface of the beam is at a vertical level such that the user may comfortably quilt with a quilting hoop supported by the top surface of the beam. Two lateral supports are attached to the beam in spaced apart relationship and extend above the top surface of the beam. The supports are spaced apart by a distance less than a width of a quilting hoop such that the quilting hoop may be partially inserted between and abut against the supports while being supported by the beam. The supports limit movement of the hoop in lateral directions and in a direction away from the user while the hoop is being supported by the beam.

1 . A stand comprising:
 a horizontal beam supported at two opposite ends by two respective footed legs, the legs and beam being sized to straddle a chair or bed while a human user is sitting in the chair or bed, a top surface of the beam being at a vertical level such that the user may comfortably quilt with a quilting hoop supported by the top surface of the beam; and   two lateral supports attached to the beam in spaced apart relationship and extending above the top surface of the beam, the supports being spaced apart by a distance less than a width of a quilting hoop such that the quilting hoop may be partially inserted between and abut against the supports while being supported by the beam, the supports being configured to limit movement of the hoop in lateral directions and in a direction away from the user while the hoop is being supported by the beam.   
   
   
       2 . The stand of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the lateral supports is adjustable. 
   
   
       3 . The stand of  claim 1  wherein a height of the stand is adjustable. 
   
   
       4 . The stand of  claim 1  wherein a width of the stand is adjustable. 
   
   
       5 . The stand of  claim 1  wherein each of the feet is configured to extend from the respective leg in a direction away from the user. 
   
   
       6 . The stand of  claim 1  further comprising a selectively removable bar having opposite ends, each of the opposite ends being coupled to a respective one of the legs, the bar being configured to support a quilt when the stand is not in use for quilting. 
   
   
       7 . The stand of  claim 1  wherein the beam has an upwardly arched lower surface. 
   
   
       8 . A stand comprising:
 a horizontal beam supported at two opposite ends by two respective legs, the legs and the beam defining an open space between the legs and below the beam, a top surface of the beam being approximately between thirty and forty inches above a bottom surface of at least one of the legs; and   two lateral supports, each said support being attached to the beam at a respective adjustable location along a length of the beam, at least a portion of each said support being disposed above the top surface of the beam.   
   
   
       9 . The stand of  claim 8 , wherein a distance between the lateral supports is adjustable. 
   
   
       10 . The stand of  claim 8  wherein a height of the stand is adjustable. 
   
   
       11 . The stand of  claim 8  wherein a width of the stand is adjustable. 
   
   
       12 . The stand of  claim 8  further comprising a selectively removable bar having opposite ends, each of the opposite ends being coupled to a respective one of the legs, the bar being configured to support a quilt when the stand is not in use for quilting. 
   
   
       13 . The stand of  claim 8  wherein the beam has an upwardly arched lower surface. 
   
   
       14 . A quilting stand comprising:
 a horizontal beam supported at two opposite ends by two respective legs, the legs and beam being sized to straddle a chair or bed while a human user is sitting in the chair or bed, a top surface of the beam being configured to be at or below a shoulder level of the user sitting in the chair or bed; and   two lateral supports attached to the beam in spaced apart relationship and extending above the top surface of the beam, the supports being spaced apart by a distance less than a width of a quilting hoop such that the quilting hoop may be partially inserted between the supports, each of the supports having a surface with a section generally oriented to face the user and non-perpendicular to a length of the beam such that the partially inserted hoop may abut against the section of the surface, the supports being configured to limit movement of the hoop in lateral directions and in a direction away from the user while the hoop is being supported by the beam.   
   
   
       15 . The stand of  claim 14  wherein the section of the support surface is directly above the beam. 
   
   
       16 . The stand of  claim 14  wherein the section of the support surface is flat. 
   
   
       17 . The stand of  claim 14  wherein the section of the support surface is arcuate. 
   
   
       18 . The stand of  claim 17  wherein the section of the support surface is concave. 
   
   
       19 . The stand of  claim 17  wherein the section of the support surface is convex. 
   
   
       20 . The stand of  claim 14  further comprising a selectively removable bar having opposite ends, each of the opposite ends being coupled to a respective one of the legs, the bar being configured to support a quilt when the stand is not in use for quilting.