Embroidery hoop and methods for using same

Abstract

Disclosed are embroidery hoops and methods for using same that include a receiving surface for receiving a workpiece that has a first surface corresponding to a first face of a hook and loop fastener. The receiving surface has an opening therethrough and attachment material is secured to the receiving surface at least partially about the opening. The attachment material has a surface corresponding to a complimentary face of the hook and loop fastener. Contact of the surface of the workpiece to the surface of the attachment material releasably secures a portion of the workpiece over the opening for performing an embroidery operation on the portion of the workpiece over the opening.

1 . An embroidery hoop comprising: 
 a receiving surface for receiving a workpiece, the receiving surface having an opening therethrough,    attachment material secured to the receiving surface at least partially about the opening, the attachment material configured to releasably secure an embroidery area of the workpiece over the opening for performing an embroidery operation on the embroidery area of the workpiece.    
   
   
       2 . The embroidery hoop of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment material comprises one face of a hook and loop fastener material for fastening to a complimentary face on the workpiece.  
   
   
       3 . The embroidery hoop of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment material comprises an adhesive forming a releasable bond with the workpiece.  
   
   
       4 . The embroidery hoop of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment material comprises a magnetic material forming a releasable magnetic bond with the workpiece.  
   
   
       5 . The embroidery hoop of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment material comprises a material forming a releasable bond with the workpiece to releasably secure the embroidery area of the workpiece over the opening, the bond being of a type including one of a hook and loop fastener bond, an adhesive bond, and a magnetic bond.  
   
   
       6 . The embroidery hoop of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment material comprises a plurality of pieces.  
   
   
       7 . The embroidery hoop of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment material at least partially aligns with an edge of the receiving surface circumscribing the opening.  
   
   
       8 . The embroidery hoop of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment material is secured at least partially to an edge of the receiving surface circumscribing the opening.  
   
   
       9 . An embroidery hoop comprising: 
 a receiving surface for receiving a workpiece, the receiving surface having an opening therethrough, the workpiece having a first surface corresponding to a first face of a hook and loop fastener, and    attachment material secured to the receiving surface at least partially about the opening, the attachment material having a second surface corresponding to a complimentary face of the hook and loop fastener, wherein contact of the first surface of the workpiece to the second surface of the attachment material releasably secures a portion of the workpiece over the opening for performing an embroidery operation on the portion of the workpiece over the opening.    
   
   
       10 . A method for embroidering a design on a workpiece, the method comprising: 
 providing an embroidery hoop having: 
 a) a receiving surface having an opening therethrough where the embroidering is to be performed, and  
 b) attachment material secured to the receiving surface at least partially about the opening,  
   contacting the workpiece to the attachment material to releasably secure an embroidery area of the workpiece over the opening, and    embroidering the design on the workpiece to obtain an embroidered workpiece.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , comprising peeling the embroidered workpiece from the attachment material to remove the embroidered workpiece from the embroidery hoop.