Canopy-like decorative structure

Abstract

A decorative structure is provided that is suspended within a space and includes a flexible panel maintained in a flexed configuration. The decorative structure includes a cable that supports the flexible panel and that is connected to a biasing member. The biasing member cooperates with a portion of the flexible panel to maintain the panel in a flexed configuration. A method of configuring a decorative structure with a flexed panel is also provided.

1 . A suspended decorative structure comprising:
 a flexible panel having opposed edges;   first and second biasing members, each of the biasing members having a biasing surface which cooperates with the opposed edges of the panel;   a cable attached to the first biasing member at a first end of the cable and the second biasing member at a second end of the cable, wherein the cable cooperates with the first and second biasing members, causing the first and second biasing members to exert forces on the opposed edges of the flexible panel, causing the flexible panel to be bowed away from the cable in either a concave or convex configuration, the flexible panel causing the cable to be tensioned;   the first and second biasing members being suspended from a wall or an overhead ceiling.   
     
     
         2 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second biasing members include a body having a groove for receiving one of the opposed edges of the flexible panel. 
     
     
         3 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second biasing members comprises a cam cooperating with the flexible panel. 
     
     
         4 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second biasing members comprises a jaw cooperating with the flexible panel. 
     
     
         5 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 4 , wherein the jaw is pivotable about a pivot point. 
     
     
         6 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible panel is formed of a material selected from metal, wood, fabric and plastic. 
     
     
         7 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is positioned above the flexible panel. 
     
     
         8 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cable is positioned below the flexible panel. 
     
     
         9 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 1 , wherein second cables are attached to the first and second biasing members and to a wall or an overhead ceiling. 
     
     
         10 . A suspended decorative structure comprising:
 a panel having a first edge and a second edge;   first and second biasing members, the first biasing member cooperating with a portion of the panel proximate the first edge, the second biasing member cooperating with a portion of the panel proximate the second edge;   at least one tensioning cable connected to the first and second biasing members;   the cooperation of the first biasing member with the portion of the panel proximate the first edge and the second biasing member with the portion of the panel proximate the second edge provides support for the panel to position the panel in a flexed configuration;   the tensioning cable provides a counter force through the first and second biasing members to the panel when the panel is in the flexed configuration, thereby maintaining the panel in the flexed configuration and allowing the panel to be bowed to a desired shape.   
     
     
         11 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 10 , wherein supporting cables are connected to the first and second biasing members, the supporting cables being connected to a ceiling, wall or some other suitable structure from which the suspended decorative structure may be suspended. 
     
     
         12 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 10 , wherein the tensioning cable is positioned above the panel. 
     
     
         13 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 10 , wherein the tensioning cable is positioned below the panel. 
     
     
         14 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 10 , wherein first biasing member cooperates with the first edge of the panel. 
     
     
         15 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 14 , wherein the second biasing member cooperates with the second edge of the panel. 
     
     
         16 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 15 , wherein a first biasing surface of the first biasing member cooperates with the first edge of the panel. 
     
     
         17 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 16 , wherein a second biasing surface of the second biasing member cooperates with the second edge of the panel. 
     
     
         18 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 10 , wherein the tensioning cable is also connected to a ceiling, wall or some other suitable structure from which the suspended decorative structure may be suspended. 
     
     
         19 . The suspended decorative structure of  claim 18 , wherein an anchor is provided which may be adjustably positioned along the length of the tensioning cable, the anchor being attached to the first biasing member to allow the first biasing member to also be adjustably positioned along the length of the tensioning cable.