| abstract |
An attachment structure for a load bearing fabric. The attachment structure includes an expandable carrier secured to an unstretched load bearing fabric. To attach the carrier to the frame, the carrier and fabric are stretched together to desired shape and secured to a support frame. The present invention also provides a method for securing a load bearing fabric to a support structure. The method generally includes the steps of (a) providing a relaxed section of load bearing fabric, (b) molding an expandable carrier about the fabric while the fabric is in the relaxed state, the configuration of the frame being preselected to assume the desired shape upon later expansion (c) expanding the carrier and fabric to provide the fabric with the desired tension and (d) securing the expanded carrier and tensioned fabric to the support structure. |