Abstract:
An adjustable handrest for artists which is capable of attachment to a frame for supporting a worksurface on which a painting or other work of art may be applied. The handrest includes an elongated hand support member which spans the work surface and each end of which is independently vertically adjustable with respect to the other. The handrest is equally well-adapted for use by left-or right-handed users.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to handrests or maulsticks used by painters for resting a painter&#39;s hand while painting. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable handrest which is capable of removable attachment to a canvas frame to enable a painter to rest his or her brush hand while painting a design or picture on a canvas stretched on the canvas frame. 
     A common working medium for artists, sign painters, cartographers, delineators and the like is a sheet of canvas, cardboard or work surface of other material which is mounted on a hollow rectangular frame. The frame is supported in a generally vertical plane on an easel or other support to provide free and flexible access of the artist to the work surface and to orient the work surface in a position for viewing. The artist typically applies the paint or other medium by freehand to the work surface using a brush. 
     Throughout the course of preparing a painting or other work of art on canvas, it is often necessary to apply various colors contiguously to previously-applied, but still wet, colors. This, as well as the occasional requirement of drawing straight lines on the canvas, requires the artist to maintain great steadiness of hand while applying the medium to the canvas. Furthermore, freedom of movement of the artist&#39;s hand, which is facilitated by steadiness while applying the medium to the canvas, provides to the artist full expression of his or her theme. 
     Various devices are known in the art for assisting an artist in steadying his or her hand while applying a medium to a work surface. Patents of interest in this regard include U.S. Pat. Nos. 289,700; 518,761; 1,422,641; 2,496,276; 2,814,142; 3,101,568; 3,815,856; 4,188,006; 3,972,133; 4,088,290; 4,685,644; 5,141,198; 5,172,883; 5,193,772; 5,299,772; and 5,765,791. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes an adjustable handrest for artists which is capable of attachment to a frame for supporting a worksurface on which a painting or other work of art may be applied. The handrest includes an elongated hand support which spans the work surface and each end of which is independently vertically adjustable with respect to the other. The handrest is equally well-adapted for use by left-or right-handed users. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the adjustable handrest for artists of the present invention, removably attached to a support frame in front of a work surface mounted in the frame and assembled for use by a right-handed user; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view, partially in section, of a slide block mount element of the adjustable handrest for artists, more particularly illustrating a typical clamp technique for removably attaching the adjustable handrest for artists to a support frame for a work surface; 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the adjustable handrest for artists illustrated in FIG. 1, removably mounted on a support frame for a work surface and assembled for use by a left-handed user; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section lines  4 — 4  in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear, top perspective view of the adjustable handrest for artists illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section line  6  in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along section line  7  in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a bottom, rear perspective view of a slide block mount element of the adjustable handrest for artists; 
     FIG. 9 is a bottom, front perspective view of the slide block element of the adjustable handrest for artists; 
     FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the slide block element of the adjustable handrest for artists; 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom, front perspective view of the slide block element of the adjustable handrest for artists; 
     FIG. 12 is an inner surface view of a course adjustment slide block element of the adjustable handrest for artists; 
     FIG. 13 is an outer surface view of the course adjustment slide block element illustrated in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is an inner surface view of a fine adjustment slide block element of the adjustable handrest for artists; and 
     FIG. 15 is an outer surface view of the fine adjustment slide block element illustrated in FIG.  14 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring next to FIGS. 1-4 and  8 - 15 , an elongated block adjusting channel  10  is provided in the front surface  4  of each of the left block mount  2  and the right block mount  2   a , and typically traverses the entire length of the corresponding slide block mount  2 ,  2   a . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an interior lock surface  12  is defined by the block adjusting channel  10 . As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a support rod opening  15  extends through the thickness of the fine adjustment block  14 , and a support rod notch  16  is typically provided in the fine adjustment block  14  above the support rod opening  15 , the purpose of which support rod opening  15  and support rod notch  16  will be hereinafter described. A dovetail flange  18  extends along one edge of the fine adjustment block  14 . As shown in FIGS. 8-11, the dovetail flange  18  of the fine adjustment block  14  slidably engages the companion block adjusting channel  10  in the front surface  4  of either the left block mount  2  or the right block mount  2   a , depending on whether a right-handed person or a left-handed person, respectively, is using the adjustable handrest  1 , as hereinafter further described. An adjusting screw  17  extends through a screw opening (not shown) that extends through the fine adjustment block  14 , typically between the support rod opening  15  and the support rod notch  16 , and through the dovetail flange  18 . Accordingly, by threading of the adjusting screw  17  typically in the clockwise direction in the screw opening, the adjusting screw  17  can be tightened against the lock surface  12  in the block adjusting channel  10  to removably secure the fine adjustment block  14  at selected locations along the length of the block adjusting channel  10 . A slide stop peg  11  may extend from the lock surface  12 , into the block adjusting channel  10 , adjacent to the bottom end  8  of the corresponding slide block mount  2 ,  2   a , to prevent the fine adjustment block  14  from inadvertently sliding downwardly along and out of the block adjusting channel  10  at the bottom end  8  when the adjusting screw  17  is disengaged from the lock surface  12 . It is understood that various alternative mechanisms known by those skilled in the art may be used to vertically adjustably mount the fine adjustment block  14  on the left block mount  2  or the right block mount  2   a.    
     Referring next to FIGS. 1-7, the left block mount  2  and the right block mount  2   a  each has a front surface  4 , a rear surface  5 , an inner surface  6 , an outer surface  7 , a bottom end  8  and a top end  9 . As particularly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, each of the mount clamps  26  of both the left block mount  2  and the right block mount  2   a  typically includes an L-shaped clamp bracket  27 , which is mounted on the inner surface  6 , and a generally arcuate clamp jaw  28  which is pivotally mounted in the rear surface  5 . The clamp bracket  27  includes a bracket arm  27   a  which is generally coplanar with the front surface  4 . As shown in FIG. 4, a jaw mount channel  29  is provided in the rear surface  5 . One edge of the arcuate clamp jaw  28  is provided in the jaw mount  29 , and an eye bolt  30  extends through an opening (not shown) in the clamp jaw  28  and is threaded into a registering bolt opening (not shown) provided in the rear surface  5 . A bolt flange  31  is provided on the eye bolt  30  for engaging the surface of the clamp jaw  28 . Accordingly, the clamp jaw  28  is capable of pivoting in the jaw mount channel  29 , as shown by the double-headed arrow in FIG. 4, between the rear surface  5  and the bolt flange  31 , with a degree of freedom which is inversely proportional to how far the eye bolt  30  is threaded in the bolt opening. By threading of the eye bolt  30  typically in the clockwise direction into the rear surface  5 , the bolt flange  31  pushes against the clamp jaw  28  and prevents pivoting of the clamp jaw  28  outwardly beyond the bolt flange  31 , thereby closing the gap between the extending end of the clamp jaw  28  and the bracket arm  27   a . In this manner, the support frame  35  is secured between the clamp jaw  28  and the bracket arm  27  to removably secure the respective slide block mounts  2 ,  2   a  on the support frame  35 . Conversely, by threading of the eye bolt  30  typically in the counterclockwise direction, the bolt flange  31  is loosened and enables the clamp jaw  28  to pivot outwardly away from the bracket arm  27   a  of the clamp bracket  27 , thereby facilitating removal of the respective slide block mounts  2 ,  2   a  from the support frame  35 . It is understood that the mount clamps  26  heretofore described serve as one example of a suitable mechanism for removably mounting the slide block mounts  2 ,  2   a  on the support frame  35  and that alternative mechanisms known by those skilled in the art may be used for the purpose. 
     Referring next to FIGS. 1-4 and  8 - 15 , an elongated block adjusting channel  10  is provided in the front surface  4  of each of the left block mount  2  and the right block mount  2   a , and typically traverses the entire length of the corresponding slide block mount  2 ,  2   a . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an interior lock surface  12  is defined by the block adjusting channel  10 . As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a support rod opening  15  extends through the thickness of the fine adjustment block  14 , and a support rod notch  16  is typically provided in the fine adjustment block  14  above the support rod opening  15 , the purpose of which support rod opening  15  and support rod notch  16  will be hereinafter described. A dovetail flange  18  extends along one edge of the fine adjustment block  14 . As shown in FIGS. 8-11, the dovetail flange  18  of the fine adjustment block  14  slidably engages the companion block adjusting channel  10  in the front surface  4  of either the left block mount  2  or the right block mount  2   a , depending on whether a right-handed person or a left-handed person, respectively, is using the adjustable handrest  1 , as hereinafter further described. An adjusting screw  17  extends through a screw opening (not shown) that extends through the fine adjustment block  14 , typically between the support rod opening  15  and the support rod notch  16 , and through the dovetail flange  18 . Accordingly, by threading of the adjusting screw  23  typically in the clockwise direction in the screw opening, the adjusting screw  23  can be tightened against the lock surface  12  in the block adjusting channel  10  to removably secure the fine adjustment block  14  at selected locations along the length of the block adjusting channel  10 . A slide stop peg  11  may extend from the lock surface  12 , into the block adjusting channel  10 , adjacent to the bottom end  8  of the corresponding slide block mount  2 ,  2   a , to prevent the fine adjustment block  14  from inadvertently sliding downwardly along and out of the block adjusting channel  10  at the bottom end  8  when the adjusting screw  23  is disengaged from the lock surface  12 . It is understood that various alternative mechanisms known by those skilled in the art may be used to vertically adjustably mount the fine adjustment block  14  on the left block mount  2  or the right block mount  2   a.    
     As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the course adjustment block  20  includes an inner surface  25   a  and an outer surface  25   b . A top support rod cavity  21  and a bottom support rod cavity  22  extend into the inner surface  25   a . A dovetail flange  24  extends along one edge of the course adjustment block  20  and slidably engages the companion block adjusting channel  10  of either the left slide block  2  or the right slide block  2   a , depending on whether a left-handed person or a right-handed person, respectively, is using the adjustable handrest  1 . An adjusting screw  23  extends through a screw opening (not shown) provided in the course adjustment block  20  and dovetail flange  24 , for removably engaging the lock surface  12  and removably securing the course adjustment block  20  at desired locations along the block adjusting channel  10 , as heretofore described with respect to the fine adjustment block  14 . It is understood that various alternative mechanisms known by those skilled in the art may be used to vertically adjustably mount the course adjustment block  20  on the left block mount  2  or the right block mount  2   a.    
     Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 3, in typical application the adjustable handrest  1  is removably attached to a support frame  35  which supports a work surface  36  such as a canvas sheet in order to enable a user (not shown) to rest his or her hand (not shown) as he or she applies paint or other medium on the work surface  36  to produce a work of art or other pattern or design on the work surface  36 . Accordingly, the left block mount  2  and the right block mount  2   a  are initially removably attached to opposite edges of the support frame  35  typically using the mount clamps  26  on each slide block mount  2 ,  2   a , in the manner heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 2,  4 ,  6  and  7 . Next, the fine adjustment block  14  and the course adjustment block  20  are slidably and adjustably mounted, in the manner heretofore described with respect to FIGS. 8-11, on the left block mount  2  or the right block mount  2   a , respectively, depending on whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. In the event that the user is right-handed, the adjustable handrest  1  is assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 1, wherein the fine adjustment block  14  is mounted on the left block mount  2  and the course adjustment block  20  is mounted on the right block mount  2   a . Accordingly, the vertical position of the fine adjustment block  14  is adjusted along the block adjusting channel  10  of the left block mount  2  by manually unthreading and disengaging of the adjusting screw  17  from the lock surface  12 , sliding of the fine adjustment block  14  to the desired location along the block adjusting channel  10  and then threading and tightening of the adjusting screw  17  against the lock surface  12 . Next, the vertical position of the course adjustment block  20  is adjusted in similar fashion along the block adjusting channel  10  of the right slide mount block  2   a  by manually threadibly loosening and then tightening of the adjusting screw  23 . Then, one end of the hand support rod  33  is inserted in either the top support rod cavity  21  or the bottom support rod cavity  22  of the course adjustment block  20 . The end of the hand support rod  33  may be rounded in order to facilitate a congruent fit in the top support rod cavity  21  or the bottom support rod cavity  22 . The opposite end portion of the hand support rod  33  is rested in the support rod notch  16 . Alternatively, the hand support rod  33  may be extended through the support rod opening  15 , as desired. Accordingly, the hand support rod  33  is appropriately positioned to support the right hand (not shown) of the user as the user uses his or her right hand to hold a brush or other utensil (not shown) and apply paint or other artwork medium to the work surface  36 . When it becomes necessary to adjust the slope of the hand support rod  33 , the user uses his or her free left hand (not shown) to adjust the vertical position of the fine adjustment block  14  by loosening and tightening the adjusting screw  17 , as heretofore described, while maintaining the vertical position of the course adjustment block  20  on the right block mount  2   a . When the user desires to adjust the vertical position of the entire hand supportrod  33  with respect to the work surface  36 , both the fine adjustment block  14  and the course adjustment block  20  are vertically adjusted on the respective left block mount  2  and right block mount  2   a . This adjustment process is repeated until the painting or other work of art applied to the work surface  36  is completed. 
     In the event that the user is left-handed, the adjustable handrest  1  may be assembled as shown in FIG.  3 . Accordingly, the fine adjustment block  14  is removed from the left block mount  2  by loosening the adjusting screw  17  and sliding the fine adjustment block  14  from the top end  9  of the left block mount  2 , and is then vertically adjustably mounted on the right block mount  2   a . In similar fashion, the course adjustment block  20  is slidably removed from the top end  9  of the left block mount  2   a  and vertically adjustably mounted on the left block mount  2 . The user grips the paintbrush or other utensil in his or her left hand and rests that hand on the hand support rod  33  while applying the paint or other medium to the work surface  36 , leaving the user&#39;s right hand free to adjust the slope or angle of the hand support rod  33  by manipulating the fine adjustment block  14 . 
     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.