Abstract:
A stitchery frame which is progressively expanded while in use to keep the fabric taut. Centerline markers are provided on side and end pieces of the frame to aid the process.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     This application discloses and claims an Improvement over the invention disclosed and claimed in our application Ser. No. 10/053,998, filed Jan. 24, 2002, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,306 on Aug. 12, 2003. 
    
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention an expandable stitchery frame has visible markings placed at the longitudinal center of each of its side and end pieces. Tension is applied from the frame to the fabric directly in the plane of the fabric by expanding the spacings between side pieces and end pieces. While doing so, the expansion movement is controlled so that a center point in the fabric remains substantially aligned with all four visible markers. 
     According to the presently preferred embodiment of the invention the end portions of all of the side and end pieces are of substantially identical configuration. When one of the frame members is inverted relative to another and they are arranged to form a right angle, their adjoining ends have tongue and groove structures which are interengaged, and each frame member may be moved away from the other associated frame member along the longitudinal axis of the other without interrupting the interengagement. 
    
    
     DRAWING SUMMARY 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an expandable flame in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how when one member is inverted, end portions of two of the members may be slidingly interengaged; and 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the end portions of two interengaged frame members showing expansion screws adapted to selectively drive them apart. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 - 3   
     In the assembled frame of FIG. 1, the two side pieces are identified as A while the two end pieces are identified as B. Visible center markings on the side pieces and end pieces are identified as V. Fabric supported within the frame is identified as F. 
     Each end of each side piece and each end of each end piece has at one side thereof a transversely extending recess  10 . A first tongue portion  12  borders the recess  10  and is parallel to it. A transverse groove  14  borders the other side of tongue  12  and is parallel to recess  10 . A second tongue  16  is on the other side of groove  14 . 
     The width of groove  14  is at least equal to the thickness of first tongue  12 , so that the first tongue  12  of one of the side or end pieces may be slideably inserted into groove  14  of another. 
     When one frame member is inverted relative to another and their ends arranged to form a right angle, the second tongue  16  of one may occupy the recess  10  of the other, and the first tongue  12  of the one may occupy groove  14  of the other. See FIG.  2 . 
     The end portion of each side piece and each end piece has a hole or opening  18  through its first tongue portion  12 . An expansion screw  20  with an allen wrench opening is inserted into and through opening  18  from the outer side of the frame member. A nut  22  embedded in the tongue portion on its inner surface (see FIG. 3) allows the screw to be rotatably driven for expanding the frame. A pressure plate  24  in the bottom of groove  14  receives axial pressure from the expansion screw  20 . 
     While the frame may be square with side pieces and end pieces being of equal length, it may be preferred to have a rectangular frame in which the side pieces are longer than the end pieces. While the screw opening  20  is presently shown in tongue portion  12 , it may if desired be in tongue  16  instead. 
     Method of Operation 
     According to the present invention the method of stitching a piece of fabric such as congress cloth, linen, or needlepoint canvas that is supported within a rectangular frame having side and end pieces is accomplished as follows. A visible marker is placed at the longitudinal center of each side and end piece. The fabric is placed within the frame. The corresponding fabric edges are attached. Tension is then applied from the frame to the fabric directly in the plane of the fabric by expanding the spacing between the side pieces and concurrently expanding the spacing between the end pieces. While expanding the spacings, the visible markers are observed and the movements of the end pieces and the side pieces are controlled so that a center point in the fabric remains substantially aligned with all four visible markers. Thereafter, stitches are added into the fabric while maintaining the tension thus applied to the fabric; and the spaces between the end pieces and side pieces of the frame are again expanded.