Patent DE-10065063-A1 (DE)
Title: Folding stenter frame for silk fabrics, has two opposing divided rods with hinges at the center and two undivided rods with hinges at their ends for the corners in a simple assembly
Inventor: GROEPPNER MARIA
IPC: D05C1/02
Filed: 2000-12-27
Abstract: Folding stenter frame, has two opposing divided rods with hinges at the center and two undivided rods with hinges at their ends for the corners in a simple assembly  The folding frame, to stretch a fabric for working, has two facing rods (3,4) divided at the center into two sections (5, 6; 7, 8). At one end of the rod sections (5, 6; 7, 8) they are linked together with movement by a hinge (9, 10) which encloses an angle of 180 deg  when they are unfolded. The rotary axis of the hinges (9, 10) runs outside the interior (11) of the frame. Each end (28a, 28b, 29a, 29b) of an undivided rod (1, 2) is linked by a further hinge (14-17) with the other ends of the divided rod sections, forming an included angle of 90 deg  between the solid and divided rods, with the rotary axes in the frame interior (11). When folded, each separated rod (3, 4) is parallel to the other, with the undivided rods (1, 2) in parallel between them.  A lock mechanism (18-21) is at each of the first hinges (9, 10), to stabilize the ends of the sections (5-8) of the divided rods (3, 4) when unfolded. An opening (21) is at the ends of one section (6, 7) of the divided rods (3, 4), to be engaged by projecting tongues (18,19) at the other rod sections (5-8). The openings (20, 21) are open towards the other rod sections (5-8) and the frame interior (11), for the tongues to be inserted into them from the side, to engage in them in a positive fit. The tongues (18, 19) have an opening (23) between two openings in the first divided rod sections (6, 7), for a pin or screw or bolt to be passed through all three openings. The locking openings (20, 21) have magnetic zones, opposite a magnetic or metallic zone of the tongues (18, 19) when unfolded. Or the tongue (18, 19) is of a magnetic material, for firm insertion into the second section (5, 8) of the divided rods. The locking openings (20, 21) have facing snap units to grip the tongues (18, 19) in a force fit, which can also form the holding openings (20, 21) themselves. Each snap unit has a housing with a partially-projecting ball under spring tension. The tongues (18, 19) have a shaped zone facing the snap balls, to give a force fit grip when unfolded between the two balls and the snap units and the openings (20, 21). At the corners, the hinges (14-17) have an opening towards one of the rod ends, to be engaged in a positive fit by projections when unfolded. The mountings (24), at set intervals, each have a ring holder (25) with an elastic connection (26) to the clips (27) of the fabric. A one-piece elastic band is the connection (26), passed through the holders (25) at the mountings (24) of all four rods (1-4). It can also be a multi-piece elastic band (26a-26d), where each of the sections is passed through the holders (25) at the mountings (24) of a rod (1-4). One end of the elastic band (26a-26d) is secured to the rod (1-4) by an adhesive or a hook. The elastic band (26a-26d) is passed loosely through the ring holder (25), which has a gap for the band to be pushed through. At least one rotating foot is at each undivided rod (1,2), at the side of the rod away from the frame interior (11), and parallel to the rod. When the frame has been swung, the foot lies in a foot holder at right angles to the rod. The frame is held by force against a carrier, by a unit with a pitch fitted into a drilling within a rod section (5, 8), and engages a drilling in the swung-out foot. Each undivided rod (1, 2) has a guide to mount a frame stand with at least one drilling to take the frame stand screws, and a longitudinal screw guide hole along the line of the rod (1, 2).