Patent Publication Number: US-4482185-A

Title: Convertible easel

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to equipment for artists and more specifically to an easel. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     An artist is usually unlike his traditional perception as a tireless being who paints while standing for hours at a time, pallet in hand, next to an easel. The artist often paints while seated because the easel and a camp chair have been constructed as a portable combination. 
     Although the artist may paint while being seated, the easel may not be moveable to a suitable position relative to the camp chair. Therefore, a canvas supported by the easel may either be uncomfortably close to the artist or inconveniently far from the artist. Additionally, the portable combination does not provide a place for the artist to keep supplies, such as paints and brushes. The supplies are preferably in easy reach of the artist. 
     When the portable combination is used in a classroom or in a studio, it may be desirable to place the easel on a desk or on a table. The camp chair then becomes a cumbersome inconvenience. Usually, the portable combination cannot be converted to an easel suitable for placing on a desk or on a table. 
     The artist often makes pictorial representations in pastel or water color. A pastel drawing is usually made upon a sketch pad. The easel is not normally suitable for supporting a sketch pad. A water color painting is normally made upon a suitable material supported on a flat substantially horizontal surface. An ordinary easel does not and cannot provide the flat horizontal surface required for many applications. 
     The portable combination may be used by an architect to draw or paint a conceptual showing or design of a building, for example. However, the architect may additionally find it desirable to make shop drawings of portions of the building. The shop drawings are usually made on a drawing board. The common easel cannot ordinarily be used in place of the drawing or drafting board or as a support for the drawing or drafting board. 
     For reasons given hereinbefore, there is a need for an improved combination of the easel and the camp chair, where the canvas is supported in a desired position relative to the camp chair and a place is provided to keep the supplies and the like in easy reach. Additionally, the improved combination is positionally adjustable to be useable for making pictorial representations in paint, pastel, pencil, water color charcoal, drafting tools, and any other medium. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a portable combination of an easel and a chair where the easel is in a selectively adjustable desired position relative to the chair. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an easel suitable for use on a relatively flat table or a desk. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable combination of a chair and an easel adaptable for supporting a drawing or drafting board. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable combination of an easel, a chair and a container for art supplies and the like, the container being operably disposed in a location convenient for a user of the combination. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide an easel useable for making pictorial graphic or illustrative representations in any medium. 
     According to the present invention, a clamp assembly of an easel is adapted for connection to a pair of frame support legs in the general shape of a bellcrank. The connection to the frame support legs is at an operably disposed selectable location thereon. The frame support legs are fixedly connected to the ends of a horizontal bar that carries one end of the seat of a camp chair. The other end of the seat is carried by a horizontal bar connected to a pair of camp chair legs that are connected to respective ones of the frame support legs. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 adapted for use on a table or a desk; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 adapted to support a drawing board; 
     FIG. 4 is a section of FIG. 1 taken along the line 4--4; 
     FIG. 5 is a section of FIG. 1 taken along the line 5--5; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 adapted for use as a chair and a support and display for a floral arrangement and a painting; 
     FIG. 7 is a rear elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmented exploded view, with parts broken away, of a portion of the preferred embodiment shown within the dashed line circle of FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tray in the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10 is a section of FIG. 9 taken along the line 10--10; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with a folded camp chair; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view partially exploded with parts broken away of an adjustable leg in the embodiment of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable leg in the preferred embodiments shown in FIG. 2 taken along the line 14--14; and 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 where the elements are collapseably arranged for portability. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a convertible easel includes a longitudinally adjustable rectangular clamp assembly 10 wherein a frame-mounted canvas 12 or the like is maintained as explained hereinafter. The assembly 10 has similar elongated vertical frame members or bars 14, 16 with centrally disposed, longitudinal slotted holes or channels 98,100, respectively, therethrough. The bars 14, 16 have substantially rectangular cross-sections and the elongated slots 98, 100 extend substantially the length thereof. 
     The bar 14 is adjustably connected to a support leg 22 that has the general shape of a bellcrank. The connection of the bar 14 and the leg 22 is provided by a bolt 26 that passes through the slot or channel 98 and a slotted hole 24 in a distal end portion 22D of the leg 22. The lower distal end portion 22P of the leg 22 rests upon the ground. The connection of the bar 14 to the leg 22 is maintained by a wing nut 28 screwed onto the bolt 26. 
     In a similar manner, the bar 16 is connected to a support leg 30 (similar to the leg 22) by a bolt 32 (similar to the bolt 26) that passes through the slot 100 and a slotted hole 34 in the distal portion 30D of the bellcrank leg 30. The connection of the bar 16 to the leg 30 is maintained by a wing nut 36 (similar to the wing nut 29) that is screwed onto the bolt 32. The lower distal end portion 30P of the leg 30 is adapted to rest securely on the ground or some similar substantially flat surface. 
     When the wing nuts 28, 36 are loosely screwed onto the bolts 26, 32, the assembly 10 is moveable in translation in directions defined by the slots 24, 34 and the slots 98, 100. When the wing nuts 28, 36 are tightened to clamp at a desired distance from the longitudinal frame bars 14, 16 the legs 22, 30, the assembly 10 to prevent further translation or back and forth movement of the frame with respect to the seat 40. 
     It should be understood that the bolts 26, 32 are substantially coaxial and the pair of slots 24, 34 are substantially parallel to to one another as are the pair of elongated slots 98, 100. Moreover, the assembly 10 is rotatable about the axis of the bolts 26, 32. As explained hereinafter an elongated support leg of selectively adjustable length restrains the assembly 10 against rotation. 
     The legs 22, 30 have a horizontal bar 38 connected therebetween in any suitable manner. The bar 38 provides lateral support to the legs 22, 30, whereby the legs 22, 30 are maintained in a substantially parallel relationship. Additionally, the bar 38 is operably connected to a foldable fabric seat 40 at an end portion 41D thereof by any conventional fastening means. Therefore an artist may straddle the seat 40 and be seated thereon while painting upon the canvas 12. The seat 40 is additionally supported at an end portion 41P thereof as explained hereinafter. 
     Since the assembly 10 is moveable in translation in the directions defined by the slots 24, 34, the assembly 10 is moveable towards and away from the seated artist. Hence, the canvas 12 may be positioned at any desired distance from the seated artist. Since the assembly 10 is moveable in translation in the directions defined by the slots 98, 100, the assembly 10 is moveable in a generally upward and downward direction relative to the seated artist. 
     As best shown in FIG. 7, the bars 14, 16 are symmetrically connected to a lateral support member 42 by screws 44. The member 42 is a flat, generally T shaped panel. However, the member 42 may alternatively be a rectangular panel. 
     The screws 44 pass through the member 42 and through rear surfaces 46, 48 of the bars 14, 16 respectively, whereby, the member 42 abuts the rear surfaces 46, 48 of elongated bars 14, 16, respectively. It should be understood that the drawing board, drafting board, paper, sketch pads or canvas 12 or the like is in a proximal relationship to the front surfaces 46A, 48A, of the bars 14, 16 (FIG. 1). The member 42 maintains the bars 14, 16 in a parallel relationship. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7, and 11-14, a an elongated leg of adjustable length 50 has an upper portion 51 with a generally channel-shaped cross-section. The elongated leg portion 51 is including the channel 51C connected near its top end portion 51T at a front surface 51F to the support 42 by a conventional hinge assembly 52 (FIG. 12). The hinge 52 is equidistant from the legs 14, 16, whereby the leg 50 is symmetrically disposed relative to the bars 14, 16 generally parallel thereto (FIG. 7). The lower elongated support leg portion 51L is generally rectangular and is adapted to slidably engage the channel 51C to become substantially coaxial therewith and for longitudinal motion therein as hereinafter described. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, the support 42 is additionally connected to a pivot 54 whereon a slotted bar 56 pivots in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support 42 (FIG. 12.) The pivot 54 is positioned below the hinge 52 and closer to the bar 16 than to the bar 14, whereby the bar 56 abuts the inside surface or leg portion 51. 
     A bolt 58 passes from the leg portion 51 through a slot 60 in the bar 56. A wing nut 62 on the bolt 58 fastens the bar 56 to the upper leg portion 51. When the wing nut 62 is loosely screwed onto the bolt 58, the leg 50 is rotatable about the hinge 52. When the wing nut 62 is tightened the leg 50 is secured, restrained or maintained against rotation. Accordingly, the leg 50 may be selectively maintained in a desired angular relationship to the assembly 10. 
     It should be understood that when the leg 50 is maintained against rotation and a lower portion of the leg 50 (described hereinafter) rests upon the ground, the assembly 10 is maintained against rotation about the axis of the bolts 26, 32. Therefore, by selecting the angular relationship of the leg 50 to the assembly 10 and by adjusting the length of the upper leg 50, the canvas 10 is at a desired angle to a horizontal datum plane. 
     The structure of the seat 40 includes a horizontal bar 64 (similar to the bar 38) operatively disposed between the upper distal end portions of chair legs 66, 68 for supporting the legs and seat 40 and maintaining the legs substantially parallel, the opposite end of the chair seat being operatively connected to the horizontal bar 64 at 41P. The ends of the bar 64 are respectively connected to camp chair legs 66, 68 near the upper ends thereof. The lower ends of the legs 66, 68 are adapted to rest upon the ground to support the chair and at least partially the easel assembly. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, bolt 70A passes through holes in the legs 22, 66 into one end of a horizontal support bar 72. The hole in the leg 66 is generally near its midpoint. A bolt, 70B (FIG. 6) similar to the bolt 70A, passes through holes in the legs 30, 68 into the other end of the bar 72. Like the leg 66, the hole through the leg 68 is generally near its midpoint. It should be understood that there is a coaxial relationship between the bolts 70A, 70B and the camp chair legs 66, 68 are rotatable about the axis of the bolts 70A, 70B. 
     Preferably, a camp chair brace 74, connects the legs 22, 66. The brace 74 is comprised of two similar members that are pivotably connected near the middle of the brace 74. However, when the seat 40 is unfolded, an over the center lock 74C of the brace 74 causes the brace 74 to be rigid. A brace 76, similar to the brace 74 connects the legs 22, 66. The braces 74, 76 are of a type well known in the art. 
     As shown in FIGS. 9-11, when the legs 66, 68 are rotated to fold the seat 40 (FIG. 11) the lower leg portion 22P and the proximal portion of the leg 30 are nearly parallel to the legs 66, 68. Additionally, a plastic tray 78 is operatively disposed proximate seat end 41D. The tray 78 is a single integral with stops 80, 82 that prevent the end 41D from moving to cause the seat 40 to unfold. 
     The tray 78 is substantially a rectangular frame that includes generally rectangular sides 84, 86 connected to a generally rectangular front panel 88 and a generally rectangular rear panel 90 (FIG. 9). The sides 84, 86, and the panels 88, 90 are all connected to a rectangular tray panel or surface 92 operably disposed so as to be approximately centered within the frame 84, 86, 88, 90. The tray 78 is adapted to hold artist&#39;s supplies, draftman&#39;s supplies, drawing equipment, and the like. In this embodiment, the panels 88, 90 are narrower than the sides 84, 86. 
     The sides 84, 86 are connected near corresponding corners thereof to the legs 22, 30, respectively by similar screws 94, 96. Moreover, the screws 94, 96 are coaxial. The tray 78 is rotatable about the axis of the screws 94, 96. 
     Accordingly, when the seat 40 is folded, the tray 78 is rotated to a portion shown in broken lines in FIG. 10, the tray 78 is in a position for the panel 92 to be a supporting surface for the brushes and paints of an artist who paints while standing. 
     As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, when the seat 40 is unfolded, the tray 78 is rotated to cause the stops 80, 82 to extend upward (shown in solid lines in FIG. 10). Moreover, the panel 90 abuts the seat end 41D; the tray 78 is in a position for the panel 92 to be a supporting surface for the brushes and the paints of the seated artist or the like. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the assembly 10 includes a horizontal bar 102 with a generally rectangular cross-section. The bar 102 has a tongue 104 at each end. A bolt 105 protrudes from the ends of each of the tongues 104. The tongues 104 are adapted to fit within the slots 98, 100 referred to hereinbefore. Midway between the tongues 104, an upper clamp member 106 is connected to the bar 102 on a front face 107 thereof. 
     As shown in FIG. 4, the upper clamp 106 is a bar with parallel sides 108, 110 and non parallel sides 112, 114. Additionally, a lip 116 extends from the side 114. The side 114 is contiguous with a lower edge 118 of the bar 102 and slopes to one edge of the lip 116. The other edge of the lip 116 is contiguous with the side 110 and the end of the lip 116 between the edges is substantially parallel to the top edge 112. The side 114 and the lip 116 form a hook with the lip 116 overhanging the top edge of the canvas 12. 
     When the tongues 104 are fitted within the slots 98, 100, the bolts 105 extend therefrom, (FIGS. 1 and 8), wing nuts 120 are screwed onto the bolts 105. 
     When the wing nuts 120 are loosely screwed onto the bolts 105, the bar 102, and hence the clamp member 106, is moveable in translation in directions defined by the slots 98, 100 or up and down the clamping frame 10. When the wing nuts 120 are tightly screwed onto the bolts 105, the bar 102 is locked, secured or maintained against translation. Accordingly, the bar 102 is moveable to cause the lip 116 to overhang and operatively engage the canvas 12 for clamping or positioning purposes. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the assembly 10 additionally includes a lower clamp 122 of substantially the same length as the bar 102. Moreover, the clamp 122 includes bar member 119 is substantially parallel to bars 14, 16 which include tongues 124 and bolts 125 at both ends (FIG. 5). The tongues 124 and the bolts 125 are respectively similar to the tongues 104 and bolts 105 described hereinbefore. The clamp 122 has a cross section wherein a longitudinal channel 126 is defined. Additionally, a lip 128 extends from the clamp 122 outside of the channel 126. 
     When the tongues 124 are fitted within the slots 98, 100, the bolts 125 extends therefrom. Wing nuts 132 (FIG. 1) are screwed onto the bolts 125. 
     When the wing nuts 132 are loosely screwed onto the bolts 125, the clamp 122 is moveable in translation in the directions defined by the slots 98, 100. When the wing nuts 132 are tightly screwed onto the bolts 125, the clamp 122 is secured or maintained against translation longitudinal or vertical movement. Therefore, the bar 102 and the clamp 122 generally define a generally rectangular frame of longitudinally adjustable length. 
     The midportion of the bottom edge of the canvas 12 or the like fits within the channel 126 which is selectively positioned up or down in the elongated slots 98, 100, as desired. Accordingly, the clamps 106, 122 maintain the canvas in the assembly 10. The clamps 106, 122 being selectively positioned up and down the longitudinal axis of the frame within the elongated slots 98, 100 to select the desired position for the surface upon which the artist or the like is to work. The lip 128 is utilized in a manner described hereinafter. 
     Preferably, washers 134, 136 (FIG. 8) are disposed on the bolts 105 between the wing nuts 120 and the bar 16. Similarly washers may be similarly used with all other wing nuts referred to herein. 
     As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the leg portion 51 further includes a recess channel 138 in a rear surface 51R of the upper leg portion 51. The recess 138 causes the leg portion 51 to have the channel-shaped cross-section as stated hereinbefore. 
     The recess 138 extends through approximately the lower 80 percent of the upper leg portion 51. In an alternative embodiment, a similar recess may extend over a greater or lesser percentage of the leg portion 51. 
     Centrally located within the recess 138 is an elongated slotted hole 140 that extends substantially the entire longitudinal length of the recess 138. As explained hereinafter, the recess 140 and the slot 138 are used for providing selectively adjustable length for the leg 50. 
     The leg 50 additionally includes a lower portion 142 that has a generally rectangular cross-section. Additionally, a hole 144 passes through the lower leg portion 142 near its top end portion 146. 
     The leg portion 142 is slidably placed or inserted within the recess channel 138. Additionally, the leg portions 51, 142 are connected together by a bolt 148 that passes through the slot 140 and the hole 144. A wing nut 150 screws onto the bolt 76. 
     Because of the slot 140, when the wing nut 150 is loosely screwed onto the bolt 148, the leg lower portion 142 is slidably positionable within the recess 138 for selectively adjusting the height of the clamping frame 10. When the wing nut 150 is tightly screwed onto the bolt 148, the leg portion 142 is locked, restrained or maintained against sliding in either direction. It should be understood that the length of the leg 50 is adjusted by the sliding of the leg portion 142 into and out of the recess channel 178. Preferably, washers 152, 154 are disposed on the bolt 148 between its head and the surface 51F. 
     Preferably, a U-shaped bracket 156 is connected by screws 158 to the upper leg portion 51 approximately midway between its ends. The bracket 156 maintains or securely restrains the leg lower portion 142 within the recess 138. 
     In this embodiment, the bottom of the leg portion 142 is a boss 160. Although the boss 160 is suitable for resting upon the ground, preferably, a decorative footing 162 fits thereon (FIG. 1). 
     As shown in FIG. 2, when the legs 22, 30 are not connected to the assembly 10, the leg 50 and the bars 14, 16 form a tripod. The tripod is suitable for placement on a desk or on a table whereby the convertible easel forms a table easel. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, when the length of the leg 50 is suitably adjusted and the leg 50 is suitably rotated, the assembly 10 may be used to support a drawing board 164 where an edge thereof is retainably disposed within the lower clamping channel 126. Alternatively, the drawing board, or a watercolor sketch pad or the like may be placed upon the lip 128 without clamping action. It should be appreciated that the convertible easel is easily adjusted, as explained hereinbefore, to cause the drawing board or the sketch pad to be positioned to provide a substantially horizontal or slightly tilted surface. 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the tray 78 and assembly 10 may be used for supporting a flower arrangement or the like and a painting, respectively. Hence, the convertible easel may be used as a decorative furnishing or a conversation piece or the like. 
     As shown in FIG. 15, the seat 40 is folded and the leg 50 is shortened by suitable sliding the leg portion 142. Additionally, the tray 78 is folded to extend between the legs 22, 30. The convertible easel is thereby reduced or collapsed to a size that makes it easily portable. 
     As shown in FIG. 11, a horizontal bar 166 is connected to the legs 66, 68 within notches therein. Similarly, a horizontal bar 168 is connected to the legs 22, 30 within notches therein. The bars 166, 168 provide lateral structural support for the chair and frame. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations can be made in the structure and materials described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited only be the appended claims.