Improvements in Easels.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 27th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 30th May, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Easels.
I, MONTAGU BROWNE, Beaumanor Villas, Aylestone Park, Leicester, England,
(Curator of the Town Museum, Leicester) do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists of an easel, of any size, constructed in any material, com-
bining suitable supports with a protective frame and travelling bars, to receive and
retain, on one or both sides, a certain or any number of canvases, panels, inillboards,
academy-boards, cardboards, drawing-boards, sketch-blocks, surfaces of glass, china,
pottery, metal, or of any other material, of any width or thickness, and of any
height which can be embraced within the frame, and it is arranged in such a manner
that the outer materials protect the inner, either before or after being worked upon.
It is available as a "table," " sketching," or "studio" easel, by an arrangement of
folding and sliding supports. It is also simple, light, portable, and there are no
loose pieces of any description to be mislaid or lost.
The parts of the casel are:-
1-The sides, called hereafter the "side framing," which, of any size, are wider
than thick, and are protracted at their lower ends beyond the fixed bottom or
"bottom framing," to allow for supports (see items 8-9) to be affixed.
The side framing may "rake" outwards for convenience, or for the sake of
appearance. At the lower portion of this, key-hole plates, rings, screw-eyes,
catches, or similar appliances, may retain and secure the side supports (see item 8).
2-The top and bottom framing are fixed to the side framing, but, whereas the
top may be plain, and may, if needed, extend beyond the side framing, it is, for
convenience, of less width than the bottom piece, which has ledges back and front,
formed by rebating, or by any other method, on which canvases or any other
materials rest and are retained in place, preferably by the cutting out of some
portion of the ledge, and the insertion of screwed discs (see item 5).
Or I may use such other catches or hold fasts to retain the materials in position
as may be deemed advisable. Or I may plough one or more grooves on each back
and front ledge in addition, to hold millboards or like materials, to add to the
number of surfaces carried.
3-At any distance from the side framing, preferably in the centre, arc
"uprights," preferably grooved upon their inner edge, and fixed to the top and
bottom framing, for carrying the travelling bars" (see following item).
።
4-These travelling bars may be of any material, but preferably strips of wood,
and, by the addition or interposition of a tongue of metal or of wood, or by any
other appliance working in the grooves of the uprights, slide up or down; the back
and front independently of each other. They are of sufficient width and length to
support the back of the materials to be operated upon, and also to rest against the
side framing at any stage of their progress upwards or downwards. To do this in
proper form, they are further provided-in addition to the tongue of metal or other
material previously referred to, and which travels in the grooves of the upright
pieces, providing these be in the centre-with a supplementary stop or block, of
any material, coming between the tongue and the back of the travelling bar, and
whose thickness is determined by the thickness of that part of the uprights between
their front or back surface and their front or back groove, and whose width is
determined by the distance between the two uprights. On any portion of the
travelling bars, I may add stops, studs, catches, or any similar appliances, or a ledge
or ledges, of any material, for further convenience.

page_text: Or I may dispense with uprights and travelling bars, slot the side framing, and
use travelling clips instead to retain the surfaces in position.
Or I may make the uprights of any material and of any shape, and so arrange
them on any part of the frame, that each bar may travel independently of its
fellow, by the interposition of a band, or clip, or any other appliance.
5-The discs are arranged by cutting out from front to shoulder of median line,
in any position on the bottom framing, one or more spaces-preferably one, and
that in the centre-sufficiently large to admit of one or more discs travelling freely
on a male screw, the latter retained in position by entering the edge of the bottom
framing on its median line, and by a plate, or any other support, screwed or fixed
across the front of the aperture. The back of the bottom framing may be pre-
ferably treated in like manner to the front.
Or 1 may dispense with the ledge of the bottom framing altogether, and may
make the surfaces rest upon pegs or other appliances let into the actual bottom or
side framing, and may also dispense with the retaining plate neross the disc or dises.
Or I may make the male screw or screws of the disc or discs support the surfaces
without any further intervention.
On any part of the travelling bar, but preferably in the middle, may be screwed,
or fixed in any manner, a male serew carrying a screwed dise, which in this case
does not need the retaining plate required by that on the bottom framing.
Or may lengthen the inale screw, and add other bars and discs in front of the
original ones, for the purpose of carrying more than one surface at front or at
back.
6-To the completed frame is affixed another frame, hereafter called the "back
framing." This back framing consists preferably of three piecos or strips of wood
or other material. The first is of any width and length, but preferably guided by
the completed frame, and is fixed to the back edge of the top framing by hinges or
other appliances, in order to allow it to open a certain distance. The second and
third strips work loosely upon pins or screws at any part of the back edge of the
first piece, but preferably calculated for strength, and facility in working. The
second strip is plain, and may be rather longer than the third. The third strip
may be thicker and wider at its lower extremity, and may be cut diagonally—all
these modifications from the second strip being arranged for convenience when
erect, and for folding, and for attachment of the support or supports (hereafter
described). Across the second strip is brought a strap or band of any material
which, being screwed or pinned at each end to the under surface of the third strip,
holds both in apposition, and yet allows the third to travel freely upon the second
until it reaches its upper extremity, and rests immediately under the back framing.
Or I may reverse the positions of the second and third strips, or place the strap
or band in any position on either, or may even attach by cord or string in any
manner.
Or I may dispense with the first strip, and allow the second and third to work from
the top framing by any other method.
Or I may add a supplementary piece to the lower part if necessary, or to obviate
the diagonal cutting of the third strip.
7-The band or strap may be wider (preferably in the middle) to receive a nick
or slot, or any similar device, which, meeting a screw-eye, pin, stud, block, catch,
or other appliance upon the second strip, retains and locks the second and third
strips when the ensel is erect.
Or I may attach, to any part of the third strip, a (preferably) nicked or slotted
plate, catch, or similar appliance, which, being received by the screw-eye, stud, or
what not upon the second strip, locks in a similar manner to the above.
Or I may reverse the order of these in any way whatever.
8-The supports or legs, of any material, are preferably three in number, one
at each side and one at the back. Two of these are attached to the lowest part of
the side fraining by, 1st, a pin, peg, stud, or scrow, which attaches it, and acts as a
pivot upon which the leg folds under the frame when at rest; and, 2nd, by a screw-

page_text: eye or other appliance, which, being met by, and coming through, a key-hole plate
or ring upon the side framing (see item 1), securely locks the support to the framing
when the position of the screw-eye is reversed. The third or back support is
pivoted, and locks upon the diagonally-cut lower part of the third strip of the back
framing, in a similar manner; or upon the supplementary piece if necessary.
Or I may reverse the order of these keyed-plates, screw-eyes, rings, pins, thumb-
screws, catches, or similar appliances, in any way whatever.
9-A supplementary or lengthening support being required, it slides upon the
first by bands or clips of metal or other material, preferably by two in opposition,
and is tightened upon the first at any point of its progress by one hand (preferably
the upper) having the screw-holes of one of its sides enlarged to work loosely upon
one screw and a screw-eye, the tightening of which latter, together with pressure
upon the front of the band, securely locks it.
Or I may dispense with one screw, and use only one slot and one screw-eye.
Or I may hinge or affix the first part of each support to any part of the framing,
or may slide it under a band, clip, or strap, provided for its reception, and fasten by
means of springs, clips, studs, bolts, screws, pegs, singly or in conjunction with
each other, or by holes, slots, pins, or other appliances, or may slot any part for
convenience, or may reverse the order of these in any way whatever, or may use
slotted slides on one or both supports, or upon the frame, one or all.
Or I may modify all or any of these supports, or supplementary supports, by
ferruling, jointing, folding or hinging them, or by using "knuckle," or "rule," or
other joints, or by using pins, thumbscrews, or screws, fixed or loose, working
separately or together, or in holes, or may use rack-work, or straps, together or
separately, either upon one another or upon the frame, or may make the supports
of any shape. May make more or less than three supports, or may make every
part, of supports or of framings, loose or fixed, or may make framings and supports
in one, or may dispense with the second supports at will.
All of these supports, both side and back, are so arranged as, when folded, to
adapt themselves to the size of the frame, not extending beyond its limits, and can
be retained, when not in use, by one or more small straps, fixed or otherwise, on
any part of the framing or its supports.
10-To the bottom of one or all of these supports, cords-looped, knotted, or
plain-are affixed, to securely anchor the easel by a peg when required.
Or I may use straps or other appliances, and with spikes or ferrules for a like
purpose.
11-A ledge, box, or similar appliance may be adjusted under the bottom
framing for the reception of brushes, colours, &c.
12-A strap or other appliance may be affixed to the top or side framing at any
part, to carry the whole when folded."
I claim for my invention―
A, B, C, The principles of the framing, the uprights, and the travelling bars,
which, combined, perfectly protect canvases, millboards, academy boards, drawing-
paper (when mounted), cardboards and other materials, before or after being drawn
or painted upon, by the simple process of turning them face inwards. None of the
surfaces touch each other, and two or, by modification (see item 5, last par.), a
greater number of surfaces the size of, or smaller than, the actual frame, can be
supported and protected from injury.
D-The principle of the screwed discs running on male screws, by means of
which objects or materials of any thickness or size, not exceeding height of frame,
can be held securely whilst being written, drawn, or painted upon, or when
carried.
E-The principle of the back framing, which allows the support to come into
position, and to rake at any angle for work, and to be folded for convenience within
the limits of the actual frame.
E The principle of the band or strap upon the third strip of the back
framing, which, by modification (see item 7), or by the addition of a separately

page_text: nicked, or slotted, plate (Fre second par., item 7), securely locks the second and
third strips of the back framing.
F-The principles of the folding and locking of the supports by pivots, koy-
hole plates, and screw-eyes or similar appliances, which enable the easel to be
quickly put up or taken down, and make it, when up, firm even to rigidity.
G-The principle of the bands, which enable the supplementary supports to be
aflised for sliding.
1 The principle of the slots within the bands, which, in conjunction with the
screw-eyes, enable the supports to be arrested and made fast at any point, and also
renders them independent of each other when required to overcome any inequalities
of position.
The principle of the ledge or brush-box, under the bottom framing.
K-The anchoring of the easel, in a secure manner, by means of cords and pegs.
Dated this First day of September 1890.
MONTAGU BROWNE,
Town Museum, Leicester.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Easels.
1, Mostar BROWNE, of Beaumanor Villas, Aylestone Park, Leicester,
England, Curator of the Town Museum, Leicester, do hereby declare the nature 2
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My invention consists of an easel, of any size, constructed in any material,
combining suitable supports with a protective frame and retaining appliances, to
receive and retain, on one or both sides, a certain or any number of canvases, 2
panels, millards, academy boards, cardboards, drawing-boards, sketch-blocks,
surfaces of glass, china, pottery, metal, or of any other material, of any width or
thickness, and of any height which can be embraced within the frame, and it is
arranged in such a manner that the outer materials protect the inner either before
or after being worked upon. It is available as a "table," "sketching," or
"studio easel, by an arrangement of folding and sliding supports, and it is also
simple, light, portable, and there are no loose pieces of any description to be
mislaid or lost.
The parts of the easel are:-
1-The sides, called hereafter the "side framing" (A, A), which, of any size,
may be preferably wider than thick, and protracted at their lower ends beyond
the fixed bottom or "bottom framing" (C), to allow for supports (see item 7) or
locks of any description (see item 8) to be affixed.
The side framing may "rake" outwards for convenience, or for the sake of
appearance.
2-The top (B) and bottom framing (C) are fixed to the side framing (A, A),
but, whereas the top may be plain, and may, if needed, extend beyond the side
framing, it is, for convenience, of less width than the bottom piece, which preferably
has a ledge (C) front and back, formed by rebating or by any other method, on
which canvases or any other materials rest, and are retained in place by any
convenient holdfast (see item 5).
a-Or may plough one or more grooves, or plant strips on either or each
ledge in addition, to hold millboards or like materials, to add to the number of
surfaces carried.
Or may dispense with the ledge (C) of the bottom framing altogether,
and may make the surfaces rest upon pegs or other appliances let into, or fixed
upon, the actual bottom (C) or side framing (A, A).
3-Al any distance from the side framing (A, A.), but preferably in the centre,

page_text: is affixed an CE
upright" (D), of any size or shape, but consisting preferably of a
strip of wood or other material for carrying an appliance or appliances to support
and retain surfaces in position. When required to carry or protect more than one
surface, two uprights are placed preferably back to back, with sufficient space
between their inner surfaces to allow the furniture of the supporting or retaining
appliances to pass one another.
a-Or I may place two or more uprights side by side, and groove their inner
edges for carrying supporting or retaining appliances, either or both.
Or I may dispense with uprights, alter the set of the side framing (A, A),
and groove their inner edges to carry supporting or retaining appliances, either
or both.
-Or I may slot the side framing, or may use bands of any material without
slotting the side framing for carrying supporting or retaining appliances, either
or both.
4-The "travelling bar "(E) is an appliance for supporting materials or objects
to be operated upon, or to be carried or protected, and is arranged to slide up or
down the upright (D) by means of a band or clip of metal (E') screwed or fixed
upon its back or inner surface. When required to support more than one surface,
travelling bars are used both at front and at back, cach working independently.
On any portion of each travelling bar I may add a ledge or ledges of any material,
or stops, studs, catches, or any similar appliances for further convenience.
a-
-Or I may dispense with bands or clips, and fix upon the travelling bar or
bars a tongue of metal or other material which, working in grooves in the uprights
(see item 3, par. 6), will allow each bar to travel independently.
b-Or I may dispense with travelling bars and use retaining appliances only,
which, travelling upon the uprights (D, D) or the side framing (A, A), will hold
the surfaces in position.
5-The discs (F, F) are preferably of metal, and work upon male screws fixed
in or upon the bottom framing (C), but preferably on a part of the ledge (C'), and
in or upon the travelling bar or bars (E,E), to hold firmly in position materials
of any size or varying thickness required to be carried or operated upon. That
upon the bottom framing is arranged preferably by cutting out from front to back, in
any position on the ledge (C), one or more spaces-preferably one, aud that in the
centre-sufficiently large to admit of one or more discs travelling freely on a male
screw, the latter retained in position by entering the edge of the ledged portion of
the bottom framing on its median line, and by a plate or any other support screwed
or fixed across the front of the aperture. The back of the bottom framing may be
preferably treated in like manner to the front. The disc or discs upon the
travelling bar or bars are arranged to work upon a male screw or screws fixed in
any position, but preferably in the middle of the bar or bars, and in this case the
screws do not require a retaining plate on their outer extremity.
a-Or I may dispense with the retaining plate across the disc or discs of the
bottom framing or ledge.
Or I may make the male screw or screws of the disc or discs of the bottom
framing support the surfaces either alone or in conjunction with other appliances
(see item 2, par. b).
c—Or I may, in the absence of travelling bars, fix the male screw or screws of
the disc or discs to a band, clip, or tongue of metal or other material, arranged to
travel upon the upright or uprights, or upon the side framing (see item 4, par. ).
d-Or I may lengthen the screw or screws and add supplementary bars and
discs, or supplementary discs without bars, for the purpose of carrying more than
one surface at front and at back.
e-Or I may dispense with discs, and use clips, catches, or any similar holdfasts
which, travelling on or between the upright or uprights, or on the side framing,
will retain the surfaces in position.
6-To the completed frame (A, A, B, C) is affixed another frame, hereafter
called the "back framing" (G, H, 1). This back framing consists preferably of

page_text: three pieces.
The first (G) is of any whith and length, but preferably determined
by the completed frame, and is fixed to the back eilge of the top framing (B) by
hinges or other appliances, in order to allow it to open a certain distance. Two
other strips (II and I) work loosely upon pins or screws at any part of the back
edge of G, but preferably calculated for strength, and for facility in folding,
The strip I has, fixed at its lower extremity, a band or strap of any material (H')
which, being brought across the strip 1, holds both in apposition, and enables the
one to travel upon the other until it reaches its upper extremity and rests imme-
diately under G for convenience in folding.
The strip I has preferably a stop or stud or other appliance at its lower extremity
for the double purpose of arresting the strip H, and of bearing some appliance for
locking the parts (see item 8).
a-Or may dispense with G, and allow II and I to work from the top
framing (B) by any other method."
Or may reverse the positious of II and I, or place the stray or band and
stop and locking appliance in any position on either.
7-The supports or legs (K, K, K), of any material, are preferably three in
number. Two of these are attached to the lowest part of the side framing (A, A),
preferably by a screw or pin acting as a pivot upon which the leg folds under the
bottom framing (C). The third or back support is pivoted in like manner upon
the lower part of one of the strips, preferably II, of the back framing.
a-Or may hinge or attach these supports to any part of the framing in any
way whatever.
8-The locks (K, K', K¹) consist preferably of keyed or slotted plates and
screw-eyes; the former being preferably fixed upon the lower and outer extremities
of the side framing (A, A) and of the strip I of the back framing in such a manner
as to meet the scrun-eyes-fixed preferably near the upper extremities of the
supports, which, by a single turn, lock the parts.
a-Or I may dispense with keyed or slotted plates and screw-eyes, and secure the
supports to the framing by a peg or pegs thrust through holes, or by screws or
thumbscrews.
b-Or I may secure the supports to the framing by a band, clip, or strap, of
metal or other interinl.
-Or I may use hooks and eyes, or bolts, spring-bolts, pins, studs, or catches
of any description, or may slot any part for convenience, or may secure by cords
in any manner.
d-Or I may reverse the order of the catches or locks in any way whatever.
9-Should a supplementary or lengthening support (L) be required, it slides
upon the first (K) by bands or clips of metal or other material, preferably by two
in opposition (M and M'), and is arrested at any point of its progress by one band
(preferably the upper, M') having the screw-holes of one of its sides enlarged to
work loosely upon one screw and a screw-eye, the tightening of which latter,
simultaneously with pressure upon the band, makes all secure.
a-Or I may dispense with one screw on each side, and use only one slot and
one screw-cyc.
b-Or I may modify all or any of these supports or supplementary supports by
ferruling, jointing, folding or hinging them, or by using “ knuckle or rule" or
other joints, or by using pins, thumbscrews or screws, fixed or loose, working
separately or together or in holes, or may use rack-work, or straps, together or
separately, either upon one another or upon the frame, or may make the supports
of any shape. May make more or less than three supports, or may make every
part of supports or of framing loose or fixed, or may make framings and supports
in one, or may dispense with the second supports (L, L, L) at will.
10 To the bottom of each supplementary support (L), a cord (N), preferably
looped, is affixed, to securely anchor the casel by a peg when required.
a-Or I may use straps or other appliances, and with spikes or ferrules for a
like purpose.

page_text: 11-I may, when required, arrange a ledge, box, or similar appliance under the
bottom framing, for the reception of brushes, colours, &c.
12-A strap or other appliance may be affixed to the top or side framing at
any part, to carry the whole when folded.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A, B, C-The principles of the framing (A, A, B, C), the uprights (D, D), and
the travelling bars (E,E), which, combined, perfectly protect canvases, millboards,
academy-boards, drawing paper (when mounted), cardboards, and other materials,
before or after being drawn or painted upon, by the simple process of turning them
face inwards. None of the surfaces touch each other, and two, or, by modification
(see item 2, par. a, and item 5, par. d), a greater number of surfaces the size of,
or smaller than, the actual frame, can be supported and protected from injury.
D-The principle of the screwed discs (E, F) running on fixed male screws, by
means of which objects or materials, of any thickness, and of any size not exceeding
the height of the frame, can be held securely whilst being written, drawn, or
painted upon, or when carried.
E-The principle of the back framing (G, H, I), which allows the support to
come into position, and to rake at any angle for work, and to be folded for
convenience within the limits of the actual frame.
F-The principle of the band H, which allows one part of the back framing to
travel upon another for convenience in folding.
G-The principles of the folding and locking of the supports (K, K, K) by
screws or pivots, slotted or keyed plates and screw-eyes (K, K¹, K') or similar
appliances, which enable the easel to be quickly put up or taken down, and make
it, when up, firm even to rigidity.
H-The principle of the bands (M, M, M, and M', M', M'), which enable the
supplementary supports (L, L, L) to be affixed for sliding.
1-The principle of the slots in the upper bands (M', M, M³), which, in
conjunction with the screw-eyes, enable the supplementary supports to be made
fast at any point, and also render them independent of each other when required
to overcome any inequalities of position.
K-The anchoring of the easel in a secure manner by means of cords and
pegs (N, N, N).
•
L-The principle of the ledge or brush-box under the bottom framing.
Dated this Twenty-seventh date of Anul 1001
MONTAGU BROWNE,
Town Museum, Leicester."