Improved Easel.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Easel.
JOSEPH HUMPHRIES HUNTER, 16, Laurel Grove, Southport, House Decorator,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention consists in a sliding arrangement for raising or lowering picture,
and fixing it at any desired angle of light.
1st by a clip that slides on centre rail, and is secured by thumb screw, or
other device for fastening same.
2nd by a sliding rod with ratchet at right angles to said rod which cogs with the
picture and secures it at any lateral angle.
3rd. by attachment of folding shelf, which acts as a retainer to front and back
legs.
Dated this 6th day of September 1897.
Improved Easel,
I, JOSEPH HUMPHRIES HUNTER, of 16, Laurel Grove, Southport, in the County
of Lancaster, Decorator, do hereby declare the nature 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:
1
My invention consists of a sliding arrangement for raising or lowering a picture
and fixing it at any desired angle of light, 1st by a clip that slides on centre rail
and is secured by thumb screw, or other device, for fastening same, 2ndly, by a
sliding rod with ratchet bar at right angles to said rod, which cogs with the
picture, and secures it at any lateral angle, and 3rdly, by attachment of folding
shelf which acts as a retainer to front and back legs.
$8
"
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
into practical effect I have hereunto annexed. a sheet of drawings, and will now
proceed to describe the same with the various figures and letters of reference marked
thereon.
Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of an easel with my improvements applied
thereto.
Figs. 2 and 3 represent certain details on a larger scale.
In accordance with my invention I form the shelf or rest (A) loose or separate
from the easel proper, and sustain it in position by a "clip" or sleeve (B) surround-
ing the centre rail (C). This said clip is provided with a set screw (D) by which

page_text: it can be securely clamped at any point on the rail (C), but when such screw is
relieved it allows the shelf (A) to be moved up or down the said rail to any other
point, and thus permit of the picture being set at any height or allow of any
desired vertical movement.
To afford the desired lateral or angular movement to suit the view of the
spectator, or the peculiarities of light or its refraction, I employ a ratchet (E) formed
with tongue, dovetail, or shank (F) taking into a slot (G) in the centre rail (C) as
shewn in Figs. 1 and 2. This ratchet "cogs" with, or overlies, the top edge of the
picture (H), and by the spacing and number of its teeth enables the picture to be
set at a variety of angles as aforesaid.
"
The said ratchet is held horizontal by its shank (F) and by a thin guide rod (I)
passing through "eye or staple (J), and said rod also does service as a handle for
raising and lowering the ratchet.
To allow of further nicety of adjustment, I provide a folding shelf or stretcher (K)
hinging upwards, and serving when fully distended as a convenient place on which
to rest paint brushes, paint box or pallet, as well as to prevent further separation of
the back legs (L) from front legs (M).
Whilst I prefer slot (G), I may attach the ratchet in a similar manner to the
shelf (A), and I may apply two ratchets, one upon each of the legs (M), and
although I prefer to use the ratchet in combination with the adjustable shelf (A), I
may adopt it for easels with a fixed shelf, and therefore to existing easels. In lieu
of a fixed set of ratchet teeth, I may use one hook, or tooth only, with means for
sliding and fixing it along the bar.
Whilst my invention is applicable to artists full sized easels, it applies more
particularly to easels used for display purposes, also to miniature easels, and for
these latter purposes may comprise the rod (N) and staples (0) for holding a curtain
or drapery.
Having thus 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:-
1:-In means for regulating the position of a picture on an easel, the use of an
adjustable shelf on which to place the picture, in combination with an adjustable
ratchet engaging with the top edge of said picture, as set forth.
2: The "clip" or sleeve (B), shelf (A) and set-screw (D), as and for the purposes
set forth.
3: The ratchet (E), with, or without, the rod (I), as and for the purposes set
forth.
4: The combination and arrangement of parts forming my improved easel, as
set forth.
Dated the 24th day of January 1898.
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JOSEPH HUMPHRIES HUNTER.
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents, 55, Market Street, Manchester.