New or Improved Means for Clamping Picture Frames and the like.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 12th Dec., 1898-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1899
New or Improved Means for Clamping Picture Frames
and the like.
I, WILLIAM JAMES HOWARD WILLIAMS, of Taylor Cottages, Woodsend Road,
Flixton, in the County of Lancaster, Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of my said
invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide cheap, simple and handy means for
clamping picture frames and the like after gluing, or preparatory to nailing, and to
enable an entire frame to be clamped at one operation, and with an even pressure
all round.
To that end, and as applied to a square picture frame, I employ independent
"saddle" shaped corner blocks, adapted to fit or correspond with the respective right-
angled faces of the frame. In all but one of these corner blocks,-which consist, by
preference, of two side cheeks rising from the "saddle" shaped base,-is a loose
pulley, or runner, over which runs a cord common to all. This cord is secured to
the block without a pulley, and after passing over the pullies in the other blocks, is
secured to a hinged lever arm on said block by screw and hold-fast.
With the frame newly glued, the blocks are placed on, or at each corner, and by a
pull of the cord each and all are made to simultaneously press on to, and create a
converging pressure on the corners of the frame. With the cord tightly held by the
hold-fast the lever arm aforesaid is then pushed back until it engages with a small
latch, or until it comes opposite a small hole in the two side cheeks of the block and
receives a small transverse piu or cotter, when the desired maximum pressure is
obtained and the picture frame securely and permanently clamped.
In each side of the said "saddle" base of each block I form a hole through which
a nail or nails may be driven for nailing the parts of the frame together, and such
hole enables the nail to be driven into the wood in the right direction, or at the
right angle.
The general form and construction of the blocks may vary, they may be made with
a single cheek or with three cheeks and two pulleys for two cords, or they may be
made in sheet, or bent metal, but I prefer the form aforesaid.
The obvious advantages of my invention are that it does not damage or mark the
wood, it clamps all the corners at the same time, and therefore ensures of accurate
and perfect joining of the respective members of the frame, and it is not liable
to get out of order.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New or Improved Means for Clamping Picture Frames
and the like.
I, WILLIAM JAMES HOWARD WILLIAMS, late of Taylor Cottages, Woodsend Road,
Flixton, but now of 10, Albion Grove, Peel Green, Patricroft, in the County of
Lancaster, Fitter, 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:-
The object of my invention is to provide cheap, simple and handy means for
clamping picture-frames and the like after gluing or preparatory to nailing, and to
enable the entire frame to be clamped at one operation, and with an even pressure
all round.
To that end and as applied to a square picture frame, I employ independent
"saddle" shaped corner blocks, adapted to fit the respective right-angled edges of
the frame. Upon all, but one, of these corner blocks,-which consist of one or two
side cheeks rising from a "saddle" shaped base, is a loose pulley or runner, over
which runs a cord common to all. This cord is secured to the block without a
pulley, and after passing over the pulleys in the other blocks, is secured to a hinged
lever arm on said block.
With the frame newly glued, the blocks are placed on or at each corner, and by a
pull of the cord each and all are made to simultaneously press on to, and create a
converging pressure on the corners of the frame. With the cord tightly held by the
lever arm aforesaid the latter is then pushed back until it engages with a small latch,
or until it comes opposite a small hole in the two side cheeks of the block and
receives a small transverse pin or cottar, when the desired maximum pressure is
obtained and the picture frame securely and permanently clamped.
In each side of the said "saddle" base of each block I form a hole through which
a nail, or nails, may be driven for nailing the parts of the frame together, and such
hole enables the nail to be driven into the wood in at the right point or at the right
angle.
And in order that my said invention may be more readily understood and carried
iuto practical effect I have hereunto annexed a sheet of drawings and will now proceed
to describe the same with the aid of the various figures and letters of reference
marked thereon.
Fig. 1 illustrates a face view of the set of corner clamps for a square picture frame,
shewing their proper juxtaposition when on such frame.
Fig. 2 illustrates an edge view of the frame and clamps.
Fig. 3 illustrates the block or clamp to which the cord is secured, and represents
a view of the side opposite to that shewn on Fig. 2, with the cord removed.
Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a face and edge view of one of the blocks or clamps
separate from the other clamps.
In accordance with my invention I prefer to make the blocks or clamps with a
base (A) suited to fit the angle of the picture frame, and a single web or cheek (B)
rising therefrom and flush with one side or edge as illustrated.
Upon the face of such web (B) of three of the blocks (1), (2), (3) I provide a
stud (C) and upon such stud I mount a grooved pulley (D). Upon the face of the
web (B) of block (4) I pivot by means of screw (E) a lever arm (F) carrying along its
length a hold-fast (G) comprising ears (G), pin (G2) and cam (G³) and short lever (G+).
Such lever arm (F) is also formed with a small shoulder or projection (H). Also
upon the face of web (B) of block (4), I mount a hook-like catch (I) normally held
in the position shewn in Fig. 1, by a small wire spring (I*).

page_text: I
To the block (4) I connect the cord (J) and when required to clamp a picture
frame, I place the several clamps (1), (2), (3) and (4) at each corner as illustrated.in
Fig. 1 with the lever arm (F) of clamp (4) in the position shewn by dotted lines.
then pass the cord (J) over each pulley (D) and lastly through the holdfast (G).
When so placed I pull the cord moderately tight, and clamp it against lever arm (F)
by the cam (G³). then turn the lever arm (F) upon its pivot until the shoulder or
projection (H) engages with the latch (1) when the full tension or "nip" of the cord
is put on the blocks. In removing the clamps from the picture frame the cam (G³)
is caused to release the cord, when all the blocks readily fall away from the
frame.
To save replacing of the cord over the pulleys (D) each time it is used, and to
keep the several blocks together, or prevent them getting lost or separated, I provide
the cheeks (B) with a small over-hanging part (B') which lies clear of the pulley, but
prevents the cord coming out of its groove.
(K) are the holes or gaps for allowing the nails to be driven into the frame.
The general form and construction of the blocks may vary, they may be made
with two webs or cheeks, or with three cheeks and two pulleys for two cords and
they may be made in sheet or bent metal, but I prefer the form and make
aforesaid.
The obvious advantages of my invention are that the clamps do not damage or
mark the wood, they clamp all the corners at the same time and therefore ensure of
accurate and perfect joining of the respective members of the frame, and they are
not liable to get out of order.
Although described more particularly as applied to the clamping of picture frames
my improved devices may be used for other like clamping purposes and may be made
to suit varying angles or mitres.
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 appliances for clamping picture-frames and the like, the manufacture, use
and combination of devices herein set forth and illustrated on the accompanying
drawings.
2 In appliances for clamping picture frames and the like, a corner block with
"saddle" shaped base with gaps or holes for nails,-one, two or more rising cheeks,
-a stud or screw carrying a grooved pulley upon said cheek, between said cheeks,―
and an overlying part to keep a cord on said pulley, as set forth.
3: In appliances for clamping picture frames and the like, a corner block with
"saddle" shaped base with gaps or holes for nails,-one or more rising cheeks,-a
lever arm and latch pivoted on such cheek, or between such cheeks, and an holdfast
upon said lever arm, as set forth.
Dated this 8th day of December 1898.