Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 21st Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 18th Feb., 1887.
We, THEODORE CASIMIR ROUSSEL, of 495, King's Road, Chelsea, in the County of
Middlesex, Kingdom of England, Artist, and BENJAMIN ROUXEL, of Légué, Plerin,
in the Department Côtes du Nord, Republic of France, Gentleman, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
This invention relates to drawing-boards such as are commonly used by water-colour
artists and which are required not merely for the purpose of affixing the paper to
whilst the work is being executed, but for stretching and holding the same in a tightly
stretched state.
A drawing-board constructed according to this invention consists of two main parts,
a board and a surrounding frame. Each edge of the board is formed with a longi-
tudinal groove, and in each of the four sides of the frame is mounted a strip of metal
or other stiff material, provided with means for enabling the same to be projected
edgewise into the groove in the edge of the board. The edges of the board and the
adjacent sides of the surrounding frame are respectively so formed as to produce upon
the paper a certain degree of stretching effect when the frame is applied to the paper-
covered board and forced downwards. This result is accomplished by forming the
frame and edge of the board in such a manner relatively to one another that, in
applying the frame, the paper first becomes gripped between the lower edges of the
frame and board respectively. Upon the frame being further pushed into position,
a projecting portion of the latter extends the paper into a corresponding recess formed
in the edge of the board; the additional quantity of paper so engaged being obtained
by an extension of the body of the sheet rather than by retracting the edges thereof.
The corners of the board are further provided with projecting mitre-pieces which
extend into suitable recesses formed in the corners of the frame; these projections
imparting folds to the paper at the corners of the board and tending to prevent the
same becoming torn at those parts.
One or more screw-adjustments may be applied to each of the metal or other strips
for the purpose of projecting the same forward from the frame into, and preferably

page_text: against one side of, the groove in the edge of the board; the paper being by these
means stretched, securely held and maintained in a state of tension. When sorow-
adjustments are employed for this purpose, we prefer to construct those on opposite
sides of the board with opposite-handed threads; that or those on the right side having
left-hand threads, and that or those on the left side having right-hand threads. Under
such circumstances, the motion of the hands, in simultaneously manipulating the
fastenings on opposite sides of the board, corresponds.
To facilitate the escape of moisture from the paper confined between the board and
frame, we provide the latter with slots or other perforations communicating between
the inner and outer faces thereof.
For the purpose of affording convenient access to the edges of the frame, we prefer
to mount the whole apparatus on studs, which may be fitted in sockets in the frame
and which may be removeable. If the supporting studs appertaining to one side of
the frame be dispensed with, the face of the board assumes an inclined position.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Artists' Drawing-boards.
We THEODORE CASIMIR ROUSSEL, of 405 Kings Road, Chelsea, in the County of
Middlesex, Kingdom of England, Artist, and BENJAMIN ROUXEL, of Légué, Plerin,
in the Department Côtes du Nord, Republic of France, Gentleman, 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:—
This invention relates to drawing-boards, such as are commonly used by water-colour
artists, and which are required not merely for the purpose of affixing the paper to
whilst the work is being executed, but for stretching and holding the same in a tightly
stretched state.
A drawing-board constructed according to this invention consists of two main parts,
a board and a surrounding frame as represented in the accompanying drawings,
whereof Figure 1 is a part plan and part horizontal section, and Figure 2 a transverse
section of the frame and adjacent portion of the board. Each edge of the board a
is formed with a longitudinal groove a', and in each of the four sides of the frame bis
mounted a strip of metal or other stiff material e provided with means for enabling
the same to be projected edgewise into the groove a¹ in the edge of the board. The

page_text: edges of the board and the adjacent sides of the surrounding frame are respectively
so formed as to produce upon the paper an initial stretching effect when the frame is
applied to the paper-covered board and forced downwards. This action will be more
readily understood on referring to the diagrams. Figures 3 and 4, whereof Figure 3
shews the relative positions of the frame and board when the former is first applied,
the sheet of paper it being at that moment gripped between the surfaces of the frame
and board at the point e, whilst it remains free to be drawn through the space between
the surfaces at the point. Figure 4 shews the position of the parts after the frame
has been pressed home and the slack of the paper taken up, as indicated by the addi-
tional length of the solid line representing the position of paper at this later stage."
The additional length of paper involved in assuming the form indicated in Figure 4 is
obtained by an extension of the body of the sheet rather than by retracting a portion
thereof past the point e where the paper was originally gripped between the edges of
the frame and board.
The corners of the board are further provided with projecting mitre pieces a², which
extend into suitable recesses formed in the corners of the frame; these projections
imparting folds to the paper at the corners of the board and tending to prevent the
same becoming torn at those parts.
For operating the metal or other strip with which each side of the frame is furnished
(and which, when projected into the groove in the edge of the board, serves to extend
the paper therein, thus stretching or additionally stretching the same) one or more
screw-appliances may be employed. A device of this description is represented in the
sectional portion of Figure 1 and consists of a screw-threaded nut y sunk in the body
of the frame and furnished with a screw-bolt, g', whereof the head engages in a slot c¹
formed in the strip c. The outer extremity of the bolt is provided with a handle or
formed for the reception of a key, such as ", whereby the screw may be operated
and the stripe advanced or withdrawn.
6
The strip is preferably so mounted in relation to the recess a in the board that
when advanced it arrives against, or close to, one side of the said recess; the paper
when stretched being by these means securely held and maintained in a state of tension,
whilst lateral support is afforded to the strip.
When screw-adjustments of the kind hereinbefore described are employed, we prefer
to construct those on opposite sides of the board with opposite handed threads; that
or those on the right side having left hand threads and that or those on the left side
having right hand threads. Under such a method of construction, the motion of the
hands in simultaneously manipulating the fastenings in opposite sides of the board
corresponds.
Mechanism suitable for operating the strips may be constructed in various ways
other than that hereinbefore particularly described. One alternative mode of construc-
tion is represented in the plan and transverse views Figures 5 and 6, and consists in
mounting upon the strip a snug screw-threaded for the reception of the adjusting
screw is a bearing which may be formed in halves and mounted, together with
the screw ', in the frame longitudinal motion of the screw being prevented by
collars bearing against the opposite sides of the bearing g.
C
Another mode of manipulating and securing the strips c consists in attaching to
them bars which project outwards through slots in the frame, and which may be locked
in position by means of pins passed through the frame and bars after the strips have,
by means of the latter, been pushed inwards.
For convenience in use, particularly during the operation of stretching a sheet of
paper, we prefer to mount the whole apparatus on studs h, which may be fitted in
sockets, as represented in Figure 2, and which may be removable. If the face of the
board be desired to assume an inclined position, the supporting studs appertaining to
one side of the board may be removed, those appertaining to the other side being
retained.
To facilitate the escape of moisture from the portion of the paper confined between
the board and frame, the latter may be provided with slots or perforations communi-
cating between the inner and outer faces thereof. The portion of the board beneath

page_text: the recess a¹ may be similarly furnished. It is also expedient to provide the frame
with buttons, as represented at 1, Figure 2, or equivalent appliances, for securely
fastening the frame to the board.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, we claim :—
First The improved construction of drawing-board adapted for stretching paper
and consisting of a board with grooved edges and a surrounding frame furnished with
strips capable of being advanced into the grooves and operating to extend the paper
therein, substantially as herein described.
Secondly-The improved construction of drawing-board adapted for stretching
paper and consisting of a board having recessed edges and a frame formed with
projections for entering the several recesses; the parts being so arranged in relation
to one another that during the operation of applying the frame to the board the sheet.
of paper becomes gripped and then extended, substantially as described with reference
to Figures 3 and 4.
Thirdly-In a drawing-board adapted for stretching paper, the use of metallic or
other strips, such as e, mounted in the frame and provided with means whereby they
may be advanced or retracted, as and for the purposes herein stated.
Fourthly In a drawing-board adapted for stretching paper, forming or fitting
the corners of the board with projecting mitre pieces, such as a², for the purpose of
regulating the fold of the paper at those parts and preventing irregular creasing
thereof and injury thereto.
:-
Fifthly Applying to a drawing-board intended for stretching paper, studs or
supports such as, preferably removable, and serving primarily to raise the board clear
of the table during the operation of applying the frame and stretching the
paper.
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.