Collapsible Background for Photographic and other Purposes.
Year: 1891

page_text: te of Application, 23rd Nov., 1891-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Collapsible Background for Photographic and other Purposes.
I, FRANZ WIESE of 19 Steglitzer Strasse, Berlin in the Empire of Germany,
Draughtsman, 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:-
For painting and photographic purposes a background for limiting distances
is often requisite. It is easy to obtain such a background in studios or in dwelling
houses but outside it is a matter of some difficulty, as high stretched wooden frames
cannot be readily transported owing to their great weight and awkward form.
This invention will remedy these defects by the construction of a collapsible
frame which may he set up and covered with the material used in any suitable
part and place.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 shews the erected frame partly in section, the several positions of the
same when collapsed being shown in dotted lines.
Fig. 2 is a side view of part of Figure 1.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the collapsed frame.
Fig. 4 shews a tightening screw at an enlarged scale.
The two side bars a a of the frame consist of four collapsible links or members,
while the upper and lower cross bars d and b are composed of two members only.
The lower bar bis connected by a hinge c to the side bars a a. Its two members
are rigidly jointed together by the moveable fastening e. The upper cross bar d
is also collapsible and is connected in any suitable manner with the side bars
after the latter have been set up. The supports which are movably secured to
the upper edges of the cross bar b, and engage in corresponding notches of the side
bars aa have for their object to hold the side parts at a right angle with the
lower parts.
The whole frame is carried by four feet k turning likewise upon the hinges c.
The background proper consists of a woollen or silken sheet which cannot be
readily creased and is turned over on all sides upon a collapsible wire. These
round edges of the material are held by tension screws g (Fig. 4) fixed to the
bars of the frame so as to properly stretch such material.
To collapse the frame the material is first distended, the upper bar d is raised
and folded up, after which the side bars are folded as shewn in dotted lines in
Fig. 1 and then turned in the direction of the arrow upon the hinge e in order
to be laid against the underpart b, the feet being finally folded up in the direction
of the arrow i.
When both side bars are thus folded it is only necessary to release the fastening e
and to fold the lower part b, the frame assuming now the shape shown in plan in
Fig. 3.
The material may now be advantageously stored within the space formed
between the side bars of the collapsed frame.
I may likewise use paper instead of the material above mentioned in which case
the upper bar d must be rounded so that the paper may be wound on the same or
unwound therefrom. This last arrangement is preferable when the background
requires to be often changed. The second and upper member of the side parts a a
may also be formed like the uppermost member, so that the frame may be increased
or decreased in size at will.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A collapsible background for photographic and other similar purposes, con-
structed substantially as described with reference to the annexed drawings.
2. In a collapsible background the arrangement of the four collapsible walls,
the sides à a of which as well as the cross bars and d are composed of several
parts, the lower cross bars being movably connected to the side bars a a while
the upper cross bar has merely to be placed upon the latter, substantially as
described.
3. In a collapsible background the provision of a collapsible wire for the turned
over edges of the quadrangular sheet of material whereby these edges may be
firmly held by the tension screws g fixed to the bars of the frame, substantially
as described.
4. In a collapsible background constructed as set forth the construction of the
upper bar d in the form of a roller to receive the paper sheet constituting the
screen substantially as described.
Dated this Twenty-first day of November 1891.
CRUIKSHANK & FAIRWEATHER,
62, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Agents.