AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LACE CURTAINS AND OTHER FABRICS to be as follows:
Year: 1884

page_text: I LAWRENCE ROBERT MARSDEN, of 18, Redearth Street, Darwen, in the county
of Lancaster, Joiner and Builder, do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LACE CURTAINS AND
OTHER FABRICS to be as follows:-
"
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for stretching lace curtains and
other fabrics and the invention consists in constructing a frame of a number of
rails of such a shape in cross section that they will serve as a shield or protection
to pins with which the frame is provided, over which pins the edges of the curtain
are passed when in use; one of the rails is provided with a cramp and the rails are
so constructed that they are capable of sliding upon one another in such a manner
as to expand or contract the frame.
In carrying out my invention I make the rails forming three of the sides of the
frames with a longitudinal recess or rebate; in each of the rebates formed as
described is placed a row of pins or points; rails are fixed at one of the corner of
the frame by means of a suitable nut and bolt or the like; the opposite corners at
the same end is adjustably fixed by means of the hereinbefore described cramp
which is fixed to the lower rail and operated by a set screw or other suitable
means; the other ends of the upper and lower rails are formed with longitudinal
slots through which slots set screws pass to the end rail, at this end, the slots and
set screws allowing of the frame being lengthened or shortened as required to suit
the length of the curtain or the like and to stretch it longitudinally; the last
described end rail is also formed with a longitudinal slot whereby the frame can
be widened or narrowed to suit the width of the curtain or the like and to stretch
it in width, it being necessary in order to do this to release the cramp at the other
end of the frame; the end rail having the slot is provided with a sliding piece
rebated in a similar manner to that herein before described and also provided with
a similar row of pins; the said piece is capable of being slid on the said rail so as
to complete the row of pins on this side of the frame the rail itself being provided
with a short row of pins extending from one of the longitudinal rails of the frame.
The frame is provided with a stay passing diagonally across the fixed corner for
the purpose of keeping the frame square and rigid and one or more rails are fixed

page_text: at one of its or their ends to the frame, the other end or ends having a longitudinal
slot and set screw or the like; the rail or rails also assisting in strengthening the
frame.
By this construction in order to stretch a curtain or the like it is simply
necessary, the set screws or the like in the slots and cramp being loosened and the
parts of the frame moved to approximate to the length and width of the curtain, to
pass the edges of the curtain over the pins and by then forcing outwards the rails
of the frame and tightening the set screws or the like the curtain will be stretched
and the frame will be held rigidly in position. When not required for use the
frame can be taken apart and packed away in a very small compass.
G. F. REDFERN,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London,
Agent for the Applicant,

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
I LAWRENCE ROBERT MARSDEN, of 18, Redearth Street, Darwen, in the county
of Lancaster Joiner and Builder do hereby declare the nature of the said
invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR STRETCHING LACE CURTAINS AND
OTHER FABRICS" 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 an improved apparatus for stretching lace curtains and
other fabrics and the invention consists in constructing a frame of a number of
rails of such a shape in cross section that they will serve as a shield or protection
to pins with which the frame is provided, over which pins the edges of the curtain
are passed when in use; one of the rails is provided with a cramp and the rails are
so constructed that they are capable of sliding upon one another in such a manner
as to expand or contract the frame.
In order to enable my invention to be fully understood I will describe the same
by reference to the accompanying drawing in which figure. 1, is a plan of an
apparatus for stretching lace curtains and other fabrics constructed according to
my invention; figures 2, 3, and 4, are detached sectional views of parts of the
apparatus. Figure 1, is drawn to a scale of about one inch to a foot and figures 2, 3,
and 4, are drawn full size. Similar letters in all the figures represent similar
parts.
In carrying out my invention I make the rails a, b, and c, forming three of the
sides of the frame with a longitudinal recess or rebate d, as clearly shewn in
figure 2, which represents a cross section of one of the said rails; in each of the
rebates d, is placed a row of pins or points e; the rails a, and b, are fixed together
at f, so as to form one of the corners of the frame by means of a suitable nut and
bolt or the like; the opposite corner of the frame at the same end is adjustably
fixed by means of the herein before described cramp shewn clearly in figure 3,
which is a section on line A B of figure 1; the cramp is fixed to the rail c, by
bolts h, and nuts i, and is operated by a set screw j, or other suitable means so as
to grip and fix the rail a, at any portion of its length; the other ends of the rails b,
and c, are formed with longitudinal slots k, k, through which slots set screws 1,
and m, pass into the end rail n; the set screw l, passes into a hole in the end of
the rail n, and the set screw m, passes through a slot o, in the said rail; the slot k,
and set screwe l, and m, allow of the frame being lengthened or shortened as
required to suit the length of the curtain or the like and to stretch it longitudinally
and the longitudinal slot o, in the rail n, allows of the frame being widened or
narrowed to suit the width of the curtain or the like and to stretch it in width it
being necessary in order to do this to release the cramp g, at the other end a, of
the frame; the end rail n, is provided with a sliding piece p, shewn in figure 4,
which is a detached cross section of the rail n; the said sliding piece p, is rebated
at q, in a similar manner to that hereinbefore described and is also provided with
a similar row of pins e; the said piece p, is also formed so as to work in a rebate
or groove in the rail n, whereby it can be slid on the said rail so as to complete

page_text: the row of pins e, on this side of the frame the rail n, itself being provided with
a short row of pins e, extending from the longitudinal rail b, of the frame. The
sliding piece p, is further provided with a tongue r, which enters a corresponding
groove 8, in the rail n, to assist in guiding it over the said rail; t, t, are screw bolts
for fixing the sliding piece p, in position which bolts pass through the slot o, in the
rail n. The frame is provided with a stay u, passing diagonally across the fixed
corner as shewn in figure 1, for the purpose of keeping the frame square and rigid;
v, v, are bolts for fixing the same; w, is a rail fixed by a bolt at x, to the longi-
tudinal rail b, of the frame, the other end having a longitudinal slot y, and a set
screw z, or the like to allow of its adjustment; this rail also assists in strengthening
the frame. More than one of such rails w, can be used if required.
I find it advantageous to provide a scale upon one of the longitudinal rails and
one of the end rails as shewn in figure 1, of the drawing in order to guide the
operator in approximating the size of the frame to the curtain or the like to be
.stretched.
By this construction of frame it will be obvious that in order to stretch curtain
or the like it is simply necessary, the set screws l, m, and z, or the like in the
slots k, and y, and the cramp g, being loosened to move the parts c, and n, of the
frame until the frame approximates to the length and width of the curtain ;
the sliding piece p, is moved along the rail n, until it abuts against the rail c; the
edges of the curtain are then passed over the pins e, and by then forcing outwards
the rails of the frame and tightening the set screws or the like the curtain will be
stretched and the frame will be held rigidly in position. When not required for
use, by unscrewing the various bolts or the like, the frame can be taken apart and
packed away in a very small compass.
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.) In apparatus for stretching lace curtains and other fabrics the use of rails
constructed as shewn and for the purpose described.
(2.) In apparatus for stretching lace curtains and other fabrics the employment
of a cramp constructed substantially as shewn and described so as to allow of the
lateral adjustment of the rails as set forth.
(3.) In apparatus for stretching lace curtains and other fabrics the employment
of a diagonally placed stay for the purpose of keeping the rails of the frame at
right angles when in use substantially as hereinbefore described and shewn in the
accompanying drawing.
(4.) In apparatus for stretching lace curtains and other fabrics forming one of
the rails in two parts sliding one upon the other, each of the said parts being
provided with a short row of pins substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and represented in the accompanying drawing.
(5.) The improved apparatus for stretching lace curtains and other fabrics
herein before described and represented in the accompanying drawing.
Dated the th