Improvements in Stretchers for Artists' Canvases.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 11th Jan., 1896
Improvements in Stretchers for Artists' Canvases.
I, ELLA HULBERT, of Colnehurst, Watford, Herts, Spinster, 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 stretch (in as short a time as possible)
canvases for painting or sketching in oil colors, also to provide means whereby the
painted surface can be protected during the process of painting.
In carrying out my invention, I provide a frame of any desired size, this frame
I shall refer to as the "inner" frame. The inner frame fits into another and outer
frame, the inner edges of which are rabetted so as to prevent the inner frame
passing right through. The rabbet is of such dimensions as will keep the face.
of the inner frame about a quarter of an inch from the front of the outer
frame. The back of the inner frame is intended to be about flush with the back
of the outer frame, and on the latter are fastened buttons which on being turned
round, keep the inner frame in its place in the rabbet. The frames can be made
of wood, or any other suitable material.
The outer edge of the front of the inner frame should be rounded off, to
prevent cutting of the canvas when the inner frame is forced into the outer one..
The inner edge of the front of the inner frame may also be made lower than
the surface of the outer edge so as to prevent it touching and cutting the canvas.
when the latter is being painted on.
To use the stretcher, the inner frame is removed and the canvas placed on the
back of the outer frame, and fastened with drawing pins; the inner frame is
then placed behind the canvas and forced as far as possible into the opening in
the outer frame. The drawing pins are then removed, and the inner frame
forced close up to the rabbet in the outer frame, thus stretching the canvas..
The edge of the canvas is then turned over the back of the inner frame, and the
buttons turned round so as to retain the frame and canvas in position.
I sometimes remove a triangular or square piece from the canvas so as to
prevent it puckering at the corners when forced into the frame. When thus
stretched, the face of the canvas will be a quarter of an inch or so below the
surface of the front of the outer frame, and thus a rule or other support can be
placed from side to side of the frame to prevent smearing of the painting as the
work proceeds. In order to protect the face of the canvas when the sketch is
finished for the time being, a piece of board may be placed over it, and held in
place by clips or buttons.
Two outer frames may be hinged together so as to shut up face to face, and thus
admit of their being carried about without injury, the rabbets keeping the two.
canvases half an inch apart.
In order to more clearly indicate the nature of my invention, I make reference
to the accompanying drawings in which,
Fig. 1 shows a back view of the inner and outer frames.
Fig. 2 shows a cross section of the outer frame.
Fig. 3 a cross section of the inner frame.
Fig. 4 shows the canvas pinned on the outer frame previous to putting in the

page_text: Fig. 5 shows a back view after the inner frame has been put in and the canvas
turned over the back of the frame, and the buttons turned round so as to keep
frame and canvas in place.
Fig. 6 is a cross section of the two frames, and the canvas, showing also two of
the buttons.
Fig. 7 shows two stretchers hinged together for folding face to face.
Similar letters refer to the same parts in each figure.
a is the inner frame, b the outer frame, c the buttons, d the canvas, e the
drawing pins, f the rounded edge of the inner frame, g the lower inner edge, h are
the hinges connecting two stretchers so as to allow them to be folded as already
mentioned.
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
CLAIMS.
1. A stretcher for artists canvases consisting essentially of an outer frame
having a rabbetted edge and on which is temporarily stretched the canvas, the said
canvas being finally stretched by forcing it down on the ledge of the rabbet by
inserting in the rabbetted opening of the outer frame an inner frame to be held
in position by buttons or the like attached to the back of the outer frame, the
whole substantially as described in the above Specification and exemplified in the
drawings.
2. In stretchers for artists canvases constructed in accordance with my invention,
the thick ledge of the rabbet in the outer frame on which can be placed a rule or
the like to prevent smearing of the painting as the work proceeds, the whole
substantially as described in the above Specification, and exemplified in the
drawings.
3. The hinging together of two stretchers made in accordance with my invention
whereby they may be closed up face to face and thus afford mutual protection
to the painted surfaces of the respective canvases, the whole substantially as
described in the above Specification, and exemplified in the drawings.
Dated this 5th day of November 1895.
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23 Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.