Improvements in Drawing Blocks or Frames.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 12th May, 1890-Accepted, 14th June, 1890
CUMI LDIN
Improvements in Drawing Blocks or Frames.
A communication from Dr. ERDMANN KNAPPE, of Leipzig, in the Empire of
Germany.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., 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 this invention is a drawing block or frame the novel and peculiar
feature of which consists in its practically universal applicability as it embodies a
drawing board or desk, a case for containing paper or drawings and in fact all articles
which a draughtsman, a painter or a student may require, for their work.
This invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings
which represent this improved drawing block in the different stages of its
employment.
Figs.
and 2 are an external plan and edge view of the block, respectively, in a
closed condition.
Figs. 34 and 5 are a plan and two edge views of the same when open.
Figs. 6 and 7 are a plan and section respectively of the block fitted up
for use.
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are similar views of a modification whereby the drawing is more
securely held in position.
The bottom plate B and the edges or sides R form a case or frame corresponding
in size to the sheet on which the drawing is to be made, as will best be seen on
reference to Fig. 9. The sides or edges R are provided at the top with flanges R'
and R projecting inwardly and covering over a portion of the inner space of the case
or frame. To the flanges R¹ are hinged the fastening rods K K' and K² adapted to be
opened upwardly. When these rods K K K² are thus opened free access is obtained
to the inner space of the block or frame wherein is located the case D covering and
protecting the sheets provided for drawing (Fig. 3). This protecting case D is made
of a suitable water-proof material so that it protects the sheets it covers from damp
when closed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
The drawing block or frame is closed by means of the spring catches F which are
for the purpose passed over the hinged rods K K K in the manner shown in Figs. 1
and 2 thus pressing these rods upon the protecting plate D and the drawings it
contains so as to hold them in place. Instead of the catches F ledges such as shown
in the detail views Figs. 8 to 10 may be employed if preferred in which case the
papers etc. will be held in place, not by local pressure in a certain number of points or
at certain intervals but uniformly throughout the whole edge.
The protecting case D may contain, in addition to the drawing sheets, a special
plate or sheet intended to protect the sheets of paper placed in it from receiving the
impression of any work performed on the sheet above it with a compass a copying
needle or similar sharp devices.
The case D is inserted into the hollow space A by being moved underneath a flange
or bridge R² as shown when it will be locked in position by the sides of the frame.
For the purpose of further securing it in place the fastening rods K K' and K' may
be turned down and the catches F or the corresponding ledges (Figs. 8 to 10) passed
over them; whereupon the block or frame is in what may be called its closed condition
(see Figs. 1 and 2).
When it is desired to open the frame the process is reversed. The rods K K¹ K*
are turned up, after the catches or ledges, as the case may be, are withdrawn as shown
10
When this is done the whole of the

page_text: contents of the frame enclosed in the case D may be readily taken out, and if it is
desired to execute a drawing, the frame may be fitted up for work. For the latter
purpose the cover of the case D is turned back (Fig. 6) in such a manner that its rear
surface lies under the bottom plate B; whereupon the fastening rods K K¹ and K'
are turned down again the catches or ledges F as the case may be, moved over them when
he work can be commenced on the uppermost sheet which will thus be exposed.
Owing to the action of the catches or ledges F as the case may be, and of the
rods K K K² the paper will be held in place perfectly motionless during the whole
of the work resisting any strain such as may result from rubbing out etc.
When it is deemed inconvenient to turn back the cover of the case as suggested the
sheet of paper may simply be placed upon the outer surface of such cover and retained
in place by the rods and catches K and F as before. When it is desired to make the
position of the sheet particularly secure as is the case in linear drawing, the rods K
may be provided with pins similar to the ordinary drawing pins which when such rods
are turned down and pressed upon the catches or ledges F, will enter the paper and
securely retain it in place. Such an arrangement is illustrated by. Figs. 8 to 10
where the rods K K K are shown as being provided with such pins S
While advantageously replacing the ordinary drawing board or desk as used by
professional draughtsmen and the like this improved drawing frame. also constitutes a
very convenient device for facilitating instruction in drawing at schools as it affords
ready means for the pupil to have all the required accessories constantly, in readiness
and to carry them easily to and from the place where he receives instruction. The
case being intended to contain both the drawings already finished and the sheets to be
used for fresh drawings the whole will at all times be kept in a clean condition and
protected from the otherwise almost inevitable damage through frequent or careless
handling. The block or frame may be provided with a sufficient supply of paper to
last a year if desired or all the drawings made in the course of a year will be preserved
therein and the whole removed at the end of the year forming a complete collection
while the frame is fitted with a fresh supply of paper etc.
These latter advantages are chiefly valuable in the case of school-children but of
course will be appreciated also by grown-up persons practising the art of drawing, etc.,
and the arrangement offers the additional practical advantage that it is of easy and
inexpensive construction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
A drawing block or frame consisting of a case or frame within which the case D
containing the paper etc. is located which as well as the sheets it contains is retained
within the frame by means of hinged rods and springs or catches or ledges substantially
as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of May 1890
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT;
Agents for the Applicant.