An Improved Combined Curtain Stretcher and Clothes-horse.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Feb., 1891
Complete Specification Left. 20.h Nov., 1891-Accepted, 19th Dec., 1991
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combined Curtain Stretcher and Clothes-horse.
1, EDWARD NEWTON KENWORTHY of 1, Fielding Street, Oldham in the
County of Lancaster, Washing Machinist do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows :-
The object of this invention is the construction of a curtain stretcher with easier
facilities for fixing up, and for adjustment in width and length to the greatest
nicety to suit the various sizes of curtains. Tapes fastened to the rails or shafts
by wire or perforated zinc are a novelty in this invention, instead of the usual fixed
pins or hooks thus allowing the various shapes of curtains to be pinned as required,
with ordinary household pins to the said tapes, or if preferred suitable loose hooks
could be used in place of the ordinary household pins, dispensing with the usual
fixed pins or hooks which are often inconvenient, and in the wrong place for some
patterns of curtains, thus making the frame so that it can be used as a clothes-horse
when not in use as a curtain stretcher. In carrying out my invention I employ by
preference round wood shafts for the frame with adjustable metal set-hoops or fill-
bows to secure the wood shafts in position and allow for the adjustment of the said
wood shafts that formn the frame according to the width and length of the curtain.
The frame thus constructed is supported in a vertical position by placing fect on the
lower ends of the two uprights.
The curtain is put over the top shaft then pinned to the tape on the bottom
shaft and the tapes on the two end uprights then the shaft ou the other side is
slided to position (to suit length of curtain), and screwed fast, then the end of
curtain is pinned to the tape on the said shaft.
Dated this 20th day of February 1891
EDWARD NEWTON KENWORTHY.
.COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Combined Curtain Stretcher and Clothes-horse.
1, EDWARD NEWTON KENWORTHY of 1, Fielding Street, Oldham, in the
County of Lancaster, Washing Machinist 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 the construction of a curtain stretcher possessing
greater facilities for fixing together than those in use at the present time, as
well as for accurate adjustment to width and length in order to suit any size of
curtain.
It is also adapted for use as a clothes-horse, or for a screen, or other similar
purposes. A distinct feature of this invention is the use of tapes secured by copper
tacks to the rails, or looped wire or perforated zinc fastened to rails in a similar
manner, instead of the usual fixed pins or hooks thus allowing the various scallope.l
shapes of curtains to be attached to the rails wherever it may be thought desirable
by means of ordinary household pins, or S, or C, shaped hooks.
By this arrangement the difficulty attending the use of pins or hooks
occupying fixed positions in the frame is overcome and the curtains are evenly
stretched.
On account of there being no pins or hooks permanently fixed to the rails, the
frame formed by the rails may be used as a clothes-horse when not in use as a
curtain stretcher.

page_text: accompanying wings,
which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation,
Fig. 2 is a side elevation,
Figs. 3, 4 enlarged views of details.
In these A, B, C, D, E are rails forming the frame, and are preferably made of
wood of circular cross-section, and have fastened to them tapes Q, looped wire, or
perforated zinc. F, F are feet attached to the upright rails B & E. The top rail
is connected with rails B & E by means of filbows G placed on their upper ends
as shown, and which permit the rail A. to be moved horizontally into any desired
position.
Metal thumbscrews O fitted with metal clamps, riveted loose on ends of thumb
screws, serve to fix the parts. The rails C, D are held by metal filbows H which
are capable of sliding or being placed in any position lengthwise on the rails B
and E, as well as permitting the rails C and D to move in the same way that the
rail A. moves.
These filbows each require two thumb screws O, one for each of
the rods passing through it. The filbows H are in pairs so as to place the
rails C, D on opposite sides of rails B, E as shown in Fig. 2. It will thus be seen
that the size of the frame may be varied at pleasure.
The curtain is placed over the rail A, and then one edge is pinned to the tape on
the rail D, after which two other edges are pinned to the rails B and E respectively;
the rail C is then slided into position to suit the length of the curtain and
secured; then the remaining edge of the curtain is pinned to the tape of the
rail C.
In order to increase the capacity of the frame when in use as a clothes-horse the
rails B, C, & E may be pierced by any convenient number of round holes, of
suitable size, into which may be inserted moveable rods N. These rods will form
additional means for holding clothes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what 1
claim is
1st. The manufacture and use of curtain stretchers and clothes-horses having
adjustable sliding brackets to secure rigidity, and maintain the rails at right angles
to each other, substantially as described.
2nd. The manufacture and use of curtain stretching apparatus in which the
curtain is put over the top rail and supported by it in position whilst being fastened
to the frame, & having by preference tape, perforated zinc, or looped tinned wire
fastened to the rails to pin or hook the curtain to, and thus making the apparatus
suitable for drying and airing clothes, substantially as described.
3rd. The improved combination and arrangement of parts constituting an
adjustable frame for stretching curtains, also drying and airing clothes, constructed
and arranged substantially as described and illustrated herein.
Dated this 19th day of November 1891.
EDWARD NEWTON KENWORTHY.