IMPROVEMENTS IN LINES OR CORDS For SUSPENDING PICTURES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Daniel Sprague, of Norwood, in the County of
Surrey; for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN LINES OR CORDS For
SUSPENDING PICTURES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Daniel Sprague at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th February 1881.
JOHN DANIEL SPRAGUE, of Norwood, in the County of Surrey. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LINES OR CORDS FOR SUSPENDING PICTURES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object the production of lines or cords for suspending
pictures and other articles more cheaply, and in such a manner as to admit of the
said pictures or other articles being hung with greater facility and convenience,
to afford means for hanging several pictures upon one pair of cords, and to ensure
their hanging level.
The Invention consists in twisting one, two, or more strands of wire made of any
suitable metal or alloy, or of hemp, flax, or other suitable fibrous material so as to
form a line or cord, but having loops or eyes at regular intervals, such loops or eyes
serving to receive one end of a double hook, the other end of the hook being
inserted in the ring or other attachment to the picture. The picture line or cord
formed as before described may be secured to the hooks upon the picture rods
usually fixed near the ceiling, or a special hook may be provided for the same
purpose.
These lines or cords may be used for the support of pictures and many other
articles that require to be displayed, as in galleries, domestic apartments, shop
windows, and elsewhere.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Daniel Sprague in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 10th
August 1881.
"6
JOHN DANIEL SPRAGUE, of Norwood, in the County of Surrey. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN LINES OR CORDS FOR SUSPENDING PICTURES, AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES."
This Invention has for its object the production of lines. or cords for suspending
pictures and other articles more cheaply, and in such a manner as to admit of the
said pictures or other articles being hung with greater facility and convenience,
to afford means for hanging several pictures or other articles upon one pair of cords,
and to ensure their hanging level.
This Invention consists in twisting two or more wires made of any suitable
metal or alloy, or strands or cords of hemp, flax, or other suitable fibrous material,
so as to form one line or cord, but having loops or eyes at regular intervals, such
loops or eyes serving to receive one end of a double hook, the other end of the
hook being inserted in the ring or other attachment to the picture. The picture
line or cord formed as before described may be secured to the hooks upon the
picture rods usually fixed near the ceiling, or a special hook may be provided for
the purpose:
·
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood Drawings are
attached hereto, of which the following is a description :-Figs. 1, 2, and 3 .are.
front elevations of the cord twisted at A, A, and formed into loops B, B. It is
shown of the full size for many purposes in Fig. 1, but may be made larger, as is
Fig. 2, or of any convenient size. The form of the loops may be varied, as
exhibited in Fig. 3, or other forms of loops may be adopted. Each complete cord
too may be made of four or more strands of wire if found desirable; Fig. 4
represents such a book as may be used to attach the articles to be exhibited
to the loops of the cord; but the form of the hook is not restricted to that shown.
These, lines or cords may be used for the support of pictures, and many other
articles that require to be displayed, as in galleries, domestic apartments, shop
windows, and elsewhere. They are also adapted for greenhouse and conservatory
purposes.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I would.
observe in conclusion that I do not confine or restrict myself to the precise details
or arrangements that I have described or referred to, as variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention ;
but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein before in part recited Letters Patent is, the production
of lines or cords, as herein described and shown on the Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Daniel Sprague, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
J. D. SPRAGUE. (L.S.)