IMPROVEMENTS IN CANVAS STRETCHERS FOR OIL PICTURES."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Maurice Lazerges, of the City of Paris, in the Republic
of France, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN CANVAS STRETCHERS
FOR OIL PICTURES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Maurice Lazorges at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th June 1881.
MAURICE LAZERGES, of the City of Paris, in the Republic of France.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CANVAS STRETCHERS FOR OIL PICTURES."
,
The object of the Invention is to effect an equal tension of the canvas all over
its surface.
For this purpose the frame on which the canvas is stretched is specially con-
structed for the purpose, and is as follows:-
The angles of junction of the longitudinal and vertical sides are made with a
tapering groove, into which a key or wedge of similar form is inserted.
The ends of both the vertical and longitudinal sides are made with tenons and
mortises to facilitate the tension of the canvas on the frame and prevent cracking
of the paint by a regular and equal stretching of the canvas throughout its length
and breadth.
Central stretchers are also employed which likewise run vertically and longi-
tudinally or parallel with the length and breadth of the frame. These are also
provided with similar grooves and keys to those above mentioned.
In addition to the advantages over the old method of nailing or glueing the
angles together there is an economy in the manufacture of frames on this principle.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Maurice Lazerges in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th December
1881.
MAURICE LAZERGES, of the City of Paris, in the Republic of France.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CANVAS STRETCHERS FOR OIL PICTURES."
This Invention relates to frames used by artists for stretching canvas, and the
object of my Invention is to provide simple and comparatively inexpensive means
for effecting an equal or uniform tension of the canvas. This object I accomplish
by the construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying
Drawing, in which Figure 1 represents a rear view of a frame constructed according
to my Invention; Figure 2, a detached view of the longitudinal side pieces;
Figure 3 is a plan view of portions of one of the vertical and longitudinal
pieces; Figure 4 is one of the tapering keys; Figure 5 is a side and end view
of one of the side pieces illustrating the formation of the mortises.
In the accompanying Drawings the letter A indicates the longitudinal and
vertical pieces of the frame, each of which is provided at its ends with the tapering
groove C for the reception of a correspondingly shaped tapering key B. The ends
of the longitudinal and vertical sido pieces of the frames are provided with tenons a
and mortises a¹, which fit together and retain the parts in proper relative position,
when the side pieces are forced apart by the insertion of the wedges to stretch the
canvas.
The tapering grooves C form seats for the tapering keys B, and the latter can be
driven into said grooves to place the canvas under tension, the walls of the said
grooves serving to retain the keys in proper position.
In addition to the mortises, tenons, tapering grooves, and wedges at the corners
of the frame, I may employ longitudinal and vertical bars having their ends fitted
in mortises in the side pieces, and provided with tapering wedges or keys to
impart additional strength and rigidity to the frame.
By constructing the frame as herein described and shown they can be cheaply
manufactured, and yot are furnished with efficient means to place the canvas under
uniform tension throughout its area.
Having thus described my Invention, what I claim and desire to secure by
Letters Patent is,-
The method of stretching canvas frames by means of tapering grooves and
keys C and B, tenons a, and mortises a³, substantially and for the purposes herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Maurice Lazerges, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Tenth day of December, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.