Improvements in Easels.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Aug., 1897-Accepted, 18th Sept., 1897
Improvements in Easels.
I, HARRY COOPER of West End, San Antonio, County of Bexar, Texas, U.S.A.,
Carpenter, 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, in addition to improving the general construction
of easels, is to provide an easel having a sliding picture rest provided with a novel
form of clutch mechanism for holding the slide rest at any desired elevation;
further to provide in connection with such easel a picture engaging hook having
a sliding fulcrum and adapted to be held at any point and retain the picture at
any desired pitch upon the easel; and further to provide an auxiliary folding rest
for holding a model or study while the artist is at work.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an easel con-
structed in. accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 an enlarged detail elevation
of the slide rest frame, the shelf portion thereof being removed to shew the clutch
mechanism. Fig. 3 a side elevation of the easel shewing the picture hook and
the means for adjusting and holding it. Fig. 4 a detail rear elevation shewing
the auxiliary rest in its folded position.
1 is a substantially rectangular easel frame, the side bars 2 of which are pro-
vided in their adjacent surfaces with longitudinal grooves 3 in which the side
bars of the slide rest frame move when the latter is adjusted. The easel frame 1
is supported at any desired elevation upon suitable legs 4 and is provided with a
fixed rest or shelf 5 upon which a picture may be placed.
6 is a shaped prop composed of upwardly diverging bars hinged at their
upper ends to the top of the easel frame.
The slide rest frame comprises parallel side bars 7 connected at suitable points
by cross bars 8. At the bottom of the slide rest frame a facial recess or mortise 9
is provided to receive the clutch mechanism, comprising, located immediately
adjacent to the side bars of the easel frame and in each end of the recess, a
friction clutch 10 in the form of a cam fulcrummed at the point 11 (Fig. 2).
From each clutch or cam a rod or link 12 extends inwards and is pivotally con-
nected with an oscillating hand lever 13 fulcrummed about midway between its
ends in a recess in the lower part of the slide rest frame. These two hand levers
are arranged equidistant from, and on opposite sides of the vertical centre of
the frame. The rods 12 are pivotted to the cam clutches 10 and extend across the
adjacent hand lever and connect with the opposing lever as shewn in Fig. 2. One
of said rods passes under or behind levers 13 while the other rod passes in front
of the same. A coil spring 14 is interposed between the upper end of each hand
lever 13 and a fixed point in the recess 9, and the tension of these springs is
exerted upon the levers and through the connecting rods 12 to hold the cam
shaped clutches in frictional engagement with the side bars of the easel frame.
By moving the lower ends of the levers 13 towards each other the clutches are
withdrawn from such frictional engagement, and the sliding rest frame may there-
fore be adjusted up or down. Upon releasing the levers 12 the frame will be held
against further movement in either direction.

page_text: 15 is the horizontal shelf or rest which is attached to the bottom of the sliding
rest frame and 16 is a covering piece for enclosing, concealing, and protecting the
clutch mechanism.
17 is a slide bar reciprocating through metal loops or keepers 18 attached to
one of the side bars of the easel frame and having pivotally connected to its upper
end a hook 18 adapted to engage over the top of the picture and hold the same
at any desired pitch, such for instance as the picture will assume when hung in
the usual manner upon a wall. The hook being provided with a sliding fulcrum
can accommodate pictures of different sizes, the slide bar 17 being clutched and
held at any point of its throw by means of a cam or dog 19 pivotally mounted
at one side of the easel frame and adapted to be brought to bear with the requisite
pressure against such slide bar.
20 is an auxiliary rest, consisting of a frame hinged to one of the side bars
of the easel frame whereby it is adapted to be swung into the same plane as the
easel frame as shewn in Fig. 1 or to be swung backward behind the easel frame
as shewn in Fig. 4. When in its operative position it is engaged and held by
means of a hook 22 on one frame engaging over a pin or stud on the other frame
and when the auxiliary rest is in its folded position it is engaged and held by
another hook 23 arranged at the back of the easel frame (Fig. 4).
24 are two chains or flexible connections between the easel frame and the prop 6
for preventing these parts from moving too far apart.
The cam shaped clutches may be of any suitable material and may be faced
with leather or equivalent material, if desired, for giving them greater frictional
hold.
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:-
1. In combination with an easel, an auxiliary rest hinged to the side of the
easel frame and adapted to be folded into the same plane therewith or to a
position in rear thereof, and fastening means for holding said auxiliary rest in
either of such positions, substantially as described and shewn.
2. In an easel, the combination of a vertically adjustable rest, clutches located
at the side of the rest and adapted to engage with the main frame of the easel for
holding the rest at an adjusted position, hand levers fulcrummed to the rest and
having independent connection with the clutches, and springs operating directly
on the hand levers to normally hold the clutches in engagement with the frame
of the easel, substantially as described and shewn.
3. In an easel, the combination of a vertically adjustable rest, friction clutches
pivotted to the rest adjacent to the edges thereof, hand or finger levers fulcrummed
midway of their ends to the said rest, rods connecting said levers with the pivotted
clutches and having pivotal connection with each, and springs connecting the ends
of the levers with the rest for normally holding the clutches in engagement with
the frame of the easel, substantially as described and shewn.
4. In combination with an easel frame, a slide bar moving through hoops or
keepers attached to one of the side bars of the easel, a picture holding hook
pivotally connected to said slide bar and adapted to fold beside the slide bar
and into the plane of the easel frame, and a dog for holding said slide bar at any
adjustment, substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 6th day of August 1897
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.