An Improved Artists' Portfolio.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 14th Dec., 1889-Accepted, 18th Jan., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Artists' Portfolio.
I, FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER, of 151 Strand, Middlesex, Patent Agent, (a
communication to me from abroad by Flora M. La Bruce, of Annandale, County of
George Town, South Carolina, United States of America, Gentlewoman,) do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to Portfolios such as are used by Artists for the
purpose of carrying their canvas and pictures from place to place as desired.
The invention consists essentially of a rectangular main or body frame composed
of four narrow sides and a top. To the main or body frame is hinged an auxiliary
frame of similar construction, but which is not so deep, and is adapted to fold
into the main frame. Within this auxiliary frame is a marginal or inner frame,
in which are cut at equal distances apart, a series of transverse dovetailed grooves,
adapted to receive suitable dovetailed pins. The canvas to be carried within the
portfolio is laid upon the auxiliary frame aforesaid and the frame upon which the
canvas is stretched is blocked or retained in position by the dovetaild pins afore-
said.
In order to prevent the canvas from moving away from the auxiliary
frame, and also to prevent the surface of the picture from coming into contact
with the top of the main frame, I fit in the corners of the said main frame
suitable L-shaped corner pieces upon which are fitted suitable spring-actuated
cushions, which, when the portfolio is shut, come into contact with the edge of
the canvas frame, and accommodate themselves to the thickness thereof. A suitable
handle is secured to the main or body frame, whereby the portfolio can be con-
veniently carried.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Artists' Portfolio.
1, FREDERICK WILLIAM BARKER, of 151 Strand, Middlesex, Patent Agent, (a
communication to me from abroad by Flora M. La Bruce of Annandale, County
of Georgetown, South Carolina, United States of America, Gentlewoman,) 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 :-
'
This my invention relates to an improvement in artist's portfolios, and has for
its object to provide a light receptacle in which mounted canvas may be con-
veniently and expeditiously secured for transportation; and the further object of
the invention is to provide a means whereby the canvas will be prevented from
moving vertically or laterally, and also wherein canvas of various dimensions may
be securely held.
The invention consists in the construction and combination of the several parts,
as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a. part of this.
specification, in which similar figures of reference indicate corresponding parts in all
the views.
Figure 1. is a perspective view of the portfolio open,. illustrating one canvas as
being secured therein. Fig. 2. is a section through one of the cushions and cushion-
supports, taken partially on the line of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a

page_text: peg utilized in clamping the canvas in the portfolio; and Fig. 4 is a vertical section
through the portfolio when closed, illustrating a canvas mounted upon a stretcher as
retained therein.
In carrying out the invention the frame 10 of the body 11 is preferably made
rectangular and constructed of any suitable light material, the said frame ordinarily
consisting of a single piece of metal bent to the aforesaid shape. The bottom.strip 12
of the frame is of less width than the top strip 18, and in the recess thus formed a
second narrow frame 14 is pivoted to the side pieces of the main or body frame 10;
or, preferably as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, the narrow frame 14 is hinged at the
bottom to the said botiom strip in any suitable manner:
The frame 14 is constructed of like material to the frame 10, and both the frames 10
and 14 are provided with a back 15 of celluloid or other waterproof material; ‘a
rigid waterproof material being preferred to a pliable one.
In each corner of the main body frame 10 cushion-supports 16 are secured, con-
sisting of two members extending at a right angle one from the other and L-shaped
in cross-section. In the horizontal member of the said L-shaped cushion-supports a
longitudinal recess 17 is produced, adapted to receive a cork cushion 18, the cushion
being attached to the supports through the medium of springs 19, as best shown in
Fig. 2.
Intermediate of the approaching ends of the horizontal members of the cushion-
supports, another support 20 is attached to the frame, likewise shaped in cross-
section and provided with a spring-actuated cork cushion, as best shown in Fig. 1.
The supports 20, however are single.
The frame 14 is provided with a marginal frame 21 upon the inner side, which
marginal frame is constructed of wood or other light material, and is made to extend
around the sides of the frame, being secured either to the back or side pieces, or to
both, as desired. The thickness of the said marginal frame 21 is equal to the depth of
the frame 14.
In the side pieces of the marginal frame 21 a series of spaced transverse (preferably
dove-tail) grooves 22 are produced, adapted to receive dovetail pins 23, which pins
extend upward above the frame, as illustrated in Fig. 1. When the main or body
frame 10 is beld in a vertical or perpendicular position, and the frame 14 is carried
outward therefrom, the latter frame is held at a right angle to the former frame by
pivoted strap-hinges 24, secured at one end to the inner side of the main frame 10,
and at the opposite extremity within a slot 25, formed in the ends of the marginal
frame 21, whereby, when the frame 14 is folded up within the main or body frame 10,
the lower section of the strap-hinge will be pressed in the slot 25, permitting the upper
section to fold inward in engagement with the sides of the body-frame, as best
illustrated in dotted, lines in Fig. 4.
In operation a stretcher is placed upon the marginal frame 21, and if the said
stretcher is not essentially of the dimensions of the said frame one or more of the
pins 23 are employed the same being entered in one of the dovetail grooves 22 con-
tiguous to the side or sides of the stretcher and in engagement with the said sides
whereby the lateral movement of the stretcher will be effectually prevented. The
stretcher or stretchers having been placed in position the frame 14 is folded up
within the main or body frame 10, whereupon the corners of the stretcher are brought
in engagement with the cushions 18 and as the frame 14, is pressed to its closed
position the cushions 18 are likewise pressed in their recess. 17. The frame 14 is held
in a closed position by any suitable catch 26, attached to the upper side of the main
or body frame preferably at the centre and a suitable handlo 27 is attached also to the
top of the body-frame 10 spanning the catch, or lock 26 whereby the portfolio may be
easily carried,
It will be observed that by reason of the pins 23 engaging both sides of a com-
paratively large stretcher and in addition thereto the fact that when the portfolio is
closed the spring actuated cushions 18 bear firmly thereon, it is utterly impossible for
the stretcher to move in any direction.
-
- If the stretcher is essentially as large as the portfolio the pins will not be needed;

page_text: but if a single small stretcher is to be carried it is preferably placed near the centre
of the frame and pins placed upon each side.
If in practice it is found desirable, the marginal frame may be broken so as to
extend partially around the auxiliary frame and other equivalent constructions
may be substituted for the construction shown without departing from the spirit of
the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is:-
:-
1. In an artists portfolio the combination with a main or body frame and an
auxiliary frame hinged thereto adapted to fold therein, of a marginal frame held
within the auxiliary frame essentially L shaped corner pieces attached to the inner
side of the main or body frame and spring-actuated cushions attached to the said
corner-pieces all combined to operate substantially as and for the purposes specified.
2. The combination, with a main or body frame and an auxiliary frame hinged
thereto adapted to fold therein of a marginal frame secured within the auxiliary
frame, provided with a series of transverse grooves, pins adapted to slide in said
grooves, essentially L shaped corner-pieces attached within the main frame, having a
longitudinal recess in the horizontal member, and spring actuated cushions secured
within the recess of the corner pieces substantially as shown and described.
3. The combination with a main frame and an auxiliary frame attached thereto,
adapted to fold therein, of a marginal frame within the auxiliary frame and spring
actuated cushions attached to the inner side of the main frame at or near the corners,
substantially as shown and described.
The combination with a main frame and an auxiliary frame attached thereto adapted
to fold therein of a marginal frame within the auxiliary frame spring actuated
cushions attached to the inner side of the main frame at or near the corners,
and a small cushion intervening the corner cushions substantially as and for the
purpose specified.
The combination with a main or body frame and an auxiliary frame attached thereto
adapted to fold therein, of a marginal frame secured within the auxiliary, having
dovetail transverse grooves produced therein, dovetail pins adapted to enter said
grooves, essentially L shaped corner pieces secured to the inner side of the main
frame, having a longitudinal recess in the horizontal member, spring-actuated
cushions of a light material held within the recess of the corner-pieces and spring
actuated cushions secured to the said body-frame intermediate of the corner cushions
at top and bottom substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 14th day of December 1889.
HORN & SON,
Applicant's Agents.