Patent ID: 8413356

Claim:
A modular canvas or material framing system comprising: (a) four stretcher bars to be assembled into a rectangular frame for supporting a canvas or material, each of the stretcher bars having mitered ends, a groove or ridge running lengthwise in an inner side of the bars so as to face inwardly in the assembled frame, a groove running perpendicular in an outer side of the bars so as to face outwardly in the assembled frame, and an adhesive strip running lengthwise on the outer side of the bars and extended to cover the mitered ends; (b) corner clamps for assembling the stretcher bars in an initial open miter position in such a way that the bars are secure, square and properly placed relative to each other, each of the clamps having two channels positioned generally at right angles to one another for receiving and securing the mitered ends of two of the stretcher bars and a raised platform to keep the stretcher bars from touching the canvas or material so that alignment can take place, each of the channels having an end that is angled at 45 degrees and a raised ridge located within the channel for receiving the groove or ridge in the inner side of the stretcher bars to assure that the bars are held firmly with interference and oriented properly; (c) a set of U shaped fasteners applied to grooves in the outer side of the stretcher bars to counter act tension to the canvas upon moving the stretcher bars to a closed position and keep the stretcher bars in the closed position; and (d) a set of brace members sized to engage with the groove or ridge in the inner side of the bars when in the closed position to reinforce the assembled frame.