Patent ID: 8122624

Claim:
A modular canvas or material framing system comprising: (a) four stretcher bars each with mitered ends to be assembled into a rectangular frame for supporting a canvas or material, each stretcher bar having a groove or ridge running lengthwise in the stretcher bar at an inner side of the stretcher bar so as to face inwardly in the assembled rectangular frame and a groove on an outer face of each stretcher bar running perpendicular to an adhesive strip close to the miter ends so as to face outwardly in the assembled rectangular frame, each stretcher bar having an adhesive strip running lengthwise in the stretcher bar at an outer side of the stretcher bar so as to face outwardly in the assembled rectangular frame and extended to cover the mitered ends of the stretcher bars; (b) a set of U shaped fasteners applied to grooves supplied on the stretcher bar to keep the assembled rectangular frame in a closed position and to counteract tension to the canvas or material upon closing the frame; (c) a stretching bar holding device consisting of two clamps at right angles that hold the stretcher bar ends securely in an open miter position, each having a raised platform to keep the stretcher bars from touching the canvas or material so that alignment can take place; and (d) a set of brace members sized to engage with the grooves or ridges of the stretcher bars to reinforce a finished canvas or material frame.