IE20030690U1 - Apparatus for applying canvas to a frame - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT An apparatus for applying canvas to a frame comprising a surface for supporting a sheet of canvas and a frame, a pair of parallel clamp members operable to engage side edges of the frame and stretch the canvas over the edge of the frame to tighten it and to retain the canvas in its stretched state to enable the canvas to be secured to the frame. The clamp members comprise a Contact plate a pressure plate, located behind the contact plate and drive means in the form of a pneumatic cylinder ram operable to push the pressure plate and the Contact plate.

Description

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING CANVAS TO A FRAME The present invention relates to apparatus for applying canvas to a frame, such as a rectangular timber mounting frame.

In the prior art, applying canvas to a frame is a laborious and time consuming task. One side of the canvas is stapled to one side of the frame and the canvas is stretched by hand over the frame and secured in position on each of the other sides of the frame. This work is very slow and it is difficult to ensure uniformity of stretching of the canvas in all directions.

The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which alleviates the disadvantages associated with the prior art.

The present invention provides apparatus for applying canvas to a frame comprising a flat bed for supporting a sheet of canvas and a rectangular frame, a pair of parallel clamp members operable to engage side edges of the frame and stretch the canvas over the edge of the frame to tighten it and to retain the canvas in its stretched state to enable the canvas to be secured to the frame.

The invention will hereinafter be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show by way of example only, one embodiment of an apparatus for applying canvas to a frame according to the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a plan view; and OPEN TU PUBLIC Figure 3 is an end view of the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus 10 comprises a table 11 having a flat bed 12 and a pair of movable clamps 14. Each of the clamps is movable by means of a pneumatic cylinder 16 operable by a lever 18.

The clamp 14 includes an elongate contact plate 20 to which a ribbed or noduled rubber face 22 is attached. Behind plate 20 is a pressure plate 24 which is movable perpendicularly so that both clamps 14 remain parallel during motion. Depending on the size of the frame being used, the clamps 14 can be set at particular starting positions by loosening vertical table clamps 30 and moving the clamps 14 forwards or backwards along slots 32.

In operation, a sheet of canvas (not shown) is laid on the bed 12 and the frame (also not shown) is laid on the canvas. The edges of the canvas are folded over two parallel edges of the frame and the clamp 14 is operated to push against the frame and force the canvas against the side edges to tighten it. While the clamps are still secured against the canvas it is stapled to the back of the frame in a line of staples parallel to the clamps 14. The clamps 14 are then released and the canvas is secured to the other two sides by moving the frame ninety degrees and starting the procedure again. The frame is then removed from the apparatus and the corners are secured. Using this apparatus, an operative can significantly increase his or her productivity to approximately 200 frames per day.

It will of course be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific details herein described which are given by way of example E 030690 only, and that various alternations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON, Applicant’s Agents, Merrion Square, DUBLIN 2.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. An apparatus for applying canvas to a frame comprising a surface for supporting a sheet of canvas and a frame, a pair of parallel clamp members operable to engage side edges of the frame and stretch the canvas over the edge of the frame to tighten it and to retain the canvas in its stretched state to enable the canvas to be secured to the frame.

2. An apparatus for applying canvas to a frame as claimed in Claim 1, in which the clamp members comprise a contact plate, a pressure plate located behind the contact plate and drive means operable to push the pressure plate and the contact plate.

3. An apparatus for applying canvas to a frame as claimed in Claim 2, in which the drive means comprises at least one pneumatically operated cylinder ram the surface of the contact plate includes gripping means for gripping the canvas.

4. An apparatus for applying canvas to a frame as claimed in any preceding claim, including vertical clamping members for securing the parallel clamp members to the support surface of the apparatusjslots disposed in the support surface of the apparatus for allowing movement of the parallel clamp members laterally along the support surface, the vertical clamping members being disposed through the slots.

5. An apparatus for applying canvas to a frame substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments as herein described, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON Applicant’s Agents,