US2547985A

US2547985A - Curtain stretcher

Info

Publication number: US2547985A
Application number: US644364A
Authority: US
Inventors: Kenneth J Unwin
Original assignee: QUAKER STRETCHER Co
Current assignee: QUAKER STRETCHER Co
Priority date: 1946-01-30
Filing date: 1946-01-30
Publication date: 1951-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1968-04-10

Description

April l0, 1951 K. J. UNWIN CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed Jan. 30

atented Apr. 10, yi951 KennetniJ'- Unwin. Kenosha.,

Wis., assignorf` byV mesne assignments, to- Quaker Stretcher Com-lpany-f Kenosha! Wise consin= al corporation of VWis-v nnrlication January- 30. 1.9.4372L Serial NQ. 644,364,

6 Claims.

' rlfhe present invention relates-to improvements curtain stretchers and more particularly to a novelA construction of the means which engages theperipheral porti-Qn of a curtain.

Heretofore it has been commonv to provide curtain stretchers with a rcw of impalfing pins ad'- jacent` the inner edge of the curtain stretcher frame. Such an arrangement requires a relatively4 precise adjustment of` the curtain frame to the exact dimensions of the curtain to be placed themen. To avoidV the precise adjustment heretoiore required,v it has been proposed to provide a: curtainimpaling device adjacent the inner edge ora curtain stretcherfrarne which has a'pluralit'y cf; parallel arranged irnpralingv members. While the latter device obviates the necessity for preciseA adjustment off the curtain `frame, it has the disadvantage inherent in all` impalingV arrange ments ofy presenting a plurality ofl sharp points vvjliicl1-V come in contactv with the fingers personplacing the 4curtain on the stretcher. Not infrequently such contact is apt to bruise or injure the iinger tips.` Great care must I also be taken during the impalingpperation not to tear the edger ofVA the curtain.

in accordance withl the present invention a curtain engaging device is providedfwith amulti Dlicity ofJr closely arran ged needle-like members integrally formedy of-a"sheet of`Y corrosion and rustresistant metal. The needleflile-members ff are at acute angles to the plane surface offthe curtain stretcher frame'and all; terminate in a planey parallel thereto. Preferablythe leading eliges of such membersare formed so as to have line burrs which readily butjharmlessly engage over an extended,` area` offl the peripheral portion o fl'the curtain. Engagementof' the burrs with the peripheral portions ofthe curtain'secures the curtain in position without substantial perforation of the curtain material; Due to the small space interval between adjacent needle-like projections, there is no, danger of injuring the finger tips of the person placing the curtain on the frame, as is common with the usual' pin, type stretcher. The close spacing of the members further prevents substantial perforation of the curtain material reducing greatly the strain on eachl thread of the curtainv andw provides within certain limits an area which obviates the necessity for the precise adjustmentjofthe curtain frameV to the exact dimensionskof vthe curtain to be olacedthereon. m It is, therefore', an obiect ofthe present invention to provide animprovedcurtainrengaging and retaining devicewhich is-relatively simple to` of the 2 manufacture and toattaeh toa curtain stretcher frame.

It is another object ofthe present invention to provide an improvement in curtain stretchers wherebyit isL unnecessary toadjust the curtain stretcher'frame forsmall variations in the dimensions.' of the curtain to be stretched. Other and further objects of the present invention subsequently Wil-l becomeapparent, by reference to the following description taken in connection with the; accompanying" drawing wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of' a curtain stretcher provided with the present invention;-

V Figure 2- is a cross-sectional view'rin thel direction oi the arrows alongthe line Z--Zl of Figlure 1j showing a curtain mountedA on the fra-me;

Figure 3 is a plan View of' the curtain engaging device forming a part of the frame members of the curtain stretcher shown in Figure 1;v

Figure 4; is an enlarged' cross-sectionalV view of the curtain engaging device as seen in the directionY ofthe arrows along the line li--ll` of Figure Figure 5 is an enlarged View ofr the device shown in Figure 3 as seen at an angle thereto.V

Eteferrinar more particular-lv to Figure 1" of the drawing, there is shown a curtain stretcher hav ing uprightA end members Hl and l2providedwith rearwardlv extending legs M" andA i5 respectively. Each'of thelegs is retained' inra fixed position by apivoted bracket suchasvthe bracket I8 visible at the left endofv the fram@i The pivoted bracket [thisv provided atits forward endwith a slot which engages ahead member 2e mounted on the side of the upright member lg2v. `Each leg suchV as the leg ll'is secured" to the upright member |2by a hill-ge 2.2.V l

Atthe upper extremity the upright frame members mi and I2` are secured to horizontally arranged'members 24: and'26" which are joinedr together by a plate-like member 218. The platelilge member ZitE is rigidly secured to the hori Zonta-l member 26n by means ofp bolts .3!3 and-32. A` bolt 34 extends through the member 24 and through a slot 36 'in the member 281 Upon loosen'- ing the bolt'3-4 themembers 21!Y and 26 may be folded se as to beparallel to each other. A bolt 38'; also extends through the member 24 and the plate 28'" and passes through an upright support member, 49. Attheright endoff'th'e horizontal member 2e therelis provided aplate llzywhich is secured thereto by a plurality ofv bolts Manel-46. The plate '42 is also secured to the upright' member` lh' by rthe bo1t 48 and* aremovable bolt-hav.-

The arrangement of the .the clamping member ing a wing nut 50. Upon removing the wing nut 50 the member I0 may be swung on the pivot bolt 48 so as to lie parallel to the horizontal bar 26. Thus, the plates 28 and 42 are provided for folding the frame for storage.

A second horizontal member formed in two

portions

52 and 54 extends between the end upright members I and I2. The member 52 at one end carries a clamp member 55 secured thereto by a pair of bolts 58. he clamping member is provided with a clamping screw 60. The other end of the other lower horizontal member 54 is similarly provided witha clamping bracket or member 62 having a clamping screw 84. The clamping member 62 is secured to the member 54 by a plurality of bolts 65. The inner ends of the lower

horizontal members

52 and 54 are retained together by means of a plate y68 secured to the member 54 by a pair of bolts 10. The plate 68 is also secured to the member 52 by a plurality of bolts one bolt 12 being visible in the drawing. The member S8 is of a construction similar to the member 36 on the upper horizontal members. The intermediate portion of the lower

horizontal bars

52 and 54 is retained in position with respect to the central support 40 by means of a clamping device I4 which engages the vertical member 40.

The vertical end upright I2 is connected to the upper horizontal member 24 by means of a plate 'I4 secured thereto by bolts 16. The plate 14 is secured to the upright member I2 by means of a bolt 18 and another bolt having a wing nut 80. plate 14 relative to the I2 and the horizontal member 24 is similar to the arrangement of the plate 42 at the other end of the curtain stretcher. Thus by means of the plates 1 4, 38 and 42 the curtain stretcher may be folded for storage so that the members I2, 24, 26 and I0 are arranged parallel to each other.

Between the vertical member 40 and the end support member I0 there is provided an intervertical member Amediate support or guide member 82 which at its upper extremity carries a clamping member 84 secured thereto by bolts such as the bolt 86. The clamping member 84 includes a clamping screw 81 arranged to .engage the upper edge of the horizontal bar 26,. The lowerA portion of the intermediate support 82 carries aclamping member -88 which is similar to the construction of 14 which interconnects the intermediate support 40 with the lower

horizontal members

52 and 54. By adjusting the various clamps it becomes apparent that the area delineated by the members I0, 24, 20, 82, 54 and 52 may be set so as to conform generally to the measurement of a curtain which is to be stretched thereon.

, Each of the vertical and horizontal frame members I0, I2, 24, 26, 52, 54 and 82 is provided lat the inner edge with a curtain engaging device 90. The curtain engaging device 99 consists of an elongated metal strip having integrally formed projections, and which is located adjacent the inner edge of the curtain frame member for engaging the peripheral portions of a curtain. The details of the curtain engaging member 90 will be better appreciated by reference to the subsequent figures. Figure 2 illustrates with particularity that the curtain engaging device 90 is secured to the frame member such as the member 28 by a plurality of fastening means such as the nails 92 which pass through suitable apertures at the edges of the member 90 into the wood frame member A26. Figure 2 also shows a curtain 94 having its peripheral portion in engagement with a substantial area of the -curtain engaging device 90. Figure 3 also shows a portion of the curtain in engagement with the curtain engaging device 90. From Figure 3 it will be seen that the curtain engaging device is provided with flat border portions 96 having longitudinally spaced apertures through which the nails or fastening means 92 are passed. The area between the two border portions 99 is covered with a multiplicity of upwardly-struck closely adjacent needle-like projections 98 which preferably are arranged in staggered rows such as the rows |00 and |02 etc.

The member 99 is formed of a very thin sheet of rust and corrosion resistant metal formed in a strip I04 from which the projections 98 are struck upwardly so that each projection is angularly inclined to the plane of the base of the strip. The outer end of each of the upwardlystruck projections 98 is arranged in a plane common to a plane parallel to the surface of a curtain stretcher bar or member. After the projections 98 are struck upwardly, the upper ends are ground to form the terminating plane for all of the projecting members and to form on each leading edge of the projecting members 98 a burr |08. From Figures 4 and 5 it will be seen that each projecting member 98 is struck upwardly so as to have generally parallel sides, thus forming a plurality of parallel-sided apertures |08 from which the members 98 have been struck. The projecting members 98 are closely spaced t0'- gether so that adjacent members are separated by a very small fraction of an inch, for example a fraction of the order of 1/8 inch. The projections are very narrow, one embodiment having projections of the order of 1/ 10u of an inch wide. It is to be understood that the dimensions given as examples are not to be considered limitations but merely indicative of the type of construction employed by the present invention. By thus having the angularly arranged members 98 at acute angles in directions away from the inner edges of the frame members as is evident from Figure 2, a large number of burrs |06 will engage the underside of the material of the curtain 94 to secure the curtain in position without any substantial perforation, puncture, or deformation of weave of the curtain material. In other words, the curtain material is not impaled upon the projections 98 so that the upper ends cf the projections protrude through the curtain material. It, of course, will be understood that this description of the engagement of the curtain is generally accurate and correct, but in certain larger mesh materials the outer ends of the projecting members 98 may be clearly visible and upon examination appear to be substantially coincident with the upper or outer surface of the curtain. In the finer mesh materials, however, the projections 98 do not pierce the cloth as is the case with pins or barbed impaling members heretofore employed in curtain stretcher construction. Due to the fact that a relatively large area is provided with the multiplicity of projecting members 98 between the border portions 96, it will be appreciated that the present device also obviates the necessity for meticulously minute exact adjustment of the curtain stretcher frame to the exact dimensions of the curtain. This greatly facilitates the use of the stretcher. A very large area provided between the border portions 98 of "the fastening device 90 also operates to preclude an impaling action of the projections 98 relative to the curtain material and also precludes the possibility of damaging or injuring the finger surfaces of the operator.

While in order tol illustrate the invention, it has been convenient to.show the invention as applied to a wood frame curtain stretcher, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible of other embodiments. For example the curtain engaging device 90 has been shown as secured to the frame by means of nails 92 whereas it is to be understood that any other approved manner of fastening the device 90 to the frame may be employed. It furthermore will be appreciated that the curtain engaging device may be formed integrally where the curtain stretcher is of the metal frame type. It also will be appreciated that the upwardly extending needle-like projecting members 98 may be formed in other manners than that shown and that while the preferred embodiment illustrated shows the projections 98 at a certain angle to the base, that other angles may be employed including an angle or" ninety degrees.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown to facilitate illustration and description, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited thereby since such variations are contemplated as may be commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.

This invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1 A curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comp-rising a strip of metal adapted to be secured to the surface of a curtain stretcher frame and having a multiplicity of punched struck-upwardly needle-like projections respectively terminating in sharp-edged, pointless outer end portions disposed substantially in a, plane parallel to said strip so as to engage curtain material stretched on a frame without substantial perforation of the material.

2. A curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comprising a strip of thin rust resistant metal adapted to be secured to the surface of a curtain stretcher frame and having a multiplicity of punched struck-upwardly needle-like projections respectively terminating in sharpedged, pointless outer end portions disposed substantially in a plane parallel to said strip, each of said projections having a leading edge burr whereby a plurality of burrs in an extended area are adapted to be engaged by curtain material stretched on a curtain frame.

3. A curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comprising a strip of thin rust resistant metal adapted to be secured to the surface of a curtain stretcher frame and having a multiplicity of punched struck-upwardly angularly arranged relatively narrow parallel-sided projections arranged at acute angles to said strip, said projections having sharp-edged, pointless outer ends disposed substantially parallel to said strip and being formed with leading edge burrs extending in the direction of inclination whereby a plurality of burrs in an extended area are adapted to engage curtain material without substantial perforation thereof.

4. A. curtain engaging device for curtain stretchers comprising an elongated strip of rust resista-nt metal adapted to be secured to the plane surface of a curtain stretcher frame and having a multiplicity of punched struck-upwardly angularly arranged relatively narrow parallel-sided projections arranged closely adjacent each other in staggered rows, said projections being arranged at acute angles to said strip and having sharp-edged, pointless outer end portions formed with leading edge burrs arranged in a plane parallel to said strip for engagement by curtain material without substantial perforation of the material.

5. A curtain stretcher frame having secured to its inner edges longitudinally extending material engaging devices formed of relatively thin rust resistant metal strips each having a plurality of staggered rows of punched struck-upwardly angularly inclined relatively narrow parallel-sided projections each terminating in a sharp-edged, pointless outer end portion substantially parallel to said strip and having a leading edge burr whereby a plurality of burrs in an extended area are adapted to engage curtain material stretched on said frame Without substantial perforation of the material.

6. An adjustable curtain stretcher frame formed of a plurality of members having plane surfaces provided adjacent their inner edges with longitudinally extending strips of thin rust resistant metal, said metal strips each having a multiplicity of punched struck-upwardly relatively narrow parallel-sided projections arranged at acute angles to said strip to point away from the inner area of the frame, said projections terminating in sharp-edged, pointless outer ends disposed substantially in a plane parallel to said strip and being provided with burrs at the leading edges of the respective projections whereby said projections present in an extended area a plurality of burrs adapted to engage curtain material stretched on said frame without substantial perforation of the material.

KENNETH J. UNWIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS