US2618098A - Curtain stretcher - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 18, 1952 K. J. UNWIN 2,618,098

CURTAIN STRETCHER Filed Dec. 31, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Nov. 18, 1952 K. J. UNWIN CURTAIN STRETCHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D90. 31, 1949 Nov. 18, 1952 K. J. UNWIN CURTAIN STRETCHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 31, 1949 1 I INVENTOR.

Nov. 18, 1952 K. J. UNWIN CURTAIN STRETCHER 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 31, 1949 I N VEN TOR.

Patented Nov. 18, 1952 CURTAIN STRETCHER Kenneth J. Unwin, Kenosha, Wis., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Quaker Stretcher Company, Kenosha, Wis., a corporation of Wiscousin Application December 31, 1949, Serial No. 136,184

15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a curtain stretche and more particularly relates to a curtain stretcher of relatively small size and light weight, vhich is of particular utility where space is limi ed.

It has long been common to construct curtain stretcher frames of wood and to drive curtain impaling pins into the wood with a portion ofthe shank having a sharpened end projecting therefrom so that the curtains may be impaled or secured thereon. Wooden stretchers have been heavy and unwieldy and the wood has been affected adversely by atmospheric changes so that the pins loosen and eventually fail to properly secure curtains or other fabrics.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a curtain stretcher of light weight metal which is much easier to handle than the previous heavy wooden ones.

It is a further object of my invention to provide such a curtain stretcher in which the impaling pins are secured directly in the metal so that they will not be loosened by climatic or atmospheric changes, as is the case with wooden stretchers.

It has generally been the practice to construct curtain stretchers of rather large size so that a curtain may be secured on one side of the stretcher. This is very undesirable when space is a limiting factor, such as in an apartment or a small house. I have, therefore, proposed to construct a curtain stretcher of comparatively small size with a relatively wide inverted U- shaped channel at the top so that a part of the curtain may be secured on one side of the stretcher and apart on the other side, the curtain being folded over the top of the stretcher. The light weight metal of which the stretcher is constructed is noncorrosive and will not mark curtains or be damaged by the moisture from the curtains as would other materials such as wood or iron. I 7

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a curtain stretcher of comparatively small size having an inverted U-shaped channel at its top so that a relatively large curtain may behung over it and secured on both lower sides of the curtain stretcher.

It is desirable to be able to dry curtains of various sizes on a single curtain stretcher. Stretchers have been provided in the past with a vertically shiftable, horizontal curtain securing member and a horizontally shiftable upright curtain securing member in addition to the uprights at each end of the curtain stretcher to secure a curtain along a vertical or substantially vertical edge. The addition of this extra upright member has, of course, added to the cost of the curtain stretcher and deprived many potential users of its benefits thereby, and has additionally added to the Weight and unwieldiness of the curtain stretcher.

It is an object of the present invention to ob viate these last named difiiculties by the provision of a curtain stretcher having only two upright members on each side, these members being foldable so that the curtain stretcher may be stored in a small space.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a curtain stretcher as outlined in the foregoing paragraphs in which moving the legs into an operative position automatically clamps them in place.

A further object of this invention is to provide a relatively small light weight curtain stretcher in which bridge members are provided to make it unnecessary for a curtain or the like to be secured to securing members in planes spaced considerably from one another at the intersections of said members.

It is a further object of a modified form of the invention to provide means for securing hemmed edges of a curtain or the like without the necessity of piercing or clamping the fabric.

Occasionally it is desirable to dry a curtain of unusually large size such as those used on the large picture windows currently in vogue. Such curtains as well as large table cloths and blankets may run as large as 90 inches by 144 inches. It would be possible to provide a stretcher of large enough size to accommodate such large pieces of material but such a stretcher would be unwieldly and uneconomic since the great majority of curtains and other fabrics to be dried are much smaller. i

It is therefor an object of this invention to provide a curtain stretcher which may be extended to accommodate fabrics of practically any size.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be apparent upon reading the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a curtain stretcher embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view with the legs in partially folded or unclamped position;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the stretcher in disassembled collapsed position; 7

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view simi- 3 lar to Fig. 1 and showing a modification thereof;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 55 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 -is a.cross sectional viewitaken along the line 'lTin Fig. 6 andshowing the parts of Fig. 5 in a different position;

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing some of the securing parts shown in Figs. 5-7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the lower extremity of any of .the .upright'legs;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view partially insection taken along the line Iii- 1.0 of Fig.1;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view partially in section taken along the line I I l l in Fig. 1

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken along theline l2l2 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an exploded, fragmentary, perspec- .-,tive. view showing; parts :of the clamp of Fig. .10;

-Fig.;14; is a perspective view of the .bridgemember-gshowniin Fig. 11;

Fig. :15 .fis aa perspective view of a clamping member;ofwthe-modified'formshown inz'Ei 4;

1-,6 -is a fragmentary :vi-ewtaken'along the line l5|6 in Fig. 4;

fig. :17 is-aperspective .view of a modification of therinvention;

- Fig. 18 is :a cross sectional view taken substantiallycalong-zthe line i'8- l'8 for Fig. 1'7;

' Fig. 19 ;is;a sectional view taken-alongthe line I9l9 of Fig. 18;

Fig. 20 .isva' fragmentary perspeotive view or the connect-ion of-a leg extension to :a leg;

Fig2lis .a. sectional view-taken along the line :2'l2*l of;Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a longitudinal sectional-view taken substantiallyralong the. line 22-22 of Fig. L8;

;,-F ig., 23 is' a sectionalview taken substantially along theline 23-43 of Fig. :24and;

'g-Fig..g24 is .an'v enlarged plan view of a portion -of the stretcher show-n in-Fig. 17.

Figs. 1-3 show general views of my curtain stretcher. The curtainstretcher includes arela- -tively .wide, Jr-Shaped longitudinaltop member :"or.-;ridge-pole it of light weightmetal-such as .aluminum'and :having inwardly .and upwardly turned flanges 2'2 and-.24,.respe.ctively,,-as mayibest bezseen in. Figs.. 5,, Her-,8, Two pairs of legs 25 and-28 :ofthesame material as the ridge pole 29 :are secured theretoi-in. a .manner to be-Ldescribed in detail-later; and .are shown at opposite ends of the member 20 inFig. 1 1 in which positionthey :zarerspaced as far apart as possible in order to meceive ra -w-idepurtain. I Foldable .bracingmem- :bers- =30. and :32, whichv may be of a welhknown .typalocking inopenposition, are pivotally joined to the legs 26-and 28, respectively, to secure the legs in spread-apart position as shown inFig. 1. The-bracing members fold as 30 in .Fig. 2 ,.so -that -the .pairs of legs-asZG-in. Fig..2.may be brought i ubstamzially into juxtaposition preparatory .to

complete collapsing of the stretcher for storage. Vertically adjustable. horizontal members .34 and .36 of the; same light weight .metall as the-ridge pole 20 are secured .to.the.1egs 2.6 .by :clamps .38 and and =to-,the legs -28 :by bridge clamps A2 .and 44, as will later be described in greater detail.

As best seen-in"1 ?igs.--2.and-3, the legs 26 may be "folded inwardly toward one :another and upwardly against the-ridgepole "2 0. forstorage. purposes. The legs 28 mayalsobe-folded toward each other, but preferably .notiin such close juxtapositionas-the-legsifi sothat the legs 28 4 may be folded inwardly toward the top member 28 and in so doing straddle the legs 26, it being understood that the position of the legs 25 and 28 may be reversed. Prior to folding the legs 26 and 28 upwardly, the horizontal members 34 and 35 are, of course, removed by loosening the clamps "38 and 40 and-the bridge clampsflf-2 and ei. The inner edge of each of the legs"26, 2'8 and the upper edge of each of the horizontal members '34, 38 are provided with curtain impaling pins 31, which are preferably ball pointed as disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 91,130, filed May.3, 1949, and. are secured in a manner readily seen. in :Fig. 10. In Fig. 10 one of the legs 26 is shownand has a cross section which is similar to the cross section of the legs 23 and the horizontal members 34, 36. The leg has an essentially channel-shaped portion generally designated as 45, this portion providing longitudinal strength, and an extending portion 48 to secure a metal impaling ;pin which is harder than the light weight metal which comprises ;the greater part of thecurtain stretcher. The specific details of the mounting of the 'pins .are disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 94,675, filed May 21, 1949.

'It is desirable to be able .tomove :thedegslit and 28 relatively toward and away fromweach other so that curtains of various widthsrmayibe secured, "as suggested at an-earlier point as-one of the objects of this invention. Asacurtainis to bestretched across-the top of the member '20, there. must beno; portions projecting above it. Accordingly, I have devised. means .not ,onlyifor securing the legs 2fi,28 -to.the under: side of the top member 20 but haveidevised-means"whereby :the legs ear-e automatically locked in operative position when .they .arez-folded away .fromveach other. These means areillustratedin detail/in .Figss5-8. The legs zfi-have-secured-at their :up- .per lends-members .ED-and 52-which are essentially of a-1d0uble 'L shape. .These members :act -as levers in the lockingaction {and are sometimes hereinafter referred to,as f-levers. :These' members may be secured to the legs byaany decsirable means such asrivets 54. The members 50,152 .are provided with: apertures .55adjacent their upper innenextremities through which-a threaded bolt 58: is passed. An inverted-channeleshaped locking member 60 having :horizontall-y extending wings Gland -64 is providedwith an --aperture .66 through which the bolt .53 ..also p H3118 win s -52, 641 of the. locking vmember -60 may-have materialremoved as at 68,Il.0. in-.order to. decrease the weight of thecurtain stretcher and-conserve material. The bolt .58 has ,..a .coiledrcompression spring .12 :interposedbetween .its head .and the member 60 and has :a v.nut .14 which .may conveniently, be .a wing. vnut threaded on its opposite .end. {The rivets.54. pivotallysecure the legs .26 'to' the members .50 .andjzsand each of these members is provided with,-atab 'Hi'and ll struck outwardlyfrom the body of .themember to stop the legs .in their .proper downwardly. extending .position .as .may ,be 7 seen in Fig.6. .iHeaded-rivets '18..and-'l'9 aresecured in :themem-bers .50 and-52 adjacent/the topspf the legs 26 so as to frictionally engage..'the ,legs and securethem in openposition.

The locking. member .60 .is slid into Jthe...end .of

. the.lon git.udinal .to-p pieeellfl and tabs. 8ll.-struck out. from. the .inturned.flanges 122 .are bent. 11pwardly to .prevent .the? accidentaliremoval of the member to. LThe-spring J2. isfitted .overthe; bolt .58.,and the rbo'ltis placed in. the aperture-T66. prior totheinsertlon of the member 60 in the top piece 20. Either before or after this insertion the members 50 and 52 are placed over the bolt 58 as shown in Fig. 7 and the 'nut 14 is threaded onto the end of the bolt 58. With the members 50 and 52 folded toward each other in Fig. 7, the member 60 is held out of contact with the inturned flanges 22 by the uppermost portion of the lever 50. The levers 50, 52 and the legs 26 to which they are attached may thus be moved longitudinally relative to the top piece 20 so that any width curtain can be accommodated. When the legs are properly located for any given ourtain, they are merely spread apart to the position shown in Fig. 5. The members'50, 52 act as levers to pull down against the nut 14 and -hence on the bolt 58. This causes the spring 12 to be compressed and forces the locking member 60 downward against the flanges 22 so that the flanges are clamped between the flanges 62, 64

and the member 60 and corners of the double L-shaped members 50, 52, and the legs are locked in position and no longer move longitudinally'of the top piece 20.

The legs 26, 28, as previously mentioned, are of light weight material and are preferably formed by bending sheet material, although it may be possible to extrude them. To prevent damage to a floor or other supporting surface by the inherently sharp edges at the lower ends of the legs, I have provided feet 82 which are best seen in Figs. 6 and 9. These feet are preferably formed of an essentially horseshoe-shaped strip of rubber or rubber-like material folded over the bottom edge of each leg 26, 28 and secured by a rivet 84 extending through the extremities of the rubber foot and through an aperture 86 in the bottom of the leg.

Each of the horizontal curtain securing members34, 36 has a cross section similar-to that of thelegs 26, 28 and has a row of impaling pins 88 secured along its upper edge in a manner similar .to the impaling pins 31 on the legs 26, 28. Each of these horizontal members is secured to the legs 26 by a, clamp 38, 40 as shown in Fig. l.

These clamps are of similar construction although in relatively inverted positions, and consequently a description of one will serve for both. Fig. shows the clamp 40. The clamp comprises a longitudinal portion 90 which is alsoshown in Fig. 13, this portion. being channel-shaped transversely for stiffness and substantially L-shaped longitudinally. The L-shaped portion 90 is secured to the horizontal member 36 by any suitable means such as rivets 92. A second portion of the clamp 40 is an essentially J-shaped member 94. One upstanding portion of the J-shaped member is slotted as at 96 to receive the L-shaped member 90, and the other upstanding portion of the member 94 is apertured asat 98 to receive a threaded bolt I00, which has a square portion adjacent its head and is also passed through a square aperture I02 in the transversely extending portion of the L-shaped member 90. H A coiled spring I04 is interposed between the members 90 and 94 and is located about the shank of the bolt I00 so as to normally force the member 94 away from the horizontal member 36. A wing nut I06 threaded on the bolt I00 opposes this force. The J-shaped member 94 is provided at a corner, which is the lower right corner in Fig. 10, with a shoulder portion I08 formed by'a loop in the metal. An anti-friction grommet H0 is secured in the upstanding portion-of the J-shaped member-84 adjacent this shoulder.--As' is best seen in Fig. 10, tightening of the wing nut I06 on the threaded bolt I00 clamps the leg 26 between the grommet II 0 and the end of the horizontal mem ber 36 to prevent vertical motion while the shoulder I08 prevents the clamp 40 from being disengaged from the leg 26 by a force tending to move it transversely thereof. If it is desired to move the member 36 vertically, it is only necessary to partially unscrew the wing nut I06, which allows the spring I 04 to force the J-shaped member 94 to the left and loosen the clamping action.

The end of the horizontal member 36 secured to the leg 26 by the clamp 40 has its' curtain impaling surface lying in the same plane as the curtain impaling surface of the leg 26'. It is apparent, however, that if the legs 26, 28 are to be movable toward and away from each other that some other means must be provided for 'securing the opposite end of the member 36, and at this point of securement the curtain impaling surfaces of the member 36 and leg 28 would lie indifferent planes, which would of course tend to pull the curtain away from one of the groupsof impaling pins. To obviate the difficulties engendered by this situation, I have provided a bridge clamp 44. The bridge clamp 42 securing the horizontal member 34 to the other leg 28 is similar and need not be described in detail. As shown in Figs. 11, 12 and 14, the bridge clam 44 includes a U-shaped member II2 having'inturned flanges I I4 at its upper extremities. As

may best be seen in Fig. 12, the dimensions of the U-shaped member II2 are'such thatit fits snugly over the horizontal member 36. The bight of the U-shaped member H2 is provided with a square aperture II6 which receives a threaded bolt I I8 having a square portion adjacent its head cooperable with the aperture I I6 to prevent rota tionof the bolt. A clamping member I20, which is in part channel-shaped in cross section for rigidity fits over the bolt I I8 with a coiled spring I20 interposed between it and the U-shaped member II2 so as normally to force the clamping member away from the member I I2. A wing nut I22 is threaded onto the bolt II8 to oppose the force of the spring. The forwardly extending portion of the clamping member I20 fits over the leg 28 and is provided with a short inturned flange I24 to preclude disengagement of the leg 28. The opposite or butt end of the clamping member I20 is provided with a flange portion I26 which bears against the front surface of the horizontal member 36 so that the horizontal member 36' may be securely clamped to the leg .28 by advancing the wing nut I22.

Besidestheclamping portions just described, the bridge clamp 44 is provided with a bridge portion I28. The bridge portion includes a sub stantially straight, longitudinal member I30 secured at one end to the bight of the U-shaped member II2 as by a rivet I29 and provided at its opposite end with an integral inturned finger I32 which bears against the front surface of the back portion of the horizontal member 36. A curtain impaling section I34 similar to the back surface 48 and pin securing portion of the leg 26 as shown in Fig. 10 is secured to the longitudinal member I30 by any suitable means, such as rivets I36. The impaling pins I 38 in the sectionI-34 thus allow the junction between the horizontal member 36 and leg 28 to present means for meet ing the curtain from one curtain securing plane to another curtain securing plane without an abrupt jump or break. It is to be understood that the bridge portion of the clamp could consist of abut {a sin le piece l-rathertthan :the glongitudinal rmember 11.30 :and section 11,134. 1T0 prev-ent .the accidental movement;of-stheabridgerclamp 44irom the end of theihorizontal membe1z36, I-l have pro- ;vided .a vbutton. headedgrivet v I Has ,shown in Figs. 11 @and .12, {the head of which acts asqa .stop against one leg oisthe U-shaped member H2.

7 In. Figs.-:l, 15 and loll-haveshowmamodificav ltion-bf my invention which {it is unnecessary ,to pierce -.the. curtain Jabric ialong two of the edges. l-Horizontal rectangular bars iidaaand 36a having a rectangular (cross section are slipped ,through the hems at either end-.ofgtheacurtain. Thehem is-shown asalwin -Fig.,.lfi. ='ITo-secure thesbar 36a in positionnL-have provided agsecurmember H2 ofthe bridgeclamp Mi-en a esthe l.

horizontalmemberiifi. 'The bightlofzthe U is ,provided v.near one aside with a square iaperture through whichazthreaded bolt J48 is passed. ,The bolt is provided =;with: a .square portion adja- ..centlits headto prevent rotation inthe. U-shaped member '-I 44. A clamping ,member ..I 50 L substanati-ally-inrtheshape of -the blocked letter .8 is: aper- .tured and placed over :the bolt 148 as seen in Figs. 15 and 16. ;-A coiled spring 1521s interposed ,,:between the clampir 1g member Hid-and: the U- :shaped': member 144 normally to forcesthe clampingv member away yfrom the; leg .26. A winganut ..l 54 threaded ,onto ;the bolt 1 48 opposes the ,force .of (this H spring and :clamps -.the clampin ,.member .lfiflragainst the; leg 2-6;. in a verticallyzadjusted positionnto secure the :rod or, barfifia, :whichfits .within the top portion-of the :S-sh pfid -:c1an p .where it isheld in place by the stretching cur- -;t-ain.

.itlnlFigs. 17-231 my invention which :isradapted -t,o1:stretch cu rstains or other ifabrics ,ofggreatisize shy: means :of extensions toybe connected :to :the :basic curtain stretcher,heretoioremdescribed. in ;these fi ures certainof the partsrareidentical" 'ithathose pre- :viously -,,discl0sed and :;these parts rare identified by; similar numerals s-with ther:.-additionof :afldis- '@tinguishingisubscript.

.The curtain;.stretohersshown inzneispeotivetin Fig. 17 embodies zthezridgepole:::Z0a:having. in-

wardly ;and :upwardlyaidirected :ifianges 522a and 12 eaxrespectively. taken-111cm: theatretchershown iniFig. r1. :J'I'wo pairsmf legs: Elia and 112811 rare secured to .therridgezpole z liajnzalmannerssimi-lar .to that previouslyidescribed. FQIdable bracing members Gila-and; 3 2a; maintainthe :l gs: in: spread apart position. Vertically: adjustablehorizontal members Ma -andr3drfll6fi611tfldzt0 the-legs. 2216a by clamps 38a-and-=-40a.- gilncxarder ;,to presentsa stretcher of greaterslengthsa;second,;ridge;pole

\zflbzsimilarto the ridge poleszflais joined to the latterby means of asurvedtwoodenrbar lfitt fitting within the iridgejilloles- Z-Oa ahdzfib. The lower surface of .the bar Tor rod 4-56 sis l provided avith longitudinalsslots I58 twhich accommodate the upwardly turned. flanges; :22d.1Of -the. ridge pole 28a and the similar-flanges otlthe ridgeepolew 20b. Auxiliary bracingl legssllfififare -joined to .the .composite ridge poleat the junction-Moiithesridge tpoles 20a and 29b. .'Ifhe primarygfunctionof theserv less "is :to asuhso-r :the renter of thoxi go .pole and acc rdin ly th dose are; bste al h nnell..shaped 315.23) rand monomer-0 de "with curtaimseeuringmins. The-structureecuring auxiliary legs :is gsimilar to that qusedgfor securing the end a e/gs "and .,comprises giEig, 18) doubl -L ram /po m mb rs 590 and il ii i o all secured --.to ithe legs by means ;;such.=--asrivets154 6- -A threaded b0lt y58c extends through ithe; bar s-,o,r rod 456 which is :bored and countersunkit re- ;ceiv the bolt and its head. ;The- 1head1ma .&-be -non-ecircular to 1 cooperate with ?..the countersunk aperture ;receiving it to prevent rotation 19ft lihe belt, or :rotation imay :be :prevented -in any othe desirame: manner. 7 A swin nut .lic threaded ion the end-otthezboltin order tosd-raw thflylQVfiLfS or members-illesand ;5 2c up.warrdzto lQQkrlihQsfil-ZX iliary ,--legs-;-in ;.position :th auxiliary :less b n held 1i spaced apart relation Joy; ioldable {brace members 162 similar 1;.to rthose qmieyio usi -;de- ..-scrihe,d. l

l-Additional heish ;forzthe,:str tcherzi mrovided 'byextending leg members-attachable to; h tofthe legs and auxiliary legs. Theextendinggaleg .members '2 6d, 2 3d,;and lqfifldare zidenticalg in :cross section with the legs ato which i 1yaTegSQ fiS and :the leg extension 6d:-an1 2 11 sat iprorid si with curtain securing ipinfi; 31d along -,t heir inner d es.

In Big. 20 a: connec ion; is wShQW'HEhQfiWQQQ on of =-.the ,legs 26a and sen extension plfi and; i i to be under t od ha :the conne tion: between the 4 other ea- 'end z tension zzfid; and tireless 28a: an 2 8d are similar. ifheaextensi minclu e a v channel wshap d-s licer 5 .zfitt ng :w-ithimth channel ashapedl;.;portionr4511 and 46d :of th .:.1,e and-extension. .A thread d :bol [=66 extends transversely through the flanges, ofz'thexsplicer 164 vand mayhe proyided :wit-haz-non-circular por ion b n athits :head to;prevent rotation. 5A (clam n .member -|;6.8 which is substantially 'channe :Shapedroverlieszthe:front; portion n-ofithe channel shaped,legxportionsrfifia ;;and: 6d ndds clamped against'themiibyraz wing anut Ill 0: threaded onpthe ;bolt;jlfi;6-1tolilock the :legsZ Bra andqeietension; 2 6d:b.etween.the'splicer t6 4 and= clamping member I 1.68. 1 Rubber tfeetiazdiare-:providedzon the ibottomsrof Jthe :leg ieXtens-ions 12 8d: and 128.11 :to ypreventgmarring of (the :floor breather-sup- ,portingisuriace.

.isame cross section the auxiliary legs H50 but are smaller zso-:;thatl=,t,hey fit zwithin the auxiliary -16gSl Hill. Both thaauXiliarylegsandextensions ia-re :apertured in a- :plurality f places-toreceive azithreaded-"bolt 1'10 having a wing nut l (-2 which gl-ocks a zclaimp f! M ('Figs; A18 and '19) against the leg :exten-sion --and leg to secure themgrigidly -in adjusted "connection; The auxiliary leg 'BXllZeIlsions are also provided with ;r ubb,er;;e' "3 id. I "Th-eahorizontaL-members 34a andiifiajareiextended by means of similar: members-34a and 36a which are secured to-the "legsiifia "by jjbridge clamps- 42 (land Ma. 'The membersj 3 6a, andfifie are 70011115012811 as shown; in EigsJ23 ,;an d 241by meansof a channelw'shaped,splicer i116 ;and,,.a clamping member ,I 18 similar Ito .those ,used securing the Jegsla lHLJeg extensions together. hr d vJ l-s eoedlholt .118 extends through th webs of T thespl-icer.,L'L5randithrougmtheiclamping member 113 while h-avin @i'DOrtionlo ped about theileg extension,lfifidito:securelysclamp the two jhorizontalportions together. ragai-ns the ,-1 g;;e;X-- tension under:theaeration-1of wingsznut 480. (I-The 9 horizontal members 34a and 34e are secured in the same fashion.

It is apparent that I have herein presented a curtain stretcher which is extremely light in weight and is adapted to secur curtains which are large compared with its over-all dimensions and which is readily foldabl-e so as to occupy a very small storage space. It is also apparent that my improved curtain stretcher is adapted to hold any size curtain up to about twice the size of the stretcher and has a minimum of adjusta'ble parts, some which automatically clamp in place upon the unfolding of the stretcher. The stretcher, although made of metal rather than the conventional wood, will not mar or otherwise harm surfaces about which it is placed and will not be affected by the dampness of a curtain being stretched, and the impaling pins are secured in the metal in such a manner that they cannot become loose with age, with the extension-sprovided a fabric piece of any practical size can be stretched. Although I have referred to the'stretcher throughout as constructed of metal, I contemplate that it could be formed of plastic sheet material.

'Although I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are for illustrative purposes, only, and that I intend my invention to include all that may fal1 fairly within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of horizontally spaced, upright frame members having relatively diverging legs, a pair of vertically adjustable horizontal metal frame members carried by said upright frame members, a ridge pole overlying the upper ends of said upright frame members and extending between and interconnecting said upright frame members, said ridge pole being formed of metal and substantially in the shape of an inverted U with said legs substantially tangent thereto whereby a curtain may be stretched across it without creasing the curtain, and rows of fastening devices disposed on some of said frame members for holding marginal portions of. a curtain upon the respective frame members.

2. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of horizontally spaced, upright frame members having relatively diverging legs, :a pair of vertically adjustable horizontal frame members of sheet material carried by said adjustable frame members, a ridge pole extending between and interconnecting said upright frame members "and overlying the upper ends thereof, said ridge pole being formed of sheet material and substantially in the shape of an inverted U with said legs substantially tangent thereto whereby a curtain may be stretched across it without creasing the curtain, and rows of fastening devices disposed on some of said frame members for holding marginal portions of a curtain upon the respective frame members.

3. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of horizontally spaced upright frame members, each such upright member including a pair of legs of sheet material hinged to securing members at foldable to and from each other, a ridge polehaving a longitudinal hollow portion and means secured to the top of said legs and fitting within the hollow portion of said ridge pole and actuated by folding said legs away from one another for securing said legs to said ridge pole.

5. In a curtain stretcher a pair of upright legs, asubstantially hollow ridge pole, lever means secured to the top of said legs and a locking member carried within the hollow portion of said ridge pole, said locking member being pulled into frictional engagement with said ridge pole by folding said legs away from one another to pre: elude movement of said legs longitudinally-of said ridge pole.

6. In a curtain stretcher, structure as defined in claim 5 in which a part of said hollow ridge pole is clamped between the locking member and the lever means.

7. In a curtain stretcher a pair of upright metal legs, a metal ridge pole in the form of an inverted U and having inturned flanges at its lower end, a metal locking member carried Within said ridge pole, and metal lever means secured to the top of said legs, said lever means acting on said locking member upon folding of said legs away from each other to clamp said inturned flanges between said locking member and said lever means.

8. A curtain stretcher comprising a pairof metal upright members, a pair of metal horizontal members, a metal ridge pole extending between said upright-members, said ridge pole being in the shape of an inverted U and having inturned flanges at the extremities thereof, means connecting said upright members to said ridge pole for relative horizontal adjustment to vary the spacing of said upright members, both of said horizontal members being adapted to hold the ends of a curtain to be stretched with the intermediate portion of the curtain folded over said ridge pole, fastening means on said upright members for securing the edges of the curtain to be secured, and adjustable means connecting said horizontal members to said upright members.

9. A curtain stretcher comprising a pair of metal upright members, a pair of metal horizontal members, a metal ridge pole extending between said upright members, said ridge pole being in the shape of an inverted U and having inturned longitudinal flanges, a locking member carried within said ridge pole and brought into friction-a1 engagement with said longitudinal flanges by folding of said upright members, said horizontal members being adapted to hold the ends of a curtain to be stretched with the intermediate portion of the curtain folded over said ridge pole, and fastening means on said upright members to secure the edges of the curtain to be stretched.

10. A curtain stretcher as set forth in claim 9 in which lever means are provided at the top of the upright members and actuate the locking members to clamp the longitudinal flanges between the locking member and the lever means upon unfolding said upright members.

1.1. ,A curtain stretcher comprising a. pair of horizontally spaced upright; metal frame. members, an upper metal ridge pole. extending: betweensaid upright;iramemembers, means interconnectingsaiduprightframemembers with said ridge pole to permitrelative. horizontal adjustment thereof, said means including pivotable means whereby said upright frame members. can befolded into. juxtaposition :with saidridge pole for.- storage, a pair ofhorizontal metal frame members extending between saidv upright frame members and adjustably and detachably secured thereto for the accommodationof different size curtains and for removal when said. curtain stretcher is to be stored, said. horizontalframe members-and said upright framemembers being adapted to secure edge portions of a curtain to be stretched.

.12..A. curtain. stretcher as .set forth. inv claim 11. in which clamping bridge;;means adjustably secure. the. horizontalframe members; to some .01 the. upright frame members to provide a smooth junction between said members.

13. A curtain stretcher comprising a plurality ofhorizontally spaced upright frame members including hingedly connected diverging legs, a plurality of additional members securable to said upright members to extend longitudinally therefrom, a plurality of top frame members extending between and interconnecting said upright frame members, said top frame members having adjacently disposed longitudinally hollow ends, means for securing said. top frame members to one another including a member. fitting within said hollow ends, a plurality of horizontal frame members spaced below said top frame members and carried by said upright frame members, means on at least some of said diverging legs for clamping said top frame members and said securing. member together upon diverging movement of those legs, and fastening devices disposed on 12 some of said frame members for holdingacurtaln upon the stretcher.

.141. A. curtain stretcher. comprising a: plurality of horizontally spaced upright frame members having; diverging legs, a plurality of .vertically-ad- 'justa'ble horizontal? metal frame: members carried by said. upright frame. members, a ridge pole extendingbetweenand interconnecting said upright frame members and entirely overlying. the upper ends thereof, said ridge pole being formed of metal. and presenting a. smooth. surface convex upwardly with said legs substantially tangent thereto whereby a curtain may be stretchedracross said ridge pole without creasing the curtain.v an extensible member for at lea-stone of said ridge poles, upright frame members, and. horizontal frame members, and means for securing said. extensiblemembers inv extendingposition.

I5. Acu-rtainstretcher as set forthin claim '14 in-which: the ridge pole, upright frame members, and horizontal. frame-members alllhavelongitudizally hollow ends,v the extensible member has. a longitudinally hollow end and the means for securing said extensible member includes a meme ber fitting within at least a. pair of, said hollow ends.

KENNETH J. UNWIN.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 593,387 Bayerdoerfer Nov. 9, 1897 839,969 Stanfield Jan. 1. 1907 925,210 Miller June 15, 1.909

1,050,017 Hansen. l .Jan. 7, 1913 1,645,245 Knittel. Oct. .11, 192'? 2,179,254 Dvorak Nov. '7, 193

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