US3231230A

US3231230A - Artist's easel

Info

Publication number: US3231230A
Application number: US275657A
Authority: US
Inventors: William J Mueller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-04-25
Filing date: 1963-04-25
Publication date: 1966-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1983-01-25

Description

Jan. 25, 1966 w. J. MUELLER ARTIST s EASEL Filed April 25, 1963 INVENTOR. W/LL I444 Ml/EZL El? BY f 2 flf/orn eys United States Patent 3,231,230 ARTISTS EASEL William J. Mueller, 1801 NW. 7th St., Rochester, Minn. Filed Apr. 25, 1963, er. No. 275,65"? 7 Claims. (El. 248-449) This invention relates generally to artists easels, and pertains more particularly to an easel that can be firmly held in place between the floor and ceiling of a room.

Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide an easel that is adjustable in length so that it can be retained in a vertical position by pressurally engaging its lower and upper ends against the floor and ceiling of any conventional room, even though one room may vary somewhat in height from another.

Another object of the invention is to provide an easel that can be quickly positioned or taken down as circumstances dictate. In other words, it is contemplated that in many instances one might wish to use the easel for only a few hours and then place the easel in temporary storage until needed again. An easel constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention has considerable versatility and such an objective is readily realized.

A further object of the invention is to provide an easel that will not be knocked over easily.

Since it is planned that the easel be moved about, another object is to provide an easel that is of lightweight construction. More specifically, the invention has for an aim the fabrication of the easel largely from extruded aluminum and to thereby render the over-all easel structure quite light in weight.

Inasmuch as it is envisioned that the easel will be made of soft ductile metal, the invention has for another object the preventing of damage to such relatively soft metal when making needed adjustments.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an independent adjustment of the brackets for holding the canvas or drawing paper.

Because an easel of the type envisaged will find especial utility when used in ones home, still a further object of the invention is to provide an easel that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, thereby encouraging its purchase by individuals. More particularly, the invention contemplates the use of certain duplicate parts which need not be fabricated with small clearances or close tolerances.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description, made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my easel shown in actual use, the drawing held thereby having been depicted in phantom outline, and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 22 for the purpose of illustrating how the telscoping members can be readily clamped into an adjusted position;

Referring now in detail to the drawing, the easel that has been selected for exemplifying the invention has been designated in its entirety by the reference numeral 10. Fragmentarily pictured is a floor 12 and a ceiling 14 of a typical room in which the easel is apt to be used.

The easel 10 includes a front or central tubular member 16 having a rectangular eross-section. Telescopically received in the opposite end of the first or central tubular member 16 are additional tubular members 18 which are identical to each other. The tubular members 16 and 13 are preferably of extruded aluminum which is readily obtainable.

3,231,230 Patented Jan. 25, 1966 It is to be noted that the tubular members 18 each have a ribbed pressure plate 20 of identical construction and which are provided with a socket 22 so that a set screw threadedly carried by the socket 22 can abut the end of the particular member 18 that the pressure plate 20 is to be affixed to. A resilient pad 26 of compressible material, such as foam rubber or polyurethane, is suitably cemented to each pressure plate 20. It is highly important that some compressible material be attached to the pressure plates 20 so that the easel 10 can be more firmly held between the floor 12 and the ceiling 14.

Although in an inverted relationship with respect to each other, the easel 10 further comprises a pair of identical clamping sleeves 28. These sleeves are formed with a bore portion 30 of somewhat larger cross-section than that of the first or central tubular member 16. A cavity or recess 32 is formed at one side of the bore portion 30 and is of a size so as to accommodate at least a. portion of a pressure plate or disc 34. Through the agency of a threaded set screw 36 having a screwdriver slot 38 it will be appreciated that the plate or disc 34 will be forced against the first or central tubular member 16 so as to retain the clamping sleeve 28 in a fixed relationship therewith. This action with respect to the uper clamping sleeve 28 can be easily discerned from FIGURE 2; of course, the same action occurs with respect to the lower sleeve 28.

The sleeves 28 also include smaller cross-sectional bore pontions 40 which are of a size to accommodate the additional tubular members 18 forming respective shoulders at 41 in each instance. As with the bore portions 30 of the sleeves, the bore portions 4% also contain a cavity or recess, the cavity or recess in this instance bearing the reference numeral 42. A pressure plate or disc 44 similar to the previously-mentioned plates or discs 34 is employed in conjunction with each sleeve and a set screw 46 having a knurled head 48 thereon is utilized for forcing each plate or disc 44 against the tubular member 18 in a manner similar to that in which the plate or disc 34 is forced against the tubular member 16.

At this time, attention is called to a pair of brackets 50, which can also be identical, each having a sleeve 52 with a bore 54 extending therethrough of a size so as to accommodate the tubular member 16. Here again, a cavity or recess 56 is formed in each of the sleves 52 for at least the partial reception of a pressure plate or disc 58. A set screw 60 having a knurled head 62 thereon permits the plate 58 to be forced against the tubular member 16, just as is the situation with respect to the

members

34 and 44 that have already been mentioned.

Describing further the brackets 51), it is to be observed that each bracket has what will be termed an L-shaped member 64 appropriately secured thereto, as by welding or soldering. Although any suitable material might be utilized, a wooden jaw element 66 has been shown attached to the L-shaped member 64 in each instance by means of screws 68 (see FIGURE 2). Each of the jaw elements 66 is formed with a rather shallow notch '70 forming a sloping clamping surface. The deepest portion of the notches 79 have i-mbedded therein suitable teeth or prongs 72 for holding the canvas or drawing paper constituting the picture being worked upon. This picture has :been shown in phantom outline and has been assigned the reference numeral 74.

Having presented the foregoing information, the use of my easel 10 should be readily understood. Initially, the ribbed pressure plates 20 are attached to the remote ends of the pair of tubular rnenrbers 13, this being by means of the set screws 24. Before inserting the other ends of the tubular members 18 into the first or central tubular member 16, the person assembling the easel 1i) would first clamp the two clamping sleeves 28 to the opposite ends of the tubular member 16, using the pressure plates or discs 34 and the set screws 3d. It is then that said opposite ends of the tubular members 13 should be inserted into the opposite ends of the first or central tubular member 16, the ends of the members 18 passing through the smaller bore portions 4% of the clamping sleeves 28.

Having done this, either of the tubular members lit can be clamped with the proper length thereof extending from the lower and upper ends of the first or central tubular member 16. Stated somewhat diiferently, the amount that the tubular members 18 project will be to whatever degree is necessary to assure that the resilent pads 26 will be pressed tightly against the floor 12 and the ceiling 14. It is not necessary to equalize the amount that either tubular member 18 projects, for all that is necessary is that the over-all length of the easel be such that pressure will be exerted against the floor 12 and the ceiling 14 in order to firmly retain the easel 1G in a vertical position.

With the easel ltl disposed between the floor 12 and the ceiling 14, the next step to be penform'ed is adjusting the brackets 50 at the proper working height for the artist and also with the proper amount of spacing for the height of the particular picture 74 that is to be clamped between the jaw elements 65. This is easily accomplished through the agency of the set screws 60, suificient tightening of these set screws causing the pressure plates or discs 58 to bear against the first or central tubular member 16 so as to assure retention of the picture 74 at the desired elevation.

It should be recognized from the foregoing description and also FIGURE 2 of the drawing that the invention does not require close tolerances or clearances with respect to the various parts that are to be clamped together. To empasize this, which is important from a manufacturing standpoint, considerable clearance has been shown between the first or central tubular member 16 and the sides of the bore portion of the upper clamping sleeve 28, the same relationship existing with respect to the lower sleeve 28. Similarly, it will be discerned that an appreciable amount of clearance can exist between the tubular members 18 and the respective bore portions of the clamping sleeves 28. Likewise, the sleeve 52 of each bracket may have its bore 54 appreciably larger than the outer dimensions of the first or central tubular member 16. In each of these situations, the clamping action that has been afforded is such that close clearances or tolerances need not be pro vided in order to achieve a firm clamping action.

Assuming that the easel 1% is to be taken down and placed in storage, it is only necessary that either the upper or lower set screw 46 be loosened, the particular knurled head 48 easily permitting this. With either of the set screws 46 loosened sufliciently, the particular tubular member 18 that has been clamped in place by virtue of the clamping action afforded by the particular set screw will then be free to be moved farther into the first or central tubular member 16. Such movement, which can be only a small amount of movement, relaxes the pressure being applied by the pads 26 and the easel 10 can then be easily stored.

If complete disassembly is needed, such as when a person is desirous of transporting the easel from his home to an art class, then the tubular members 18 can be completely telescoped within the confines of the tubular member 16. If a further kocking down is necessary, the parts can all be removed and then reassembled when the artists destination is reached. Thus, considerable choice is provided the user of the easel 10.

From a manufacturing standpoint, it is important to appreciate that the following parts are duplicated when employing the teachings of the invention: 13, 2%, 28 and 50 It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed:

3. An artists easel comprising:

(a) a first elongated member;

(b) second and third elongated members telescopical- 1y adjust-able wi h respect to the opposite ends of said first member;

(c) a pad member affixed to each of the remote ends of said second and third elongated members for engaging the floor and ceiling of a room when said second and third members are properly adjusted;

(d) a pair of picture retaining brackets carried by said first elongated member; and

(e) means for adjusting at least one of said brackets relative to the other for the accommodation of different size pictures.

2. An artists easel in accordance with claim 1 including:

(a) a layer of resilient material secured to each of said pad members.

3. An artists easel in accordance with claim 1 in which:

(a) said first elongated member is of tubular configuration and said second and third elongated members are telescopically received in the opposite ends thereof.

4. An artists easel in accordance with claim 3 in which each bracket includes:

(a) a sleeve member slidably surrounding said first elongated member, and

(b) a set screw associated with each sleeve for clamping its respective bracket at a desired height.

5. An artists easel in accordance with claim 4 in which:

(a) the upper bracket includes a tray having an upwardly sloping portion;

(b) the lower bracket includes a tray having a downwardly sloping portion;

(0) a plurality of downwardly projecting elements on said upper tray; and

(d) a plurality of upwardly projecting elements on said lower tray,

(e) whereby the picture is securely retained by said trays and projecting elements.

6. An artists easel comprising:

(a) a first tubular member having a rectangular crosssection;

(b) second and third tubular members telescopically received in the opposite ends of said first member, said second and third members also having a rectangular cross-section but of reduced dimensions;

(c) a pad atfixed to the projecting ends of each of said second and third tubular members;

(d) compressible foam material on each pad for contacting the floor and ceiling of a room;

(e) a pair of clamping sleeves having bore portions at one end of a size to accommodate the end portions of said first member and bore portions at the other end of a size to accommodate the end portions, respectively, of said second and third members and there being a shoulder between said bore portions in each instance;

(f) a first set screw threadedly carried by the one end portion of each sleeve for clam-ping said sleeves to said first member;

(g) a second set screw threadedly carried by the other portion of each sleeve for clamping said second and third members in an adjusted relation with said first member;

(h) a second pair of clamping sleeves of a size to embrace said first member;

(i) a set screw threadedly carried by each of said sec ond pair of sleeves for clamping said second sleeves 5 6 to selected intermediate portions of said first mem- References Cited by the Examiner bar; and UNITED STATES PATENTS (j) a picture engaging tray aifixed to each of said second pair of sleeves for retaining said picture therebe- 719146 1/1903 f at 248*188'5 X tween when said second pair of sleeves have been 5 1961335 5/1913 Smith 248-33 properly positioned on said first member. 16681140 5/1928 Buchhmt 248-466 X 7. An artists easel in accordance with claim 6 in which: 2837305 6/1958 Andren 248 148 X (a) each second sleeve is provided with an internal re- 3,001,754 9/1961 Fowler 248 357 cess with which the inner ends of the set screws car- FOREIGN PATENTS ried by said second sleeves cooperate, and 10 (b) a plate element contained in each of said recesses, 946,527 8/1956 Germany (c) whereby said inner ends of the set screws will bear against one face of said plate elements to force the CLAUDE LE Prlma'y Exammer' other face thereof against said respective members. FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner.

Claims

1. AN ARTIST''S EASEL COMPRISING: (A) A FIRST ELONGATED MEMBER; (B) SECOND AND THIRD ELONGATED MEMBERS TELESCOPICALLY ADJUSTABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID FIRST MEMBER; (C) A PAD MEMBER AFFIXED TO EACH OF THE REMOTE ENDS OF SAID SECOND AND THRID ELONGATED MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING THE FLOOR AND CEILING OF A ROOM WHEN SAID SECOND AND THIRD MEMBERS ARE PROPERLY ADJUSTED; (D) A PAIR OF PICTURE RETAINING BRACKETS CARRIED BY SAID FIRST ELONGATED MEMBER; AND (E) MEANS FOR ADJUSTING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID BRACKETS RELATIVE TO THE OTHER FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF DIFFERENT SIZE PICTURES.