US701014A - Curtain-stretcher. - Google Patents

Description

N0. 70|,0I4- Patented May 27, |902.

C. G. CARLSON.

CURTAIN STBETGHEB.

(Application led Dec. 9, 1901.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheas-Sheet l. a l) W -Ma .y/

np/ *a \f k H FL EN `I are E p. Q m f\ P Q E) maf/fw N0. 701,0l4. Patented May 27, |902.

C. G. CARLSON.

CURTAIN STHETCHER.

(Application filed Dec. 9, 1901.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,

UNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES G. CARLSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CURTAIN-STRETOHER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N o. 701,014, dated May 27, 1902. Application filed December 9,1901. Serial N9. 85,159. (No model.)

1'0 aM whom, it may concern:

Beit known that l, CHARLES G. CARLSON, acitizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and VState of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ourtain-Stretchers, of which the following is a specication.

The invention relates to that class of curtain-stretchers having divided side bars or rails adapted to fold edgewise at the joint, with end bars or rails attached to the side bars or rails at the corners by means of suitable clamping-bolts, so as to be adjustable for changing the length and width of the stretcher, and having a central cross bar or brace for giving rigidity to the side bars or rails at the joint and preventing the inward curving or bending of the side bars or rails in use.

The objects of the invention are to simplify and improve the connection of the side bars or rails at the joint, so as to enable the side bars or rails to be folded each on itself edgewise readily and quickly and so as to permit of the folding of the side bars or rails onto the cross-bar one over the other and placing on the folded side bars or rails the end bars or rails, making a compact folding of the stretcher or frame for shipment or storing away when out of use; to improve the plate connecting the divided side bars or rails at the joint and forming the abutting ends of the sections or divisions of each side bar or rail, so as to permit of the folding together edge- Wise of the sections or divisions, and When unfolded have the joint at the division-line rrn and strong; to furnisha pivotal connection for the abutting ends of the divided side bars or rails through the connecting and stiffening plate which will enable one of the side bars or :rails to be elevated Without breaking the pivotal connection for the passing thereunder of the sections of the other side bar or rail in' folding the stretcher into a small compass, and to improve generally the construction and operation of the curtain-stretcher as a Whole.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top or plan view showing the stretcher open in condition for use; Fig. 2, an edge elevation of the stretcher vopen as in Fig. 1;' Fig. 3, a top or plan view showing the divided side bars or rails partially folded one underneath the other on top of the cross-brace or stiifeningbar; Fig. 4, a top or plan viewwith the divided side bars or rails completely folded one under the other on top of the cross-brace or stiifening-rod; Fig. 5, a top or plan view with the end bars or rails placed on the folded side bars or rails and held in place by the corner clamping-bolts Fig. 6, a side elevation of the folded curtain-stretcher frame with the parts together as in Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 an end elevation of the folded frame with the parts together as in Fig. 5.

The curtain-stretcher has the side bars or rails A and A', divided at the center, each section or division of each bar or rail being of equal length, and each bar or rail at its end in the arrangement shown has a slot a, permitting of the endwise adjustment of the end bars or rails. The end bars or rails B each have a longitudinal slot b in one end, and the other end is provided with a hole b', as shown, suitable for the passage of the clamping-bolts. A clamping-bolt C is provided for the crossing corners of the side bars or rails.

and the end bars or rails, the clamping-bolt at tWo of the corners passing through the slots c and b of the side bar or rail and the end bars or rails and at the, other corners passing through the slots of the side bar or rail and the'hole in the end of each-end bar or rail.

*Each clamping-bolt has a winged nut, with thumb or nger pieces or Win gs c and a broad base c', so that by tightening the Winged nuts the clamping-bolts will operate and firmly unite the crossing corners of the bars or rails. A cross-brace or stiEening-bar D of a length corresponding to the length of the end bars Yor rails extends from side rail to side rail,

overlapping the joint of each bar or rail at the abutting ends of its sections, and this cross-brace or stiffening-barhas in one end a slot d and in the opposite end a hole (not shown) for the passage ofthe clamping-bolts which unite the cross-brace or stiening-bar to the side bars or rails. The cross-brace or stiffening-bar is on the under side of the side bars .or rails, overlapping the joints at the abutting ends, and on the opposite face of each side bar or rail is a stiffening-plate E,

IOO

having its side edges 'e turned so as to overlap the edge of the side bar or rail and furnish a bearing on top and each side of the bar or rail at the joint of the abutting ends. A 'clamping-bolt F passes through the slot d of the cross-brace or stiening-bar and through the hole between the abutting ends of the side bar or rail A, formed by semicircular recesses a2 inthe end face of the abutting ends, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and this clampingbolt is of a greater length than the united depth of the thicknesses of the sections of the side bars or rails when folded together, so as to allow the side bar or rail A to be raised or lifted above the face of the cross-braceor stiifening-bar asufticient distance to leave a space in which to enter the sections of the sidebar or rail Al in folding the frame. A clamping-bolt F passes through the hole therefor in the end of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar and through a hole formed in the abutting ends of the sections of the side bar or rail A by semicircular recesses a2 in the face of the abutting ends, the same as described for the abutting ends of the side bar or rail A for the passage of the clamping-bolt F of said bar, and this clamping-bolt F is of a sufficient length to pass through the end of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar and the side bar or rail, and the clamping-bolt projects the required distance for receiving a tightening-nut and permit of the withdrawal of the nut the distance required for raising the stiffening-plate, so as to have its side edges or flanges c clear the face of the side bar or rail, and allows the sections of the side bar or rail to be turned edgewise toward each other, and this is also true of the clampingbolt F so far as concerns the release of its nut to raise the stiening-plate for its side edges or flanges to clear the face of the side bar-or rail A and permit the folding of the sections of the side bar or rail edgewise on themselves inwardly in addition to the length required for the bolt F to permit of the raising or lifting of the side bar or rail A to leave the space for the admission of the side bar or rail A in folding the frame. Each clampingbolt F and F has a winged nut, with side pieces or wingsjc and a centerf, which when the nut is down to place abuts against a boss or raised portion e' on the face of each stiffening-plate, so as to give a solid bearing for the clamping-bolts in tightening the cross brace or stiffenin g-bar to the side bars or rails.

The stifening-plate E for the side bar or rail `A has depending from its under side near each end a pivot or pin G, and each pin or pivot G passes through the abutting ends of the sections of the sidebar or rail and furnishes a pivotalconnection between the stiffening-plate andthe abutting ends of the side bar or rail, t

permitting the sections of the side bar or rail to fold and unfold edgewise in closing and opening the side bar or rail. These pins or pivots G each haveA a head g and each is of a length to allow of the raising or lifting of the stiifenin-g-plate above the face of the bar or rail and leave a space of a depth to clear the thickness of the plate and its edge from the face of the bar or rail for folding edgewise, and the heads g prevent the entire withdrawal of the pins or pivots in raising or lifting the two sections of the side bar or rail A for the entrance between the side bar or rail and the cross-brace or stiffening-bar of the sections of the divided bar or rail A when folded edgewise. The stiffening-plate E for the joint of the divided side bar or rail A has at each end a depending pin or pivot G', similar to the pins or pivots` G, except being shorter and having no heads, the heads being unnecessary for the pins or pivots G', as it is not required to raise the abutting ends of theside bar or rail in folding the sections thereof onto the cross-brace or sti ffening-bar. The side bars or rails and the end bars or rails each have on the inner edge a rabbeted or depressed portion 72 through which in the construction shown from the under side are driven the retaining-pins t' for the attachment of the curtain or other article to be placed on the frame when extended.

The curtain-stretcher in use has the side bars or rails A and A extended and the end bars or rails attached thereto at the crossing corners by the clamping-bolts and the crossbrace or stiffening-bars attached over the joints at the abutting ends of the side bars or rails, and the side bars or rails and the end bars or rails are adjusted through the medium of the slots in their ends, so as to set the frame for the size of the curtain or other article to be placed on the stretcher. The frame is folded into a compact form by removing the nuts of the corner clampingbolts and withdrawing such bolts, so as to detach the end bars or rails. nuts of the bolts F and F are loosened or receded a sufficient distance for the lifting or raising of the respective.stiffening-plates over the joints of the divided side bars or rails, the nut of the bolt F being receded so as to permit of the lifting or raising of the side bar or rail A a sufficient distance to enter ybetween the sections of said bar or rail, when folded edgewise on itself, the sections of the side-bar or rail A' which fold over the crossbrace or stiffening-bar. The sections of the bar or rail A are folded edgewise inwardly, turning on the pins or pivots of the stiifeningplate to overlie the cross-brace or stiffeningbar, and the sections of the side bar or rail A are folded edgewise inwardly over the sections of the side bar or rail A', turning on the pins or pivots of the stiffening-plate of such bar to pass over the sections of the divided bar or rail A' for their free ends to pass over the stiffening-plate of the bar or rail A. The manner of folding the sections of the side bars or rails is shown in Fig. 3, and in'order to permit of the close folding of the sections of the'bar or rail A the inner edge of the sections on the inside are each cut out, so as to The clamping- IOO IIO

leave an edgewise depression as, which permits the free ends to clear the head of the winged nut for the sections to lie parallel with and over the sections of the bar or rail A', as shown in Fig. 4, in which figure the side bars or rails are completely folded for the sections of the bar or rail A to lie on the cross-brace or stiifening-bar and the sections of the bar or rail A to overlie the sections of the bar or rail A', making a package of a length equal to the length of the section of the bar or rail and of a width slightly greater than twice the width of the bar or rail. The end bars or rails are placed in position one over each section of the side bars or rails, and the corner clamping-bolts C are passed through the slot a of a section of the side bar or rail A and through the slot Z) of the end bar or rail and the clamping or Winged nuts threaded onto the ends of the clamping-bolts, securing the end bars or rails on the folded side bars or rails, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, making a close and compact bundle or package which can be stored away without occupying much room and which is in the best possible shape for transportation or shipment. The side bars or rails folded edgewise inwardly bring the retaining-pins on the inside, where they will be protected, and in placing the end bars or rails in position the bars or rails are turned to have their under face on top, which brings the retaining-pins of such bars or rails downwardly on the inside, so that when in a folded condition the retaining-pins are all on the inside and fully guarded and protected against injury. The stiffening plates when the stretcher has its frame folded lie crosswise of their respective folded side bars or rails, with the turned edges or flanges resting on the face of the bars or rails, as shown in Fig. 7, and preferably the length of each stiening-plate is approximately the same as the width of the side bars or rails when folded, so as to leave but little, if any, projecting ends of the stiffening-plates, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The turning or folding of the sections of each side bar or rail inwardly edgewise is permitted by rounding the inner corners of the abutting ends of the sections of the bar or rail, so as to leave a curved corner a. for the folding and unfolding of the sections, and

when opened out the abutting ends contact f each other on their straight portions, so that when the stiifening-plate is brought down to position a firm and solid joint is formed, and the folding and unfolding movement is attained through the pins or pivots depending from the stiening-plates and passing down between the abutting ends of the bar or rail sections.

The construction is very simple, the stiening-plates, with their depending pins or pivots, furnishing a means for giving rigidity to the joint between the abutting ends of the side bars or rails and also forming a pivotal connection for folding and unfolding the sections. The lengthening of one of the clamping-bolts for attaching the cross-brace or stiffening-bar to the side bar or rail enables the side bar or rail to be raisedfor its sections to overlie the sections of the otherV bar or rail when the bars or rails are folded edge- Wise inwardly, and this raising or lifting without detachment is permitted by the stops on the pins or pivots of the sti'lfening-plate for the bar or rail to be raised. The frame can be quickly and easily brought into condition to be folded, requiring only the removal of the corner clamping-bolts and the Withdrawal of the end bars or rails, loosening the clamping-bolts for the cross-brace or lstiffening-bar, raising one of the side bars or rails, folding the sections of the side bars or rails edgewise inwardly to overlie each other on the cross-brace or stiifening-bar, placing the end bars or rails bottom upward on the folded sections of the side bars or rails, passing the corner clamping-bolts through the slots of one of the side bars or rails and the end bars or rails, and applying and setting down the nuts of the clamping-bolts, and when folded, if desired, for shipment the folded frame can be secured against displacement or movement edgewise of the bars or rails by tying bands or cords or otherwise. The construction is one which enables the frame to be folded up for shipment or storing away and to be readily unfolded and extended for use, and to unfold and extend the frame for use it is only necessary to withdraw the nuts of the corner clamping-bolts, `remove such bolts from the slots, take away the end bars or rails, open out or extend the sections of the side bars or rails, place the end bars or rails underneath the ends of the opened side bars or rails, pass the corner-bolts through the slots, apply the nuts, adjust the bars to the desired position, and tighten the clamping-bolts for the corners andthe clampingbolts for the cross-brace-or stiening-bar, making the frame in its extended position rigid and firm for the reception of the curtains or other articles.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure `by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a curtain-stretcher, the combination of divided side bars or rails edgewise folding a stiffening-plate for the joint of each side bar or rail overlapping the abutting ends of the bar or rail sections on each side of the joint, depending pins or pivots for each stiening-plate, one pin or pivot at each end of the plate, the pins or pivots of one plate having a greater length than the thickness 'of the bar or rail and each provided with a stop on its lower end, a cross-brace or stiffening bar extending from side bar or rail to side bar or rail and crossing the bars or rails at the joints on the opposite face of the bar or rail to the stiffening-plate, clamping-boltsone for each end of the cross-brace or stiifening-bar, passing through the cross-brace or stiifening bar, between the abutting ends of the sections of the side bar or rail, and through the stiening plate one bolt having a greater length than the combined thickness of the cross-brace or stiifening-bar and the two side bars or rails when folded, and tighteningnnts for the clamping-bolts, substantially as described.

2. In a curtain-stretcher, the combination of divided side bars or rails edgewise folding a stilfening-plate for the joint of each side bar or rail overlapping the abutting ends of the bar or rail sections on each side of the joint and having on each side depending edges or flanges engaging the side faces of the bar or rail, depending pins or pivots for each stiffening-plate, one pin or pivot at each end of the plate the pins or pivots of one plate having a greater length than the thickness of the bar or rail and each provided with a head, a cross-brace or stiening-bar extending from side bar or rail to side bar or rail-and crossing the bars or rails at the joints on the opposite face of the -bar or rail to the stilfeningplate, clamping-bolts, one for each end of the cross-brace or stiening-bar, passing through the cross-brace or stiening-bar, between the abutting ends of the sections of the side bar or rail, and through the stiifening-plate, one bolt having a greater length than the combined thickness of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar and the two side bars or rails when folded, tightening-nuts for the clam pin g-bolts of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar, end bars or rails, and clamping-bolts for the crossing corners of the side bars or rails and the end bars or rails, substantially as described.

3. In a curtain-stretcher, the combination of divided side bars or rails ed gewise folding, each bar or rail at its abutting end having a rounded inner corner and a semicircnlar reing from side bar or rail to side bar or rail and crossing the bars or rails at the joints on the opposite side of each bar or rail to the stiffening-plate, clamping-bolts one for each end of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar passing through the cross-brace or stiifening-bar and the semicircular recesses in the abutting ends of the sections of the side bar or rail and through the stiEfening-plate, and tighteningnuts for the clamping-bolts, substantially as described.

4. In a curtain-stretcher, the combination of divided side bars or rails edgewise folding each section of each bar or rail at the abutting ends having a rounded inner corner, a stiftening-plate for thejoint of each side bar or rail overlapping the abutting ends of the bar or rail sections on each side of the joint and having on each side depending edges or iianges engaging the side faces of the bar or rail, depending pins or pivots at each end of the plate, the pins or pivots furnishing a pivotal connection between the sections ofthe divided side bar or rail, permitting, in conjunction with the rounded inner corners at the abutting ends of the sections, the edgewise folding of the sections of the divided bar or rail, a cross-brace or stiffening-bar extending from side bar or rail to side bar or rail and crossing the bars or rails at the joints on the opposite side of each bar or rail to the stiffening-plate, and clamping-bolts, one for each end of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar, passing through the cross-brace or stiffening-bar, between the abutting ends of the sections of the side bar or rail, and through the stiifening-plate, for drawing together the cross-brace or stiffeningbar and the abutting ends of the side bar or rail and forcing the stiIfening-plate against the face of the bar or rail on each side of the joint, substantially as described.

5. In a curtain-stretcher, the combination of divided side bars or rails edgewise folding, each bar or rail at its abutting end having a rounded inner corner, a stiening-plate for the joint of each bar or rail overlapping the abutting ends of the bar or rail sections `on eachside of the joint, depending pins or pivots for the stiffening-plate, one pin or pivot at each end of the plate and the pins or pivots of one plate having a greater length than the thickness of the bar or rail and each provided with a stop on its lower end, a crossbrace or stiffening-bar extending from side bar or rail to side bar or rail and crossing the bars or rails at the joints on the opposite face of the baror rail to thestiffeningplate,clamp ing-bolts, one for each end of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar, passing through the crossbrace or stiffening-bar between the abutting ends of the sections of the side bar or rail and through the stiffening-plate, one bolt having a greater length than the thickness of the cross-brace or stiifening-bar and the two side bars or rails when folded, tightening-nuts for the clam ping-bolts of the cross-brace or stiffening-bar, detachable end bars or rails and removable clamping-bolts for the crossing corners of the side bars or rails and the end bars or rails, for folding the divided side bars or rails edgewise one over the other and on the cross-brace or stiffening-bar and placing the end bars or rails on the folded sections of the side bars or rails and thereby folding the stretcher, as a whole, in a compact form for shipment and storing away with the retaining-pins protected,substantially as described.

CHARLES G. CARLSON. Witnesses:

OSCAR W. BOND, SAMUEL W. BANNING.

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