USRE16434E - Stretching apparatus - Google Patents

Description

sq. as, 1926.

' imam: or msacnusarrs ,3 i m m present invention relates to devices foruse in holding, stretching and drying skins and the furs of fur-bearing ani- Innis, particularly smallfur-bearlng animals l ss a preliminary step in subsequent use and cam in the making of garments. i In stretching devices of this general type, numerous attempts have been made to mode; wire or metal frame on WhlCll the skin could bestretched,but such PIIOI' have been unsatisfactory in actual of the difllculty in handling time requiredto apply, attach, hold the pelt, imiury resulting to the fvthe pelt, similar ob ect1ons, so V a: actual use, it is'preferable to employ BBl'iBOf of boards, on which the pelts applied, stretched and tacked in shape.

' present invntion'is directed tovobiflicultics of prior wire or metal appliances and to be as acceptapable in actual use to-the present notice of using the boards,'while also elimthe danger and injury to the pelts entirely away with tacks or other meanswhith will in any way deteor 'damage'the fur.

'We have combined a spring form of metal holder and stretcher, attaching and adjustable apparatus which enables" great D of operation, afiords rigidity and umon the skins while drying, is I: eapableof'ia wide range of "ad ustability and "i preQcan ,handle' small andlarge S s the limit of its length, and permitsa of the res and novbe hereinafter pointed claimed; y

Be drawings, illustrating a mtodimeatorem-iavenfien, is a plan viewef improved illustrating a skin of subfly the largmt length and capacity for apparatus is adapted;

* 2 is a "side view of the 'apparatus;

. Figgigl ls across-sectional view on the line g 1' tio nal view on the line isfan' enlarged side view of the adams-bar, a

STATES Bu OLOFBSON AND 3303 L; OLOFSSON, OI BOSTON, MASS- LSSIGIORS TO KAKAS BROS, 1:80., OE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

PATENT OFFICE.

STB-BTO'HING APPARATUS.

dated lay 20, 1924, Serial No. 544,853,1fled March 18, 1922. Application for reissue filed February 24, 1925. Serial 10. 11,884.

In carrying out our invention any suitable length of metal and diameter of the same can be employed. Preferably we would provide a set of three or possibly four frames of varying sizes to take care of the entire range of skins and pelts for any particular work, each one of these frames bein capable'in itself to handle, hold and stretch a considerable range of pelts. We also prefer to use a round spring wire, forming the same as illustrated in Fig. 1, with the sides 1 and 2 springing from the apex 3, and in a curved form with the shorter arm 2 formed with an eye-loop 4 and the longer arm 1 having its endmost portion bent transversely as shown at 5, passing through the loop 4 in the short arm 2 and ending in a short upturned end 6 which acts as a stop and partly as a handle. these sides 1 and 2 are'provided with a series of notches as indicated at 10. 10; These notches may be formed in any suitable manmin, but preferably are simply recesses filed or formed on the inner surfaces of the side arms 1 and 2, substantially as shown.

Applied to the sides 1 and 2 is a slidin cross-bar 12 having thereon means to hold and retain the tail portion of the pelt to eflect the longitudinal stretching and also having means to lock the cross bar 12 in adjusted position, both longitudinally and cross-wise with relation to the sides 1 and 2. For this purpose the cross-bar 12 has formed therein slots 13 and 14 of substantial length and sufficient diameter tdspan'the sidesl and 2, to slide freely thereover. In order to The inner surfaces of I notches 20 of appropriate form and diameter to catch over the sides 1 and 2 and engage the notches 10, holding the sides 1 and 2 both extended to the limit of the'stretching capacity of the pelt 21 being applied, while also holding the same stretched longitudinally, as will be readily appreciated. These'locking levers are also fitted with a small finger clip or catch 22 to facilitate releasing or raising the levers and remove the use of a board where tacks were employed the fur was injured but slightly, but in our invention we have devised a novel fastening mam which does not perforate the fur in any way which will. hold it securely, firmly v and rigidly, and enable the entire skin to be stretched longitudinally when applied to the frame. This fastening device comprises a channel or U-shaped member adapted to tially enclose the crossbar 12 when the astener 25 is moved downwardly into fur engaging position, thus clamping the fur firmly and in an S-shaped path around the of the cross-bar 12. This clamping member25 has a pair of rearwardly extendilng h1gs26 and 27 pivoted to the crom-bar 12 at 28; and at the forward part is formed to receive a notched catch 30, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, a portion of the channel or arm of one side being removed to constitute the cooperating catch engaging member 33. This catch 30 is preferably pivoted at to the cross-bar 112 as also clearly illustrated in Fi s. 3 and 5.

n the operation of our improved stretching frame, the operator holds the same by the curved or bottom portions, viewing Fig. 1, fits the pelt 21 over the apex 3 and pulls the pelt into approximate position, thereupon attaching the crow-bar to the tail 36 of the poll; 21, clamping the tail piece firmly to the cross-bar by swinging the fastener 25- downwardlry and retaining the same in positiam by engaging the catch 30, so that the teetlrtherein will engage and hold the end portion 33 oi the fastener 25f Thereupon 'thedperitor expands the sides 1 and 2 and simultaneously moves the cross-bar 12 rearwndly tomob: the pelt longitudinally,

and when in desired adjusted position, the

operator snaps downwardly the arms 18 and 19 which engage the sides 1 and 2 in the adjacent notches 10, thus holding the pelt and frame in extreme stretched position to which the same has been adjusted, both widthwise and lengthwise. The peculiar configuration of the fastener 25 cooperating with the-crossbar 12 giving a firm, rigid and yet non-mming grip on the tail of the pelt while holding the some in stretched position and yet can be instantly released sitar the pelt is cured and it is desired to remove the same. Similarly the locking arms 18 and 19 can be (prickly lifted by engagement with the finger clips 22 and the tension from the pelt instantly released both cross-wise and longitudinally.

In using our im roved frame a pel t can be applied as quic ly as has been possible on tapered boards, can be secured thereto much more rigidly, is useful in supplying a constant spring, tension capable of contraction with the drying of the pelt, and is'ca pablc also of a wide range of sizes. and furtheremore the entire frame can be cleaned, steamed, sterilized or the like without in.- jury, if desired. For this purpose we desire to make the frame of non-corrosive spring metal of any suitable composition, construction, strength and size. M .7

Our invention is further described and delined in the form of claims as follows:

L A skin stretching frame of the kind. described, comprising movable side arms united at an apex, a. crossbar sliclable upon said side arms, and capable of being locked thereto, in combination with means on said; cross-bar to hold and secure a portion of a pelt applied to the frame, the means on the cross-bar to lock the same to said sidearms comprising a pair of pivoted notched lockmg arms. 7

2. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising side arms movable toward and away from each other aboutone end portion, thereof, a, cross-bar assembled with said side arms for holding said'arms apart and being slidable relatively to said arms both longitudinally thereof and crosswise thereto, side arm engaging means assembled with said cross-bar for locking said crossbar to said arms in adjusted position, and means on said cross-bar for securing a skin thereto.

3. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising a rod bent to form a sub; stantial'ly V-shaped frame having side arms movable toward and away from each other about the apex of said V, a cross bar assembled with said side arms for holding said arms apart and being slidable relatively to said arms both longitudinally thereof and crosswise, thereto, side arm eng ng moans assembled with said cross-bar locking said cross-bar to said. arms in adjusted position, and means on said cross-bar ing a skin thereto.

4. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising side arms movable toward and away from each other about one end portion thereof, a cross-bar assembled with said side arms for holding said arms apart, said cross-bar being slidahly adjustfor securable relatively to both said arms longtudinally thereof and slidahly adjustable crosswise relatively to at least one arm, side arm engaging means assembled with said cross-bar for locking said cross-bar to said armsin ad'usted position, and means on said cross-bar or securing a skin thereto.

5. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising a rod bent to form a substantially V-shaped frame having side movable toward and away from each other about the a of said V, a cross-bar assembled with sai side arms for holding said arms apart, said cross-bar while assembled with'sald side arms being adjustable both relatively to both said arms longitudinally thereof and crosswise relatively to at least one arm, side arm engaging means assembled with said cross-bar for locking said crossbar to said arms in adjusted position, and means on said cross-barfor securing a 7 thereto.

6. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising side arms movable toward and away from each other about one end portion thereof, a cross-bar assembled with said side arms for holding said arms apart, said crossbar being slotted for permitting said arms to pass through said bar and for permitting said bar while assembled with said side arms to be adjusted relatively to said arms both longitudinally thereof and crosswise thereto, and side arm enmeans carried by said cross-bar for oc'g said bar to said arms in adjusted tion.

7. A. skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising side arms movable to "ward and away from each other, a cross-bar member assembled with said side arms for holding said arms apart, said cross-bar memher being slotted for permitting said arms to pass therethrough and for permitting said cross-bar member to be adjusted relatively to said side arms both longitudinally thereof and crosswise thereto, means carried by said cross-bar member for looking it to said arms in adjusted positions comprising a side arm ing member on said cross-bar member movfixle relativel thereto and notches formed on said si e arm for engaging one of said members.

8. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising side arms movable toto said arms both longitudinally thereof and crosswise thereto, means for locking said cross-bar to said arms in adjusted position,

means on said cross-bar for securing a skin thereto, said means comprising a clamping member arranged lengthwise of said crossbar and movably secured thereto, and means for detachably securing an end portion of said member to said cross-bar.

9. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising side arms movable toward and away from each other about one end portion thereof, a cross-bar for holding said arms apart and being slidable relatively to said arms both longitudinally thereof and crosswise thereto, means for locking said cross-bar to said arms in adjusted position, means on said cross-bar for securing a skin thereto, said means comprising a clamping member arranged lengthwise of said crossbar and movably secured thereto, and means for detachably securing an end portion of said member to said cross-bar comprising means including a series of notches for holding said member in adjusted positions relatively to said cross-bar.

10. A skin stretching frame of the kind described, comprising side arms movable toward and away from each other about one end portion thereof, a cross-bar for holding said arms apart and being slidable relatively to said arms both longitudinally thereof and crosswise thereto, means for locking said cross-bar to said arms in adjusted position, means on said cross-bar for securing a skin thereto, said means comprising a clamping member arranged lengthwise of said crossbar, and means for'securing said member to said cross-bar in adjusted positions for clamping a skin between said bar and member.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification.

ERNEST V. SHALEN. KARL R. OLOFSSON. BROR L. OLOFSSON.

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