GB2384174A

GB2384174A - Rotating Easel

Info

Publication number: GB2384174A
Application number: GB0129671A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ronald Freeman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-12
Filing date: 2001-12-12
Publication date: 2003-07-23
Also published as: GB0129671D0

Abstract

An easel for supporting a workpiece comprises a lower framework 1 on which is mounted a sub frame 2. The sub-frame 2 carries a pair of slidable jaws for accommodating different sizes of work piece. The jaws are pivotally mounted by a lockable pivot 16 to the sub-frame 2 to enable the work piece to be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the work piece. The sub-frame 2 is also pivotally mounted to the lower framework 1 so that the inclination of the work piece with respect to the vertical can be adjusted by extension or contraction of a telescopic leg 11.

Description

ROTATING EASEL Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to artists'easels and in particular to artists'easels capable of rotation.

Background to the Invention Easels for artists, draftsmen, and other users have been available for a number of years. Their basic design has remained little changed in all that time. Such easels are invariably free-standing or are intended for table-top mounting. Various adjustments are available to take account of the size of the artists'canvas, the height of the artist himself or herself and a number of other factors.

There are occasions, however, when the artist or draftsperson may wish to change the orientation of the work piece or canvas. At present this can only be done by removing the canvas or work piece from the easel and merely inserting it in an inverted position or rotated through a right angle in either direction. There is no continuous adjustment in a rotational sense. The present invention aims to overcome that deficiency.

Summary of the Invention The invention comprises an easel adapted to support a work piece, the easel further comprising means for rotating the work piece about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the work piece.

The easel may comprise a framework upon which is mounted a sub-frame comprising a pair of jaws, the distance between the jaws being adjustable to accommodate different sizes of work piece, and the sub-frame being rotatable about said axis.

The jaws may be mounted in slideable supports attached to the sub-frame. The main support of the easel may be mounted on base in such a way that the angle of disposition of the framework relative to the ground or other support surface may be adjustable about an axis substantially parallel to the ground or support surface.

The rear of the framework may comprise a telescopic member, one end of which is attached to the framework, the other end of which is adapted to be located in a plurality of selectable positions in a member extending from the base. The positions

may be defined by ratchets, spaced holes, grooves or other locating means. The subframe preferably consists of a pair of sub-frame members substantially parallel to one another and adapted to receive slideably between them at least one slider upon which is mounted one of said jaws. The jaw is preferable slideably mounted on the slider to allow for a plurality of possible positions and a plurality of sizes of work piece. The easel preferably comprises two such slider/jaw assemblies symmetrically located about the rotational axis of the sub-frame. These and other features of the invention will be described in more detail in the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the main framework of an easel as viewed from the back; and Figure 2 is a detail of part of the sub-frame.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring first to Figure 1, the framework for the easel consists of two main portions, namely a base portion indicated generally at 1 and an upper portion generally indicated at 2. The base portion 1 consists of a main body having a pair of members 3 between which is located a further member 4 extending to a greater height than the members 3 so as to provide a pivoting axis 5 for the upper framework 2. The base 1 also has legs 6 and 7 defining a t-shape for stable support on a support surface.

The upper framework 2 consists of a pair of parallel elongate members 8 held apart by blocks 9, 10 and by the central member 4 of the base unit 1. The upper framework 2 is adapted to be pivoted to the base unit 4 via the axis 5. In order to adjust the angle of the upper framework relative to the base unit an adjustable mechanism is preferably provided. In the present example shown in Figure 1 the rear of the easel includes a telescopic assembly including an upper member 11 and a lower member 12. The upper member 11 is pivoted to the upper framework 2 through a pivot assembly 13 which may consist of any convenient structure, such as a pair of spaced plates one

attached to each of the elongate members 8 and between which is mounted the telescopic member 11.

The lower telescopic member 12 can be drawn-out of the upper member 11 to any desired extent. In order to provide a number of pre-selected orientations, the upper surface of the leg 7 of the base unit may be provided with formations 14 engageable by the lower telescopic 12. These formations may consist of ratchets, as illustrated in Figure 1 or alternatively a row of spaced holes, grooves, depressions or any other convenient means. The lower telescopic member 12 may simply rest in these formations 14 or may be latched in placed for added security. The block 10 in the upper framework 2 is provided with a through-bore to receive a spindle 15 passing through a circular plate 16. As represented diagrammatically in Figure 1, the spindle may include a cross-bore (not shown) into which a handle 17 passes, the handle forming part of a clamp mechanism by which the circular plate 16 can be clamped rigidly to the upper framework 2. When the clamp is released, the circular plate 16 can be rotated to any position and the clamp can be re-tightened to hold the plate 16 in that new position. Graduations may be provided so that the angle adopted by the plate 16 relative to the upper frame 2 may be returned to by the artist, draftsperson etc.

Referring now to Figure 2, this shows part of the subframe which supports the artists'work piece. The same circular plate 16 is shown in Figure 2 as was also shown in Figure 1. The subframe consists of a pair of elongate members 18,19 which are fixed to the plate 16, for example by screws 20 or the like. The facing edges of the members 18, 19 are grooved 21 so as to receive between them at least one slider 22. In its preferred embodiment, the invention includes a second slider, only part of which 23 is visible in Figure 2. The structure in Figure 2 is intended to be symmetrical about the rotational axis 24 of the plate 16. The slider 22 contains an elongate groove 25 which slideably receives a block 26 on which is mounted a jaw 27. The slider 22 has a series of notches, grooves, holes etc 28 into which a detent mechanism, such as a spring loaded catch or bolt 29 may engage so as to latch the slider 22 in a selected position relative to the members 18, 19.

The block 26 is also provided with a clamping mechanism (not shown) to enable the block to be slid along the groove 25 to a desired position and locked in place. The combination of the slider 22 and the slideable block 26 for example rather than locating the work piece symmetrically about the rotational axis 24, the work piece can be lo- cated nearer one end or the other end of the members 18, 19 according to the artists preference. It should be emphasised that the subframe shown in Figure 2 is indicated in phantom line in Figure 1 for the sake of explanation only and so as not to clutter Figure 1 unnecessarily. The orientation of the subframe in Figure 1 is purely illustrative.

The easel may be made to stand on the ground and be able to locate a work piece at artists'height while standing. Alternatively, it may be designed to be of such a size as to accommodate an artist whilst seated or perhaps even to be of table-top size.

The easel frameworks may be made of any convenient materials, although traditionally artists'easels have been made of wood. Sliders, runners, grooves and so on may be made of more suitable materials, such as plastics, if thought desirable.

By suitable rotation of the subframe relative to the upper frame 2 the work piece can be rotated relative to the artist for a number of different reasons. For exam- ple a draftsman may wish to draw a number of parallel lines on a work piece at an angle to the intended horizontal disposition of the finished work piece. It can be made more convenient and comfortable for the artist if such parallel lines a drawn in a generally horizontal orientation rather than at the inclined angle which conventional easels would impose. The easel is therefore versatile and enables the artist or draftsperson to improve on his or her work.

The easel may also be useful for supporting tapestry or other needlework in a similar fashion.

Claims

1. An easel adapted to support a work piece, the easel further comprising means for rotating the work piece about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the work piece.

2. An easel in accordance with claim 1 comprising a framework upon which is mounted a sub-frame comprising a pair of jaws, the distance between the jaws being adjustable to accommodate different sizes of work piece, and the sub-frame being rotatable about said axis.

3. An easel in accordance with claim 2 wherein the jaws are mounted in slidable supports attached to the sub-frame.

4. An easel in accordance with claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the framework comprises an upper portion, upon which the sub-frame is mounted, and a base portion, the upper portion being mounted on the base portion in such a way that an angle of disposition of the upper portion relative to the ground or other support surface may be adjusted about an axis substantially parallel to the ground or support surface.

5. An easel in accordance with claim 4, wherein the upper portion is pivotally coupled to the base portion.

6. An easel in accordance with claim 4 or claim 5, comprising an adjust- ment mechanism arranged to permit adjustment of an angle of the upper portion rela- tive to the base portion.

7. An easel in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising a tele- scopic member arranged at the rear of the framework, one end of the telescopic mem- ber being attached to the upper portion of the framework, the other end being adapted

to be located in a plurality of selectable positions in a member extending from the base portion.

8. An easel in accordance with claim 7 wherein said positions are defined by locating means selected from a list including : ratchets; spaced holes ; and grooves.

9. An easel in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein the subframe comprises a pair of sub-frame members arranged substantially parallel to one another and adapted to receive slidably between them at least one slider upon which is mounted one of said jaws.

10. An easel in accordance with claim 9 wherein the jaw mounted on the slider is slidably mounted on the slider to allow for a plurality of possible positions and a plurality of sizes of work piece.

11. An easel in accordance with claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the sub-frame comprises two said slides, each being slidably received between the pair of sub-frame members, the pair of slider/jaw assemblies being symmetrically located about the rotational axis of the sub-frame.

12. An easel in accordance with any preceding claim, further comprising a clamp arranged to clamp the sub-frame in a desired rotational position with respect to the framework.

13. An easel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.