Wide frame folding easel

Claim 1

AN EASEL FOR SUPPORTING THE STRETCHER FRAME ON AN ARTIST''S CANVAS OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING A GENERALLY UPRIGHT STANDARD HAVING A FLAT FRONT FACE FORMED WITH A VERTICALLY EXTENDING SLOT, A FIRST SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL MEMBER CARRIED ON SAID UPRIGHT STANDARD AT THE LOWER END THEREOF, A SECOND SUBSTANTAILLY HORIZONTAL MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID UPRIGHT STANDARD ABOVE SAID FIRST HORIZONTAL MEMBER, A PAIR OF GENERALLY VERTICAL MEMBERS CARRIED ON AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND HORIZONTAL MEMBERS, SAID PAIR OF GENERALLY VERTICAL MEMBERS HAVING FRONT FACES SUBSTANTIALLY IN A PLANE INCLUDING THE FRONT FACE OF THE UPRIGHT STANDARD, BRACKET MEANS FOR ADJUSTABLY SECURING SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS TO SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS, A PAIR OF ELONGATED CLAMPING DEVICES FITTING ON THE STANDARD AT POSITIONS LOCATED BETWEEN SAID HORIZONTAL MEMBERS AND EXTENDING LATERALLY ACROSS SAID FRONT FACE AND SAID VERTICAL MEMBERS, SAID CLAMPING DEVICES BEING FORMED WITH CONFRONTING LONGITUDINAL V-SHAPED EDGES ADAPTED FOR ENGAGING THE STRETCHER FRAME IN SPACED RELATION TO THE FRONT SURFACE OF THE CANVAS WHEREBY THE ARTIST MAY EXTEND HIS BRUSH STROKES PAST THE EDGES OF THE CANVAS, LOCKING MEANS ON SAID DEVICES ENGAGING SAID SLOT AND FORMED FOR ADJUSTABLY SECURING SAID DEVICES TO SAID