US3608484A — Pneumatic tensioning of screen stencils

Claim 1

Independent Claim 214 words

A pneumatic frame member for stretching screen fabrics comprising a first elongated member adapted to be positioned in a fixed location as part of a frame, a second elongated member guided on said first member for lateral movement thereon and including means for securing a fabric thereon, a mechanical linkage interconnecting said first and second members and guiding said second member for movement in a continuous parallel relation to said first member, and pneumatically operated means for moving said second member relative to said first member, one of said members being hollow and the other of said members being guided in said one member, said pneumatically operated means including an inflatable pneumatic tube positioned in said one member and operable upon inflation to move said other member relative to said one member, said second member being provided with an elongated groove adapted to receive screen fabric therein, an elongated cam lock bar adapted to fit in said groove to secure screen fabric in place therein, said fabric-retaining groove including an elastic material positioned along the bottom thereof and a necked opening at the top, said cam lock bar being of a dimension to permit insertion through said necked opening in one position and secured tightly by said necked-in groove upon rotation to another position.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 214 words

A pneumatic frame member for stretching screen fabrics comprising a first elongated member adapted to be positioned in a fixed location as part of a frame, a second elongated member guided on said first member for lateral movement thereon and including means for securing a fabric thereon, a mechanical linkage interconnecting said first and second members and guiding said second member for movement in a continuous parallel relation to said first member, and pneumatically operated means for moving said second member relative to said first member, one of said members being hollow and the other of said members being guided in said one member, said pneumatically operated means including an inflatable pneumatic tube positioned in said one member and operable upon inflation to move said other member relative to said one member, said second member being provided with an elongated groove adapted to receive screen fabric therein, an elongated cam lock bar adapted to fit in said groove to secure screen fabric in place therein, said fabric-retaining groove including an elastic material positioned along the bottom thereof and a necked opening at the top, said cam lock bar being of a dimension to permit insertion through said necked opening in one position and secured tightly by said necked-in groove upon rotation to another position.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 82 words

A pneumatic frame member as defined in claim 1 in which said elongated cam lock bar comprises a rod having a laterally extending flange for rotation of the same from a position passing through said necked opening to a position wherein said bar is secured tightly in said groove and engaging the top of said second member to prevent rotation of said bar to a position permitting the same to be removed from said necked opening as a result of tensioning movement.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 192 words

Tensioning means for uniformly tensioning porous fabrics and the like preparatory to fastening to a permanent frame, said tensioning means comprising a first elongated member positioned in continuous abutting relation with said permanent frame, a second elongated member telescopically interfitted with said first member and being adapted for movement relative thereto, said elongated members forming an elongated chamber, one side of said chamber being formed by one of said elongated members and the other side being formed by the other of said elongated members, linkage means interconnecting said first and second members for limiting movement of said first and second members for limiting movement of said first and second members in relative parallel relation, means on one of said members for continuously gripping said fabric along the length of said one of said members, and an inflatable member disposed in said chamber and extending substantially the full length of said chamber, said inflatable member being in contact with respective sides formed by said elongated members, an air inlet means to permit inflation of said inflatable member to move said second member relative to said first member to thereby tension said porous fabric.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 192 words

Tensioning means for uniformly tensioning porous fabrics and the like preparatory to fastening to a permanent frame, said tensioning means comprising a first elongated member positioned in continuous abutting relation with said permanent frame, a second elongated member telescopically interfitted with said first member and being adapted for movement relative thereto, said elongated members forming an elongated chamber, one side of said chamber being formed by one of said elongated members and the other side being formed by the other of said elongated members, linkage means interconnecting said first and second members for limiting movement of said first and second members for limiting movement of said first and second members in relative parallel relation, means on one of said members for continuously gripping said fabric along the length of said one of said members, and an inflatable member disposed in said chamber and extending substantially the full length of said chamber, said inflatable member being in contact with respective sides formed by said elongated members, an air inlet means to permit inflation of said inflatable member to move said second member relative to said first member to thereby tension said porous fabric.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 62 words

The screen-tensioning apparatus of claim 3 wherein said means for gripping said fabric includes a continuous longitudinal channel opening upwardly and extending substantially the length of said modular unit and a longitudinally continuous locking bar disposed in said channel, said locking bar being of greater width than the opening of said continuous channel when said locking bar is in the locked position.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The tensioning means for porous fabrics as defined in claim 3 including spring means having opposite ends thereof interconnecting said first and second elongated members to urge the same in telescoping relation in the absence of pressure in said inflatable member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 98 words

The fabric-tensioning arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for securing said fabric on one of said members includes an elongated groove having a necked-in opening at the upper margin thereof, a continuous locking bar received in said groove and being rotated to a position wherein the transverse dimension is greater than said necked-in opening, said fabric being interposed between said locking bar and said necked-in groove, said locking bar being rotatable to a position wherein the transverse dimension is less than said necked-in portion of said groove to permit quick release of said fabric therefrom.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-09-27	1975-03-29	1975-09-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-09-27	1979-03-29	1979-09-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-09-27	1983-03-29	1983-09-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Pneumatic tensioning of screen stencils

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