Stretcher frame

Claim 1

A stretching device for fabric, the fabric having corner cut-outs providing side edge portions and end edge portions, the stretching device comprising: a substantially rectangular stretcher frame having detachable side and end frame portions; one of said side frame portions and one of said end frame portions constituting gripper frame portions, and the other of said side and end frames constituting stretcher frame portions; the respective frame portions having abutting mitered edges; means releasably securing the respective frame sections to one another at said mitered edges; the gripper frame portions each comprising a substantially flat main body having an inner edge and an outer edge, around it, outwardly and downwardly extended gripper bead extending from the outer edge and having a terminal edge, a vertical wall with a serrated top projecting from the terminal edge, a slant wall extending upwardly and toward the bead from the inner edge, and a reverted handle on said slant wall; the stretcher frame portions each comprising a substantially flat base having inside and outside edges, a rounded, outwardly and downwardly extended stretcher bead projecting from the outside edge and having a bead edge, a vertical stretcher wall with a smooth top extending from the bead edge, and an inside lock wall on the inside edge; the lock walls of the stretcher frames each comprising a first angular section extending toward the stretcher wall, a downwardly inclined lip, and an upward release wall; the stretcher frame portions each further including a rotor having an elongated tubular base pivotally positioned in the stretcher bead, and a radially projecting lever wall with a serrated outer end edge; the lever walls extending substantially above the vertical stretcher wall; fabric clips having clip arms engageable over the serrated tops of the vertical walls of the gripper frame portions, and over the serrated outer end edges of the rotors; the fabric side and end edge portions being folded over said serrated tops and serrated outer end edges and maintained thereon by said fabric clips, the clips being engaged over the side and end edge portions of the fabric and over the said tops and outer end edges; and the levers being pivotal with the clips and fabric portions from vertical connection locations to depressed stretching positions, and the clips thereof being engageable under the lips of the lock walls.