Repositionable handheld easel

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a repositionable and handheld easel of lightweight composition, and that is removably attachable to a painting canvas frame without interfering with any paintable portion of the canvas. The handheld easel is also adjustable in size to accommodate virtually any size of handheld canvas frame, and allows the painting surface to be rotated in relation to the artists hand to enable the artist to achieve a specific brush stroke while the handheld easel remains in the artist's hand.

Claims

1. An easel device for attachment to a frame supporting a canvas, wherein the easel device comprises: a tensioning apparatus comprised of a first member, a second member, a tension handle and at least one hinge arm; a first support arm rod extending outwardly from the first member in a first direction for attachment to said frame; a second support arm rod extending outwardly from the second member in a second direction for attachment to said frame; a handle assembly; and a face plate, wherein the face plate is comprised of a plurality of continuous openings positioned in a radial and spaced apart fashion; and wherein the handle assembly is laterally rotatable up to 90 degrees in relation to the face plate.

2. The easel device of claim 1, wherein the first member is spaced apart from the second member when the tensioning apparatus is both in an engaged position and in a disengaged position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of the tensioning apparatus of the rotatable handheld easel device of the present invention in an unlocked or un-tensioned position and in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of the tensioning apparatus of the rotatable handheld easel device of the present invention in a locked and tensioned position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of one potential embodiment of the face plate of the rotatable handheld easel device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one potential embodiment of the face plate of the rotatable handheld easel device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of one potential embodiment of the face plate and handle assembly of the rotatable handheld easel device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the rotatable handheld easel device of the present invention in a locked and tensioned position in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the rotatable handheld easel device of the present invention removably attached to a canvas frame in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof.

(9) As noted above, there exists in the art a long felt need for a handheld easel of lightweight composition that is relatively easy to transport and set-up, and that is not dependent on the presence of a sufficient amount of flat ground area to rest on as is the case with prior art three legged easels. There is also a long felt need in the art for a handheld easel that is removably attachable to a painting canvas frame without interfering with any paintable portion of the canvas, thereby enabling the artist to utilize the entire paintable surface by which to express him or herself, and that is adjustable in size to accommodate virtually any size of handheld canvas frame. Finally, there exists in the art a long felt need for a handheld easel that allows the painting surface to be rotated in relation to the artist's hand to enable the artist to, for example, achieve a specific brush stroke or to reach a hard to reach location on the canvas.

(10) The adjustable and rotatable handheld easel 100 of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and is preferably comprised of a tensioning apparatus 110, a pair of support arm rods 140, a foot 150 attached to each of said pair of support arm rods 140, a handle assembly 160, a face plate 170 and a locking pin 180. Unless otherwise stated herein, the handheld easel device 100 of the present invention and its various components are preferably comprised of a lightweight aluminum or other suitable material to make for easily handling, and so as to not fatigue the arm of the artist that supports the handheld easel 100, as he or she may be required to do so for a prolonged period of time to complete a particular painting.

(11) Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of one potential embodiment of the tensioning apparatus 110 of the rotatable handheld easel device 100 of the present invention in an unlocked or un-tensioned position. The tensioning apparatus 110 is comprised of a first member 112, a second member 114, a pair of hinge bolts 115, a pair of hinged arms 116 and a tension handle 118. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and explained more fully below, each of the first member 112, the second member 114 and the tension handle 118 are movably interconnected to one another by the pair of hinged arms 116 via the pair of hinge bolts. It should be noted that the first member 112 and second member 114 are generally mirrored in their orientation, yet substantially similar (if not identical) in their composition and features.

(12) More specifically, the first member 112 is generally rectangular in shape, and is further comprised of a top surface 1120, an opposed bottom surface 1121, two generally parallel side surfaces 1122, a first end 1123 and an opposed second end 1125. As best shown in FIG. 2, the first end 1123 is further comprised of a threaded opening 1124 therein for receipt of a select end of the support arm rod 140, as explained more fully below. The first member 112 is further comprised of a continuous locking pin opening 1126 for receipt of locking pin 180 and a continuous bolt hinge opening 1127 for receipt of hinge bolt 115, both of which extend between side surfaces 1122 of the first member 112.

(13) Similarly, the second member 114 is also generally rectangular in shape, and is further comprised of a top surface 1140, an opposed bottom surface 1141, two generally parallel side surfaces 1142, a first end 1143 and an opposed second end 1145. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end 1143 is further comprised of a threaded opening 1144 therein for receipt of a select end of the support arm rod 140, as explained more fully below. The second member 114 is further comprised of a continuous locking pin opening 1146 for receipt of locking pin 180 and a continuous bolt hinge opening 1147 for receipt of hinge bolt 115, both of which extend between side surfaces 1142 of the second member 114.

(14) As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tension handle 118 is preferably comprised of a top surface 1180 and two generally parallel and spaced apart sides surfaces 1182 extending downwardly therefrom. The top surface 1180 is also comprised of a handle portion 1186 that extends outwardly from the top surface 1180 beyond the ends of side surfaces, and is generally contoured to oppose the contour of the palm of a user/artist (not shown) to aid the user in placing the tensioning apparatus 110 of the handheld easel device 100 into a locked or tensioned position, as best shown in FIG. 2.

(15) Additionally, the side surfaces 1182 of tension handle 118 are further comprised of a continuous locking pin opening 1183 for receipt of locking pin 180. It should be noted that the locking pin opening 1183 of the side surface 1182 aligns generally with the locking pin opening 1146 of the second member 1142 to allow for the locking pin 180 to be placed through both openings 1183/1146, thus effectively securing the tension handle 118 in a locked or tensioned position, as best shown in FIG. 2. Each of the side surfaces 1182 of tension handle 118 further comprise a pair of continuous bolt hinge openings 1147 for receipt of hinge bolts, as best shown in FIG. 1, and a slot 1184 that allows for clearance of the hinge bolt 115 that secures the pair of hinge arms 116 to the second member 114, as also shown in FIG. 1 and explained more fully below. It is also contemplated that a fixed or removable spacer 1128 may be positioned on the respective top surface 1120, 1140 of the first and/or or second members 112, 114 to allow for clearance of the repositioning pin 1710, as explained more fully below.

(16) In order to form the tensioning apparatus 110, the spaced apart hinge bolts 115 of second member 114 and tension handle 118 are connected via the hinge arms 116 that are found on each side of the tensioning apparatus 110. The hinge arms 116, as well as the presence of hinge bolt 115 in first member 112, permit the tension handle 118 to articulate or rotate about hinge bolt 115 in first member 112. This rotation primarily occurs between an un-tensioned position (as best shown in FIG. 1) and a tensioned or locked position (as best shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7), once the user pushes on the handle portion 1186 of tension handle 118 in the direction of second member 114. As this occurs, the pair of hinged arms 116 push both first and second members 112, 114 (and the support arm rods 140 and feet 150 connected thereto, as explained more fully below) outwardly and away from one another. As explained more fully below, this act of further separating first and second members 112, 114 will, in turn, cause the support arm rods 140 and feet 150 to apply a compressive force against two opposing frame members of canvas frame 210, as best shown in FIG. 7.

(17) FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of one potential embodiment of the face plate 170 of the handheld easel device 100 of the present invention. The face plate 170 is preferably comprised of a top surface 171, an opposed bottom surface 172, a first side support 173, a second side support 174, a channel 175, a third side support 176 and a generally radial plate 177. The face plate 170 is further comprised of a plurality of continuous repositioning pin openings 1710 that extend from the top surface 171 to the bottom surface 172. The pin openings 1710 are meant for selective receipt of repositioning pin 168, and are positioned along the top surface 171 in an incremented and radial fashion to allow for the handle assembly 160 to be positioned at a selectable angle relative to the face plate 170. Additionally, the face plate 170 is also comprised of a continuous plate pin opening 1710 that extends between the top surface 171 and bottom surface 172 for receipt of a pivoting plate pin 166, as will be explained in greater detail below when referencing FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

(18) FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of face plate 170, and better illustrates the presence of first side support 173, second side support 174, third side support 176, and radial support plate 177, all of which extend outwardly and away from bottom surface 172 of face plate 170. More specifically, first side support 173 is generally parallel to, and spaced apart from, second side support 174 and, together with bottom surface 172, form channel 175. Additionally, each of first side support 173 and second side support 174 is comprised of a slot 1732 that allows for clearance of the hinge bolts 115 once the tensioning apparatus 110 is placed within channel 175 in a tensioned or locked position. The third side support 176 and radial support plate 177, along with the first and second side supports 173, 174, are preferably fixedly connected (e.g., via a weld) to the bottom surface 172 of the face plate 170, and the third side support 176 and radial support plate 177 provide structural reinforcement for the face plate 170.

(19) FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of one potential embodiment of the handle assembly 160 rotatably attached to the face plate 170 of the handheld easel device 100 of the present invention. The handle assembly 160 is preferably comprised of a handle 162, a handle plate 164, a continuous plate pin opening 1640 in handle plate 164, a plate pin 166, and a repositioning pin 168. The handle 162 is preferably fixed to the handle plate 164 via a fixed connection (e.g., via a weld), and may be shaped or formed in such a way to form a generally U-shape with handle plate 164, as best shown in FIG. 5. The handle 162 allows a user/artist to comfortably grasp the handheld easel device 100 while the same is removably attached to canvas frame 210 without becoming unduly fatigued.

(20) The continuous plate pin opening 1640 in handle plate 164 generally aligns with the plate pin opening 1712 of the face plate 170 to allow the insertion of the plate pin 166. The handle assembly 160 is capable of rotating about plate pin 166 until a user/artist selectively inserts the repositioning pin 168 in a select one of repositioning pin openings 1710 in face plate 170. More specifically, to secure the handle assembly 160 into a new position relative to face plate 170, the repositioning pin 168, which is retained within the handle plate 164 but is able to be lifted, is lifted upwards away from the top surface 171 of the face plate 170. Then, the user rotates the handle assembly 160 about the plate pin 166 until the repositioning pin 168 aligns with a selected one of the repositioning pin openings 1710 in the face plate 170. Once the user has selected the angle of rotation that he or she desires and ensures proper alignment with the desired repositioning pin opening 1710, the user will simply release the repositioning pin 168 (which may be spring loaded) and the repositioning pin 168 will travel downwards through the continuous pin opening 1710 where the tip of the pin 168 will extend beyond that of the bottom surface 172 of the face plate 170. This repositioning procedure effectively locks the handle assembly 160 in the desired position relative to face plate 170, allowing the handheld easel device 100 to be held by a user without fear of the handle assembly 160 shifting in position/alignment during use.

(21) FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the rotatable handheld easel device 100 of the present invention when fully assembled. More specifically, FIG. 6 illustrates how the handle assembly 160, which is mounted to the face plate 170, sits atop the tensioning apparatus 110 while in a locked or tensioned position via the locking pins 180. As mentioned supra, the locking pins 180 are placed through the various continuous locking pin openings 1126/1146/1183/1734 in the first member 112, second member 114, tension handle 118, and face plate 170, which are all in general alignment.

(22) As also shown in FIG. 6, each of support arm rods 140 are preferably comprised of threaded first and second ends 142, 144, and a body portion 146 positioned therebetween. Likewise, each of feet 150 are preferably comprised of a top 152, a side 154, and a pocket member 156 with a threaded opening 1560 therein for receipt of a first or second end 142, 144 of support arm rod 140. More specifically, pocket member 156 extends outwardly from side 154 in the direction of tensioning apparatus 110, and the two are connected to one another by support arm rod 140, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It will be appreciated that the support arm rods 140 can be manufactured in various sizes and lengths to accommodate virtually any size of canvas frame 210.

(23) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the repositionable handheld easel device 100 of the present invention removably attached to a canvas frame 210 that is attached to a canvas 200. More specifically, the canvas is comprised of a bottom surface 202, and frame 210 is comprised of a plurality of interconnected frame members that each have a bottom face 212 and a side face 214 and that generally form a rectangle as best shown in FIG. 7.

(24) In this orientation, the tensioning apparatus 110 of the handheld easel device 100 is in the locked position and is applying compressive forces against the side faces 214 of the opposing frame members via support arm rods 140 and feet 150 to removably attach the handheld easel device 100 to the frame 210 without interfering with any of the paintable surfaces of canvas 200. More specifically, it is to be appreciated that, at any time, the feet 150 are the only portion of the handheld easel device 100 that is in physical contact with any part of the frame 210. Additionally, the user/artist may reposition the face plate 170, and therefore the entire canvas 200, relative to the handle assembly 160 and the user's hand (not shown) to, for example, achieve a particular brush stroke and/or more easily paint a specific portion of canvas 200.

(25) Notwithstanding the forgoing, the rotatable handheld easel device 100 can be any suitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the shape and size of the handheld easel device 100 and its various components, as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of the handheld easel device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although dimensions of the handheld easel device 100 and its components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important design parameters for good performance, the handheld easel device 100 and its components may be any shape or size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference.

(26) What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.