Canvas stretcher

Abstract

A canvas stretcher including a first gripping mechanism, a second gripping mechanism and a tension mechanism. The first gripping mechanism includes a first lower plate, a first upper plate and a first attachment mechanism that interconnects the first lower plate and the first upper plate. The second gripping mechanism includes a second lower plate, a second upper plate and a second attachment mechanism that interconnects the second lower plate and the second upper plate. The tension mechanism includes a lock mechanism, an attachment plate and a belt. A position of the belt with respect to the lock mechanism may be adjusted to vary spacing between the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism.

1 . A canvas stretcher comprising: 
 a first gripping mechanism comprising a first lower plate, a first upper plate and a first attachment mechanism that detachably interconnects the first lower plate and the first upper plate;    a second gripping mechanism comprising a second lower plate, a second upper plate and a second attachment mechanism that detachably interconnects the second lower plate and the second upper plate; and    a tension mechanism comprising a lock mechanism, an attachment plate and a belt, wherein the locking mechanism is attached to at least one of the first lower plate and the first upper plate, wherein the attachment plate is attached to at least one of the second lower plate and the second upper plate, wherein the belt extends between the lock mechanism and the attachment plate to interconnect the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism, and wherein a position of the belt with respect to the lock mechanism may be adjusted to vary spacing between the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism.    
   
   
       2 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 1 , wherein the first upper plate has a length that is approximately the same as a length of the first lower plate and wherein the second upper plate has a length that is approximately the same as a length of the second lower plate.  
   
   
       3 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment mechanism further comprises a first knob threadably attached to the first lower plate and wherein the second attachment mechanism further comprises a second knob threadably attached to the second lower plate.  
   
   
       4 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 1 , wherein the first upper plate has at least one first slot or aperture formed therein, wherein the first slot or aperture is adapted to receive one of the first attachment mechanisms, wherein the second upper plate has at least second one slot or aperture formed therein, and wherein each slot or aperture is adapted to receive one of the second attachment mechanisms.  
   
   
       5 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 1 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises a shaft, a locking arm and a handle, wherein the handle is operably attached to the locking arm to move the locking arm between a locking configuration and a release configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 5 , wherein the lock mechanism has a ratchet configuration.  
   
   
       7 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 5 , wherein the locking arm is biased to the locking configuration.  
   
   
       8 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 1 , wherein a hook is operably attached to the belt, wherein the attachment plate has an aperture formed therein, and wherein the aperture is adapted to receive the hook.  
   
   
       9 . A method of stretching canvas having a first canvas portion and a second canvas portion, the method comprising: 
 placing the first canvas portion between a first lower plate and a first upper plate of a first gripping mechanism, wherein at least one of the first lower plate and the first upper plate has a lock mechanism attached thereto;    attaching the first lower plate to the first upper plate with a first attachment mechanism;    placing the second canvas portion between a second lower plate and a second upper plate of a second gripping mechanism, wherein at least one of the second lower plate and the second upper plate has an attachment plate attached thereto;    attaching the second lower plate to the second upper plate with a second attachment mechanism;    positioning the canvas so that the first canvas portion and the second canvas portions extend over opposite edges of a frame;    attaching a first end of a belt to the attachment plate; and    operably attaching a second end of the belt to the lock mechanism, wherein a position of the belt with respect to the lock mechanism may be adjusted to vary spacing between the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , and further comprising forming the first upper plate with a length that is approximately the same as a length of the first lower plate and forming the second upper plate with a length that is approximately the same as a length of the second lower plate.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the first attachment mechanism further comprises a first knob threadably attached to the first lower plate and wherein the second attachment mechanism further comprises a second knob threadably attached to the second lower plate.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the lock mechanism is operable in either a locking configuration and a release configuration, wherein the locking mechanism is biased in the locking configuration and wherein the lock mechanism comprises a shaft, a locking arm and a handle.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the lock mechanism has a ratchet configuration.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , and further comprising: 
 forming at least one first slot or aperture in the first upper plate, wherein the first slot or aperture is adapted to receive one of the first attachment mechanisms; and    forming at least second one slot or aperture in the second upper plate, wherein each slot or aperture is adapted to receive one of the second attachment mechanisms.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein a hook is operably attached to the belt, wherein the attachment plate has an aperture formed therein, and wherein the belt is attached to the attachment plate by extending the hook at least partially into the aperture.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the varying a spacing between the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism is accomplished without attachment to components external to the canvas stretcher.  
   
   
       17 . A canvas stretcher comprising: 
 a first gripping mechanism comprising a first lower plate, a first upper plate and a first attachment mechanism, wherein the first upper plate has at least one first slot or aperture formed therein, wherein the first attachment mechanism comprises a first knob threadably attached to the first lower plate, and wherein the first slot or aperture is adapted to receive one of the first attachment mechanisms;    a second gripping mechanism comprising a second lower plate, a second upper plate and a second attachment mechanism, wherein the second upper plate has at least one second slot or aperture formed therein, wherein the second attachment mechanism comprises a second knob threadably attached to the second lower plate, and wherein the second slot or aperture is adapted to receive one of the second attachment mechanisms; and    a tension mechanism comprising a lock mechanism, an attachment plate and a belt, wherein the locking mechanism is attached to at least one of the first lower plate and the first upper plate, wherein the attachment plate is attached to at least one of the second lower plate and the second upper plate, wherein the belt extends between the lock mechanism and the attachment plate to interconnect the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism, and wherein a position of the belt with respect to the lock mechanism may be adjusted to vary spacing between the first gripping mechanism and the second gripping mechanism.    
   
   
       18 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 17 , wherein the first upper plate has a length that is approximately the same as a length of the first lower plate and wherein the second upper plate has a length that is approximately the same as a length of the second lower plate.  
   
   
       19 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 17 , wherein the lock mechanism comprises a shaft, a locking arm and a handle, wherein the handle is operably attached to the locking arm to move the locking arm between a locking configuration and a release configuration.  
   
   
       20 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 17 , wherein the locking arm is biased to the locking configuration.  
   
   
       21 . The canvas stretcher of  claim 17 , wherein a hook is operably attached to the belt, wherein the attachment plate has an aperture formed therein, and wherein the aperture is adapted to receive the hook.