FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a padded bench assembly with height adjustable easel and ridged surface for improved canvas support. More so, an artist bench used by an artist provides a cushioned, elongated upper support for an artist to sit on, and a ridged canvas support panel with a height adjustable easel to support a canvas, or general drawing board, at a desired slope.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Typically, a bench is a long seat upon which manual art work is performed. The artist bench often comprises an easel for supporting a canvas or drawing board. The easel may include an upright support used for displaying and/or fixing the canvas, or other art related item, at an angle of about 20° to the vertical. In particular, easels are traditionally used by painters to support a painting while they work on it, normally standing up, and are also sometimes used to display finished paintings.

It is known in the art that artists often draw or paint remotely from their studios, and accordingly must transport their canvas or boards, and paints or drawing materials to such a remote location. Once the artist arrives, they are in need of a seat upon which to sit and an easel or other support for their canvas, or drawing board. Further, the canvas must be supported at a fixed angle and the artist must be at a comfortable distance from the canvas so that accessing and working on the canvas is performed at an optimal level.

Other proposals have involved supporting artist canvases from a bench. The problem with these support structures is that they do not prevent the canvas from slipping while being held upright. Also, the slope of the canvas is not adjustable. Even though the above cited gripping devices meets some of the needs of the market, a hose gripping apparatus that wraps around a pressurized hose and provides a handle, so as to enhance the grip on a pressurized hose by magnifying a grip pressure on the hose during operation, facilitating manipulation of the hose, and adjusting for various hose sizes and pressures is still desired.

SUMMARY

Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a padded bench assembly with height adjustable easel and ridged surface for improved canvas support. The padded bench assembly is a unique artist bench that serves not only to comfortably support the artist while working with, or displaying the canvas; but also allows for selective sloped-positioning of the canvas directly from the bench assembly.

In one possible embodiment, the bench assembly may be used by an artist to rest on while working on, or displaying a canvas. The padded bench assembly may include an elongated artist bench having a cushioned, elongated upper support for an artist to sit on at a first end of the bench, and a ridged section with a height adjustable easel at a second end of the bench to support a canvas, or general drawing board, at a fixed angle for working on, or displaying the canvas. The orientation of the canvas may be set to a desired slope based on its position in the ridges, and the height of the canvas support bar.

In some embodiments, the padded bench assembly comprises an elongated frame comprising at least one lower longitudinal support bar, at least one upper longitudinal support bar, four legs, and at least four traversed support bars extending between the legs. The frame is defined by a proximal end and a distal end. The frame also has a length of at least 29″.

In some embodiments, the bench assembly provides a cushioned seat that positions longitudinally across the proximal end of the frame. Further, a canvas support panel positions longitudinally across the distal end of the frame. The canvas support panel is defined by a plurality of spaced-apart ridges that are sized and dimensioned to receive an edge of a canvas.

In some embodiments, a sleeve fixedly attaches to the support bar at the distal end of the frame. A canvas support bar is insertable in the sleeve. The canvas support bar is slidably moveable in the sleeve. The bench assembly may also include a clamp for fastening the support bar. The clamp comprises a body, a friction mechanism, and at least one fastening hole.

In some embodiments, the body of the clamp surrounds the canvas support bar and the sleeve. The friction mechanism is rotatable in a first direction to at least partially tighten the body of the clamp about the canvas support bar and the sleeve. The friction mechanism is rotatable in a second direction to at least partially loosen the body of the clamp from the canvas support bar and the sleeve.

In some embodiments, at least one fastener passes through the fastening hole in the clamp. The fastener is rotatable in the first direction to at least partially tighten the body of the clamp about the canvas support bar and the sleeve. The fastener is rotatable in the second direction to at least partially loosen the body of the clamp from the canvas support bar and the sleeve. In this manner, the canvas support bar is height adjustable relative to the sleeve through manipulation of the friction mechanism and the fastener.

In another aspect, the support cushion is a foam, poly foam, or lux foam, or other cushioning materials as known in the art.

In another aspect, the canvas support bar has a horizontal member that forms a T-bar.

In another aspect, the at least one fastener comprises a washer to create spacing between the at least one fastener and the canvas support bar.

In another aspect, the bench assembly comprises an Allen wrench to rotate the fastener.

In another aspect, the friction mechanism comprises a threaded screw.

In another aspect, the at least one fastener comprises a ¼″×1¾″ Allen bolt, and a ¼″×1⅜″ Allen bolt.

In another aspect, the canvas comprises a drawing or painting board.

One objective of the present invention is to provide a padded bench that is elongated to provide extra length and space for an artist to work on a canvas, and also support a canvas at a desired slope relative to the artist.

Another objective is to provide a cushioned seat for an artist to sit on while working on a canvas.

Another objective is to provide canvas support bar, or easel, that positions directly in front of the artist and is height adjustable for adjusting the angle of the canvas to the vertical.

Another objective is to provide fastening means to retain the canvas support bar at a fixed height.

Another objective is to provide ridges that allow the edge of the canvas to rest, such that the position of the canvas in the ridge and the height of the canvas support bar enable selective positioning of the canvas at a fixed angle relative to the artist.

Another objective is to provide comfortable padding on the frame of the bench assembly.

Another objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture padded bench assembly for supporting an artist and canvas.

Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.

