Expandable stretching frame with cladding and bearing mechanisms

An expandable frame assembly for supporting and stretching fabric comprising:

• a) a plurality of frame portions together defining the periphery of said frame assembly, each frame portion having opposed ends, an interior bore extending therethrough, and a plurality of exterior surfaces defined thereabout;
• b) a plurality of connective expansion members each including first and second extension portions having planar contact surfaces thereon, each extension portion dimensioned and configured to be slidably mounted within the interior bore of one of said frame portions;
• c) an adjustable bearing mechanism disposed adjacent each end of each of said plurality of frame portions, each bearing mechanism having a spherical bearing surface for engaging the planar contact surface of the expansion member proximate thereto at a single point to exert a bearing force thereupon;
• d) a cladding strip mounted on one of said plurality of exterior surfaces of each of said plurality of game portions, each bearing mechanism secured within a cladding strip;
• and
• e) a fabric fastening strip mounted on another of said plurality of exterior surfaces of each of said plurality of frame portions for securing a piece of fabric to said frame assembly.