Feline fanatic yes it is on a frame, as for the clamps you suggest you can get those at Walmart for about $6.00 for 4 of the clamps. I use something similar for my regular clamps on my frame.
AStitchInTime the mechanism she pushed was on the carriage not on the frame. I just wanted to know if this was something new that the company is making available to owners who have purchased the machine.