IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-INKING HAND STAMPS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine Francois Mennons, of the British
and Foreign Patent Offices, 24, Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, in the
Empire of France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-INKING
HAND STAMPS." -A communication from Joseph Henri Simonin,
residing at No. 5, Rue des Douze Portes, Paris, in France.
Sealed the 6th March 1868, and dated the 8th October 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Marc Antoine Francois
Mennons at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 8th October 1862.
I, MARC ANTOINE FRANCOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent
5 Offices, 24, Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, in the Empire of France, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF-INKING
HAND STAMPS," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in an improved combination of mechanism by means
of which the rotation of the die in self-inking hand stamps may be obtained
with greater precision and useful effect than by the stamps of that class at
present in general use.
Figure 1 of the annexed Drawing represents the complete stamp with its die
at the highest or inking position. Figure 2 represents in end view a branch of

page_text: the same. Figure 3 represents the stamp with its die at the lowest or impres-
sing position.
In all these Figures the corresponding parts of the mechanism are indicated
by the same letters of reference. A is a handle in wood, ivory, or other
suitable matter; B, B, double branched frame in which is set by the screws
C, C, the fixed ink pad and reservoir C; D is the die, revolving on the axes a, a,
which run in the vertical slideway II (Fig. 2), formed in each branch of the
frame; E, is a metallic rod inserted in a tubular cavity formed in the length
of the handle A, and secured by its lower extremity to the cross-bar F; G, G,
is a metallic tube set in the cavity of the handle over the rod E, to the head of
which it is secured by the screw thread b, b; I, I, is a spiral spring lodged in
the space between the tube G, G, and the rod E, which it surrounds in part of
its length; J, J, is a second tube or inner sheath forming part of the frame A,
and surrounding the lower part of the rod E. In the stamping process
this sheath slides freely in the tube G, G, while pressing by its upper
extremity on the lower end of the spiral I, I; d, d, are flat tie pieces mounted
outside of each branch of the frame A, each connected by one extremity with
the cross bar F and by the other with the die D, to which they act as guides;
e is a small tooth cast with the die D, and cogging in the rotation of the latter
with the notch piece f, fixed to one branch of the frame; g, is a guide stud
cast in the opposite end of the die and corresponding with the projecting
slideways h, set at the bottom of the frame branch. The surface to be
stamped being placed under the branches of the apparatus constructed as
above (Fig. 1) and the handle pressed downwards, the spiral I, I, is compressed
by the sheath J, J, which sliding upwards disappears in the tubo G, G.
By the same movement the central rod E is forced downwards, carrying
with it the cross bar F, the side ties d, d, and the die D, which catching
by the tooth in the notch f turns over on its axes and presents its
engraved face i, i, to the surface to be stamped (see Fig. 3). On raising
the hand, the spiral expands, throwing out the sheath J, J, and drawing
back to their original position the rod E, the bar F, the ties d, d,
and the die D, the latter with its engraved face turned as before towards
the ink pad, against which it is pressed by the tension of the spring
and thus prepared for the succeeding stroke. In certain cases the fixed
horizontal pad and reservoir may be replaced by an inking roller so
arranged in combination with the motive mechanism as to press at each
up and down stroke on the engraved surface of the die.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Marc Antoine François Mennons in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 9th March 1863.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
; ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, formerly of the British and Foreign Patent
Offices, 24, Rue du Mont Thabor, but now of 24, Rue de Dunkerque, Paris,
in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-sixth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, Ier special licence that
I, the said Marc Antoine Francois Mennons, my executors, administra-
tors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SELF-INKING HAND STAMPS," a communication from Joseph Henri Simonin, a
person resident at No 5, Rue des Douze Portes, Paris, in the Empire
of France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Marc
Antoine François Mennons, my executors or administrators, by an instra-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to
be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement thereof, that is to say :-
This Invention consists in an improved combination of mechanism, by
means of which the rotation of the die in self-inking hand stamps may be
obtained with greater precision and a more useful effect, than by the stamps of
this class at present in general use.
Fig. 1, of the annexed Drawing represents the complete stamp, with the die
at the height of its course. Fig. 2 represents an enl view of one of the two

page_text: branches of the stamp. Fig. 3 represents the completo stamp with the die at
its lowest position. Fig. 4 represents the various moveable parts of the
apparatus, separately. Fig. 5 represents the fixed parts of the same.
Figs. 6, 7, and 8, represent respectively the ink reservoir, the perforated
plate, and the pad or piece of cloth or felt for the round stamp. Fig. 9
represents together the ink reservoir, the basin and the pad for stamps
of an oval or other shape, not being circular. Figs. 10 and 11, represent
the basin and reservoir separately. Figs. 12 and 13, represent in sido
and back view a part of the apparatus with plate and inking roller.
Fig. 14 represents a double faced pad.
In the different Figures of the Drawing, the similar parts are represented
by similar letters of reference. A is a bandle in wood, ivory, or other suitable
material; B, B¹, is a double branched frame, at half the height of the
branches of which are fixed, by means of the screws C, C, the pad and
ink reservoir D; E and F, are an inking roller and plate, which may be
substituted for the pad and reservoir D; G is the dic, the axes O, O, of
which slide in a longitudinal slot formed in each of the two branches B, B';
His a guide piece on which the die G rests while being inked, in the apparatus
constructed with roller and plate; I is a projecting flange screwed to
the branch B, which serves to give a movement of rotation to the die when
in rising or descending, a tooth N, adjusted for that purpose, catches in
this flange; M, M, are two studs fixed to the branch B', in which catches the
tooth J, which tooth is cast with the die; S is a metal tube fixed in the cavity
of the handle A; Q is a metallic rod placed in the tube S, its upper end
being fixed to the end of the tube, and its lower extremity screwing to the
cross bar R, the axes 9, 9, of which slide up and down in the longitudinal P, P,
of the branches B, B'; T, T, is a spiral placed in the space between the
tube S and the rod Q. Its upper end presses in the extremity of the cavity
just named, and its lower end on the top of the tube U. U is a second tube
cast with the cross bar of the frame, in which the rod Q slides under the
pressure of the hand on the handle A and thereby on the spiral spring T, while
the tube S slides outside it; V, V, are two small connecting rods, placed one
outside each of the branches B, B', of the frame, and which connect the axes
9. 9, of the cross bar, with those o, o, of the die G. The article to be stamped
being placed under the branches of the apparatus, constructed as above, and
the handle A pressed, the spring T is forced back, the tube S slides hardly
over the tube U, and at the same time the rod Q descends in the latter tube,
pressing the cross bar R, which by incans of the small branches or conductors
V, V, removes the die G from its contact with the pad D, and in the course

page_text: of its descent, the tooth F, catching in the flange I, gives a half turn to the
die, bringing its engraved face on the surface to be stamped. As soon as
the pressure is removed, the spring T pressing on the upper part of the handle
A, draws upwards the tube S and the rod Q, thus raising the cross bar R,
the conductors V, V, and the die G to their original position, having first, by
means of the flange I turned the face of the latter towards the ink pad.
As above mentioned the pad and reservoir D may be replaced by a roller
and plate, see Figs. 12 and 13, the other parts of the apparatus being as
above described. In this case, the roller E and the plate F are placed in a
lateral position and the die G receives only a quarter turn, in order to rest
vertically against the guide piece H, and in this position to receive the pressure
of the plate F, which is covered with a piece of felt or cloth. The roller is
placed immediately below the cross bar R. It is covered with ink, and rises
and descends alternately during the working of the apparatus, thus inking the
cloth or felt which covers the plate F. The plate is disposed so as to be held
away from the dio G, by means of the roller E during the time that the die is
moving. The pad and ink reservoir D, which are the most important part
of the said Invention, consist, for, the stamps of a round forn, of a box a in
metal without a bottom, provided with a small border b around its inner edge,
on which is placed a piece of cloth or felt c, above this is added a perforated
metal plate d, see Figs. 6, 7, and 8. The ink being placed above the metal
plate, the box is shut by means of a screw lid, arranged to allow of more or
less pressure being brought to bear upon the ink, by screwing more or
less tightly this lid, thus causing the ink to pass through the holes in the
perforated plate, and to impregnate the cloth with which it is covered on its
lower surface. For those stamps the die of which is not of a circular form,
and therefore does not admit of a screw lid of the same shape as the ink
reservoir, the metallic-box e is made with a circular screw lid f, the border 6
is omitted, and the perforated plate on which the ink is placed, is provided with
a border, forming a basin h, which rests against the upper part of the box. On
this plate, the piece of cloth or felt which forms the pad is laid, (see Figs. 10
and 11.) Lastly, the pad may be made double, its two parts being separated
by a metal plate as represented in Fig. 14. This plate is perforated. In
this case, the lid is replaced by the second pad, and the whole turns on two
axes, being furnished with a stop piece, so that the two pads may be used
alternately, as they become more or less impregnated with ink.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the manner in
which it is to be carried into effect, I would haveit understood that I do not intend
to confine myself to the precise mechanical details, described above, and illustrated

page_text: in the annexed Drawing, as they may be greatly modified, without departing
from the principle of the Invention, but what I claim is,―
Firstly, the fixed parts of the said apparatus, consisting of the frame B, B³,
the pad, and metallic box D, the projecting flange I, and the studs or
rivets M, M.
Secondly, the moveable parts of the apparatus, consisting of the tube S,
the metallic rod Q, the cross bar R, the two guides V, V, and the
die G.
Thirdly, the mode of inking by means of the fixed plate F and roller E.
Fourthly, the mode of construction of the pad and ink reservoir D, composed
of the metallic box R or a, the perforated plate d, for round dies, and of the
perforated basin h, with borders for those of any other form, or of the double
faced pad represented in Figure 14.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons,
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Sixth day of March, 1
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
three.
Witness,
H. BONNEVILLE,
Patent Agent,
M. F. MENNONS. (L.s.)
British and Foreign Patent Offices,
24, Rue du Mont Thabor,
Paris, France.