IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF REVOLVING WINDOW SHUTTERS AND BLINDS AND METAL WINDOW SASHES
Year: 1856

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Clark, of Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF REVOLVING WINDOW SHUTTERS
AND BLINDS AND METAL WINDOW SASHES."
Sealed the 19th May 1857, and dated the 21st November 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Clark at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on tho
21st November 1856.
I, ALEXANDER CLARK, of Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION & CONSTRUCTION OF REVOLVING WINDOW
SHUTTERS & BLINDS, & METAL WINDOW SASHES," to be as follows:-
"My Invention relates," first, to window shutters composed of a series
of laths jointed or binged together so as to roll up and unroll, and consists in
applying strips of steel as springs across the laths of such shutters or blinds, so as
to give them a tendency to coil themselves up, which steel springs may either
be sufficiently strong to coil up the shutter altogether, or only to assist that
operation, and may or may not form the connection between the laths. Springs
of india-rubber, or other suitable material may be similarly applied.

page_text: A further improvement in these shutters, when composed of metal laths,
consists in cutting notches at intervals of an inch or two in one edge of the
lath, leaving projecting pieces to form hooks, which hooks are hooked into slot
holes in the adjoining lath; the slot holes being punched near the opposite
edge of the laths.
A further improvement in these shutters consists in fitting and fixing them
so as nearly to fold, instead of rolling, when the closure is to be opened. This
I effect by forming a recess, either above or below the window or opening, of
half the depth of the shutter. If fitted below the window, the.shutter is raised
and lowered by power applied to the upper part. The lower part of the
shutter is a fixture, and when lowered doubles itself in the space provided, and
hangs in a double therein when down. When placed above the window it
doubles over a roller, to which I apply the power for raising and lowering.
Further improvements in these lath shutters consist in winding up or
lowering them by means of a steel strip or band, one end being wound round
a reel fixed on the shutter shaft, and the other passed through between two
rollers, biting the strip by the force of a spring, but with sufficient force to
sustain the weight of shutter. The shaft of one roller is furnished with the
winch handle for winding up the shutter, and with a ratchet and pall to
prevent it running back. When it is desired to lower the shutter, the pressure
between the rollers is ensed until the metal strip slips, which thus acts as a
break, and effects that purpose without any unwinding. I further uso breaks
of this or any other kind to lower shutters wound up by other means.
A further improvement in revolving shutters consists in supporting the
roller on which they are wound in slot bearings to permit the rollers to advance
nearer to or recede from the side grooves down which the shutters slide,
whereby the roller, termed the relieving roller, may be dispensed with, which
motion of the winding roller may simply be permissive and consequent on the
working of the shutter, or effected by double eccentrics or cambs acting on
hollows or notches in the bottom of the slot bearings.
A further improvement in these shutters consists in making the carrying
rollers or relieving rollers of tin plate formed into a cylinder, the parts being
suitably grooved and soldered together. If of large diameter, rollers thus
made are light and inexpensive, and possess great rigidity and stiffness.
Another improvement consists in the application of revolving shutters to
enclosing shop cases containing goods for safety and protection from dust.
My improvements in blinds consist, first, in the application in these im-
proved shutters as blinds.
Another improvement in blinds relates to outside blinds or shades for shops

page_text: or windows, and consists in supporting the blind on a frame or stretcher of one
or more series of jointed levers, known as lazy tongs, which, when distended,
support the blind as required, and which are readily collapsed, and draw the
blind up with them.
My improvements in metal sashes consist in applying a thin coating or
covering of brass or other suitable metal on a body of iron plate or sheet
or other inexpensive metal, which thin brass coating I secure to the iron by
soldering, or otherwise suitably cemented or secured throughout the entire
surface. The baser metal, so plated with brass or other suitable metal, is drawn
& formed in the usual way of forming the bars of metal sashies. This method
of constructing sash bars is also applicable to the lower bar or stall-board plate
of shop windows.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexandor Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st May 1857..
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
CLARK, of Gate Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-first day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the twentieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alexander Clark, Her special licence that I, the said Alexander
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Alexander Clark, 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 " IMPROVE.
MENTS IN THE APPLICATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF REVOLVING WINDOW SHUTTERS AND
BLINDS, AND METAL WINDOW SASHES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Alexander Clark, my executors or administrators, by an instrument
in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly 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

page_text: 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 Alexander Clark, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Sheet of Drawings hereunto
annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
My Invention relates, first, to window shutters composed of a series of laths
jointed or hinged together so as to rull up and unroll, and consists in applying
strips of steel as springs across the laths of such shutters or blinds, so as to
give them a tendency to coil themselves up, which steel springs may either be
sufficiently strong to coil up the shutters altogether or only to assist that
operation, and may or may not form the connection between the laths. Springs
of india-rubber or other suitable material may be similarly applied.
A further improvement in these shutters when composed of metal laths
consists in cutting notches at short intervals in one edge of the lath, leaving
projecting pieces to form hooks, which hooks are hooked into slot holes in the
adjoining lath, the slot holes being punched near the edge of the laths opposite
to the hooks.
A further improvement in these shutters consists in fitting and fixing them
so as merely to fold instead of rolling when the closure is to be opened; this I
effect by forming a recess, either above or below the window or opening, of half
the depth of the shutter. If fitted below the window, the shutter is raised and
lowered by power applied to the upper part. The lower part of the shutter is
a fixture, and when lowered doubles itself in the space provided, and hangs in
a double therein when down. When placed above the window it doubles over
a roller, to which I apply the power for raising and lowering.
Further improvements in these lath shutters consist in winding up or
Jowering them by means of a steel strip or band, one end being wound round a
reel fixed on the shutter shaft, and the other passed through between two
rollers, biting the strip by the force of a spring, but with sufficient forco to
sustain the weight of the shutter. The shaft of one roller is furuished with the
winch handle for winding up the shutter, and with a ratchet and pall to prevent
it running back. When it is desired to lower the shutter the pressure between
the roller is eased until the metal strip.slips, which thus acts as a break, and
effects that purpose without any unwinding. I further use breaks of this or
any other kind to lower shutters wound up by other means.
A further improvement in revolving shutters consists in supporting the roller
on which they are wound in slot bearings, to permit the rollers to advance

page_text: nearer. to or recede from the side grooves down which the shutter slides,
whereby the roller ternied the relieving roller may be dispensed with, which
motion of the winding roller may simply be permissive, and consequent on the
working of the shutter.
A further improvement in these shutters consists in making the carrying
rollers or relieving rollers of tin plate forced into a cylinder, the parts being
suitably grooved and soldered together. If of large diameters, rollers thus
made are light and inexpensive, and possess great rigidity and stiffness.
Another improvement consists in the application of revolving shutters for
enclosing shop cases containing goods for safety and protection from dust,
which will be readily understood without further description.
My improvements in blinds consist in the application of these improved
shutters as blinds.
Another improvement in blinds relates to outside blinds or shades for shops
or windows, and consists in supporting the blind on a frame or stretcher of one
or more series of jointed levers known as lazy tongs, which, when distended,
support the blind as required, and which are readily collapsed, and draw the
blind up with them.
My improvements in metal window sashes consist in applying a thin coating
or covering of brass or other suitable metal on a body of iron plate, or sheet or
other inexpensive mteal, which thin, brass coating I secure to the iron by
soldering or otherwise suitably cemented or secured throughout the entire
surface. The baser nietal, so plated with brass or other suitable metal, is drawn
and framed in the usual way of forming the bars of metal sashes. This motho
of constructing sash bars is also applicable to the lower bar or stall-board plate
of shop windows.
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of an ordinary window furnished with
an inside shutter or blind constructed according to the first part of my Inven-
tion; Figure 2, an inside view of the same, with the shutter closed; and
Figure 3, a horizontal section of the same. The shutter or blind is composed
of a series of flat laths a, a, of wood or other suitable material, united and
jointed together by means of webbing b, b, b. I further connect the laths
together by means of a number of steel springs c, c, c, which are simply pieces
of steel like clock springs, having a tendency to coil themselves up. The laths
are connected at one point of each lath only (in the middle of the breadth), to
permit the free action of the springs. The upper lath a', together with the

page_text: .
upper ends of the springs and webbings, are all fixed to the framework above
the window. The springs, when freo to act, have the effect of coiling up the
shutter in the manner represented at Figuro 1, until the whole shutter is coiled
up above the window. It will be observed that the springs are more numerous
at the upper part of the bliud, in order to overcome the additional weight of
the shutter as it coils up. A cord d'is attached to the lower lath a" of the
shutter, which coils up with the shutter, and by pulling which it may bo again
pulled down.. In order to fix the shutter when closed, two strips, e', aro
hinged one to either side of the window, which fold back, as seen dotted in
Figure 3, when lowering or raising the shutter, but when closed abut against
the ends of the laths, and fix them in the closed position.
Figure 4 represents a vertical section of an outside shutter of a construction
similar to the foregoing, but which slides up and down in fixed grooves h, h, at
the sides of the window, in manner similar to ordinary revolving shutters.
The laths a, a, which lap each other a little, are connected and furnished with
webbings b, b, and springs c, c, as before, but in this caso the number and
strength of the springs may be the same throughout the length of the shutters.
The upper part of the springs and webbings are secured to a shaft f, fitted
and free to rotate in bearings at each end, fixed to the framework of the
window. g, g, is a circular recess, in which tho upper ends of the grooves
terminate, and in and between which recess the shutter coils itself up. To
open and close this shutter it is necessary to push up or pull it down by the
bottom bar or lath a". When pushing the shutter up the springs will causo
the shutter to coil itself up, as shewn partially coiled in Figure 4, and to uncoi!
when pulled down. When the shutter is down it may be fixed by a bolt, or
in any other suitable manner. The shaft may be dispensed with altogether,
if desirable. Instead of using the steel springs c, c, other springs may be
similarly applied for coiling up the shutter, as, for instance, strips of india-
rubber, stretched or placed in tension on and secured to the laths, as before
described, will have a liko effect.
The second part of my luvention relates to metal lath revolving shutters,
which, as well understood, are a series of metal laths joined together; and
my improvement consists in jointing and connecting the laths, heroin-after
described, and represented in Figures 5, 6, and 7, in which Figuro 5 repre-
sents portions of three laths, and Figure 6 a vertical section of the same,
while Figure 7 represents a portion of the lath in course of preparation.
The metal strip or lath A, A, is first punched or otherwise cut in the form
represented throughout its length, that is to say, having slot holes i, i, puncbod
at short intervals along the one edge, while the other edge is cut so as to

page_text: produce projecting pieces k, k, at intervals corresponding with the slots i, i,
in the other edge; when so cut, the projecting pieces are curled round, either
by drawing through a draw plate, or folded and doubled round by any other
means, so as to form hooks k, as seen in the section, Figure 6; the laths are
tlien connected by hooking the several hooks k, k, of one lath into the slots of
the adjoining laths, which secures them strongly together, and at the same time
permits the necessary play between the laths to allow the shutter to revolve or
roll round the drum or shaft on which such shutters are wound. To insert
the hooks into the slots i, i, the laths are placed back to back, that is, with
the insides of the laths a, a, placed together, in which position the thickness of
the metal of the one lath will slide easily under the points of the hooks of the
other, and may then be turned into its proper position. The methods of fitting
and fixing these shutters being well understood, it is unnecessary to give any
description thereof.
The third part of my Invention relates to lath shutters and blinds, but
which are not rolled up on a roller when opened, but are simply doubled or
folded in a space above or below tho window.
Figure 8 represents a vertical section of a window fitted with a shutter
according to this part of my Invention. is the space below the window in
which the shutter a, a, is folded. The shutter consists of a series of wood
laths a, a, a, united by webbing or other suitable material; or the laths may
be of metal, and otherwise suitably jointed or united. The one end of the
shutter is fixed at a', while the bar a at the other end rests on the sill of the
window, being too thick to pass through the long slot n, through which
the shutter passes. Cords m, m, nro secured to each end of a", and passed
over pullies o, o, one on either side of the window, the other ends hanging
pendent, and whereby the shutter may be pulled up to close the shutter, or
lowered to open it. The ends of the laths are received in grooves in each side
of the window frame, as in ordinary revolving lath shutters. When the shutter
is raised and so closed, it may be secured in that position by a bolt or bolts
passing through the lower part of the shutter, or by other stops or catches
suitable for the purpose.
Figure 9 is a transverse vertical section of a window fitted with a shutter or
blind a, a, a, similar to the last herein described, but which is elevated and
folded or doubled in a space p above the window. In this case it is doubled
over a roller q, q, and has cords r, r¹, attached at both ends, by which the
shutter is drawn up or lowered down to close it. The upper and lower bars a'
and all are of sufficient thickness to prevent the shutter passing through the
long slot s in the upper part of the window frame, through which the shutter

page_text: passes. Tho shutter may be readily secured when down, as before described
with referenco to the shutter last herein mentioned.
The fourth part of my Invention relates to apparatus for winding up and
lowering revolving shuttles and blinds, which is represented in end view at
Figure 10, and in side view at Figure 11; it consists of a pair of rollers t, t,
the ono & mounted in bearings in fixed standards 1, 1, and the other t¹ in move-
able bearings 2,2, jointed at u. The rollers t, t, are held in contact by a
strong spring v. The shaft of roller t is fitted with a winch handle 3, by
which motion is communicated to the rollers, and also with ratchet, wheels
w, w, which are held by palls æ, æ, to prevent the roller running back; the palls
are mounted on the spindle of roller t', and held in gear by a spring wire.
These rollers with their frames are securely held and fixed by their frame in n
suitable position for winding up the shutter to which this gear is applied.
B, B, is a strip of metal or other suitable form of belt or chain, by preference
I use a strip of steel for the purpose, the one end of this is fixed to and wound
on a drum or roller C, keyed on the shutter shaft, while the other end of the
strip is passed between the rollers and t', which grip it sufficiently tight to
carry the weight of the shutter, so that by turning the roller in the proper
direction by the wynch handle 3, the strip B will be carried down between the
rollers, and thereby uncoiling it from drum C, and so causing the shutter shaft
The shutter may be fitted in bearings, and otherwise furnished in
the ordinary manner. When it is desired to lower the shutter, the handle 3 is
forced in a backward direction a little, which, by reason of the position of palls
,, tends to separate the rollers & and t, and so to let the metal strip C slip,
the shutter is then permitted to descend gradually. The rollers and strip thus
act as a break in lowering the shutter. Instead of a metal strip attached
at one end to the drum on the shutter shaft, it may be an endless strip
passing over one of the rollers t. If the bite is insufficient on the shutter drum
or pulley, it may be provided with teeth entering into holes in the strip.
to rotate.
Other descriptions of breaks may also be employed for lowering revolving
shutters, the application of which will be readily understood without further
description.
4
The shutter or blind D, D, represented in Figures 10 and 11, is supported
according to improvements forming another part of iny Invention, which con-
sists in dispensing with what is termed the relieving roller, which is a roller
over which the shutter passes to cause its proper descent in the side grooves;
for this purpose I place the journals or pivots of the shutter shaft or roller iu
slot bearings, best seen in Figure 12.
The slut bearings.4, 4, permit the shutter to roll forward on its journals as

page_text: it is unwound, while it also permits it to roll backwards when being wound
up, and thereby rendering the shutter at all times easy of access and egress
into and from the side grooves; when "unwinding," the shutter will roll
forwards rather more than necessary, but it is kept in position by the laths of
the shutter coming in contact with the front part of the groove 5, 5, carried
up for that purpose; while, in "winding up," the drag of the shutter prevents
it traversing too fast in the slot bearings 4, 4.
The fifth part of my Invention relates to outside blinds for shop and other
windows, of which Figure 13 represents a plan of a blind distended, and
Figure 14 a plan of the same collapsed or closed. This blind shuts up in a
case above the shop or other window, and consists simply of two rails E, F,
between which the cloth H of the blind is stretched; the one F is fixed,
and the other E is thrown out, as required. The rail E is supported and
carried from F by two, three, or more sets or series of cross levers G, G, which
expand and collapse for the purpose of throwing out and expanding the blind,
as .at Figure 13; or closing it, at Figure 14. The blind having no other
support, this is readily and easily effected.
The last part of my Invention relates to coating or plating iron or other
metal sash bars or stall plates (the lower bars or plates) of windows with brass,
in order to lessen the expence of those articles.
To effect this, I first "draw" in a draw bench or otherwise form the iron
sash bar or stall plate of the requisite form, which is afterwards smoothed,
cleaned, and turned on the side to be coated with brass. While the iron bar
is in a heated state, so as to keep the tin melted, I apply thin sheet brass to
the tinned surface, and by rubbing with a burnisher, cause it to adhere to the
iron, precisely in the manner now practised in plating the iron furniture of
harness and other articles with brass. The brass, when cold, may be polished
up, and will have all the appearance of solid brass sashes and stall plates.
Having described the nature of my Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I would have it understood that what I claim as my Invention,
intended to be secured by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the construction and arrangement of lath shutters and blinds, whereby
they are rendered self-coiling, as herein-before described.
Secondly, jointing and connecting metal lath shutters and blinds, as berein-
before described with reference to Figures 5, 6, & 7 in the Sheet of Drawings
hereunto annexed.
Thirdly, the arrangement of lath shutters and blinds to double or fold in a
space above or below the window, as berein-before described.
Fourthly, the winding up and lowering lath shutters and blinds by means of

page_text: of
strip of steel or other suitable material, or it may be a flexible belt or chain
any suitable form, acted on by rollers or biting surfaces, as herein-before
described; and I further claim the application of breaks to the lowering of
revolving shutters generally.
Fifthly, the fitting of revolving lath shutters and blinds in slot bearings, or
in bearings free to traverse backwards and forwards, in order to dispense with
the relieving roller in such shutters and blinds, as herein-before described.
Sixthly, constructing relieving rollers of revolving shutters and .blinds of
tin plate, as described.
Seventhly, the application of revolving lath shutters to the closing of show
cases containing goods in shops or other show rooms.
Eighthly, constructing and supporting window outside blinds with .sets of
jointed levers, as herein-before described.
Lastly, I claim coating iron or other cheap metal sash bars and stall-board
plates of windows with brass, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, tho said Alexander Clark, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-soven.
Witness,
W. CLARK, Patent Agent,
53, Chancery Lane, London.
ALEX CLARK. (LS.)