An Improved Apparatus for Copying and Duplicating Letters, Manuscripts, and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 9th June, 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1891
PROVISIONAL SI MOLTIVATION
An Improved Apparatus for Copying and Duplicating Letters,
Manuscripts, and the like.
I, MAX SOMMERS, of 225 West 42nd Street, in the City, County and State
of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
ature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a convenient means of copying letters
and other documents without the aid of the copying press and its various
appliances:
My improved device is small in size and occupies very little space, so that it can
very readily be packed in a travelling bag for use on a journey. It is moreover
compact and complete in itself.
My improved copying device consists of a cylinder preferably of metal and is
formed with a longitudinal slit or opening extending along its entire length.
This cylinder is capped at each end in a suitable manner and it contains a roller
which is journalled in the ends of the cylinder. This roller is provided with a
spiral spring placed in one end, or it may have two spiral springs, one at each end.
These spiral springs give the roller a tendency to revolve back to the normal
position after having been turned in one direction. This arrangement is after the
manner of the construction of what are known as spring roller blinds. The ratchet
and pawl is also used to check the spring.
I attach to the roller in a suitable manner, one end of a length of oiled cloth or
I also attach to the roller in a
other material which is impervious to water.
similar manner a length of suitable textile or other material capable of absorbing
water. This second strip I place on the surface of the oiled cloth. These strips
should both be of the same width or thereabouts. The strips are rolled together
on the roller with the roller spring in the normal condition. The free ends of
strips project outside the cylinder through the longitudinal slit or opening referred
to and said free ends of the strips are attached to a suitable binding, which may
consist of a metal rod. Such rod should be of a diameter greater than the width
of the slit or opening in the cylinder, or the rod may be of greater length than
said slit, or the rod may be provided wish other suitable means to prevent it from
Now it will be seen
entering the cylinder when tension of the spring is exerted.
that by my invention the strips of material may be drawn forth-there being a
suitable handle attached to the binding or end rod for this purpose and the textile
or other suitable water absorbing material may be dampened with water by
sponging or otherwise.
A sheet of the usual thin copying paper may then be placed on the dampened
material and the letter or other document to be copied placed face downwards over
the copying paper. The strips of material which have been held extended by the
action of the usual pawl and ratchet common to the spring roller blinds, and which
I employ, may now be released and allowed to be pulled in and over the roller by
the tension of the spring. The spring used being very strong, and as the roller
fits rather closely within the cylinder, this action is found to serve the purpose of
copying very effectively.
The merits of my invention are that the whole apparatus is small and compact
and may thus be carried about whilst travelling. No pressure by hand or other-
wise is required and the whole operation of copying is performed more expeditiously
than with any other device for the like purpose. It is only necessary to dampen

page_text: the absorbent material occasionally, as this is kept moist by the backing of oiled
cloth.
ما
Dated this 27th day of January 1891
F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.
An Improved Apparatus for Copying and Duplicating Letters,
Manuscripts, and the like.
I, MAX SOMMERS, of 225 West 42nd Street, in the City, County and State
of New York, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to provide a convenient and efficient means for
copying and duplicating letters, manuscripts, etc., which may be used for home or
office work, or when travelling. To this end my invention comprises a simple,
durable, compact and effective apparatus, which is cheaply constructed and easily
operated.
In the drawings accompanying the Specification-
Fig. 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view, taken in the line cc of Figs. 2
and 3, of an apparatus constructed according to and embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken in the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken in the line of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a like view, but showing certain of the parts in a different position.
Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, are detail sectional views illustrating modifications of my
said invention.
A represents a shell or casing of any desired form or configuration and con-
structed of any suitable material. As shown in the drawings, this shell or casing
is circular in cross-section and composed of a cylinder a, capped or closed at the
ends by end pieces and, the said end pieces being grooved at or near their
peripherics to receive the ends of the cylinder of said shell or casing.
Within this shell A, is provided a roller B, of wood or other suitable material,
said roller being supported within said casing and arranged to rotate therein and
independent thereof.
C
Cis a strip or sheet of textile or other suitable material capable of being
dampened or of absorbing water. This strip or sheet C is secured at one end to
the circumference of the roller B, and extends outward through a longitudinal
slot in the casing A, being provided with one or more hooks d, at its outer end,
for a purpose hereinafter presently described. D is a reinforce or strengthening
sheet preferably of oiled cloth or other material impervious to water. The width
of the sheets C and D should be less than the lengths of the roller B, and the
The outer or free end of the sheet D, also extends out through the slot c.
and at its extemity is provided with a strengthening bar e, around which the said
free end of said strip or sheet is looped and fastened by a sewed seam or otherwise.
This bar e prevents the ends of the sheets C and D, from being drawn within the
shell or casing when the said sheets are wound around and upon said roller, as
hereinafter described.
slot c.
Any suitable means may be used for winding or coiling the said sheets upon the
roller B, but I prefer to use that shown in the drawings and which we'will' now
proceed to describe.
Upon one end of the roller B, (which roller is made hollow), is fitted a cap or
ferrule, provided with an axle 9, loosely journalled in the cap or end piece of
the shell or casing A. To the other end of this roller B, is secured a cap or plate h,
provided on its outer surface with a circumferential flange, and on its inner surface
with two lugs or feathers j, which are sunk or driven into the end of the roller B, to

page_text: any
prevent said plate from turning axially independently of said roller. A cap or
ferrule k, prevents the said plate from being detached from the end of the roller.
A rod E extends through said plate 4, and into the roller B, to desired extent.
To the inner end of this rod E, is secured one end of a spiral spring F, the other
end of which spring is secured to the lugs j of the plate h. To the outer extremity
of the rod E, is rigidly fastened a disc m, which rotates freely within the circum-
ferential flange i, of the plate h, and is provided with a projection n, squared at the
end and embedded in the end or cap piece b, as shown in Fig. 1; said squared end
preventing the rod E, from being turned axially when the spring F, is put under
tension.
To the outer side of the dise m, is pivoted by a pivot pl, a pawl p, provided with
a catch, which on occasion engages one of the notches, in the circumferential
flange i, of the plate h. As the construction of the roller B. rod E, spring F, etc.,
is well known and understood, further and more detailed description thereof is here
unnecessary.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
"
When the apparatus is not in use the sheets C, and D, are coiled tightly around
and upon the roller B, the hook d, on the outer or free end of the strip C, being
clasped over the bar e, which, being of greater diameter than the width of the
slot prevents said sheets from entering through said slot to the interior of the
shell or casing A, as hereinbefore set forth, and also provides a means whereby
the sheets may be withdrawn from the roller as occasion may require.
When the parts are in this position the spring F, should be under some tension
in which case the locking pawl p, will be locked in one of the notches in the
circumferential flange of the plate ; thus holding the roller B, rigidly with
the rod E, and shell A, and preventing the said roller from being rotated upon
said rod.
the
When it is desired to use the apparatus the shell or casing A, being held in the
hand of the operator or supported in any suitable manner, is turned or tilted until
the slot is in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which case the pivot of the
pawl, (the latter being still locked in the notches,) will be in the position shown
in Fig. 3. The bar e, being grasped by the hand of the operator, and the sheets
drawn upon with force enough to overcome the resistance of the spring F,
roller B, and consequently the plate will revolve, and the pawl p, being simul-
taneously released, will swing away from said notch to the position shown in Fig. 3.
When the sheets C, and D, are drawn out to the desired extent, the shell or
casing A, is turned or tilted until the slot approaches the position shown in Fig. 4,
when the pivot of the pawl p, will be in the position shown in said figure, the
catch r, of the pawl engaging with one of the notches s, thus holding the roller B,
rigidly within the shell or casing A.
The hook or hooks d, being now removed from the bar e, (as shown in dotted
outline in Fig. 2.) the absorbent sheet C, is drawn away from the re-enforce or
strengthening sheet D, (said absorbent sheet having been previously dampened or
moistened with water or the like). A sheet H of paper or other material provided
with the characters or matter to be copied in an ink capable of yielding one or
more impressions or copies when moistened (whether said matter be written, printed
or otherwise provided thereon), is placed upon the sheet D, with the matter to be
copied on its upper side. A sheet of paper I, or like material for receiving the
copy and capable of being thoroughly dampened by the moisture of the absorbent
sheet C, is then laid upon the said sheet H, and the hooks d are again fastened over
the bar e.
The said bar is again grasped by the hand of the operator and the
cylinder turned so that the slot r, and the pivot of the pawl p will be in the
position shown in Fig. 3. The sheets C, and D, being drawn upon sufficiently to
overcome the resistance of the spring F, and the roller B being rotated slightly
upon the rod E, the pawl p, is released, and the retractile force of the spring F
being allowed to preponderate, the sheets C, and D, with the sheets H, and I, are
drawn taut and wound or coiled snugly and tightly upon the roller B. The sheet I

page_text: being thoroughly dampened; receives a thorough, and effective impression or copy
of the characters or matter to be copied provided upon the contiguous surface of
the sheet H.
The sheets H, and I, having been allowed to remain coiled or rolled upon the
roller B, a sufficient length of time, the previous operation is reversed and sheets C,
and D, are again drawn out to the desired extent, the roller B, being locked in
position as before described, the hooks d, removed from the bar e and the absorbent
sheet C, thrown back to permit the removal of sheets H, and I, whereupon the
apparatus is ready for a repetition of the operation.
It will be observed that the outer end of the sheet H, provided with the matter
to be copied, and the outer end of the sheet I, for receiving the copy, should be
placed at a sufficient distance from the outer ends of the absorbent and re-cuforce
sheets, ie., from the bar e, so that the said outer ends of said sheets H, and I, will
press against the roller, when the said bar is at or near the slot c; in order to
ensure the transfer to the sheet I of the matter to be copied on the sheet H to the
outermost edge thereof. The bar e, also acts as a guard for preventing dust,
dirt, etc., from entering to the interior of the casing through said slot when the
apparatus is not in use.
It will also be observed that during the operation of making a copy or impression
the retractile force of the spring F, being allowed to slightly preponderate in
coiling the sheets C, and D, and the sheets H, and I, upon the roller, and the
manual force of the operator preponderating in the withdrawal of said sheets from
the roller, keeps the said sheets at all times taut and greatly assists in the effective-
ness of the apparatus.
Further, the re-enforce or strengthening sheet or backing D, besides enabling
the absorbent sheet C, to retain its moisture or dampness for a considerable
length of time, also provides a smooth, even and firm surface continuously for each
successive coil or layer upon said roller, which also greatly enhances the beauty,
utility and efficiency of the apparatus in accomplishing the purposes for which it is
designed.
When the apparatus is not required for use it may be snugly packed away in a
travelling bag when on a journey, occupying but very little space.
When desired, instead of placing the sheets H, and I, between the sheets C,
and D, the modification shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, may be used.
In this construc-
tion the absorbent sheet C, and impervious sheet D, are joined together at their
ends as shown at t, in Fig. 6. A bar e, is then thrust between them and an almost
cylindrical rigid casing or cover u, of any suitable material is fitted loosely over
the bar e, as shown in Figs. 6, and 7, so that when the said bar is grasped in the
hand and the sheets drawn upon, the length of said sheets will be evenly and
automatically adjusted and any sagging of one sheet with reference to the other is
prevented.
A Hap L, is secured to the sheet C, near the inner end thereof, which may be
very conveniently provided by folding the inner end of the sheet D, back over the
sheet C, and fastened at the sides by a row of stitching to one or both sheets. The
sheet of paper 1, for receiving the copy is then laid upon the dampened absorbent
sheet C, and the sheet H, is placed upon the sheet I, with the surface provided
with matter to be copied contiguous to said sheet I. The inner ends of said sheets
should be inserted under the flap L as shown in Fig. 5, so that said sheets will be
held in proper position when wound or coiled upon the roller B. The operation of
copying is the same in this case as when the sheets H, and I, are placed between
the sheets C, and D.
If desired, the re-enforce or strengthening sheet D, may be dispensed with as
shown in Fig. 8. In this case the absorbent sheet C, is looped around the bar e,
and secured by the usual sewed seam. A sheet I of copying paper is then laid
upon said sheet C, and a sheet H,, is placed upon said copying sheet I, with the
surface provided with the matter to be copied contiguous to the sheet I. If,
however, the sheet H, be provided with the matter to be copied on both sides or

page_text: surfaces, another sheet I, is placed upon the sheet H, as shown in Fig. 8, and the
whole is then wound upon the roller, the absorbent sheet C being allowed to make
at least, one coil upon the roller B before the said sheets are wound thereon. The
upper sheet 1, for receiving the copy, then comes in contact with the coil or layer
of the dampened sheet C, and being thoroughly moistened, receives a copy of
the matter provided upon the upper surface of sheet H; the lower sheet I,
simultaneously receiving a copy of the matter provided to the under side or surface
of the sheet H.
In Fig. 9, is shown another construction for duplicating manuscripts, drawings, etc.
An oil sheet M, is used in lieu of the absorbent sheet C and impervious sheet D.
A sheet of paper I, or like material is provided with the characters or matter to
be duplicated, upon one side or surface in autographic ink, so called. This surface
so provided with characters in autographic ink, is placed upon and contiguous to
the upper surface of the sheet M, and subjected to pressure. An impression of the
characters upon the sheet I, is thus obtained in reverse upon the sheet M, in a
manner well understood in the art. A roller provided with ink is then rolled upon
the upper surface of the sheet M, that is to say, upon the characters in reverse,
the ink only adhering to those portions of the surface of the sheet M, provided
with the characters in reverse. A blank sheet of paper I, is now placed upon said
inked surface, and both sheets M, and I, are coiled upon the roller in the same
manner as the sheets C, D, H, and I, shown in Fig. 1, thus producing a copy upon
the sheet I, of the matter in reverse upon the sheet M. The sheets M, and I, are
then uncoiled from the roller and the sheet I, withdrawn from the sheet M. To
produce another copy of the matter upon the sheet M, it is only necessary to pass
the ink roller again over the sheet M, place another sheet 1, thereon, and repeat
the operation.
The roller B, may when desired, be supported at the ends in a suitable frame-
work, and the ends of the bar e, arranged to move in suitable guides in said
framework, so that the sheet M, may be drawn taut and the ends of the bar secured
in said guides cr framework, thus enabling the sheet M, to present a more even
working surface on its upper side.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The improved copying and duplicating apparatus consisting of a shell or
casing having a longitudinal slot and containing a roller mounted in suitable
bearings, the said roller being adapted to rotate by means of a spiral spring and
with means for checking the rotation; together with an absorbent sheet, absorbent
and re-enforce sheets, or an oil sheet suitably attached to the roller at one end
and with their other ends extending through the slot in the casing, said ends
being provided with suitable means to prevent their being drawn within the casing,
substantially as described.
2. The construction of the improved copying and duplicating apparatus, sub-
stantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described, set forth and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of June 1801
· F. W. BARKER,
Applicant's Agent.