IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF DATING STAMPS, AND IN HIGH ADJUSTABLE BAND TYPE MADE FROM CAOUTCHOUC OR OTHER FLEXIBLE OR ELASTIC MATERIAL TO BE USED THEREWITH
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Kissam Cooke, of Fleet Street, in the City of
London, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND
CONSTRUCTION OF DATING STAMPS, AND IN HIGH ADJUSTABLE BAND TYPE
MADE FROM CAOUTCHOUC OR OTHER FLEXIBLE OR ELASTIC MATERIAL TO
BE USED THEREWITH
"
Sealed the 20th May 1879, and dated the 23rd November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Kissam Cooke at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd November 1878.
GEORGE KISSAM COOKE, of Fleet Street, in the City of London. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF DATING STAMPS, AND IN
HIGH ADJUSTABLE BAND TYPE MADE FROM CAOUTCHOUC OR OTHER FLEXIBLE OR
ELASTIC MATERIAL TO BE USED THEREWITH.'
My Invention relates to improvements in dating stamps, and in adjustable
high band type made from caoutchouc, india rubber, or other flexible or elastic
material, whereby not only name and address but also the date can be stamped in
legible letters or figures.
My Invention consists in constructing adjustable high band type of india rubber
cr other flexible or elastic material of such height that the same enters a conical
guide plate in the dating stamp and is so held in position in the said guide plate
that the type remains in a direct straight line and gives a perfect impression not
only of the dates but also of the letters or figures surrounding the slot in the surface
plate, and in stamps to be used therewith.
To further ensure a perfect impression the lower part of the band frame is pro-
vided with a shaft which enters the handle and which is surrounded by a helical
spring.
Any little inaccuracy in the height of the type is taken up by this said helical
spring, which is also of such length that the entire inuer frame can be withdrawn

page_text: from the guide plate and the date adjusted, after which the spring presses the inner
frame upwards and the chosen date or number is guided up through the conical guide
plate and through the surface plate in perfect line.
The said conically formed guide plate can be made of one piece with the surface
plate, or the same can be of a separate piece of metal or other suitable material, and
attached either to the underside of the surface plate or to the outer frame.
In examining the form of my high band type it will be seen that the ordinary
hinged surface plate cannot be used, as the opening would have to be so wide or so
long that no support would be offered to the elastic letters, which would be pushed
either into irregular line, one letter higher than the other in wide openings, or the
letters and figures at unequal distances apart in long openings, but a slotted hinge
could be used so as to retain the small opening or slot in the surface plate.
To adjust the stamp to any required date or number, draw back the inner or
letter frame by means of the two small screws in the outer frame, the helical or
other suitable spring will be compressed and the high elastic band type drawn
down free from the guide plate.
Insert a pencil, penholder, or other suitable object in the interstices between the
high raised letters or figures, press the same downwards, and turn the bands and
type until the correct date, or letter, or number stands beneath the guide plate, then
allow the helical or other suitable spring to press the high raised type up through
the opening in the guide plate and through the slot in the surface plate.
The stamp is.now adjusted, the type stands in perfectly correct line and is ready
for use.
The bands cau be moved into position by means of small milled edged or other
suitable rollers or the roller, can be made so that the same will revolve, but this
would add considerably to the price of the stamp.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Kissam Cooke in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
May 1879.
"
GEORGE KISSAM COOKE, of Fleet Street, in the City of London. IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE AND CONSTRUCTION OF DATING STAMPS, AND IN
HIGH ADJUSTABLE BAND TYPE MADE FROM CAOUTCHOUC OR OTHER FLEXIBLE OR
ELASTIC MATERIAL TO BE USED THEREWITH."
My Invention relates to improvements in dating stamps and in adjustable high
band type made from caoutchouc (india rubber) or other flexible or elastic material
whereby not only name and address, but also the date can be stamped in legible
letters or figures.
My Invention consists in constructing adjustable high band type of india rubber
or other flexible or elastic material of such height that the same enters a conical
guide plate in the dating stamp and is so held in position in the said guide plate
that the type remains in a direct straight line and gives a perfect impression not
only of the date but also of the letters or figures surrounding the slot in the surface
plate and in stamps to be used therewith..
To further ensure a perfect impression the lower part of the band frame is pro-
vided with a shaft which enters the handle and which is surrounded by a helical
spring.
Any little inaccuracy in the height of the type is taken up by this said helical
spring, which is also of such length that the entire inner frame can be withdrawn
from the guide plate and the date adjusted, after which the spring presses the
inner frame upwards and the chosen date or number is guided up through the
conical guide plate and through the surface plate in perfect line.
The said conically formed guide plate can be made of one piece with the surface
plate, or the same can be of a separate piece of metal or other suitable material
and attached either to the underside of the surface plate or to the outer frame.
This Invention will be clearly understood by reference to the annexed Drawings
in which like letters denote like parts in all the Figures.
l
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is an elevation of the improved dating stamp ready for use.
Figure 2 is a view of the said stamp with the helical spring compressed ready
to adjust the date or number.
Figure 3 is a side view; Figure 4 is a section of the stamp showing the type a in
position.
Figures 5 to 14 are details of the stamp and of the type a and band a¹.
a is the high type made of india rubber or other flexible or elastic material on
its band a¹.
The band a and type a can be of one piece or can be of separate pieces joined
together in a suitable manner, or in order to strengthen the band the same can be
provided with a backing of linen cloth or other suitable material (a2).
.
bis the stamp made of india rubber or other flexible or elastic material for the
name or address; c is the conical guide plate; el is the metallic surface plate which
is slotted for the date to pass through, and on which the address type is fixed; d is
the outer frame containing the slots o, o, for the screws i, i, to operate in, and which
is attached to the surface plate c¹ by means of the screws h, h, or in other suitable
manner; e is the inner or band frame, consisting of the two sides e, e¹, horizontal
connection e, the two supports ƒ and g and the shaft k.
is the helical or other suitable spring; m is the knob or handle to the stamp;
n is a plug inserted in the knob or handle to regulate the pressure of the helical spring.
Figure 15 is an elevation of a modification of my improved dating stamp, and
which is so arranged that the helical spring is dispensed with and whereby the
outer frame d, surface plate c', and guide plate c are so arranged that the same can
slide on the inner frame e, e', like a telescope, so as to permit the letters or figures
of the high band type to be adjusted.

page_text: Each side of the outer frame is provided with two slots o, o¹, for the screws ¹, ¹,
of the upper support f, and the screws i, i, which enter the lower supports g 'to
operate in.
The one side of the inner frame is attached to the horizontal connection e² by
means of the screws p, p, so that the said side plate can be removed and the rings
or band with the high elastic type placed on the supports f, g. The advantage of
making this plate of a separate piece is that the bands of high elastic type can be
joined in a suitable manner before being put into the supports.
The screws work in the slot o¹ in the outer frame, through the worms in the
inner frame into the upper support f, and serve as guides for the outer frame and to
connect the side e or e¹ of the inner frame to the support f.
The screws i, i, pass through the slots o, o, of the outer frame and enter the
trunnion of the support g on the one side and on the other side through the inner
frame e or c¹ into the support g, and serve as guides for the outer frame d, and also
to attach the said outer frame rigidly to the inner frame e, e¹.
The upper surface of the support fis preferably flattened so as to form a better
bearing surface for the type a.
The surface plate c', conical guide plate c, and the sides d of the outer frame can
be made from one piece of metal or other suitable material, or can be of separate
pieces fastened together in a suitable manner.
Figure 16 is a side view of this modification; Figure 17 is a view of the same
with the outer frame drawn upwards to permit the type to be adjusted. As soon as.
the screws i, i, are loosened the frame d can slide on the inner frame e, e¹, as afore-
said; Figure 18 is a section of Figure 17.
Figures 19 to 26 are details of this construction.
A. To adjust the stamp shown in the Figures 1 to 14 to any required date or number
draw back the inner or letter frame by means of the two small screws i, i, working
in the two slots o, o, in the outer frame d. The helical or other suitable spring
will be compressed and the high elastic band type a drawn down free from the
guide plate c.
B. Insert a pencil, penholder, or other suitable object in the interstices between
the high raised letters or figures, press the same downwards and turn the bands and
type until the correct date, letter, or number stands beneath the guide plate.
C. Then allow the helical or other suitable spring to press the high raised type
up through the opening in the guide plate and through the slot in the surface plate.
The stamp is now adjusted, the type stands in perfectly correct line, and is ready
for use.
The bands can be moved into position by means of small milled edges or
other suitable rollers, or the support g can be made so that the same will revolve,
but this would add considerably to the price of the stamp.
A. To adjust the stamp shown in the Figures 15 to 26, loosen the two screws
i, i, on each side of the frame, draw the outer frame upwards until the conical plate
is free of the letters of the band type, turn the type bands as explained above under
B, slide the frame into its original position, fasten the screws i, i, and the stamp is
ready for use as described above under C.
A modification of the above is shewn in Sheet 2 of the annexed Drawing, in
which Figure 1 is a side elevation of dating stamp fitted with the continuous bands
of high type constructed according to this Invention, and showing in dotted lines
the slotted guide plate when open. Figure 2, a vertical section at line x, x, of
Figure 1; Figure 3, an outside elevation. A is the main frame with handle, cross
bar, side plates, cover, and taper block (the latter being shown separately in Figure
4) marked A', upon which bands of type are mounted, and are free to be turned, all
as clearly shown. At B on the side frame are snugs forming the ears of the hinge
for reception of the hinge ear on the slotted guide plate C; D is the bevilled or
conically shaped guide of the plate C, which is clearly shown in Figure 2; E is a
spring fastening which engages with the spring catch E¹ on side plate of frame; F5
represents the stereotyped die on the slotted guide plate; G, in Figures 2 and 3, are
slots shown in dotted lines arranged in the opposite sides of tho frame A, through

page_text: which the screws » pass and are screwed at a² into the block A', Figures 2 and 4,
to hold the same secure in the position in which it may be set in the frame A.
When the screws are loosened the block A¹ can be moved up or down for the
purpose of adjusting the band type a which surrounds the same on a plane with
the die F, and when the.block is secured by the screws r a uniform impression of
the die F and the type a can be had at one and the same time.
The pin y is driven or screwed through a hole in the frame A and into the block
A' for the purpose of securing the said block more firmly in position after it is
properly adjusted.
On reference to Figure 2 it will be seen that the guide plate C is provided with
a lip D which is for the purpose of more securely holding the type a in a direct
straight line.
The action of the apparatus is similar to that described in the preceding Figures.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. The india rubber or flexible type attached to a flexible band in connection
with a slotted or other similar adjusting guide or die plate c, or its equivalent sup-
porting frame A and adjustable block A, said type being of the same or nearly the
same width as the slot in the said adjusting guide plate and of a sufficient height to
project through the slot and be automatically "justified" or adjusted in line by the
said slot and firmly held in position thereby for the purposes set forth, substantially
as herein described and as shown in the Drawings annexed.
Secondly. The improved stamping device comprised under the first claim in
combination with the stereotyped die on plate C, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Kissam Cooke, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty third day of May, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy nine.
GEO. K. COOKE. (L.S.)