IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR PRINTING
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edmund Brace, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark,
North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
MARKING OR PRINTING."
Sealed the 29th October 1878, and dated the 8th May 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edmund Brace at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th May 1878.
EDMUND BRACE, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR PRINTING."
This Invention relates to improved marking or printing apparatus, which in one
modification forms an advantageous substitute for any of the existing hand stamps
used for imprinting names, addresses, endorsations, and the like, and which may be
made with provision for printing in two or more colors, so as to increase the
distinctness or ornamental effect of the matter printed.
The modification referred to as a substitute for existing hand stamps is arranged
in an extremely compact and convenient form, the working parts being contained
in a small rectangular case.
The printing or marking is effected by a small drum or wheel, the letters or
devices being in relievo on its circumference; and in performing the printing
operation the case is moved by hand over the paper or other material, so that the
printing drum may roll upon such material.
The printing drum is held in a light frame, which also carries parts for inking
the printing drum; these parts consisting (in the case of two or more colors) of
two or more small rollers on one spindle, and of such widths as together to make
up about the width of the printing drum.
Differently colored inks or pigments are applied to the inking rollers by separate
fixed brushes or pads of spongey or absorbent material. Or the rollers may be

page_text: covered with flannel or other snitable absorbent material, which will hold sufficient
ink for considerable use without separate pads.
The frame carrying the working parts is by preference held in the case, so that
the printing drum does not project until the user presses a stud or button which
projects through a hole in the top of the case; a spring catch then holds the drum
down until the one printing operation is completd, whereupon a pin on the drum
releases the catch, and the drum and parts connected with it recede into the case.
The apparatus may be modified by combining two or more printing drums in one
frame or case, and each drum may be supplied with one or more colors. The
different colors may be applied to one printing drum by separate rollers, one or
more of them being of the full width (or axial length) of the printing drum, but
arranged to move into contact with different parts of the printing drum by cams or
projections on it or its spindle.
The improved apparatus may be made of various sizes, and when too large to be
conveniently manipulated by hand may be moved along guides or rails provided
for the purpose at the ends or sides of a plate or table, upon which the paper or
other material to be marked or printed is placed.
The printing drum may have the printing surfaces or devices formned upon it, or
movable types may be used for the whole or for part of the matter to be printed.
For receiving the movable types the drum may have one or more dovetailed or
equivalent undercut grooves formed around or along it, the types being made with
counterpart backs to fit the grooves, and being entered at an enlarged part of a
groove or at its end, and fixed by a small screw or key when placed in position.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edmund Brace in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 7th November
1878.
EDMUND BRACE; of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain. “IM-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR MARKING OR PRINTING."
My said Invention relates to improved marking or printing apparatus, which in
some modifications forms an advantageous substitute for any of the existing band
stamps used for imprinting names, addresses, endorsations, and the like, and which
may be made with provision for printing in two or more colors, so as to increase
the distinctness or ornamental effect of the matter printed.
An important application of other modifications of my improved apparatus is for
marking or printing on wood or other substances in one or more colors to supersede
burning or branding, the marking in such modifications being if desired effected
with an indenting as well as printing action.
I arrange a substitute for existing hand stamps in an extremely compact and
convenient form, the working parts being contained in a small rectangular case.
The printing or marking is effected by a small drum or wheel, the letters or
devices being in relievo on its circumference; and in performing the printing
operation, the case is moved by hand over the paper or other material, so that the
printing drum may roll upon such material.
The printing drum is held in a light frame, which also carries parts for inking
the printing drum, and which is by preference held in the case, so that the printing
drum does not project until the user presses a stud or button projecting through a
hole in the top of the case: A spring catch then holds the drum down until the
one printing operation is completed, whereupon the catch is released, and the drum.
and parts connected with it recede into the case.
My apparatus may be modified by combining two or more printing or marking
drums in one frame or case, and each drum may be supplied with one or more.
colors.
The different colors may be applied to one printing drum by separate rollers, one
or more of them being of the full width (or axial length) of the printing drum, but
arranged to move into contact with different parts of the printing drum by cams.
My apparatus may be made of various sizes, and when too largo to be con-
veniently manipulated by hand may be moved along guides or rails provided for
the purpose at the ends or sides of a plate or table, upon which the paper or other
material to be marked or printed is placed. Or the parts may be transposed, the
printing or marking drum, and parts connected therewith, being held in a stationary
frame, whilst the paper, board, or other substance to be operated on is moved in
contact with the printing drum, which may be arranged to act on either the upper
or under side of such substance.
When the apparatus is of large size, and speed is an object, steam or other
mechanical power may be applied to it. Such power may also in some cases be
advantageously applied to comparatively small sizes of my apparatus.
In any of the modifications, the printing drum may have the printing surfaces or
devices formed upon it, or movable types may be used for the whole or for part of
the matter to be printed; or the drum may have a covering or partial covering of
vulcanised rubber or other suitable material having the raised printing surfaces or
devices formed upon it.
And in order that my said Invention, and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory Draw-
ings to be herein-after referred to, and representing various modifications of my
improved marking or printing apparatus. In these Drawings the same reference
numerals are used to mark the same or like parts wherever they are repeated.

page_text: Figures 1 and 2 on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings are respectively a
plan and a vertical section of a modification of my marking or printing apparatus,
and which may be termed a chromo-rotographic marker or hand stamp, the cover of
the case being supposed to be removed in Figure 1, and also a small part of the frame.
In this modification the case 1 is rectangular in plan, but has a curved bottom in
a part of which there is an opening 2, through which the printing drum 3 slightly
projects when printing. The printing drum 3 is carried on a spindle or on centres
in a frame 4, which is jointed or hinged to the interior of the case on a spindle or
centres 5 near one upper end. A blade spring 6 fixed to the frame 4, and bearing
on the bottom of the case, tends to lift the frame 4, but when the frame is
depressed by means of a stud 7, screwed into it through a slot in the cover of the
case, a pin on the frame gets under a shoulder formed on a lever catch 8, which
is acted on by a spring 9, and retains the frame in a position, such that the drum
3 projects through the opening 2, sufficiently for printing.
In printing, the case 1 is moved in the direction of the arrows over the paper or
other substance with the printing drum 3, or the raised printing surfaces on it, in
contact with such substance, and the drum rolls and turns in the direction of the
arrow shown on it in Figure 2. When the drum 3 has completed or nearly com-
pleted one turn, a pin 10, carried by it, acts on the lever catch 8, and moves it so as
to release the frame 4, which then rises and causes the printing drum 3 to recede
within the case. The lever catch 8 is shown by itself in edge and face view in
Figure 3, and the pin 10 in the drum 3, is best seen in Figures 4 and 5, which are
an end view and a section of a modification of the printing drum herein-after
described.
The pin 10 is by preference a spring, and it acts on a turned-up part 11 of the
lever catch 8, above which part 11 it passes when the next printing operation
commences, its spring movement allowing it to keep above the part when the frame
4 is depressed, and afterwards restoring it to its proper position for acting on the
catch lever at the end of the turn. The printing drum 3 may conveniently consist
of a short cylinder of brass or other suitable material, the letters or other devices
being formed on its surface in relievo by engraving or otherwise; such letters or
devices however are not shown in the Drawings.
The drum 3 is by preference formed with rims at its ends, such rims projecting as
far as the printing surfaces, and ensuring the proper rolling action of the drum at
parts where the printing surfaces are not present. These rims may be outside of
the part of the printing drum to which ink is supplied so as to make no mark, or if
wished, they may be within such part, and in that case, will each print a line. The
rims may be finely serrated or milled to better secure a proper rolling action of the
printing drum.
Instead of the printing drum 3 being entirely of metal, it may consist of a roller
of metal or wood or other suitable material, having on it a shell or cover of vulca-
nized rubber or other suitable composition on which the raised lettering or printing
devices are formed. When a rubber cover is used in this way, I retain the pro-
jecting metal rims to protect and prevent undue compression of the rubber. The
provision for inking the printing drum 3 consists in the modification shown in
Figures 1 and 2 of a roller 12, carried by the frame 4, and pressed gently towards
the printing drum 3, by spiral springs contained in hollow parts of the frame. The
inking roller 12 is covered with cloth, felt, or other suitable absorbent material, and
the ink is applied to it by hand, by means of brushes or pads, one supply serving
for a large number of printings. When two or more colors are desired, the roller 12
is virtually divided by binding wires round between the spaces appropriated to the
different colors, small grooves being, if necessary, formed at the parts in the surface
of the roller. The wires prevent the different colors applied to the several sections
of the absorbent covering from mixing. Instead of this arrangement, separate short
rollers, all on one spindle, may be used for the different colors.
Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, show a convenient arrangement of the printing drum 3 to
admit of part of the matter printed, such as a date, being changeable. The numerals

page_text: for the date or other changeable marks are engraved or otherwise formed in relievo
on the edges of two small discs 13, mounted on a centro pin in a small frame 14,,
which is fixed inside of the printing drum 3 in such a position as that a numeral on
the edge of each disc can project through an opening 15 in the drum sufficiently to
print.
Each disc 13 has formed on its outer side depressions corresponding to the nume-
rals, and arranged in a circle, and a round-ended spring stop 16 placed in a groove
in the side of the frame 14 engages with a depression, and whilst acting with
sufficient pressure to keep the disc steady yet allows of the disc being turned by
means of a pin or other instrument to change the date. The spring stops 16 for the
two discs 13 are on opposite sides of the frame 14.
Figures 8 and 9 are a plan and a vertical section of a modification of my chromo-
rotographic marker or hand stamp, in which an external case (1) is dispensed with,
and a handle 17 is fixed to the frame 4.
The movement of the printing drum 3 for each printing operation is limited by
projections 18 formed or fixed on cach of its rims, and which coming in contact with
the paper or other surface operated on thereby let the operator know that the drum
has been rolled far enough. This instrument may be moved in opposite directions
for alternate printing operations, or it may be manipulated so as to move always in
the same direction.
The springs 19 for pressing the inking roller 12 against the printing drum 3 are
shown as consisting of helices of fine wire bended as blade springs might be, and I
find springs of this kind very suitable for the purpose, as they act gently and yet
very equally, notwithstanding the irregularities of surface of the printing drum.
This modification is also shown as having provision for an enduring supply of
printing ink, which provision consists of a box 20 connected to the frame 4, and
fitted with a lip for introducing the ink, whilst its lower part is shaped to extend
under the inking roller 12, and is formed with an opening which is covered with a
piece of cloth or other suitable permeable material 21, through which the iuk
exudes.
The ink box 20, which may be made with separate compartments for differently
colored inks, is pivotted to the frame 4, and a blade spring 22 is applied to it to
press the cloth 21 gently against the inking roller 12.
When the instrument is not in use the bottom of the ink box 20 forms a conve-
nient base for it to stand on.
Figures 10 and 11 are a sectional plan and a vertical section of a third modifi-
cation of my chromo-rotographic marker or hand stamp, which in its general
arrangement is like the first herein-before described, and shown in Figures 1 and 2,
but is provided with two inking rollers 12, 23, arranged for applying different colors
to different parts of the lettering or device on the printing drum.
The parts to be differently colored may be arranged in various ways relatively to
cach other, but as an example I may mention that with this instrument a central
device can be printed in one color, with an oval or other band or lettering, or both,
in another color, completely surrounding such central device.
One inking roller 12 is made of the same diameter as the printing drum 3, and
the part of its surface corresponding to what is to be printed with the color of the
other roller 23, is cut out or depressed; and as it is necessary that this depressed
part should always meet the same part of the printing drum 3, a small spur wheel
24 is fixed on the spindle of the roller 12, and gears with an equal spur wheel 25
on a stud on the trame 4, whilst the spur wheel 25 has on it a crank pin connected
by a rod 26 to a crank pin on a disc 27 fixed on the spindle of the printing drum 3,
an arrangement which secures the required correspondence in the movements. The
other roller 23 applies ink to the part of the printing drum 3, which is not
inked by the roller 12, and its action is regulated by cams 28 formed or fixed on
the ends of the printing drum 3, which cams act by means of small slides on the
spindle ends of the roller 23, whilst the roller is pressed towards the printing drum
by springs.

page_text: The second inking roller 23 may, if preferred, be constructed and arranged
exactly like the first, 12, but with those parts of its surface depressed which corre-
spond to the raised parts of the roller 12.
Figures 12 and 13 are a sectional end elevation and a side elevation of a
printing drum 3 constructed for receiving movable types. It is formed with dove-
tailed or equivalent grooves placed longitudinally, and the types are to be made
with dovetails to fit in and be held by the grooves, being entered at the ends of the
grooves, and then secured by small keys or screws.
The grooves may also be made circularly or round the roller, being crossed at
one part by a longitudinal groove admitting of the insertion of the types into
them.
Figures 14 and 15 are a sectional plan and a vertical section of a modification of my
chromo-rotographic apparatus suitable for large sizes. The internal details are sub-
stantially the same as in the modification shown in Figures 10 and 11, herein-before
described. The case 1 is mounted on wheels 29, and rails 30 are provided for them
to run on and to guide the machine when being moved over the surface to be
marked or printed.
A side lover may be substituted for the depressing stud 7.
Figures 16, 17, and 18, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings, are a plan, a
transverse vertical section, and a side elevation of a modification of my chromo-
rotographic apparatus adapted for marking and printing on wood instead of
branding or burning, and also suitable for marking or printing other materials. In
this modification the printing drum 3 and inking rollers 12, 23, are carried in a
fixed framing 34, on a part of which there is fixed a plate or table 35, on which the
board to be operated on is placed with its face downwards. The board is pushed in
between the printing drum 3 and an upper roller 36, and sufficient pressure is
applied by means of this upper roller to causo the raised devices or lettering on the
printing drum 3 to be indented into the under surface of the wood. The top roller
36 is held in bearings fitted in upward extensions of the framing 34, and a set of
springs 37 is applied to the roller bearings, these springs being capable of adjust-
ment by a screw spindle and hand wheel 38 fitted to a transverse frame bar 39.
To insure the board being moved through without the printing drum slipping under
it, the upper roller 36 is armed with short points, which engage in the top surface
of the wood, and the upper roller 36 is also geared to the printing drum 3 by spur
wheels 40. Rings 41 are adjustably fixed on the top roller 36 to serve as lateral
guides to the board, and lateral guides or fences may also be adjustably fixed on the
table 35. The machine is represented as having fast and loose pulleys 42 on the
shaft of the printing drum 3 for the application of a driving belt. The printing
drum 3 and the main inking roller 12 are directly geared together by spur wheels
43 on their ends and within the framing 34. In this and similar modifications the
raised marking and printing devices on the drum 3 are by preference made of
steel.
The inking rollers 12, 23, may be covered with cloth, felt, or other absorbent
material, or with printers' inking-roller composition.
Figures 19 and 20 are a plan and side elevation of another modification of my
chromo-rotographic apparatus adapted for the same purposes as that shown in
Figures 10, 17, and 18, herein-before described. In the apparatus shown in Figures
19 and 20, the parts are arranged for marking or printing on the upper surface of
the wood or other material operated on, the printing drum 3 and inking rollers 12,
23, being carried in an upper part of the fixed framing 34. The printing drum 3
is geared to the main inking roller 12 by spur wheels 43, and the spur wheel of
the inking roller 12 also gears with a small spur wheel, indicated by a dotted circle
44 in Figure 20; and carried on a stud. The small spur wheel 44 also gears with a
spur wheel on the end of a drum 45 carried in the lower part of a framing 34, and
which drives and partly supports an endless lattice or apron 40 for carrying the
boards or other articles through the machine. At the other end of the machine the
endess lattice 46 is carried by a drum 47.

page_text: The endless lattice 46 may be constructed in any convenient way, but is re-
presented (Figure 21 being an enlarged edge view of a portion) as consisting of
narrow transverse metal strips connected together by links at their ends. At
suitable distances apart projectious 48 are fixed on the endless lattice 46 to bear
against the after edges of the boards, and to serve them as gauges for placing
them properly.
For guiding the boards laterally adjustable guides or fences may be fixed on the
lattice or to the side frames 34, so as to project inwards over the lattice 46. The
endless lattice passes between the printing drum 3 and a pressure roller 36 mounted
underneath, and this roller is pressed upwards by springs (37) arranged as in
Figure 17, but inverted, the screw spindle for adjusting the spring being worked
by means of a worm wheel on it, having in gear with it a worm on a horizontal
spindle fitted with a hand wheel 49 at its outer end.
The required pressure may be applied by means of a counterweighted lever
instead of springs.
In each modification of my improved chromo-rotographic apparatus, as herein-
before described, it is to be understood that any detail may be changed for the cor-
responding detail in any other of the modifications.
Having thus particularly described my said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise
details herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and original,
and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent is,
1. The combination of parts forming a chromo-rotographic marker or hand stamp,
herein-before described with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying Drawings.
2. The combination of parts forming a chromo-rotographic marker or hand
stamp, herein-before described with reference to Figures 8, 9, ou Sheet 1 of the
accompanying Drawings.
3. The combination of parts forming a chromo-rotographic marker or hand
stamp, herein-before described with reference to Figures 10, 11, on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying Drawings.
4. The mounting of any of the combinations of chromo-rotographic marking or
printing apparatus on wheels, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before
described with reference to Figures 14, 15, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying
Drawings.
5. The combination of parts forming chromo-rotographic apparatus for marking and
printing on wood or other material, herein-before described with reference to
Figures 16, 17, 18, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
6. The combination of parts forming chromo-rotographic apparatus for marking
and printing on wood or other material herein-before described with reference to
Figures 19, 20, on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
7. Arrangements or mechanism, substantially such as are herein-before described
with reference to Figures 1, 2, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, and also
comprised in the modifications shown in Figures 10, 11, 14, 15, on the same
Sheet, whereby the printing drum (3) is withdrawn into the case at the termina-
tion of each operation.
8. The forming or fixing of the projections (18) on the printing drum (3), sub-
stantially as and for the purpose herein-before described with reference to Figures
8, 9, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
9. The mode of applying the ink box (20), herein-before described with reference
to Figures 8, 9, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings.
10. The herein-before described arrangements for applying two or more colors.
11. The mechanism, herein-before described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7,
on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, for combining changeable types with
the printing drum.

page_text: 12. The combination of an indenting with a printing action for the purposes and
by apparatus substantially such as are herein-before described with reference to
Figures 16 to 20 on Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
13. The application of projecting metal rims in combination with rubber printing
surfaces, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edmund Brace, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Second day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
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