Engraving Apparatus useful in Engraving the Border-shading in Map and Chart Making, and for other purposes.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Engraving Apparatus useful in Engraving the Border-shading in
Map and Chart Making, and for other purposes.
I, VINCENT LECOMTE OURDAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at
Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America, Mechanical Engineer,
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 my invention is to produce a machine that will engrave upon a
copper plate, for instance, a row of short parallel lines, each line being inclined at
any desirable angle and separated from its neighbours by suitable spacings of uniform
size.
My machine is especially adapted for use in shading the borders of map plates,
and also in producing that series of lines, which, in the art of chart engraving, is
used to represent mud upon the bottom of a river channel for instance. There may
he other uses to which it may be put; but these I have specially in view at the
present time.
My invention consists in the combination and arrangement of the parts herein-
after set forth.
In the accompanying drawings-
Fig. 1 is an end elevation of my machine, showing the tracks in section ;
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the machine, with the track cut away at each end;
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same, with part of the mechanism removed;
Fig. 4 is a central vertical section of Fig. 1;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view corresponding to that shown in Fig. 4, with the driving
mechanism removed;
Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the tracks upon which the machine moves ;
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the central portion of my machine;
Fig. 8 is a view of one of the end handles detached, showing one end in section,
to.exhibit the binding screw;
Fig. 9 is a detached view of the ratchet mechanism for operating the spacing
screw;
Figs. 10 and 11 are detached views of the cranks and pitman for operating the
spacing mechanism, showing the parts in different relative positions.
Fig. 12 is a detached view of the side of the ratchet mechanism, shown in Fig. 9 ;
Fig. 13 is a detached view, showing the adjustable crank attachment;
Fig. 14 is a horizontal section of Fig. 9;
Fig. 15 is a detached view of the bottom of my machine, showing the means for
securing certain parts of the mechanism together; and
Fig. 16 is a view showing the relative position of the tightening parts.
Referring to the letters on the drawings, A indicates a dovetail track, and B the
supporting ends thereof. C indicates an endless screw, which is coextensive with
the track A, and is journalled in the opposite ends B. Upon one end of the
screw C is provided a crank-handle D, and upon the other a thumb-nut E, the
former being designed for rapidly rotating the screw, and the latter being adapted to
regulate the frictional resistance of the screw. The ends of the track may be
provided with any suitable support, for instance an ordinary tripod support, having
one leg at one end, and two legs at the other; but I prefer to employ the means of
support illustrated in the drawings, whereby the track may be conveniently moved
for readjustment transversely over the surface of the plate. It consists of two
frame pieces F, one for each end of the track. In each of these frame pieces is
journalled an endless screw G. Upon the bottom of the ends of the track A are

page_text: provided internally screw-threaded lugs H, each pair adapted to receive one of the
screws G. The ends of the track rest upon frame pieces F, so that a synchronous
movement of the screws G will produce an even and equal movement of the track A
upon the frame pieces which constitute a transverse truck.
Any convenient means for imparting such motion to the screws G may be
employed, for instance bevel gear wheels I are secured to the end of each of the
screws G, and are connected together by the gear wheels J and shaft K to which they
are secured. The shaft K is journalfed in projections L upon each of the frame
pieces; and at one end carries a ratchet-wheel M.
N indicates a pawl-handle collared upon the shaft K, and provided with a tilting
pawl O, by which the shaft K may be rotated in either direction.
"P indicates a projecting arm, adjustably secured to one side of the track A, and
provided with an adjustable collar Q which carries a point. By means of this device
the track may be set at the proper distance from the border line of the plate to be
engraved, at one end, and the point of the engraving machine being set at the other
end ready to cut, that end may be accurately located to correspond with the end first
set in position.
R indicates a square base piece fitted to the track A and held firmly in position by
the gib S, so that it may slide smoothly upon the track. Within a circular aperture
in the base is fitted a rotating carrier T that is provided upon its upper end with a
circular head I, having a bevelled projection around its lower edge. The bevelled
edge is divided into degrees for the purpose of setting it with respect to the base
which is provided with a set line. V indicates a screw that is screwed into the top of
the carrier, and W a smaller screw that is screwed into the bottom of the screw V.
X indicates a bridge which spans the bottom of the carrier T, and is set at its ends
upon the base R. At one end it is provided with a conically pointed stud Y that
penetrates the bottom of the base R.
At right angles to the stud is screwed into the
base R a set screw Z that is provided with a conically pointed end. The screw W
passes through the bridge X, and is held to it by its head. By turning the set
screw so that its conical end bears against the conically pointed end of the stud Y,
it causes the stud to travel downwardly, and to press the bridge secured thereto
downwardly, thereby firmly securing the base and the carrier together.
A indicates a groove or track having dovetail edges that is cut across the middle
part of the head of the carrier T, and is adapted to receive the reciprocating
bar B', which is provided with a gib C in one side of the groove A¹ for securing
firmness and evenness of movement. Upon the head of the carrier T is secured, by
means of screws D', a cross-piece E¹ that is provided with a central bearing F
which projects downwardly through the longitudinal slot G¹ in the bar B¹. Rotatably
carried in the bearing F is a bevel gear-wheel H' that is secured in place by the
screw I¹. This screw is screwed into the bottom of the gear wheel, and its head
extends over into the edges of the bearing F1, and, when the screw is screwed up, is
flush therewith. Meshing with the gear-wheel H' is a main bevel gear-wheel J
that is rotatably carried, by means of the journal K, upon a vertical bearing L¹,
secured to the base R of the machine. Upon the opposite end of the journal L is a
crank handle 'M'. Upon the top of the gear H¹, in a groove N', is a block O' that
carries upon a stud P¹ and a collar surrounding it, an angular arm R'. The end of
said arm is pivoted to the collar Q1, and it is held in position and the block O is
adapted to be firmly secured in any position in the groove N¹, by means of the thumb
screw S¹ that is. screwed upon the end of the stud P. Upon the other end of the
arm R¹, by means of the screw T', is secured a sliding block U' that moves in a
longitudinal slot formed in the frame V₁ which is secured by means of the screw W₁
to the outer end of the bar B¹. To the end of this bar B₁ is secured a vertical
head X, to the front of which, upon a dovetailed track Y', is movably fastened the
foot Z' that carries the vertically adjustable screw-threaded engraving tool-carrier A²
and point a B2 indicates a thumb-nut for locking the tool-carrier in position and b
a gib between the track Y₁ and the foot Z. Upon the upper end of the foot Z¹
is provided a pin that enters the tubular cover 12 upon the top of the head X'.
i

page_text: Within this cover is located a spring E2, whose pressure upon the pin C is
regulated by the thumb-screw F2 that is screwed into the top of the cover.
Gindicates an inwardly projecting stud extending through the slot c in. the
head X at right angles from the top of the foot Z' to which it is fastened. Pivoted
by the pin H2, to the head X, is the link 12 that is loosely secured at its opposite
end by means of the pin J2 and slot K2 to the block U¹. The upper end of the
link 1 is provided with a cam surface which presses against the stud G².
L2 indicates a standard that is secured to the base R, and rotatably carries by'
means of the shaft. M2 the bevel gear wheel N2 which meshes with the main gear J.
Upon the end of the shaft M², opposite the gear N2, is secured a circular head O² that
is provided, cross its face, with a groove P2, which is formed by the ribs Q² screwed
to the face of the head.
R2 indicates a block, similar in construction to the block O' that is illustrated in
detail. The block R2, like the block O¹, carries upon a screw-headed stud the
thumb-screw S2 and the collar T2, by means whereof it may be secured in place in
the groove P2, and may pivotally carry the pitman U2. To the other end of this
pitman, by means of a crank-pin V2, is secured an oscillating collar W³ which is
revolubly fastened upon the sleeve X². This sleeve is rotatably carried in a split
collar Y that is fastened to the base R and extends downwardly from it. The
interior of the sleeve X2 is internally screw-threaded to fit the threads of the sleeve C.
Upon one end of the sleeve is provided a ratchet wheel Z2 that engages with a tilting
pawl A³, which is pivoted to the oscillating collar W² by means whereof rotary
motion from the pitman U2 may be imparted to the sleeve X2 in either direction,
and the sleeve and the parts connected therewith be made to travel along the
screw C.
Upon the tail of the reciprocating-bar B¹ is secured an internally screw-threaded
bearing B³, which carries an abutment screw (3. The end of the screw is adapted to
strike against the side of the cross piece E', so as to limit the movement in one
direction of the bar B'.
All the foregoing parts described as attached to the base, I will designate as the
tool-carriage.
D³ see Fig. 8-indicates a handle that is adapted to be applied to the ends of
the track A, as shown in Fig. 6, for lifting it. It is provided with a gib E³ and
gib-screw F³, and is adapted to fit over the edges of the track, and to be firmly
secured to it by means of the gib.
The operation of my machine is as follows:-
Suppose it is to be used for engraving border shading, the track A is set by means
of the engraving point on the machine, and the point in the adjustable collar Qon
the sliding arm P, so that the sides of the track are parallel with the border line of
the plate. Then, having previously set the block 0 in the desired position in the
groove N¹, and the block R2 in the proper position in the groove P², proceed to turn
the crank-handle M¹ in either direction. The main gear wheel J', which is connected
by the shaft L with the crank will communicate motion simultaneously to the gear-
wheels H and M2, and cause them to revolve synchronously. As the gear-wheel H'
revolves, it imparts a reciprocating motion to the angular arm R', which, in turn,
communicates that motion to the slide block U¹.
The operation which follows will be understood by comparing the relative positions
of the parts illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. Suppose, when motion is first imparted to the
block U, it is in the position shown in Fig. 4. As it moves forward, it will raise the
top of the cam of the link 12 against the stud G2, and lift the foot Z' to the position
shown in full lines in Fig. 5, in which position the block U' will strike against the
head X'; and the further movement in the same direction of the angular arm R¹
will be communicated through the head to the bar B¹, and it will be pushed out
through its track in the head of the carrier T until the limit of motion in that
direction of the bar R¹ is reached. Then, as the crank handle continues to turn, the
lower end of the link H2 will be drawn backward by the return of the arm R', until
2

page_text: the point of the engraving tool is let down and set into the metal. At this stage the
block U will have returned again to the position it occupies in Fig. 4, against the
rear of the frame V₁; and the further movement in the backward direction of
the arm R' will be communicated to the bar B¹, and will draw the point of the
engraving tool across the face of the metal to be engraved, until the limit of
movement of the arm in the backward direction is reached. Thereupon the operation,
as described, will be repeated again and again, as long as the crank-handle M¹ is
turned.
It should be understood that the movement of the engraving tool will be very
rapid and that the border shading by this means may be performed, not only with
great speed, but with perfect accuracy.
If the operation just described were continued, without providing other mechanism,
it is obvious that the engraving tool would cut in the same line; but that if the tool
operating mechanism were, after each cut, moved a certain determinate space, a series
of short parallel lines of the same length would be engraved upon the metal. 1
therefore provide a circular head 02 upon the end of the shaft that carries the gear N2,
and that meshes with the main gear J. When the block R2 has been secured in the
proper position in the groove P2, with reference to the position of the block O¹, upon
the gear H¹, the operation of the crank-handle M¹ will communicate through the
parts just described, and the pitman U2 and ratchet mechanism connected therewith
a partial revolution to the sleeve X2. But, as above suggested, every turn of the
sleeve X2 upon the screw C will move the base R, and the parts secured thereto,
including the engraving tool, a certain distance along the track A. Let it be
observed that this rotation of the sleeve X2 upon the screw C is made, and the parts
are in position to impart another turn to the sleeve, each time the gear-wheel H
makes a complete revolution.
The blocks R2 and O' may be so adjusted with respect to the grooves N₁ and P3,
respectively, that the engraving tool will be lifted and carried into position for a cut,
while the spacing mechanism is operating. And while the engraving tool is cutting,
the pawl of the spacing mechanism will slip loosely around the ratchet Z², so that, by
the time the cut has been finished, the spacing mechanism will be in position to again
perform its function.
It is possible, by the adjustment of the parts just described, to cause the spacing
mechanism and the cutting mechanism to operate simultaneously, by which means.
the engraving tool will be caused to describe a curve instead of a straight line. This
it would always do, if, after reaching the end of a line to be engraved, the pawl of
the spacing mechanism were set so as to draw the engraving mechanisin backward
upon the track without changing the relations of the spacing and cutting mechanisms.
But if, after this has been done, the position of the block R² in the groove P² be
reversed from what it was in making the forward movement, the spacing and cutting
operations will be properly timed to produce also the straight cut in the backward
movement. The same result may be attained by changing the adjustment of the
block O' in groove N¹.
It will be readily understood from the description and the drawings that the length
of cut of the engraving tool is determined by the position of the block with
respect to the groove NI; and that the spaces between the lines may be regulated by
the block R2 with respect to the groove P².
In the operation of the machine, as above described, the reciprocating bar B¹ has
been supposed to reciprocate in the position shown in the drawings, and the engraved
lines are at right angles to the track A. If it is desired to change the angle of the
engraved lines with respect to the track, it may be done by loosening the screw Z
and shifting, by means of the bar B', the rotary carrier T to the desired place. The
angle may be determined by the graduations upon the bevelled edge in the head of
the rotary carrier. After the carrier has been set in proper position, the screw Z
should be screwed back into place when the parts will be firmly fastened together.
The rotation of the crank-handle M², as before described, will cause the engraving
tool to move upon the angle desired.

page_text: In order to prevent binding, between the block U¹, and the link I², when the bar B¹
is shoved forward by the angular arm R¹, I provide the abutment screw C³, and
adjust it so that it strikes against the side of the bearing F', when the bar B¹ has
moved the proper distance to permit the continued revolution of the gear H'.
for this device the bar B¹ might be pushed too far forward, and stick, on account
of the binding between the parts above referred to, but with it that difficulty is
avoided.
But
The transverse tracks are adapted to be used in engraving mud in which it is
necessary to evenly and rapidly shift the position of the machine across the plate to
be engraved.
It will be understood of course that the crank-bandle D upon the screw () is
adapted to rapidly move the carriage along the tracks when the distance of space
between the parts engraved is very 'great.
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. In combination with a track and an endless screw parallel therewith, a tool
carriage mounted upon the track and provided with an engraving tool adapted to be
reciprocated, of intermittently-acting spacing mechanism upon the carriage adapted
to engage with the screw and move the carriage upon its track, and a system of
gearing connecting the spacing mechanism and the engraving tool, and provided with
a main gear-wheel, whereby the rotation of said gear-wheel will simultaneously
operate the spacing and engraving mechanism, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination with the track A, of a tool-carriage provided with intermittently-
acting spacing mechanism and engraving mechanism, transverse tracks provided with
endless screws connected with the track A, and a shaft and gearing operatively
connected with said endless screws, whereby the rotation of said shaft will move the
track A and mechanism carried thereon parallel to the direction of the transverse
tracks, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination with the tool-carriage, the track upon which it is adapted to
move, and an endless screw parallel with said track, of spacing mechanis:n and
engraving mechanism carried upon said carriage, gear-wheels upon said carriage,
connecting pieces between each gear-wheel and the spacing mechanism and the
engraving mechanism, respectively, incans for adjustably uniting said connections to
said gear-wheels, and a main gear-wheel meshing with both the other wheels, sub-
stantially as set forth.
4. The combination with a track and an endless screw combined therewith, of a
tool carriage, spacing mechanism operatively connected with the endless screw, and
reciprocating mechanism adapted to carry an engraving tool, the gears N2 and H¹
arranged at right angles to each other, and connections between said gears and the
spacing mechanism and engraving mechanism respectively, whereby the simultaneous
rotation of said gears will produce motion of the tool-carriage along the track and
reciprocation of the engraving mechanism, substantially as set forth.
5. In combination with the carrier, of a bar B₁ adapted to be reciprocated and
carrying an engraving tool, of a gear-wheel rotatably secured to the carrier, an arm
secured at one end to the tar B₁, and means for adjustably securing it at the other
end to the face of the gear-wheel, whereby the bar B¹ may be reciprocated determinate
distances by the rotation of the wheel, substantially as set forth.
6. The combination with a carrier and a reciprocating bar B¹ movably secured
thereto, of a movable foot secured to one end of the bar, the arm R¹ movably secured
to the end of the bar B¹ and adapted to be reciprocated between fixed limits on said
bar, and a connection between the movable foot and the arm R', whereby the
reciprocation of the arm may alternately lift the foot and cause the reciprocation
of the bar B³, substantially as set forth.
7. In an engraving machine, the combination with the carrier, of the reciprocating
bar B¹ movably secured thereto, the arm R' adapted to be reciprocated thereon and

page_text: secured to a sliding block adapted to move within fixed limits on the bar B¹, the
movable foot Z¹ secured to the head of the bar B', and the link I loosely secured at
one end to the sliding block and pivoted at the other end to the head X', the latter
end being provided with a cam surface adapted to raise the foot so that it will be
alternately raised and lowered before each reciprocation while the block is travelling
between its fixed limits to produce a reciprocation of the bar B', substantially as
set forth.
8. In an engraving machine, the combination with the track A and an endless
screw combined therewith, of the tool-carriage provided with spacing mechanism
adapted to move the same upon the track, engraving mechanism for engraving a row
of short parallel lines, means for setting the engraving mechanism at any desired
angle upon the carriage, and gearing for operating the spacing and engraving
mechanism simultaneously, substantially as set forth.
9. In an engraving machine, the combination with the base R and the carrier W
adjustably secured thereto, of a reciprocating bar B¹ movably secured upon top
of the carrier and mechanism for uniting the base to the carrier, substantially as
set forth.
10. The combination with the base R, of the carrier W. adapted to be secured
thereto, the bridge X, and the stud Y and screw Z located in contact with and at
right angles to each other for the purpose of securing the base to the carrier, sub-
stantially as set forth.
11. In an engraving machine provided with spacing mechanism and engraving
mechanism, substantially as described, the combination with the gears N2 and H³,
adapted respectively to transmit motion to the spacing and engraving mechanism,
and provided with diametrical grooves across their faces, of connecting pieces between
the spacing mechanism and the engraving mechanism and the gears N2 and H¹
respectively, and means for adjustably uniting each of said connecting pieces to the
groove in its proper gear, as and for the purpose specified.
12. In an engraving machine, the combination with a track or carrier, of the
reciprocating bar B₁, a sliding block borne between fixed limits on said bar,
mechanism carried with the bar and adapted to produce a reciprocation of the
block, the yieldingly depressed foot Z¹, carried on the head X¹ of the bar B¹, the
link 12 loosely pivoted to the sliding block at one end and pivoted to the head X¹ at
the other, the latter end being provided with a cam surface, and a projection from
the foot Z with which said cam is adapted to engage to alternately raise and lower
said foot between each full reciprocation of the sliding block, substantially as set
forth.
13. In an engraving machine, the combination with a movable part, of an
externally screw-threaded carrier A2 adapted to be set into an internally screw-
threaded bearing on, the movable part and to carry an engraving point, substantially
as set forth.
August 1890.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.