Improved Adjustable Table for Etching Glass.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th May, 1895-Accepted, 31st Aug.,
1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Adjustable Table for Etching Glass.
We, SEBASTIAN PUCHNER, of Thürlgasse 72, Weiden, and KARL SCHUBERT,
of Dreifaltigkeitsweg 96, Amberg, both in the Kingdom of Bavaria, German
Empire, Metal Turner and Painter and Gilder respectively, 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:
Our invention relates to an adjustable table for etching purposes and has for
object to provide a much cheaper and more convenient means than has hitherto
existed for the purpose.
Hitherto in etching the surfaces of glass objects by means of acid, it has been
customary to set the edges or borders in wax and the time taken up in this
operation alone is very considerable. But, after the etching is completed, it is
often very difficult to remove the wax, and, very frequently, after the wax has been
removed, it is found that the acid has percolated through and spoiled the edges or
borders of the glass object by making same unlevel. In such cases, it has only
remained to cut the edges level and this very often results in the complete breakage
of the article.
Our adjustable table is calculated to remove these disadvantages entirely, since,
while a glass object can be set in the table and removed from it in a few minutes,
the edges or borders of said object are so packed during the operation that it is
impossible for the acid to affect them.
We will now proceed to explain our invention with reference to the accompanying
drawing in which :-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the table in perspective, showing the position for the
reception of a glass plate having straight and round edges.
Figs. 2 to 6 are details and sections of the frame.
The adjustable table consists of four or more cross-pieces or rails A and A',
supported on legs I in such way that the former can be adjusted both horizontally
and vertically.
Each leg I has attached to it, by means of a hinge U, one end of a cross-piece or
rail A, A; for this purpose, the said legs I are provided with a socket-head B
which serves the double purpose of point of attachment for one rail and a rest for
another. The free ends of the rails are inserted in the space within the socket-
head and can there be adjusted in any horizontal position by means of a set-screw C.
The space within the frame can thus be made larger or smaller at will.
For adjusting the frame in vertical direction, the legs are provided with adjusting-
screws O, spirit-levels L being also fixed in suitable positions.
The straight rails or cross-pieces A are grooved, and, in the grooves, are
suitably fitted lengths of india-rubber whose width is a little short of that of the
groove.
E are adjustable supporting-screws for the glass, and D and N the clamps or
fastenings for said screws.
A is an adjustable rail or cross-piece for use in etching objects whose edges or
borders are not perfectly square. This rail differs from the straight or rigid
ones in that it is composed of small links adapting themselves hinge-like to any
shape.
The method of operating our invention is as follows:
The table is first opened out to be adjusted to the area required and the glass is

page_text: When
then laid on the screw-rests or supports E, and, if necessary, on an additional
support M in the centre. The frame is then closed in and the edges or borders of
the glass become packed in the grooves of the rails by the india-rubber G.
the glass is in position all round, the table is made rigid by means of the various
set-screws and then brought to the proper level by means of the adjusting-
screws and the spirit-levels L. There will then be a layer of india-rubber
projecting from the inside of the frame in such way that the acid is kept within its
proper limits.
The glass is now ready to receive the acid, and, as the former has been
adjusted so as to be perfectly level, a perfectly equal distribution of the latter is
obtained.
For the purpose of removing the acid after the etching is completed, one of the
rails A is provided with a slot P through which, on the table being raised at one
side by means of one of the adjusting-screws O, all the acid runs off. The said slot
is normally filled by a piece Q.
As result of the operation, it will be found that the edges or borders are perfect
and of the same level all round, needing no cutting whatever. The work is also
much cleaner done and this is of importance in large and costly objects such as
mirrors.
After the etching operation is finished, the table can again be used for painting
or staining the glass.
Any shape of object, that is, objects having square, round or oval forms, can be
treated in the same way. All that is necessary is to suitably combine straight and
rigid and flexible cross-pieces or have them wholly flexible.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An improved etching table adjustable in horizontal and vertical direction and
to any shape of area, and in which the objects are so packed that their edges or
borders are kept free from acid substantially as described and shown in the
drawings.
2. In an improved adjustable table as characterized under Claim 1, the
combination of legs (I) with adjusting-screws (0), socket-heads (B), curved or
straight rails or cross-pieces (A, A'), substantially as and for the purpose described
and shown.
3. In an improved etching table as characterized under Claim 1, the combination
of lengths of india-rubber with the cro-pieces as and for the purpose shown and
described.
4. In an improved etching table as characterized under Claim 1, the use of either
straight or rigid or linked flexible cross-pieces and of adjustable screw-supports (E)
as and for the purpose described.
3. In an improved etching table as characterized under Claim 1, a clot Pand
hinged piece Q substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 30th day of May 1895.
J. E. EVANS-JACKSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.