AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR PAINTING LATHS FOR VENETIAN BLINDS AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Roberts, of Bootle, in the County of
Lancaster, Venetian Blind Manufacturer, for the Invention of "AN
IMPROVED MACHINE FOR PAINTING LATHS FOR VENETIAN BLINDS AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 27th August 1872, and dated the 28th February 1872.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Roberts at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
28th February 1872.
I, WILLIAM ROBERTS, of Bootle, in the County of Lancaster, Venetian
Blind Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR PAINTING LATHS FOR VENETIAN BLINDS AND
OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows (that is to say):
.
-
The object of this Invention is a simple, expeditious, and efficacious
mode whereby laths or strips of wood, metal, or other material be
may
covered with paint or other colouring material, varnish, or other coating
in a liquid state with great facility.

page_text: A machine constructed according to this Invention may consist of, say,
a pair of horizontal rollers mounted on axles working in suitable bear-
ings, the lower one of which it is preferred should be stationary, and
that of the upper one being fitted in bearings so that the same may rise
and fall for a given distance. The axle of the lower roller is extended
beyond its inner bearings, and carries on each side a hollow disc or
wheel of, say, three times the diameter of the rolls. These pair of wheels
are formed on the periphery with bucket grooves, so that in the rotation
they will elevate and discharge the paint or other fluid from a trough,
through which they travel so as to supply or fill the grooves or other
indentations on the peripheries of the centre rolls. In the rear of these
rolls is placed a stationary brush or brushes, the bristles of which project
to or above the line taken between the horizontal rollers, above which a
fixed brush is mounted back upwards, which is adjustable by means of
screw rods or their mechanical equivalents. On each side of these
brushes, which are one over the other, a series of vertical antifriction
guide rollers are loosely mounted which confine the lath in its passage
between the colour supply rollers and the brushes. The whole of this
arrangement is enclosed in a rectangular or other suitable metal box
mounted on a suitable table or frame. The spindle of the lower colour
supply roller extends through the sides of the enclosing case, to one end
of which is keyed a fly wheel, and the other is squared to receive a crank
handle or driving pulley if it should be found adviseable to use these
The paint or colouring trough is so arranged at the end of the case
that the same may be withdrawn and replaced by a duplicate.
2
In operating this machine under ordinary circumstances it is preferred
simply to introduce the lath by hand through a suitable opening in the
front end of the case, and force the same through the machine by hand
pressure, and having the delivery through a corresponding opening in the 3
rear of the case.

page_text: on the 28th August 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERTS, of Bootle, in the County of Lancaster, Venetian Blind Manu-
facturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-eighth day of February, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Roberts, Her special licence
that I, the said William Roberts, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said William Roberts, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein ex-
pressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED MACHINE FOR PAINTING
LATHS FOR VENETIAN BLINDS AND OTHER PURPOSES," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said William Roberts, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six callendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent

page_text: These pair
A machine constructed according to this my said Invention may
consist of, say, a pair of horizontal rollers mounted on axles working in
suitable bearings, the lower one of which I prefer should be stationary,
and that of the upper one being fitted in bearings so that the same may
rise and fall for a given distance. The axle of the lower roller is
extended beyond its inner bearings, and carries on each side a hollow
disc or wheel of, say, three times the diameter of the rolls.
of wheels I form on the periphery with bucket grooves, so that in the
rotation they will elevate and discharge the paint or other fluid from a
trough through which they travel, so as to supply or fill the grooves or
other indentations on the peripheries of the centre rolls. In rear of these
rolls is placed a stationary brush or brushes, the bristles of which project
to or above the line taken between the horizontal rollers, above which a
fixed brush is mounted back upwards, which is adjustable by means of
screw rods or their mechanical equivalents. On each side of these
brushes, which are one over the other, a series of vertical antifriction guide
rollers are loosely mounted, which confine the lath in its passage between
the colour supply rollers and the brushes. The whole of this arrange-
ment is enclosed in a rectangular or other suitable metallic box mounted
on a suitable frame or table. The spindle of the lower colour supply
roller extends through the sides of the enclosing case, to one end of
which is keyed a fly wheel, and the other is squared to receive a crank
handle or driving pulley if it should be found adviseable to use these
adjuncts; but I prefer to use only the fly wheel, and mount the axle
shaft between pivots to reduce the friction to a minimum.
The paint or colouring trough is so arranged at the end of the case
that the same may be withdrawn and replaced by a duplicate.
In operating this machine under ordinary circumstances it is prefered
simply to introduce the lath by hand through a suitable opening in the
front end of the case, and force the same through the machine by hand
pressure, and having the delivery through a corresponding opening in
the rear of the case.
That this my said Invention may be the more readily seen I have
hereunto annexed Drawings which fully illustrate a mode whereby it
may be conveniently carried into practical effect, like letters and figures
marked thereon being used to denote similar parts.
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one of my improved machines, and

page_text: Figure 2 is a top view or plan of the same with the side guards and
guard on the upper edge of the paint trough removed, also the upper
roller and its lever beam; Figure 3, a vertical longitudinal section of
the machine taken through the line a,b, Figure 2. Figure 4 is a
partial transverse sectional elevation of the apparatus taken on a line
from c to d, Figures 1, 2, and 3; Figure 5 is a like section taken through
the line e to f.
Figure 6 represents a partial vertical transverse section of the inner
frame, shown for the purpose of exhibiting the way the arched standards
carrying the
gear for adjusting the upper bush are fixed.
Figure 7, a plan of the body of the machine shewing the side wings
and the guard on the front of the paint drawer in position.
Figure 8 is a plan of loose frame I, which fits into the rear portion of
the external casing, and which carries the brushes, the guide rollers,
standards for brush adjusting gear, and the rod, spring, and so forth,
required for giving the desired pressure to the top roller F, under which
the laths to be painted travel during their passage through the machine,
and which frame can be placed on or removed from its seat with the
greatest facility for getting at the brushes, and so forth.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of one of the paint elevating wheels D,
and Figure 10 is a transverse section; and Figure 11, an edge view of
the same.
Figure 12 shows a front elevation of the upper transverse horizontal
smooth and lower obliquely groved roller between which the laths or
slips to be coated pass, seen detached; also a vertical transverse section
of the same.
Figure 13 illustrates a pair of the side guide rollers mounted on their
sliding frames seen detached.
Figure 14 represents a side elevation and plan of the lower brush, the
upper one being similar.
It will be observed that to economise space on the Sheet the lower
portions of the stand upon which the machine is mounted (Figures 1, 3, 4,
and 5) are shown broken off.
A, stand upon which is mounted B, a rectangular box casing, across
which runs C, a transverse shaft turning on pivots at 7, 9, and on to

page_text: which is keyed D, a pair of wheels used for elevating the paint, varnish,
or other coating matter (one of which is seen detached at Figures 9, 10,
and 11); E, a double oblique grooved roller which is also keyed on the
shaft C (and which is shown disconnected in Figure 12); F, a pressing
roller immediately above the roller E, and mounted in suitable bearings
on the top of G, a double forked beam having its fulcrum at 9, 9, and
which is acted upon by H, a helicle spring surrounding J, a vertical rod,
the lower end of which is connected to a lug on the front of I, an
internal movable frame which carries the brushes and their adjusting
gear, also the antifriction guide wheels, and which is capable of being
withdrawn and replaced in the outer casing with great facility; K, a
thumb screw for regulating the pressure on the top roller (F); L, guide
rollers (seen disconnected at Figure 13, mounted on) M, a sliding side
plate working on N, fixed bars which are surrounded by helicle springs
to keep the guide rollers up to their work; there is a pair of guide rollers
on each side. P, stationary bridge pieces, on which the brushes are
suspended by Q, a stirrup piece, through the neck of which works R, an
adjustable rod for regulating the position of the upper brush; S, a
sliding trough or drawer for containing the liquid paint, varnish, or other
coating to be applied to the laths; T, a shallow sliding tray used to
receive any liquid that might fall from the wheels and brushes during
the time the paint drawer is out of position; U, a grooved fly wheel on
the shaft 0; V, protecting wings jointed to the outer casing B; W, a
lath passing through machine.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my
said Invention, and the best means I am acquainted with for carrying
the same into practical effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise relative detailed proportions or dimentions
of the several parts of the apparatus, as it will be readily seen that the
same may be considerably varied without departing from the Invention ;
but what I claim is,
Firstly. The elevator wheels D arranged, constructed, and operated
substantially in the manner and for the purposes described and set
forth.
Dut what I claim Is,-
Firstly. The elevator wheels D arranged, constructed, and operated
substantially in the manner and for the purposes described and set
forth.
Secondly. The peculiar form and use of the double oblique grooved;
under roller E, as herein-before fully described and set forth.
Thirdly. The top smooth faced roller F in combination with the

page_text: double forked lever G, spring H, and rod J, with its regulating spring H
and thumbscrew K, arranged to operate substantially in the manner
and for the purpose described and set forth.
Fourthly. The internal movable frame I with its brush suspending
and regulating gear, as herein-before fully described and set forth.
Fifthly. The antifriction guide rollers L mounted and operated sub-
stantially in the manner herein-before described.
Sixthly. The peculiar form of brushs described, and the use thereof
or their mechanicle equivolent operating substantially in the manner
and for the purposes set forth.
Seventhly. The peculiarly formed paint drawer or trough 8, arranged
and use as herein-before described and set forth.
Eighthly. The shallow sliding tray T, arranged and used substantially
in the manner and for the purpose specified.
And, lastly. The general construction and combination of the several
parts of the machine, arranged and operated substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein-before fully set forth, described, and
illustrated.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Roberts, have hereunto set
my hand and affixed my seal, this Twenty-seventh day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
two.
Witness,
WILLIAM WALKER,
of 44, Castle Street,
Liverpool.
WILLIAM (L.B.) ROBERTS.