Copyholder for Type Writers, Compositors and the like.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1895
Copyholder for Type Writers, Compositors, and the like.
I, CHARLES ERNEST BROOкs of No. 92 Lansdowne Road South Lambeth in the
County of Surrey Solicitors Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
I have a small pedestal stand with a loaded lead bottom, a small "V" shaped wheel
in the base of the pedestal ("A") the top of which is cut so as to give the required
angle for convenient reading. In the centre of the face of the stand and down the
outside edges three grooves are cut, section "B," into which slips of wood of
corresponding size are placed, held in position by a crosspiece "C" at the top a trifle
wider than the width of the stand. This frame enables the stand or copyholder to be
extended upwards to almost double its length. At the top of this frame and
immediately in the centre is another small "V" shaped wheel partially encased by a
small band of brass or other metal to prevent the cord getting off the wheel, with a
small pivot through the centre. I have now a small piece of brass tube about one
inch in diameter and two inches long "E" in the centre of which is another very
small piece of brass tube and this being held in position in the exact centre of the
larger piece the intervening space is filled in with molten lead thus forming a roller.
From this centre tube depends two pieces of wire one end of each of which is placed
in the small tube in the centre of the roller "E" so as to form an axle on which
the roller freely revolves and then hent perpendicularly for about one inch and then
horizontally for about half an inch or more. To these horizontal bends is soldered.
another piece of smaller brass tube "F" the entire width of the face of the copy-
holder and in this tube are placed two pieces of tight fitting wire bent at right
angles and capable of being extended right and lett. The roller is held by another
piece wire both ends of which are bent round the pieces forming the axle but so
bent as to allow the axle and the roller which depends from them to work freely and
so easily slide over any irregularity, through folding, in the face of the document
copied from. A small loop is also bent in the centre of this piece of wire from which
the roller and its guide are suspended. On the underside of the horizontal piece of
wood, upon which the document, or book to be copied from, rests, is a small crank
winding apparatus "G at the right hand side of which is a small cog wheel "H"
against which the end of a spiral spring "I" is continually pressing to prevent the
weight of the roller pulling this winding apparatus round when the copyholder is in
use. To this crank winding apparatus the end of a catgut or other suitable string or
cord is attached; the other end is passed through the "V" shaped wheel at the base
of the pedestal up the back, through three small brass eyes screwed in to keep the
cord in position, and through the other "V" shaped wheel at the top of the frame.
The end of the cord is now tied to the loop of the piece of wire suspending the roller
and the copyholder is complete. The handle of the crank being turned one way takes
the roller to the top of the copyholder and being turned the reverse way allows the
roller and guide to come down as required, the pieces of wire bent at right angles
inserted in the small piece of brass tube forming the guide of the copyholder, being
regulated as to width, so as insure the roller and the tube forming the guide coming
down perfectly straight.

page_text: Copyholder for Type Writers, Compositors, and the like.
I CHARLES ERNEST BROOKS, of No. 92 Lansdowne, Road, South Lambeth in the
County of Surrey, Solicitors Clerk 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 I have in view is a copyholder which will facilitate type writers,
compositors and others in copying manuscript by continually shewing at a glance
what part of the manuscript has been transcribed, or copied, thus enabling the type
writer, or compositor to at once correctly pick up the continuation of sentences after
portions have been written, without running the risk of omitting sentences, or portions
thereof, which, for want of a proper guide, one is very liable to do, by reason of the
same expression sometimes occurring several times in close proximity to one another.
The operator, under these circumstances, is apt to pick up the last expression instead
of the first, the intermediate portion being entirely omitted, and the whole sheet
entirely spoilt, which, apart from the annoyance thus caused, involves the recopying
of the sheet, and consequent loss of time. Time is also saved to the copyist in being
able to see at a glance to what extent the copying has progressed without having to
find the place by an examination for the unfinished sentence, in the event of the
operator having been called away temporarily. Experience too has taught me that
it is much easier to copy manuscript when placed in an elevated and sloping position,
than where it is placed upon a flat surface, with a paper weight or similar article for
a guide. In the former position a better light is obtained than in the latter,
there is no shadow of the machine falling upon the manuscript, thus obscuring the
view, and it is much easier to decipher manuscript when closely or indifferently
written, or containing interlineations. Moreover having the manuscript upon a flat
surface necessitates the copyist stooping, (at any rate whilst committing to memory
the next portion to be written), and keeping his eyes fixed downwards instead of
sitting upright, and having the manuscript in front of him, or at his side, and in the
direct line of vision.
The advantages I claim for my invention are:-
1. That from whatever position in a large sheet of paper the operator is copying
from, his hand has always to go to the same convenient place to regulate the line
indicator or guide, which can be done while he is committing to memory the next
sentence to be written, thus avoiding the necessity of reaching in front of the
copyholder each time the line indicator is moved.
2. The ability to regulate the line indicator to the greatest. nicety, and so to be able
to copy from a newspaper with the same ease as from any other document.
3. The whole of the face of the document copied from is presented to view,
so as to admit of back reference, if necessary, while at the same time the particular
line being copied is pointed out.
4. That it is unnecessary, in ordinary cases, to untie drafts or original documents.
5. That in the case of heavy documents consisting of numerous sheets, although
desirable to untie such documents, yet the sheets as they are being copied can be put
one behind the other on the stand, and so when the copying is completed the sheets
would be in the same order, and out of the way in the meantime, and thus beyond
the possibility of derangement in the event of their being unnumbered.
6. That the entire line of the maximum width of the paper copied is kept, and the
copyholder is capable of adjustment so as to take the maximum length or depth of
paper, and so prevent the necessity of folding and unfolding, and consequent loss
of time.
7. The adaptability of the copyholder to intermediate sized paper.
Corresponding letters refer to corresponding parts throughout.

page_text: To accomplish the foregoing objects I have a cast iron base, to give solidity
and weight, a section of which is shown by "A" Sheet No. 1. In the centre of
this base, and on the lower side, is a small square opening, half the thickness in
depth of the iron, and in the other half is a circular opening extending to the top
or upper side. Into the openings so made a hard wooden plug, preferably box-
wood, "B" is placed, through which a screw thread is turned. I have now a
small wooden turned pillar, or pedestal "C" about 8 inches in length, the top end
of which is left square or unturned for about two inches. The extreme bottom end,
to the thickness of the iron base, is turned with a screw thread to screw tightly
into the thread in the plug "B," which being inserted in the under side of the
iron base can readily be done by reason of the square or lower portion of this
plug preventing it revolving as the pillar, or pedestal, is screwed in. A further two
inches or so is left square or unturned in the bottom of this pedestal, immediately
above the screw last referred to. In this unturned portion a perpendicular square
cornered opening is made, and in this opening a small wheel, with "V" shaped
sides to prevent, or lessen the probability of the cord getting off the wheel while in
motion, is inserted, the same being secured by a small metal pin inserted through.
the hole in the centre of the wheel, and allowed to work freely. The top of the
unturned portion of the pillar is cut so as to give the desk part of the copyholder
the required angle for convenient reading, and on the part so cut a small square of
hard wood about three inches square, is in the first instance glued, and then screwed
in the centre of the pillar. Upon this small square of wood a larger piece of wood
is glued, the grain of the wood running perpendicularly, and in like manner
screwed to the four corners of the small piece. This larger piece forms the face of
the copyholder, down the centre of which is cut a broad groove, the shape of the
groove being shown in the centre of "D" which is a section of the face of the
copyholder. Down the outside edges two small grooves are cut, consistent with
the thickness of the wood, and in these grooves respectively slips of wood, or, as to
the outside ones, stout metal wire, or slips of sheet metal may be fitted so as to be
capable of being slid up and down with ease. These slips of wood, or the centre
piece, and pieces of wire or slips of sheet metal on the outside edges, are held
together by a horizontal piece of wood of similar substance and material as the face
of the copyholder, though a trifle wider, and about one inch deep, through which
holes are cut in order to admit the two end pieces of wood, wire, or slips of sheet
metal, when placed in the grooves, and these are then securely fastened to prevent
them from shifting. This frame will now slide up and down, and so form an extended
stand when required, being held in position by a portion of a small sash screw ("E")
at the back of the stand, the end of the screw coming through and catching the
centre piece of the extended frame. At the top of this moveable frame, immediately
in the centre, is a wheel similar to the one inserted in the base of the pillar, and
held in position by a slip of brass passing over the top of it with a pivot through the
centre, and small lugs left to screw it to the top of the frame ("F"). On either
side of this wheel is a small ordinary metal spring paper clip to hold the manuscript
in position and prevent it falling under its own weight by reason of its being
continually folded.
At the bottom of the face of the copyholder is screwed a slip of wood to form a
ledge for the document to be copied to rest upon, and to this, on the under side, is
screwed a small crank winding apparatus consisting of two slips of sheet metal, a
portion of each of which is bent at right angles to enable it to be screwed to the lege
last alluded to, and having small holes drilled at the end affords bearings for a small
crank handle, with a small wooden reel, against the right hand side of which a
small toothed or cog wheel is fastened, by being soldered to the metal wire forming
the axle of the reel, or the wheel may be drilled with a hole or holes, and pinned or
screwed to the reel. Against this toothed or cog wheel a small spiral spring is
continually pressing to impede or retard the too rapid descent of the roller next
alluded to.
I have now a small box-wood turned box ("H") of suitable size, with screw lid,

page_text: through the centre of each end of which is turned a small hole into which a small
piece of brass tube of similar length to the box is tightly fixed. The box is now
filled as full as possible with ordinary small leaden shot, to give it weight, and
screwed securely down, being if necessary glued while being screwed. The roller
thus formed might be entirely of metal if desired with a hole through the centre, or
a fixed axle in the usual way."
I have now small pieces of wire bent as at "1," and "J." The piece "I" being
put over the roller formed by the wooden box "H," the longer end of each of the
pieces "J" is put through the eyes of "I" and inserted in the small tube in the
centre of the box roller "H" the shorter ends being soldered behind the small pieces
of copper or brass in the centre of the parallel tubes next referred i.
I have now two sinall lengths of brass tube ("K") the exact idth of the face
of the copyholder which are soldered parallel one to the other by small pieces of
copper or other metal, one at either end, and the other two at equal distances from
them, thus leaving a space in the centre. Into these tubes at either end, is inserted
a piece of fairly easy fitting wire, bent as at "L" having a small piece of sheet
copper or other metal soldered as indicated to hold it in this shape, and prevent it
bending when being regulated as to width when wider paper is being copied from.
The shorter ends of the pieces "J" are now soldered at the back of the sinal! piece
of copper in the centre of the parallel tubes "K," forming the guide, as before
stated.
I have now a thin silk cord, or other suitable string, one end of which is tied to a
small piece made fast to the small reel of the crank winding apparatus by being glued
into a small hole in the body of the reel, or otherwise fixed, the other end is passed
under the "V" shaped wheel in the bottom of the pedestal, brought back over the
top, and passed through a second time, through small brass eyes screwed in the back
at intervals to keep the cord in position, passed twice round the top wheel, and the
end made fast to the small loop bent in the piece of wire "I."
The copyholder is now complete. The handle of the crank being turned one way
takes the roller and the guide, or line indicator, to the top of the frame, and being
reversed, the wires in the tubes being nicely adjusted as to width, allows the guide to
come down perfectly straight the ends of the pieces of wire "J" inserted in the
centre of the roller being sufficiently loose as to enable the tubes forming the guide
to ride over any slight irregularity in the paper by folding.
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
In a copyholder, or device for copying manuscript, the right to the sole and
exclusive use, individually and collectively, of the several parts lettered "A" to "L,"
(both inclusive) as substantially shown and described above, and alternatively
indicated.
DL: L: 1
1907