Apparatus for Trimming Prints and Mounts.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st Sept., 1891-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Trimming Prints and Mounts.
I WILLIAM RITCHIE BAKER, Chemist, 9 Belmont Villas, Wallington, Surrey,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
―
The base of my apparatus consists of a properly prepared board of any shape,
but preferably with all the angles right angles. On one side, which may be called
the front, a piece of glass about 1 in. wide is let in flush with the surface, and
over it, a little way back from the edge a strip of metal is held by a screw at each
end in such a manner as to allow it to be raised about in. above the glass, by
slight spring. This forms the guide for the cutting instrument, and the paper is
kept from slipping by being held between it and the glass, the guide being pressed
down with the left hand.
There may be a groove to receive the blade in the glass or other substance it
cuts upon, in which case the knife would be made with a projection or wheel to
prevent the edge going too far down.
On one of the sides a rule is fixed so as to form a ridge about in. above the
base and make a right angle with the guide. At the back or side a T square is
attached in such a manner that it will slide from side to side, so that it can be
brought over any part of the print, in order that vertical lines can be made straight
with it.
Instead of being moveable the T square might be hinged and have more than
one arm or it might be modified in any other way that would make it more
suitable for its purpose; or it might be quite separate from the apparatus.
The front might have shears or any other arrangement for cutting in place of
that described above.
I do not confine myself to make any of the parts only of the material mentioned
in the above description, but would employ any substance most suitable for them.
Dated this 2nd day December 1890.
W. RITCHIE BAKER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Trimming Prints and Mounts.
I, WILLIAM RITCHIE BAKER, 9 Belmont Villas, Wallington, Surrey, Chemist,
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:-
My invention consists of an apparatus for trimming prints and mounts of all
sizes, from the largest it is constructed to take to the smallest, and which by means
of a simple mechanical contrivance will enable a person to cut the sides parallel
with the vertical lines of the picture.
It consists of a base of wood or other suitable material in the front of which is
let in flush with the surface, a piece of glass C about 1 ins. wide but not quite so
long as the front. Over this about a quarter of an inch from the edge is fixed a
strip of metal A about an inch broad which is held in position by two screws, one
at each end or other equivalent means, so that it can be kept raised about an eighth
of an inch by two slight springs placed below it near the screws, but can be brought
down closely upon the glass by gentle pressure with the hand, and so made to
tightly hold the print which is placed between it and the glass whilst it is being
trimmed.

page_text: On one of the other sides at a right angle to A, which forms the cutting guide
is placed a slip of wood D, which may or may not be graduated the side of which
forms a raised edge to the board. At the back a metal rod E is fixed parallel to
the cutting guide A and at a right angle to D. This carries the T square F the
traverse piece of which is formed of tubing that fits the rod loosely enough to
allow its being easily moved about upon it.
When using the apparatus the print is slipped under the cutting guide A and
the square moved until it is near some vertical line in the picture, which is made
parallel with it, and all that projects beyond A is cut off. The side thus cut is
placed against the raised edge D and the knife used as before. After the other
two sides have been trimmed the print will be found to have all its angles right
angles and opposite sides equal.
Instead of having the arrangement for cutting described above, the front of the
apparatus may be furnished with shears, or if the cutting guide A were retained
a groove might be made in the material below to receive the edge of the knife
which would then be provided with a projection or wheel at the side, which would
rest on the cutting guide A when in use and so prevent the blade going in too far.
The cutting guide might be furnished with clamps or other means of fixing it down,
especially in the larger sizes or those intended for cutting mounts, and would be
generally put about one quarter of an inch back from the edge of the board. It
might be either straight or slightly curved downwards so as to ensure the ends
pressing firmly upon the glass when pressed down at the centre.
Instead of having the T square to slip along the rod as described above it might
be hinged or provided with one or more arms, or could be made separate or detach-
able from the apparatus so that it could be used or not as required.
I do not confine myself to use only those materials mentioned in the above
description, but would employ glass, wood, metal or any other substance that would
be most suitable for the purpose.
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:
Claim 1. An apparatus to trim prints and mounts provided with a moveable
T square and cutting arrangement and with the raised edge D substantially as
described.
Claim 2. In an apparatus to trim prints and mounts the combination of the
moveable square and cutting arrangement with their modifications herein
described, and the raised edge D.
Claim 3. In an apparatus to trim prints and mounts a cutting arrangement
composed of the strip of metal A fixed at its extremities by screws so that it
may be kept slightly raised by springs, and the glass or other hard substance
beneath it.
Claim 4. In an apparatus to trim prints and mounts a cutting guide A and
having a groove made in the substance below it to receive the edge of the knife
which would be provided with a projection or wheel as herein described.
Claim 5. In an apparatus to trim prints and mounts a sliding T square B, the
traverse part of which is formed of tubing that fits the rod F so that it can be
moved along it.
Dated this 29th day of August 1901