IMPROVEMENTS IN RULING AND ENGRAVING MACHINES
Year: 1885

page_text: COMPLEIE
SPECIFICATION.
I, RICHARD WILLIAMS BENTLEY, of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings and
State of New York, United States of America, Engraver, do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN RULING AND ENGRAVING MACHINES
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My improvements apply to the entire class of engraving machines or ruling
machines which are intended to aid engravers and other artists in making great
numbers of parallel straight lines at moderate distances apart. Usually in making
a tint in engraving the distances apart of the lines are very small. My improve-
ments allow them to be exactly uniform or to be conveniently varied to indicate
the shade on curved surfaces, or to grade shades on flat or other surfaces.
The old method of making the graduations by means of a handle on screw
carrying division wheel to be turned by the operator one or more notches against
pressure of spring underneath is slow, and requires constant and intelligent attention.
It is also uncertain as the division on wheel into which the operator wishes the
spring to fall will often be carried too far, so making an imperfect graduation.
By the old method in making lines running from fine into wide spaces it is
necessary to use a division-wheel divided into 24ths, counting so many notches
between each line made, adding a notch to the count for every line made or every
two lines or, three or six lines, &c.
The space answering to one of the notches is small but sufficient to materially
impair the work if a mis-count is made or the notch is carried a little too far,
which very often happens. It is almost impossible to correct the mistake and so
the work is spoiled.
My improvements do away with these defects,--the spacing is made perfectly
without fail, the counting is done away with, all being accomplished automatically
by operating a lever. Even spacing or grading spacing can be done with less
labor and less time than it formerly took, and very much more perfectly.
I apply a lever connected by a link to the reciprocating carriage which carries
the stylus or marking device, and limit its motion by adjustable stops which allow
the stylus to be reciprocated to an exactly uniform extent in applying tints or
shades where the same are to stop abruptly at a line.
I apply a friction brake to aid in gently arresting the motion at the termination
of the movement when the lines are of varying lengths.

page_text: The lever which operates the carriage engages therewith by means of an
extension from the carriage provided with a transverse slot in which the lever
engages.
In what I esteem the most complete form of the invention the operations are
all performed automatically and the machine may be driven by power, as by a belt 5
from a shaft driven continuously by a steam engine or other motor.
A good
portion of the benefits of the invention may be realized by working without
power.
To facilitate the description I will first assume that the power mechanism is
disconnected. The machine as thus dismembered will be readily understood by 1
engravers accustomed to working by the direct application of one hand to one part,
and the other to another part, and by acting intelligently at the points and periods
required.
I will describe the machine as applied to the production of sharp smooth lines
in the ground which is applied on copper and other plates for etching.
The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out
the invention. The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.
Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the parts connected for working by power.
Fig. 2 is an elevation of certain portions thereof.
Fig. 3 is a cross-section of a portion on the line x x in fig. 1.
The remaining figures are on a larger scale.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of certain parts.
Fig 5 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 6 is a plan view showing the fixed framing and supporting ways at one end
of the machine, with some of the moving parts. Many important details are
omitted in this figure; among those omitted are the secondary carriage with the
stylus and its immediately adjacent parts.
Fig 7 is a section on the line x x in Fig. 6.
Fig. 8. is a side elevation of certain parts.
Fig. 9 is a vertical section of the same.
Fig. 9 is a central section through a portion detached.
Fig 10 is an elevation of the back side, the reverse of Fig. 8.
Figs 11 & 12, show change-wheels which may be substituted for the corre-
spondingly marked part in the other figures.
Figs 13, 14 and 15 are on a still larger scale.
Fig 13 is an end elevation of certain wheels with a cross-section of the feed screw
on which they are mounted.
Fig. 14 is a central longitudinal section through the said wheels.
Fig. 15 is a vertical section partly in elevation.
Figs. 16, 17 and 18 show certain parts on the same scale as figs. 4 to 12
inclusive.
Fig 16 is an end elevation.
Fig 17 is a side elevation.
Fig 18 is a vertical section.
Figs. 19 and 20 represent an addition.
Fig. 19 is an elevation, and
Fig 20 a plan view.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where
they occur.
A is the fixed frame-work certain portions of which will be designated when
necessary by additional marks as A¹ A³. It presents two stiffly supported hori-
zontal ways A' A2, adapted to support the main carriage which gives a reciprocating
motion to the tool. B is such main carriage certain portions being designated
when necessary by additional marks, as B¹. It is equipped with a stout cross or
T-part B having a nicely finished V-groove on its under face adapted to rest on
and be guided by the way A'.

page_text: C is a secondary carriage mounted on the main carriage B. It is adjusted
transversely on B by turning a screw D. An intermittent turning of this screw
gives the required step by step feed movement to the stylus c, to determine the
distance of the lines apart.
.
The stylus may be of the ordinary form and presented at the ordinary angle to
a plane plate of copper, steel or other material M, held by any suitable means at
the proper distance below.
The machine is arranged to produce the mark by the movement of the carriage B
and its connections to the left. During this period the stylus is down in contact
with the plate M. A partial revolution is given to the screw D so as to effect the
feed movement of the stylus during the return motion. The raising and lowering
of the stylus is effected by the aid of a small lever C¹, carried on the carriage C,
and arranged to be operated by one finger of the attendant, when working by
hand. As the machine is ordinarily worked by hand, the right hand rests on or
adjacent to the carriage C, and one finger of that hand operates the lever C¹. The
left hand operates a long transverse lever W which is arranged to turn horizontally
on a pivot w carried in a screw-clamp or block A³, which is secured by the aid of
a clip A', and thumb screw A', in any required position on the way A² A block W¹
is secured by a pinching screw in any required position on the lever W. It has on
its under face a pin carrying a roller W
B is a rigid arm extending from the part B, parallel to and near the way A³.
A slotted swing bar BS is pivoted loosely to B, so that it may turn horizontally.
Qis an arm or link pivoted to B³. A portion is thin and elastic allowing it to be
deflected upward and downward to a considerable extent. It lies near the way A¹.
B is a stout arm rigidly bolted to the part B, and constituting a bearer for
a short rocking-shaft E, which is provided with a slotted arm E, extending upward
from its front end, and an arm E, extending downward from its inner or back end.
A yoke E³, fixed on the arm E* is knuckled to the spring link Q.
The elasticity of the spring link Q is important by allowing it to be deflected
downward to the required extent as the point of connection with the yoke E³
describes its circular path. The spring link Q is jointed to E³ by two knuckles,
one capable of turning vertically and the other horizontally.
At the opposite end of the connection with the swing bar B³ is formed by only
one knuckle, capable of turning horizontally. The elasticity of Q provides further
vertical deflection. at this end. The elasticity not only avoids the necessity for
another knuckle at that end but tends also to hold down on the swing bar B³.
It is important that B³ shall move in a strictly horizontal plane. If the link Q
were rigid its inclined portion would tend to lift B³ out of its proper plane during
the period while Q exerts a thrusting force.
It will be understood that the link Y has not been yet connected. The machine
is worked by hand. The attendant moving the lever W to the right, acts through
the roller W on the slotted transverse arm or swing bar B³, and effects two
important movements:
One is effected through the spring link Q, which induces a partial turning of the
shaft E, so that the upright arm E¹, instead of inclining to the right, inclines to
the left.
The other is the backward movement of the carriage B, and its connections
ready to commence a new line.
The T-part B¹, supports a bracket B, which forms a suitable bearing for the
smooth or unthreaded portion of the screw D. In a horizontal guide-way B⁰ is
mounted a double rack F, equipped with rack-teeth f¹f. It receives longitudinal
motion through a link F¹ from a pin e¹, carried on the block e, adjustable on the
slotted lever E¹.
The upper set of rack-teeth f¹ are not important at this stage of the description.
On the screw D is loosely mounted a spur gear-wheel D¹, which lies within the
double rack F, and is engaged by the rack-teetli ƒ³. With each movement of the

page_text: .
slotted lever E, the rack F is moved and the loose wheel D¹ is turned in one
direction or the other.
There is a stout boss or hub firmly fixed on the screw D, and equipped with
ratchet teeth d².
The amount of the feed motion and consequently the distance apart of the lines
engraved depend on the extent of the longitudinal movement of the double rack F.
This can be varied by increasing or diminishing the amount of the rocking motion
of the shaft E and consequently the sweep of the arm E', by adjusting certain
stops which limit its motion.
When the force of the hand applied to the lever W commences to move it to the
left to effect the corresponding movement of the carriage B, and its connections
the pull of the spring link Q aided by the force of the spiral spring b, causes the
shaft E to perform a partial revolution, carrying the arm E¹ to the right until it
strikes a stop b³. Then a further movement of the hand to the left induces the
proper traversing of the carriage B and the line is engraved. This movement
turns the gear-wheel D' loosely on the screw D. On the return movement of the
lever W, the movement to the right, the friction and inertia of the parts aided by
the tension of the spring b, hold the shaft E and its connections immovably in the
carriage traversing backward therewith until near the close of the backward
motion; then a new force comes into play,
A is a rigid stop fixed in an adjustable position on the rail A¹ by a screw A7.
A lever N provided with a spring N¹, to soften its action, is mounted with liberty
to turn on a stud b² on the T-piece B¹. Near the termination of the backward
motion of the carriage the upper arm of this lever, cushioned by its spring N¹,
strikes this stop A6 and by the further motion of the hand lever W causes
a turning of the lever N. The lower arm of this lever is connected by a link N2,
.to the arm E2. The hand lever W must be worked with sufficient force at this
juncture to turn the shaft E, against the force of the spring b and overcome the
resistance due to the inertia and friction of the several parts, and also the tension
of the spring b, and turn the arm E' to the left giving a corresponding motion to
the double rack F, and turning the wheel D₁ and the screw D with which it is
rigidly connected by the pawls D, D', to effect the required feed-motion of the
carriage C and its connections.
An adjustable stop limits the motion of the arm E¹, and consequently the extent
of the turning of the screw. This requires elaborate description.
B6 is an arc of metal mounted by means of arms or framing B on the extension
It is concentric with the
arm B from the carriage B and traversing with it.
shaft E, and is toothed as indicated by 66, the teeth being properly and unequally
spaced to make each induce an absolutely equal change in the extent of motion of
the screw D.
H¹ is an arc or curved piece of metal mounted movably on the arc B6, attached
to and carrying a radial arm H which performs the important function of an
adjustable stop to limit the movement of the arm E¹, to the left. It is secured
firmly in the desired position on the arc B6, by means of a dog H³, urged down-
ward and inward by springs H³.
On raising this dog H*, the arm H with the entire arc H¹, may be shifted at will
to the right or left, and on allowing the dog to engage between the proper teeth
the stop is held firmly.
A spring his mounted on the arm H and ensures a soft and gentle contact of
the parts.
A short stud H is provided on the side of H, which stud serves as the
direct means of receiving the impact of the arm E¹. The spring is perforated to
allow the gentle impact to be received directly.
There are some kinds of work in which it is desired to change the spacing
between the lines engraved at certain determined intervals. I provide mechanism
by which after one or two or any other given small number of lines have been
engraved at a certain distance apart the position of the stop H will be changed

page_text: and consequently the distance of the engraved linés apart, will be increased
automatically.
I is a ratchet-arc mounted on the front face of the arc H to which it is loosely
secured by screws H³, inserted in slots i. These slots are of sufficient length to
allow a little movement of the arc I, to the right and left on the arc H₁. The
ratchet arc I acts in each movement to the left against a toggle-lever J, which
latter is pivoted to the dog H, at a point h¹, the pivot extending through a slot in
the stop-arm H. The lower end of J, is rounded and adapted to slide smoothly
on the inclined plane H. Whenever these parts are liberated the tension of the
springs H depressing the dog H, forces the toggle lever J upon the inclined
plane H and causes J to be deflected to the right with sufficient force to move the
ratchet arc I to the right and the dog H³, then allowed to sink, engages and holds
the stop firmly.
K is a lever pivoted at k, to the arc Bº or rather to one of the arms B³ rigidly
connecting such arc with the arm B' on the carriage B. Its lower end carries a
slotted adjustable cross-piece K¹ secured by a screw K. It upper end carries by
a loose pivot K³ a lever K, one arm of which serves as a pawl to engage in the
teeth on the periphery of the ratchet arc I. A spring K* urges the upper end
of K¹ to the right.
Near the termination of each movement of the arm E¹ to the right it strikes
the cross-piece K₁ and acting forcibly thereon turns the lever K, urging the upper
end and consequently the pawl K to the left. This, when the pawl K is allowed
to act, moves the ratchet arc I to the left, and thus slides the toggle-lever J up the
incline H and lifts the dog H. Then continuing its movement a little further it
shifts the stop H and its entire train of connections to the left: When the lever
E again swings to the left it liberates the lever K, which by the force of its
spring K³, is restored to its original position, allowing the ratchet arc I and its
connections to move to the right, and consequently the dog H³ to engage in the
new notch.
The parts being so adjusted, that a sufficient movement of the lever K will be
induced, the stop E will be shifted one notch or some other number of notches
after each line is engraved, thus correspondingly increasing the width apart of the
several lines as they are successively engraved. In general practice it is desired to
shift only one notch at a time and the parts are so adjusted.
hooked
Whenever it is desired to throw this mechanism entirely out of use, a
swing-arm Ke shown in Fig. 8, mounted on the upper edge or back of the pawl
lever K, can be turned to one side so as to catch on a pin 12, set in the upper
edge of the arc H', and hold the pawl lever K₁ permanently out of use.
conditioned the stop H may be shifted into any position desired by raising the
dog H2, by hand and shifting the stop by force of the hand applied in either
direction.
Thus
It may frequently happen that an automatic increase in the width of the spaces
between the lines is desired which shall be less rapid than that above provided for.
I attain this by making two, three or other number of lines uniformly spaced, then
automatically increasing the space, and then correspondingly making a number of
lines uniformly spaced, and so on. This is effected by automatically lifting the
pawl K, and holding it during two, three or other number of movements, then
allowing it to act once, and then holding it up again during a similar number of
movements.
Figs. 8 to 12 show this mechanism. O is a slide having a broad or T-head O¹
presented under one edge of the acting end of the pawl K.
R is a coarsely notched wheel turning on a stud B's mounted on the framing or
arm B³ carried on the carriage B. A ratchet wheel R¹ is fixed to one face of the
wheel R. Its teeth receive a pawl P, from a swinging lever P which is free to
turn on the same counter stud B¹³, and carries on a rigidly connected arm P¹ a
dog P. This dog is urged into the upright position by a spring P, the arm P is
urged into contact with a stop p' and the pawl P' engages with the teeth of the

page_text: wheel R. A spring.r,.fixed; on the carriage holds the wheel R in any position in
which it is turned. The coarse notches in the wheel R are adapted to receive the
lower end of the slide O when they are presented thereto. The more or less broad
spaces on the wheel R. between the several notches hold up the slide O when they
are presented thereto.
.
A pine on the inner or back face of the arm E¹, sweeps across the point of the
hinged dog P³. At each movement of the arm E¹ in one direction, it engages
with P3 and moves the lever P, causing its connections to turn.
But this motion is only to a small extent because the pin e³ soon slips off the
dog P³, and the rest of the movement of E' produces no effect.
On the return
movement of E¹ the pin e² moves idly across the hinged dog P³ the latter swinging
by the yielding of its spring P' to allow it to pass without effect.
These parts are so adjusted that as each line is produced the wheel R¹ turns one
notch, correspondingly turning the coarsely notched wheel R. When the latter
presents a notch to receive the slide O, this slide sinks, and after the next line the
pawl K is allowed to act and shift the stop H one notch. Then the further
turning of the wheel R lifts and holds up the slide O, causing the pawl to be held
up and to perform its vibrations idly during the execution of three or some other
number of lines which are thus uniformly spaced. Then the sinking of the slide O
into the next notch allows the pawl to again act and increase the spaces between
the lines and so on.
I provide several differently toothed wheels R, which by slight labor may be
substituted one for another to accommodate different kinds of work.
It is important to preserve the elaborate mechanism just described from being
subjected to wear in executing ordinary uniformly spaced lines, and yet to vary
the width of the spaces between the lines. I can effect this by shifting the point
of connection of the link F1, to the slotted arm E¹. The pin e¹ is mounted in a
block E, which can be shifted towards and from the axis of E. The slot is
sufficiently long to allow all the range which is usually required. The block is
held in the required position by a nut at the back.
.
It is frequently useful to be able to change the position of the carriage C on the
carriage B to a great extent rapidly. To accommodate this I engage the carriage C
with the screw D by means of a nut which is formed in two halves or semi-
nuts L L. These are mounted in parallel ways C C³, on the carriage C, and are
controlled by levers TT, which are pivoted on the carriage C at tt, and are
connected by links T¹ T¹, to a short intermediate lever T', which turns on a pivot t².
One of the levers T is extended to form a convenient handle, by acting on which,
both levers and consequently the semi-nuts L L, can be moved apart to let go of
the screw threads. Thus conditioned the carriage C may be moved by any
sufficient force the whole width of the machine or to any less extent which may be
desired. Then by a proper movement of the levers T the semi-nuts L L, are again
closed together and engage firmly and reliably with the threads of D.
S is a spring-catch fixed firmly on the carriage C by means of the pinching-
screw S', which stands in a slot and allows it to be shifted considerably to the
right or left. S' is a set screw, by turning which when the screw S¹ is a little
slackened, the spring S may be set to the right as little as may be required. This
spring holds one and consequently by the connections both the levers T, in the
position of engagement with the screw D.
It is important to preserve the perfection of the threads of the screw D, and of
the semi-nuts L L, and maintain as accurate a condition of centering of the
adjustment as possible. It may happen from various causes that as the work
wears, the nut tends to get slightly out of line with the screw, to the right or left.
To correct this I provide an adjustable connection of one of the links T' to its
corresponding lever T. To effect this in so short a link as T¹, I extend one of them
past its proper lever T, and thence making an offset forward extend it back again
to the proper lever, making this backward extension by a separate piece which is
slotted. This return piece T³ is adjustable by shifting it on the connecting screw T.

page_text: When the semi-nut operated by the back extension T³, takes hold sooner and
tighter than the other semi-nut, I shift this connection to lengthen this link. If it
does not take hold soon enough I shorten this link. The spring-catch S may
require adjustinent after each such change in the adjustable link T³.
X is a brake-block mounted on a stout spring X₁ carried on a horizontal lever X,
which stands nearly parallel to the lever W and turns on the same pivot w.
Its
near end is supported by an arm from the lever W³, and is formed to allow it to
be easily operated by a finger of the hand which is operating the lever W.
It is frequently desirable to control the action of the lever W very accurately
at and near the termination of some or all of the engraved lines particularly when
they are lines of varying length. In such case the attendant moves the lever W,
boldly until the line is nearly completed, and then acting on the lever X, urging it
towards the lever W, he applies the friction brake-block X3 forcibly to the side of
the cross lever or hinged bar B³, and generates a friction which rapidly extinguishes
the momentum of the parts and brings all to rest. My experiments indicate that
practice will give great facility in thus operating. If it happens that the movement
is arrested too early the compression on the lever X is relaxed and tightened
intermittently a few times while a gentle force is applied to the lever W, and the
movement of the lever W and consequently the Engraving of the lines is completed
by a series of short and diminishing steps.
I will now describe the provisions for working the lever W and its connections
by power. This is effected through the adjustable link or connecting rod Y, which
is formed in two parts, slotted and united by bolts Y¹ as shown, so as to allow a
considerable range of adjustment in the link.
Z is an upright shaft equipped with a beveled gear-wheel Z' which receives
motion from a corresponding bevel gear-wheel Z' carried on a shaft Z3, which
latter is equipped with fast and loose pulleys Z Z³, allowing it to be stopped or to
be turned uniformly by a belt from a steam engine or other suitable power, when
desired. The belt is controlled by. a shipper Z⁹.
Z is a sufficiently large horizontal wheel carried on the upper end of the shaft Z
and having one or more radial slots holding an adjustable block carrying a pin Z³.
The link Y connects with the pin Z³ at one end and with a pin W mounted on
the lever W at the other end. The pin Z³ carried around by the wheel Z'
communicates the proper motion through the link Y. If it be desired to increase
the range of motion of the lever W the block and consequently the pin Ze is shifted
in the wheel Z7.
The attendant can at any moment stop the machine by moving the shipper Zº,
to shift the belt upon the loose pulley Z as will be readily understood..
I provide means for automatically stopping the operation when the engraving
has proceeded to a certain point.
Z✶ is a short lever suspended on the under side of the wheel Z with liberty to
drop into the inclined position shown in fig. 1, except as it is held up by the smooth
ring U¹ carried on a lever U which latter turns on a fixed centre u, and is partially
balanced by a weight U. A widened portion U* is adapted to receive the rounded
end of a lever V mounted on a fixed pivot v. An arm from this lever V extends
upward and is the medium for receiving the action from the machine when the
engraving has progressed to the proper line.
C is a horizontal arm extending to an adjustable distance out from the
carriage C. controlled by a pinching screw C. This arm is allowed to project to a
just sufficient extent according to the breadth which is to be engraved.
The feed motion of the carriage C is always towards the operator when running
by power. Until the arm C³ strikes something the work will continue.
G is a horizontal lever adjustable lengthwise, turning on a vertical pivot or pintal g
carried on the carriage B. The long arm of this lever G, is provided with a beveled
hook G¹. The short arm has a notch on its under face which engages with a spring
catch C. So long as this lever G remains in the position shown, the engraving
action of the machine will continue, but so soon as the carriage C and consequently

page_text: the stylus c have traversed to the proper extent, the arm C³ will press against the
lever G and disengage it from its spring catch C; and leave it free to be turned by
its spring G. This moves its hook G¹ so that as it is reciprocated by the carriage B
it travels in a new path ready to engage with the lever V. Immediately on the
commencement of the return motion of the stylus c, the hook G¹ brings the lever V
into the upright position, and by the action of the lower end of V upon U* raises
the ring U and consequently the short lever Z*. With the lever Z* in this
position the rotation brings the latter strongly into contact with a projection 26
from the shipper Zo, and moves the stop and stops the machine. My experiments
indicate that this will occur with certainty before the return movement of the
carriage B is completed.
I will now proceed to describe the function of the set of ratchet teeth f¹. I have
heretofore described the horizontal guide-way B10, as carried always at a uniform
height on the carriage B. It is capable of being raised, lowered and guided between
uprights B°.
F F3 are bell-crank levers turning on pivots f carried on the carriage B. The
lower ends of these levers are connected by a link F, and are subject to the force
of a spring F, having its abutment in a pin F6, carried on the carriage B. The
lateral arms of these levers F2 F3 support the guide-ways B10. The back face of
one lever F' is recessed to engage with gentle force on a spring arm B, extending
down from the carriage B.
F7F7, are spiral springs arranged to serve between the carriage B and the guide-
way B10, tending to lift the latter.
So long as the parts are in the position represented, the lower rack f2 is effective
and the screw D is turned in the direction to feed the tool carrier from the
operator.
When the feed is to be in the opposite direction the attendant disengages the
spring F from its pin F, and after turning the levers F2 F3 to lower the guide-
way B10, shifts the position of the spring F5 so that it extends in a nearly opposite
direction to that shown, and engages it on the pin F8. Now its tension urges the
levers F2 F3 in the opposite direction to that shown, and holds the upper set of
teeth in the proper gentle engagement with the teeth of the wheel D
A corresponding adjustment of another part is required. The extended bearing
or sleeve of the wheel D¹ carries a clip-ring D³, which is compressed tightly thereon
by a screw D³ so as to serve as a unit therewith. Pins D D in one face of the
ring D, carry pawls D6 D7, each urged by a spring into engagement with one of
the ratchets d². These pawls are controlled by a curved lever D8 adjustable on
the pin D. This lever D8 should turn with considerable friction, but it may be
adjusted by a forcible action of the thumb or finger so as to raise the pawl DⓇ out
of action and allow the opposite pawl D7 freedom to play. As shown by the
dotted lines in fig. 13, the stylus will be fed towards the operator. By turning the
lever De into the position shown in strong lines in fig. 13, and turning the lever F
to lower the double rack F so that the rack teeth f¹ will be engaged with the gear-
wheel D¹, the stylus will feed in the opposite direction, the feed movement being
effected as at present during the return movement.
Bis is a carriage introduced under the T-piece B¹, and equipped with two
oppositely inclined anti-friction rollers B16 B10. These are adjusted to press on the
correspondingly inclined surfaces of the way A¹, and relieve the carriage from a
great portion of the friction to which it would otherwise be subject. But it is
important not to set these rolls so as to take all the load. The proper steadiness of
the stylus c requires that the carriage shall bear directly on the way A¹ with a
portion of its weight.
I have not deemed it necessary to represent the provisions for holding the plate M.
It will be understood that a firm table is employed of any ordinary or suitable
character. It may be adjustable in height. I propose to engrave plates of different
thicknesses composed of any ordinary or suitable material. I can, by using a
suitable tool adapted to act directly on the material, engrave accurately spaced,

page_text: smooth parallel lines on blocks of box wood or other suitable wood. I can by the
use of, a diamond in the stylus c, engrave lines on lithographic stones.
H' is a friction spring secured on the inner face of the adjustable stop E, and
exerting a considerable pressure on the back face of the arc B. It holds the parts H
and B together with some force, but not so as to prevent the stop H from being
shifted by the mechanism described.
The stylus or tool c which effects the engraving or marking on the plate M may
be changed to various angles by adjusting its holder at a joint c¹, (see fig. 3.) The
lever c² is pivoted to the carriage C at the point c. The extension of the lever ca
beyond the axis presents a sufficiently broad bearing surface c, which receives
the cam-shaped lower end of the lever C¹ (see figs. 1 and 3)—which turns on the
pivot e carried on the carriage C. The stylus may be raised and lowered by
acting on this lever C¹ directly by hand.
I provide an arm c³ on the upper end of the lever which is received in an
inclined slot in a slide c, which is mounted with liberty to slide end-wise in the
carriage C, all as shown in figs. 1 and 3.
Two arms A³ and A° are secured in adjustable positions on the back rail or
way A² by means of thumb screws A¹0. At each movement of the carriage B and
its connections to the left, one end of the slide c is struck against the stop A³,
causing the slide co to move in its keeper on the carriage C in the direction to the
right. The movement raises the arm c thereby tilting the upper end of the lever Ct
from the operator and moving the lower end of the same lever which is can-shaped
towards the operator. This movement by the action of the cam-shaped lower end
of the lever C¹ on the bearing surface c, depresses that portion of the lever c² and
causes said lever to turn on the centre c³, thereby raising the opposite end and the
stylus c. The parts bold this relation to each other during the whole return
movement of the carriage B and its connections to the right, but at the extreme
end of the movement to the right the slide co strikes the stop A and moves the
slide c again in its keeper or seat on the carriage C. The movement this time
rocks the lever C₁ in the opposite direction, causing its cam-shaped lower end to
liberate the bearing c. This allows the lever c² to rock by gravity and lower the
stylus c down into contact with the plate M.
The parts remain in this position during the whole movement of the carriage B
and its connections to the left, which is the effective portion of the movement. The
stylus c describes a smooth straight line on the plate during the whole of the move-
ment of the carriage to the left. At the termination of its movement in this
direction the slide ce again strikes the arm A³ and the stylus c is again lifted, and
so on.
The clasp C³ is a folded piece of hard brass or other suitable material secured on
the carriage C and embracing the lever C as shown in figs. 1, 5 and 16. It clasps
on the lever C¹ with gentle force, so as by its friction, to hold it in any of the
several positions in which it may be left by the action of the slide co. In working
by hand this spring serves the same function, holding the lever C¹ in the right
position to hold the stylus up during the return motion, and holding the lever C¹
out of use and allowing the stylus to rest on the plate M during the effective
movement.
C is a rod carrying a button C' which serves in raising and lowering the tool
by hand, when the machine is by proper changes in the other parts conditioned for
engraving by the movement of the tool to the right. It is embraced by a clamp C³
carried on an arm c³, which is rigidly connected to the lever C¹.
The clamp C embraces the rod Co with sufficient friction to allow a gentle force
impressed on the rod Co, to rock the lever C in one direction and the other.
Figs. 19 and 20 represent an addition which is useful in special cases where it is
desirable to rule lines of varying length. In this modification, the adjustable
arms A Aº (see fig. 1.) are set at an angle I introduce a vertical pin which
carries a sleeve c10 sliding vertically on said pin
1

page_text: When the cross carriage C is moved backward or forward as far as it can go, this
sleeve c is stopped by its contact with one or the other of the arms A8 A³. The
varying positions in which it will be stopped as the carriage is moved successively
across the field control the point at which the tool is to be raised and lowered.
The arms As A may be set at any angle desired and the lines ruled with the aid
of this addition will correspondingly vary in length. I can by this means rule a
set of lines, stopping them at uniform distances from another line or set of lines
which extend obliquely thereto.
A stands higher than A³. The parts are so proportioned that in the position
shewn the sleeve c¹º can pass under the arm A, to allow the carriage to continue
its motion to the proper point to cause the screw D to be turned. When the screw
has been turned to give the proper amount of lateral feed movement to the stylus,
the carriage C with its attachments is moved forward until the attendant who is
closely watching its movement finds the sleeve c¹º, has passed the arm A' then the
sleeve c¹º is raised a little through the medium of the lever M¹; then resting the
sleeve co against the adjacent edge of the inclined arm A³ moving the carriage back
a little if necessary to induce such contact, the stylus is lowered by pushing the
slide co to the left, and the line is executed until the sleeve c¹0 strikes the other
stop A and is arrested. Then the stylus is raised and the carriage moved back,
passing again under the stop A, and the screw D is again turned to the proper
extent and the operation repeated.
M² M³ are levers formed as represented, turning on a pin m carried on the
carriage C. Their free ends are conveniently arranged to be actuated by the thumb
and finger, while also operating the handle on the slide co. These levers serve as
stops or means of engagement with the sleeve cto, the lever M2 being hook formed
and adapted to hold the sleeve clo in the desired position when it is forced against
the arm A, and the lever M³ being properly formed for the same purpose, to hold
the sleeve co when it strikes the arm A³.
The brake-block X2 and its connections should be shifted forward or backward
on the brake lever X, according as the roller W2, and its connections are shifted
forward and backward on the lever W. The brake-block should be kept adjacent
to the roller W³.
When I am engraving long lines and the carriage B and its connections make
the extreme movement to the left, the end of the arm B2 and the slotted cross-
lever B³ can move to the left considerably beyond the ends of the ways A¹ A².
I provide an arm A to support the parts when in this extreme position. The
roller b*, mounted on the under side of the slotted cross-lever B³, runs on the
extension A", and makes a nearly frictionless support.
B* is a spring enclosed within the principal spring b. Under ordinary conditions
a single spring b is sufficient to compel the proper movement of the lever E¹ to the
right, but whenever by reason of the adjusting of the pins e' to a lower position, or
if for any other reason it is found that the lever E¹, is too easily shifted over.to the
left, I engage both springs b and B* on the pin b7.
Graduations are indicated on the face of the arm E'. This may be accomplished
by designated figures or marks. They aid in adjusting the height of the block,
carrying the connection e' for the link F When the stop H is adjusted so as to
allow the fullest vibration of the arm E¹, the adjusting of the pin e¹ up and down
in the slot to any given graduation will cause the machine to produce lines of any
given fraction of an inch apart.
When the machine is operated for varying the spaces between the lines, I set
the block carrying the pin e¹ in its highest position so that the index or pointer on
the block stands at the extreme upper end of the graduated scale.
N* is a lever which is important in some conditions when making lines auto-
matically varied as working by hand. One end is hook-formed and beveled as
shown in Fig. 4. When the carriage B and its connections move to the right this
hook-end passes over a pin a" on the adjustable stop Aº. The shoulder of the
hook moves considerably past this pin. On the return movement the carriage is

page_text: moved to the left until this hook strikes the pin a, thus giving warning to the
operator, who has until this period held up the tool or stylus. Then when this
position of the parts is attained, the operator lowers the stylus into contact with;
the plate M at the same time lifts the hook and allows the stylus to commence to
engrave its line. The hook is worked automatically being engaged by gravity
aided by a spring n and disengaged simultaneously by the lowering of the stylus.
through the pin c, carried on the lever C¹ which acts on a lateral arm n* on the
lever N. This avoids an irregularity in the commencement of the lines which
would otherwise be likely to occur when the distance between the lines is being
changed by the means above described.
I find that there is under some circumstances an objectionable concussion and
jarring when the arm E¹ strikes the stop b³. I introduce a spring h² attached to
the stop 63 arranged so that it deadens the force of the slight blow and yet allows
the arm E¹ to come certainly into contact with the stop b³ at each forward motion,
of the carriage B.
A is a thumb-screw by which the arms A8 A" may be shifted at their junction
with the stop A¹º. I have shown A8 A9 standing parallel to each other and
extending directly across the path of the stylus. The lines engraved will corre-
spondingly commence and stop, and the area covered by the engraved lines will be
rectangular; but I can change the position to various other angles by slacking
the screw A12, with the effect to induce the starting and stopping of the lines,
correspondingly.
Modifications may be made in the forms and proportions of the details without.
sacrificing the advantages or departing from the principles of the invention. Parts
of the invention may be used without the whole.
I can by disconnecting the link or connecting rod Y operate by hand as first
described. I can, if any work requires it, carry two or more tools by a single
motion of the carriage. I can, by an obvious reversing of the conditions, engrave;
by moving the plate in contact with a stationary cutter or stylus.
I have shown a bracket supporting the further end of the feed screw D. This
can be varied.
By suitable modifications of this machinery, I can engrave on box wood so as to
produce parallel lines at uniform or varying distances thereon, the same as on other
material. The modifications necessary to adapt this to wood engraving machines
need not be detailed, but will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The principles
apply in the same manner.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1st The segment B' differentially notched in combination with a variably rotating
rocking shaft E, connecting link F, rack f¹, and gear wheel D¹, as means for
operating the feed screw controlling the spaces between the lines in an engraving
machine, as herein specified.
}
2nd: The movable stop H and locking key or dog H2, in combination with the
differentially notched segment B, variably rotating rocking shaft E, connecting
link F', rack f¹, and gear-wheel D₁, as means for operating the feed screw con-
trolling the spaces-between the lines in an engraving machine, as herein specified.
3rd In an engraving machine the toggle lever or lifting link J, in com-
bination with the dog H2, stop H, rocking arm E' and sliding segment I, with
its inclined plane r¹ and mechanism, substantially as specified for moving the
segment I to a limited extent by a movement of the arm Ę, all substantially as
herein specified.
'
4th: In an engraving machine, the vibrating lever N, connecting link N²,
shaft E, with its arms E³, E², connection F¹, rack f¹ and pinion D', carrying one or
more pawls, and ratchet wheel H³, combined and arranged as herein specified,

page_text: 5th In an engraving machine, the adjustable split ring D2, carrying a pawl D6,
in combination with the feed wheel D¹, and gear screw D, and with means as fi
and suitable connections to the arm E¹ for giving a variable reversely rotating
intermittent motion to D¹, as herein specified.
6th The double rack-slide F with its two sets of teeth f1 and 2 and means for
reciprocating it to variable extents as specified, in combination with the two
pawls D and D7, double ratchet wheel D¹ and feed screw D, as herein specified.
7th The levers F2 F³, connecting link F, and means as F³ for holding them
gently in position in combination with each other and with the gear wheel D¹, feed
screw D, and means as F¹ and its connections for inducing reciprocating motions
in the rack-frame F, with its two racks f¹f, as herein specified.
8th In an engraving machine, the rack-frame F with its two racks f¹ƒ³, and
means for reciprocating it to variable extents, in combination with the levers F2 F³,
connecting link F' and supporting or partially supporting springs F7, as herein
specified.
9th: In an engraving machine, the reversible spring F³, and its reversing
studs F6 F, in combination with the double rack F with its two sets of racks ƒ`ƒ³
and reciprocating mechanism E, and its connections, and with the feed screw D,
and means as E¹ for transmitting variable motion as herein specified.
10th In an engraving machine, the extension piece B' on the carriage B, in
combination with the notched segment B6, and its connecting frame B5, and with
the rocking-shaft E and its connections adapted to serve substantially as herein
specified.
11th In an engraving machine, the lever K, adjustable motion piece K¹ and
ratchet K, in combination with the arm E, and means for vibrating the latter to
variable extents, and with the notched segment B6, sliding toothed segment I,
toggle or lifting link J, dog H¹, and adjustable stop H, arranged for joint operation
as herein specified.
12th In an engraving machine, the carriage B operating lever W, turning on
an adjustable centre w, roller Ws, and slotted swing bar B³, pivoted on an arm B
from the carriage B, in combination with each other and with a link Q, variably
oscillating shaft E, with its arms E¹ E³, and connections therefrom to the feed
Screw D, arranged to give, by the vibration of W, both the reciprocating motion of
the carriage and the variable feed motion of the tool, as herein specified.
13th In an engraving machine, the combination with the reciprocating
carriage B, vibrating arm E¹, and means as W and its connections for giving a
reciprocating motion to said carriage, of the screw D, having variable feed motion,
as herein specified.
:
14th In an engraving machine, the double stop A6, in combination with the
reciprocating carriage B, and lever N, as herein specified.
:
15th In an engraving machine, the continuously rotated shaft Z carrying a
crank pin Zs, in combination with the connecting rod of adjustable length, as
shown, and with the lever W and suitably connected mechanism as shown for
reciprocating the carriage B and raising and lowering the stylus and effecting the
feed movement of the carriage C and its attachments, substantially as herein
specified.
.16th: The longitudinal hook-lever G¹ carried on the carriage B, in combination
with the adjustable rod carried on the carriage C and with the lever V and its
connections, arranged to stop the action so soon as the engraving has progressed to
the required distance, as herein specified.
17th In an engraving machine, actuated by power, the obliquely slotted slide c
carried on the carriage C, in combination with the transverse adjustable arms or
stops A8 A8, the lever C₁, and suitable connections c³ ³ to stylus c arranged to
effect the raising and lowering of the latter at the proper period, as herein
specified.

page_text: 18th: In an engraving machine, the brake-block X³ carried on the lever X-and
arranged to serve with the lever W and its connections for aiding to arrest the
motion of the stylus and its carrying parts, as herein specified.
19th In an engraving machine, the pair of semi-nuts in combination with the
carriage B, C, and feed screw D, arranged to serve as herein specified.
:
20th In an engraving machine, the carriage B and extension B' in combination
with the feed screw D and means for operating it, the carriage C, and stylus c and
a pair of semi-nuts L L capable of being connected and disconnected at will, as
herein specified.
21st: In an engraving machine, a pair of semi-nuts L L, operating levers TT,
and links T¹ T', to a single operating part T', in combination with an adjustable
return arm connected to one of the said links arranged to allow the positions and
motions of the semi-nuts to be varied, as herein specified.
22nd: In an engraving machine, the rollers B16 B16, and carriage B15, in com-
bination with the way A¹ and carriage B, to relieve the carriage of a portion of
the friction while leaving a sufficient direct bearing to maintain steadiness, as
herein specified.
23rd: In an engraving machine as described, the combination with the carriage,
the lever N and stop A°, of the cushioning spring as N¹, adapted to soften the
concussion while not disturbing the certainty of the action of the stops, as herein
specified.
24th In an engraving machine, the friction spring H', in combination with the
arc B, carried on the main carriage and with stop H and are H¹, and mechanism
as shown for automatically shifting the latter, as herein specified.
25th In an engraving machine, the spring C³ in combination with the lever C¹
and its connections c² to the stylus c, arranged to offer a gentle friction to hold the
stylus in the raised and lowered position alternately, as herein specified.
26th In an engraving machine, the hook-stop N*, in combination with the
carriage B and mechanism as shown for effecting the traversing movement, raising
and lowering the stylus c, and imparting the feed, arranged to arrest the carriage
at a certain point in each traverse and allow the stylus to descend with certainty
at the point to commence the lines uniformly, as herein specified.
:
27th In an engraving machine, the lever C1, clamp C and operating rod Co, in
combination with the carriage B C and mechanism as shown for allowing the tool
lifting to be properly effected for right hand working, as herein specified.
28th In an engraving machine, the supporting roller or wheel B*, in com-
bination with the lever B³ and its connections to the carriage B, and with the
framing A having an extension A¹¹, adapted to serve as a track for said wheel, as
berein specified.