Improved Device or Means for Supporting Characters, as Letters, Figures, and the like, in Rubber-hand-stamps.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improved Device or Means for Supporting Characters, as Letters,
Figures, and the like, in Rubber-hand-stamps.
I, RICHARD HALE SMITH, of Number 291 Main Street, in the City of Springfield,
County of Hampden, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Manu-
facturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved device or means for supporting characters
as letters, figures, etc. in rubber-hand-stamps, and the object of my invention is to
overcome the objectionable features heretofore caused by the failure of the material
upon which the characters were mounted to give under pressure applied to the
stamp so as to produce a uniform and clear impress upon uneven, concave or convex
surfaces, and by my improved construction sufficient elasticity and resilience is
obtained, so that the impress upon uneven surfaces may be made with perfect
clearness and uniformity. My object is further to provide a cushion which, while
having a neat and tasty appearance, will be so constructed that it will not become
readily soiled, and when soiled may be readily cleaned.
I attain the objects of my invention by constructing cushions of various sizes and
shapes, which are formed independently and are provided with a cellular interior
formation similar in structure to rubber sponge, and are provided throughout the
whole exterior with a skin or coating substantially air tight and formed integral
with the interior portion of the device, and furthermore I attain the objects of my
invention by the construction hereinafter set out in detail.
In order that my invention may be better understood and explained in detail, I
have hereto annexed a sheet of drawings in which like letters of reference indicate
like parts.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved stamp complete.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a cushion having a recess for holding interchangeable
type.
Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the same with the type shown just above the type
receiving recess.
Fig. 4 is an end view in section of the same.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a metallic plate having a screw permanently mounted
therein or made integral therewith.
Fig. 6 is an edge view of the same.
Fig. 7 is an edge view of a plain cushion.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same, and,
Fig. 9 is a side view of a complete device.
In detail a indicates a handle; 6 a metal mount plate to which the handle is
secured; c indicates a cushion mounted on the plate b; d indicates a printing die
mounted on the cushion ; e indicates a recess in the cushion adapted to receive the
bodies of removable and interchangeable type; indicates type bodies and g
indicates a screw secured to the plate b.
In the construction of my device, I form a cushion of a compound of rubber
with suitable comminuted substances which take a gaseous form when heated to
the required degree, by enclosing a proper amount of said compound in a mould
of the requisite size and subjecting it to heat which inflates the rubber while
still in the soft and plastic state, forming a spongy structure, composed of a net-
work of small bubble-like cells and expanding the mass until it strikes the

page_text: confining walls of the mould, the contact with which flattens the outermost series
of cells and forms an extremely thin smooth skin upon its entire exterior, which
structure becomes fixed and permanently flexible before the completion of the
vulcanizing process confining the elastic gas, thus forming
a highly flexible
cushion with hermetically sealed walls, so that deterioration of the edges by
reason of exposure of the atmosphere is avoided, and as the cells in the body
of the cushion do not open into each other, the gas confined therein does not
operate to cause one portion of the cushion to bulge outwardly when the pressure
inwardly is unevenly distributed or confined to one location, but each portion of
the cushion retains its own uniform elastic property, and while each minute
portion of the area is independent of the remainder, the whole will so co-act as
to bring all portions of the printing faces of the type or printing die in contact
with the surface to be printed upon without reference to the fact of such surface
being a uniform and plain surface or not, thus enabling me to obtain a uniform print
or impress upon an uneven curved or irregular surface.
Another and very essential advantage in constructing a cushion with smooth
air-tight edges, is that being non-absorbent, any surplus of ink with which they
may come in contact, is easily removed, while the edges of a cushion cut from
a sheet of rubber sponge would absorb and retain it to the annoyance of the user.
This cushion may be made in the form of a plain block and the rubber printing
die cemented thereon, one or more recesses may be moulded therein for the
reception of removable and interchangeable type, which type are preferably
slightly larger than the opening, so that the type will be held in position by the
action of the elastic or cushion walls of the recess, and this recess is formed of
less depth than the thickness of the cushion, so that the portion of the cushion
between the bottom of the recess and the opposite or back thereof serves as a
cushion for the removable type, and if the removable type bodies be made of
elastic material, their printing faces will the more readily conform to an uneven
surface.
The cushion e may be attached to a metallic mount plate bor to the ordinary
wood mount. I consider greatly preferable however, the metal mount constructed
as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, of cast metal, preferably iron with a screw cast into the
enlargement in the back with the threaded portion projecting for the reception of
the handle, thus insuring permanent and rigid connection of the parts, which
arrangement admits of tasty ornamentation, and when the face and edges are
ground and the whole well plated and supplied with a suitable handle with
ierrule, makes an elegant and serviceable mount at a much lower cost than any
mount heretofore offered.
The cushions, however, may be manufactured in a full line of sizes and supplied
as an independent article of manufacture to rubber stamp makers, at a small
cost, and the purchaser may readily attach the same to such kind of mounting
as he may desire, and they are especially adapted to be used in the various
sizes and styles of lever self inking, and other mechanical stamps now in common
use in which their desirability is greatly increased by the fact that they may be
made with one or more mortises to receive interchangeable type for dates, numbers
or words to print in connection with a solid die mounted upon its surface, and that
these mortises can be located in any desired position in the die.
I am aware that for many years rubber hand stamps have been made wherein the
printing characters were cushioned with a layer of soft rubber or of elastic gelatinous
material known as roller composition, and in recent years a layer of soft-rubber-
sponge has been used, but in all of these cases the layer was cut to size from a sheet
of the material, leaving rough open edges, which when soiled with ink collect and
hold dust and dirt.
Dated this 14th day of January 1895

page_text: Improved Device or Means for Supporting Characters, as Letters,
Figures, and the like, in Rubber-hand-stamps.
I, RICHARD HALE SMITH, of No. 291 Main Street, in the City of Springfield,
County of Hampden, State of Massachusetts, United States of America,
Manufacturer, 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 relates to an improved device or means for supporting characters
as letters, figures, etc. in rubber-hand-stamps, and the object of my invention is to
overcome the objectionable features heretofore caused by the failure of the material
upon which the characters were mounted to give under pressure applied to the
stamp so as to produce a uniform and clear impress upon uneven, concave or convex
surfaces, and by my improved construction sufficient elasticity and resilience is
obtained, so that the impress upon uneven surfaces may be made with perfect
clearness and uniformity. My object is further to provide a cushion which, while
having a neat and tasty appearance, will be so constructed that it will not become
readily soiled, and when soiled may be readily cleaned.
I attain the objects of my invention by constructing cushions of various sizes and
shapes, which are formed independently and are provided with a cellular interior
formation similar in structure to rubber sponge, and are provided throughout the
whole exterior with a skin or coating substantially air tight and formed integral
with the interior portion of the device, and furthermore I attain the objects of my
invention by the construction hereinafter set out in detail.
In order that my invention may be better understood and explained in detail, I
will now refer to the sheet of drawings filed with my Provisional Specification, in
which like letters of reference indicate like parts.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved stamp complete.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a cushion having a recess for holding interchangeable
type.
Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the same with the type shown just above the
type receiving recess.
Fig. 4 is an end view in section of the same.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a metallic plate having a screw permanently mounted
therein or made integral therewith.
Fig. 6 is an edge view of the same.
Fig. 7 is an edge view of a plain cushion.
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same, and,
Fig. 9 is a side view of a complete device.
In detail a indicates a handle; ba metal mount plate to which the handle is
secured; c indicates a cushion mounted on the plate 6; d indicates a printing die
mounted on the cushion c; e indicates a recess in the cushion adapted to receive
the bodies of removable and interchangeable type; f indicates type bodies and g
indicates a screw secured to the plate b.
In the construction of my device, I form a cushion of a compound of rubber
and sulphur with ammonium carbonate, or other suitable substance which will
produce a gas or vapor when heated to the required degree, by enclosing a proper
amount of said compound in a mould of the requisite size and subjecting it to heat
which inflates the rubber while still in the soft and plastic state, forming a spongy
structure, composed of a net-work of small bubble-like cells and expanding the mass

page_text: until it strikes the confining walls of the mould, the contact with which flattens the
outermost series of cells and forms an extremely thin smooth skin upon its entire
exterior, which structure becomes fixed and permanently flexible before the com-
pletion of the vulcanizing process confining the elastic gas, thus forming a highly
flexible cushion with hermetically sealed walls, so that deterioration of the edges
by reason of exposure to the atmosphere is avoided, and as the cells in the body of
the cushion do not open into each other, the gas confined therein does not operate
to cause one portion of the cushion to bulge outwardly when the pressure inwardly
is unevenly distributed or confined to one location, but each portion of the cushion
retains its own uniform elastic property, and while each minute portion of the area
is independent of the remainder, the whole will so co-act as to bring all portions of
the printing faces of the type or printing die in contact with the surface to be
printed upon without reference to the fact of such surface being a uniform and plain
surface or not, thus enabling me to obtain a uniform print or impress upon an
uneven curved or irregular surface.
Another and very essential advantage in constructing a cushion with smooth air-
tight edges, is that being non-absorbent, any surplus of ink with which they may
come in contact, is easily removed, while the edges of a cushion cut from a sheet of
rubber sponge would absorb and retain it to the annoyance of the user.
This cushion may be made in the form of a plain block and the rubber printing
die cemented thereon; one or more recesses may be moulded therein for the
reception of removable and interchangeable type, which type are preferably
slightly larger than the opening, so that the type will be held in position by the
action of the elastic or cushion walls of the recess, and this recess is formed of less
depth than the thickness of the cushion, so that the portion of the cushion between
the bottom of the recess and the opposite or back thereof serves as a cushion for
the removable type, and if the removable type bodies be made of elastic material,
their printing faces will the more readily conform to an uneven surface.
The cushion c may be attached to a metallic mount plate b or to the ordinary
wood mount. I consider greatly preferable however, the metal mount constructed as
shown in Figs. 5 and 6, of cast metal, preferably iron with a screw cast into the
enlargement in the back with the threaded portion projecting for the reception of
the handle, thus ensuring permanent and rigid connection of the parts, which
arrangement admits of tasty ornamentation, and when the face and edges are ground
and the whole well plated and supplied with a suitable handle with ferrule, makes
an elegant and serviceable mount at a much lower cost than any mount heretofore
offered.
The cushions, however, may be manufactured in a full line of sizes and supplied
as an independent article of manufacture to rubber stamp makers, at a small cost,
and the purchaser may readily attach the same to such kind of mounting as he may
desire, and they are especially adapted to be used in the various sizes and styles of
lever self inking, and other mechanical stamps now in common use in which their
desirability is greatly increased by the fact that they may be made with one or
more mortices to receive interchangeable type for dates, numbers or words to print
in connection with a solid die mounted upon its surface, and that these mortices can
be located in any desired position in the die.
I am aware that for many years rubber hand stamps have been made wherein the
printing characters were cushioned with a layer of soft rubber or of elastic
gelatinous material known as roller composition, and in recent years a layer of soft-
rubber-sponge has been used, but in all of these cases the layer was cut to size
from a sheet of the material, leaving rough open edges, which when soiled with ink
collect and hold dust and dirt.
I am also aware that stamps have been made having a flexible cushion formed by
moulding a parallel sheet of soft rubber with a series of ribs crossing each other
upon one side which produce, when the ribs are cemented at their edges to the solid
mountings, a series of closed air cells, and I do not seek to claim anything common
to these devices.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. As an improved article of manufacture the combination with the mount plate
of a printing stamp, of a cushion consisting of spongy interior or body, and having
outer surfaces covered with a non-porous skin formed of the same material as the
body, and integral therewith, substantially as shown.
2nd. As an improved article of manufacture, a cushion for printing stamps con-
sisting of a spongy body having a type receiving recess when the outer walls of the
body and of the type recess are covered with a closely fitting skin formed of the
same material and integral therewith, substantially as shown.
3rd. As an improved article of manufacture, a cushion for printing stamps con-
sisting of a spongy interior and having its outer surface covered by a non-porous
sheath formed of the same material and integral therewith, substantially as
shown.
4th. The combination in a printing stamp of a handle, a plate, a cushion having a
spongy body and a non-porous skin or sheath covering the surface thereof, and
integral therewith, and an elastic printing die mounted thereon, substantially as
shown.
5th. The combination with the mount plate of a printing stamp of a cushion
having a spongy interior or body and a non-porous sheath formed on the exterior
thereof and provided with a type receiving recess when the same is lined with a
non-porous skin, substantially as shown.
6th. The combination in a printing stamp of a suitable plate or base, a cushion
mounted thereon having a spongy body and a non-porous skin or covering formed
thereon, and a type receiving recess having its walls coated with a uon-porous skin,
and type whose bodies are normally larger than the recess in the cushion
substantially as shown.
7th. The combination in a printing stamp of a suitable mount plate, a cushion
mounted thereon having a recess extending partially through the body thereof, and
having its interior including the walls of the recess covered with a non-porous
skin integral therewith, removable type adapted to fit within said recess and a
printing die adapted to print in connection with said type, substantially as
shown.
Deted this 30th day of Nov 1895
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicaut.