IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COPYING AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Lowry, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster,
Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PRESSES FOR COPYING
AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Lowry at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th June 1880.
GEORGE LOWRY, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PRESSES FOR COPYING AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
This Invention consists of an improved method of applying the power to presses
by means of springs and levers.
The lower part of the press has a spring of suitable strength fitted into a channel
or groove. The two ends of this spring are turned upwards, and respectively
terminate in a hinge and a catch. The top plate has also a groove in which a lever
works, and this top plate and lever are attached on one side thereof to the hinge
before mentioned. Small portable presses have this lever so curved that it may
form a handle for carrying the same. The book or other matter to be pressed is,
as usual, placed between the upper and lower plates. The lever is then brought
over and forcibly pressed upon the top plate, and the free end is placed in the catch.
By this arrangement the force of the spring is brought to bear upon both ends of
the lever, and the two plates are thus caused to forcibly compress the book or other
matters to be acted upon.
My Invention further consists of fitting copying presses with recesses, pockets, or
receptacles, in which the water, liquid gum, and brush or brushes are placed.
These may be inserted either in the upper or lower plates, as may be most
convenient, and are covered with lids or covers which are mado water and dust
proof by means of india rubber or other suitably elastic material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said George Lowry in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th December
1880.
GEORGE LOWRY, of Salford, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
MENTS IN PRESSES FOR COPYING AND OTHER USEFUL PURPOSES."
"IMPROVE-
My snid Invention consists of an improved method of applying the power to
presses by means of springs and levers, or by levers only.
The lower plate of the press has a spring or springs of suitable strength fitted or
recessed thereinto. The spring may be formed as mentioned in my Provisional
Specification, being fitted into a groove and the ends turned upwards, and
respectively terminating in a hinge and a catch; or two spiral springs may be
recessed in suitably formed cavities, and screw bolts pass therefrom through the
lower plate and firmly attached to the said hinge and catch.
In my said Provisional Specification I described the top plate as having a groove
in which a lever works; now I find in practice that the said groove is not necessary,
especially for small portable presses which may be carried about in the band. I
make the lever of such presses of a curved form, convenient for forming a handle.
One end of this lever is attached to the said hinge, and the other end thereof takes
into the said catch.
The book or other matter to be pressed is, as usual, placed between the upper
and lower plates.
When the lever is lowered (after inserting the book or other article requiring
pressure) and the free end thereof is placed in the catch, the force of the spring is
thereby applied to both ends of the lever, and the necessary pressure is obtained.
In applying my said Invention to copying presses, my improvements further
consist in fitting such presses with recesses, pockets, or receptacles in which the
water, liquid gum, ink bottle, and brush or brushes, or other necessary articles are
placed. These recesses may be inserted either in the upper or lower plates as
inay be most convenient, and such recesses are covered with lids or covers which
are made water and dust proof by incans of india rubber or other suitably clastic
material.
In the accompanying diagrams similar letters indicate corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 is an end view of the press closed, without the letter book being shewn ;
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same; Fig. 3 is a top view of the same;
Fig. 4 is a view of the under side of the lower plate. In these Figures a is the
upper. plate, and b the lower plate; c is the catch; & the handle; e is the hinge,
and the spring, the force of which is applied equally to both ends of the plates;
g, Fig. 2, is tho recess for water, covered by the water-tight elastic cover i.
Figs. 5 and 6 are views of the upper surface of the lower plate, shewing the
recesses; Fig. 5 having the cover i lying down, and Fig. 6 shewing the same raised;
hand are other recesses for liquid-gum, ink, or other articles required; is the
space for the brush.
Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of a modification of my said Invention, shewing
also the letter book n in position, in which I substitute two recessed spiral
springs for the longitudinal spring f, shewn in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4. The
details are clearly shewn in Figs. 7 and 8, the latter being a view of the under-side
of Fig. 7. The tightening of the spring for increasing the power is effected by
neans of the screw bolts m, m. In Figs. 7 and 8 the holes which contain the
springs are hushed or lined with brass or other suitable motal; Figs. 9 and 10 are
similar views of another modification, in which such metallic lining is dispensed
with; and Fig. 11 is a top view of the press shewn in Figs. 7, 8, 9 and 10, with
the lid and lever raised.

page_text: Having now described and ascertained the nature and objects of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is carried out, I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise shape or forms represented, as they may
be varied without departing from the distinguishing features of my Invention, and
in some cases the springs may be dispensed with; but what I claim and wish to be
secured to me by the said in part recited Letters Patent, are,-
1. The general combination and arrangement of parts together forming my
improvements in presses for copying and other useful purposes, substantially as
berein before described and shewn on the Drawings.
2. The novel arrangements of springs and levers, whereby a compound leverage
is obtained, as and for the purposes substantially as herein before described and
shewn on the Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
.
3. The arrangements and ineans for carrying the various accessories in recesses
or pockets, for the purposes substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Lowry, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty fourth day of December, in the year of Our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
GEORGE LOWRY, (LS.)