IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTAINING PIGMENTS, INKS, GUMS, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by James John Shedlock at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th February 1874.
I, JAMES JOHN SHEDLOCK, of Harrow Road, Paddington, in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONTAINING PIGMENTS, INKS,
GUMS, AND OTHER LIKE MATERIALS," to be as follows :—
My Invention relates to the construction of a simple and convenient
apparatus in which may be combined any required number of vessels or
compartments containing solid or liquid pigment or colour, ink, gum,
sand, and other like materials. By having these materials contained in
one compact apparatus or article I avoid the inconvenience of having on
a table or desk where such materials are used a number of separate
inkstands, pallets, bottles, and other vessels scattered about, and liable to
be misplaced, overturned, and broken.
I will more particularly describe my said Invention as applied to an
inkstand provided with a number of vessels containing differently
coloured inks. This improved inkstand is constructed as follows:-It

page_text: bas a base and top of wood, vulcanized india-rubber, metal, or other
suitable material, preferably of a circular form. The said base and top
are united by a centre pin or bolt, which is attached to them by
screwing, riveting, or otherwise, and which forms the axis for a revolving
block or frame which carries the cups or vessels containing the ink.
The top piece is provided with a hole or aperture through which the pen
may be dipped into the cup or vessel under it, and either of the said
cups or vessels may be brought under the said aperture, as required, by
turning the said revolving frame. I prefer that there should be no case
or cover around the said frame, and I provide the periphery of the same
with small knobs or buttons, whereby it is conveniently turned or
adjusted. Each knob is marked with the colour of the ink in the
adjacent vessel or compartment. I provide a spring pin or catch which
drops into notches in the revolving frame, and thereby holds the same
in place when adjusted, the said spring pin or catch being raised by the
finger to release the said frame and allow it to turn on its axis. I form
in the top piece of the apparatus a tray or receptacle for holding the
pens, or I provide the said top piece with a rack of any suitable kind.
may also provide the base or top with a drawer or number of drawers.
I
If desired I may provide the said apparatus with a case or cover
surrounding the revolving frame, the centre pin being then extended
through the top and provided with a button or thumb piece for turning
the revolving frame.
My improved apparatus may be equally adapted for artists' use by
providing it with a revolving pallet placed in the centre of the said
revolving frame. The various pigments or colours are arranged in
receptacles around the block, and the top piece has near its periphery or
outer portion an aperture whereby access is had to the pigments as they
are brought under the same by the rotation of the frame. The said top
piece also has another aperture for permitting access to the pallet, so
that the artist can dip his brush or pencil into the pigment, and then
mix it on the pallet to obtain the proper tint or consistency.