An Improved Paint Distributor for use in the Production of Pictures and other Works of Art.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1890-Accepted 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Paint Distributor for use in the Production of
Pictures and other Works of Art.
I, THOMAS RICHARD SHILLITO of 89 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
a communication to me from abroad by Charles L. Burdick of Madison, in the State
of Wisconsin, United States of America, Portrait Artist, to be as follows
-
This invention relates to an instrumenf of the class known to me as paint distributors
which have for object the distribution of liquid paint by the action of an air blast to
produce pictures and other works of art.
An instrument constructed in accordance with this invention and which I prefer
to term an air pencil, comprises a thin metal case in which is arranged an air tube
one end of which projects out from the end of the case for the purpose of convenient
connection to a tube leading from an air pump or bellows. Inside the case the air
tube has a small aperture on its upper surface to form with other parts a valve. At
the operating or delivery end it has a nipple screwed into a tube for the passage
of the air blast by the action of which the paint is disengaged, from between two
thin points or blades formed at the taper end of a small tubular part, this latter
being screwed into or in communication with a paint container in such manner
that the paint may flow down between the thin points or blades. These are adjusted
with regard to their relative proximity by means of a small set screw carried in a
threaded projection formed with, or attached to the paint container. The head of
the set screw carries one end of an arm, the other end of which is connected to a wire
or rod on which is a finger piece or presser so that the forward or backward motion,
as the case may be, of this latter, will cause the set screw to turn and bring the points
or blades closer together or further apart and thus reduce or augment the quantity
of paint to be distributed. An elastic tube forms the connection between the length of
the air tube in connection with the air pump and the opposite or delivery end of the
same, which is arranged to have a forward or backward motion in the direction of
its length according as the finger piece is moved forward or backward thereby bringing
the air blast nearer to or farther away from the points or blades in communication
with the paint container.
The valve on the air tube and passage or shutting off of air is operated from the
finger piece through a lever and spring. A removable cover allows of access being
had to theso working parts within the case.
Another and perhaps a better method of forming and adjusting the thin points or
blades in communication with the paint container is by attaching them to, or forming
them so as to project from a thin tempered metal spring plate having an orifice for
the passage of paint from the container to the points, these being adjusted by springing
the plate backwards or forwards which is effected from the finger piece through a
rod with an excentric head which when turned operates with more or less pressure
against the spring plate. In this arrangement a stationary air blast may be used.
The instrument may also be further modified in this and other respects.
Datad this 9th day of Anril 1880
T. R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.

page_text: Fictures and other WORKS OI ATL.
I, THOMAS RICHARD SHILLITO of 89 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare, the nature of this. inven-
tion, (a communication to me from abroad by Charles Laurence Burdick, of Madison
in the State of Wisconsin, United. States of America, Portrait Artist), and, in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained:
in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to a class of instruments known to me as paint distributors,
and the invention has for object the distribution of liquid paint, or pigment, by the
action of an air blast to produce pictures and works of art such as, portraits, land and
seascapes, mechanical and architectural drawings and lithographic.. work, and may
be, used for the application of liquid colour or liquid where tho, quantity to be used is
not very large and requires nicety of control.
I prefer to term the instrument of this invention an "air pencil."
Referring to the accompanying drawing:
Fig. 1, is a view partly in side elevation, of an, instrument constructed in accordance;
with this invention.
Fig. 2, is a plan view of the same, with the cover removed to shew the interior
construction,
Fig. 3, is a detail view of the removable cover.
Fig. 4, is a view of the apparatus in central longitudinal, section-taken on; the
line 4-4 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 5, is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the indirect, line 55. of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 6, is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the indirect line 6-6,of
Fig. 2.
Fig. 7, is an end view of the apparatus.
Fig. 8, is,a fragmentary sectional view of. the paint. receptacle, shewing the paint
conductor, or nibs, in cross section.
A is the case of the instrument which is closed at its, ends by, heads or plates a, a¹.
The case is divided into two compartments a³, a³, by a partition or diaphragm a
conveniently located about, midway between the ends thereof. A part of the.a portion
of the case adjacent to the compartment a³ is cut away as shewn, and, said part is
provided with a removable cover A having, suitable devices for securing, the same
in position.
It is shewn as comprising a shoulder a located at the end-and, adapted. to engage
the under side of the case, and, a, sliding pin or; lug a, having at-handle, projecting
through the slot in the case. The said cover is provided also with, a slot a, hereinafter
referred to. The compartment a³ is made. air tight and is provided, at (its, rear end
with a short pipe cr, tube A3 having, screw threaded connection with, an, aperture in
the head a of the case.
The tube A³, communicates with the hose, or pipe leading from the apparatus
employed for forcing the, air. Within an, aperture formed in the diaphragma, a
nipple is secured preferably by a screw threaded joint. Said nipple 4, extends, into
the compartment a² and is provided with an enlarged or bulging end, portion having
an aperture, or perforation 61 at one side thereof for the escape of air.
Bisa pipe or tube section located, within the forward end of compartment a² and
provided at its forward end with a nozzle projecting through a slot as in the head a¹.
The tube B communicates with the nipple by means of a short flexible tube or
hose which embraces and is secured to the adjacent ends of tube B and nipple b.
The flexible tube 3 is preferably made of india rubber so as to permit tube B to move
freely with relation to the nipple. It is secured to this latter by strands of wire or
other suitable material, wound round it in the rear of perforation ².

page_text: The tube B is secured to the case by a clip or block 6*, to which said tube is rigidly
secured, the block being secured by means of a headed screw which passes through
a slot a in the case and enters a screw threaded opening in said clip. This clip is
conveniently secured to tube B near the rear end of the latter, and it follows from
the construction above described that by loosening the screw 66, the tube B can be
moved longitudinally and then secured in its adjusted position by tightening, the
screw. A is a set screw passing through a screw threaded perforation in the case
adjacent to tube B against the outer or free end of which its inner extremity is
adapted to bear, so that by turning this screw the tube B can be moved transversely
to the case, it having sufficient flexibility to permit such movement.
C is the paint receptacle or holder, secured at an angle to the forward end of the
case. It is formed with a dish-shaped body portion c and a flat end or head c¹ formed
at or about its centre with a small perforation through which the paint can
escape. ³ ³ are two small pointed plates or nibs located above and below
perforation between which the paint is conducted from the holder C. They are
very close together, with but a little space between them, and so that the space is
in alignment with the orifice in the nozzle, also when the nozzle is moved transversely
by screw A, it will be in alignment with the space between the nibs.
It follows from this construction that when an air blast passes from nozzle b², and
is projected into the space between the nibs, any paint that may be between said
nibs will be carried forward in the form of a fine spray under the influence of the
blast. The adjustment of the nozzle longitudinally and transversely allows a
greater distribution of the paint and also a greater-quantity of paint to be acted upon
by the air blast.
To provide means whereby light and heavy lines can be made with this instrument
during the progress of the work the nibs c³, c³, are constructed so that they can be
brought together or separated, thus permitting of a smaller or a larger quantity of
paint being acted upon by the air blast. To accomplish this object the plate or disc
forming the head c of the paint holder is made of relatively thin material possessing
a certain degree of flexibility, so that it can be pressed inwards, resuming its normal
position upon the pressure being removed. The nibs being secured directly to plate c¹
it is obvious that when this latter is pressed inwards the nibs are brought towards
each other, thereby lessening the space between them and affording a smaller passage
for the paint. The means for securing this pressure upon the plate c comprises a
lever D pivoted within the case and having its, short armid projecting outside through
a slot made in the head a' and resting normally in contact with the head c¹. The
lever D is preferably pivoted between the two lugs d', d, formed upon an arm-or
bracket D secured within the forward end of the case and passing backwards and
parallel with the case to a point midway of the ends of compartment.a². when it is
deflected and secured to the side of the case by a screw or other means. The long
arm.d of lever D extends backwards to the face of bracket D' and has its edge, which
is adjacent thereto, inclined so that it is thinner at its rear end. E is a finger piece.
or operating lever pivoted at its lower end to, a suitable bar E', hereinafter referred.to,
and extending upwards between the inclined edge of the arm d² of the lever D and.
the adjacent face of bracket D'. The finger piece E is adapted to oscillate backwards
and forwards on its pivot so that as it engages the inclined edge of the arm D², it will.
serve to gradually move the same outwards in an obvious manner and, thereby --press
the short arm d against the head c' of the paint holder. A set screw is arranged
in one of the two lugs d', d', formed upon the, arm. or bracket I) in the rear of.
lugs d. The head of set screw d³ is arranged for contact with, oscillating finger
piece E when it moves forwards so that its forward movement can be limited to thereby
limit the extent to which the plate c¹ of the paint holder will be pressed inwards to
control the flow of paint to the nibs. The lugs d*, d, are arranged one above and
one below the long arm of lever D, although the same do not come in contact there-
with but extend outwards to a point adjacent to tube B. They are a sufficient distance
apart to permit the tube B when moved transversely by screw A' to pass between
+

page_text: them, thus serving to guide the tube so that the nozzle 62 will always be in alignment
with the space between the nibs C³.
:
The operating finger piece or lever E extends upwards through slot a in the
removable cover A¹ of the case, and is provided at its upper end with a suitable head
or enlargement by which it may be operated. This head is located to be near one of
the fingers when the instrument is held in the hand in being used thus allowing of
easy and quick manipulation. It is obvious that by pressing the operating lever E
forward or backward, the nibs can be brought towards or away from each other as.
desired for the purpose of controlling the flow of paint through the same and thus
regulate the width of the line made by the instrument.
The devices for controlling the air blasts are constructed as follows: The bar or
lever E to the forward end of which the operating lever E is pivoted, is itself pivoted
at e between two lugs el, e¹, fastened to the interior of the case. The arm of lever E
remote from that to which the operating lever E is pivoted, is provided with an
uprising portion e² having an overhanging arm e³ located over the perforation b¹, made
in the nipple b and resting upon a part of the rubber tube 3 adjacent to the perforation.
E is a spring secured at one end to the case, and having its other end arranged to
bear upon the overhanging arm e³ to firmly hold it in contact with the rubber tube so
as to close the perforation in the nipple and prevent the passage of air. It is obvious
that upon pressing operating lever E downwards, the overhanging arm e³ will be raised
against the resistance of spring E' from contact with the rubber tube so that the air
which is maintained under pressure by a suitable air forcing pump will lift the
adjacent part of the rubber tube and be free to escape outwards through the nozzle
for the purpose described.
It follows from the above described construction that the operating lever or finger
piece E performs two functions, that is to say, upon pressing it downwards the air
blast is started, then by either advancing or retracting it the nibs or paint conducting
points are brought nearer to, or further away from each other so as to regulate the
quantity of paint to be acted upon by the air blast.
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 :
In a paint distributor or air pencil:
1. The combination of a paint holder, paint conducting points or nibs and an air
blast nozzle for the purpose specified, substantially as described and shewn.
2. The combination of adjustable or non-adjustable paint conducting points or nibs
with a non-adjustable or with an adjustable air blast nozzle for the purpose specified,
substantially as described and shewn.
3. The combination of paint conducting points or nibs adjustable by mechanism,
with an adjustable air blast nozzle, for the purpose specified substantially as described
and shewn.
4. The combination of adjustable paint conducting points or nibs, a tube with an
air blast nozzle a valve for controlling the supply of air to said nozzle and a finger
piece or operating lever in connection with said valve and with mechanism for
adjusting the points or nibs whereby both may be simultaneously operated, for the
purpose specified substantially as described and shewn.
5. The general construction and arrangement of parts constituting the "air pencil"
for the purpose specified substantially as described and shewn.
Dated this 9th day of January 1890.
-
T. R. SHILLITO,
89, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.