Improvements in Blotters.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 6th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Blotters.
A communication from abroad by HOWARD ST. CLAIR WAIT, of the City, County,
and State of New York, United States of America, Attorney and Counsellor
at Law.
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, & 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates to blotters of that class in which sheets or strips of blotting-
paper are secured to or combined with a device or holder which carries and retains
the blotter-sheets, the whole forming a hand blotting device for use upon the desk
or in any desired manner.
The object of this invention is to provide a simple and improved blotter of this
character in which the strips of blotting-paper can be instantly and conveniently
applied without any previous preparation, which will securely retain the blotter in
the usual fat position in which it is adapted to be operated by a pressure of the
hand or fingers, and which will possess advantages in point of simplicity and inexpen-
siveness in construction and manufacture, convenience and facility in use, durability,
ease of adjustinent, and general efficiency.
A further object of this invention is to effectually obviate the disadvantage and
inconvenience usually experienced in the operation of flat blotters of this class from
the rubbing of the hand or fingers directly upon the blotter when pressure is applied,
and, to this end, this invention provides for the employment of a sheet of oil-board
or equivalent material, which is adapted to normally overlay the blotter and serve as
a contact-piece for the hand. This object and feature of this invention renders it
specially adapted for advertising purposes, the sheet of oil-board or equivalent
material being adapted to carry any suitable or desired advertising inatter, or such
matter may be printed upon the retaining devices comprised in this improved con-
struction.
As a means for effectively carrying out the just-described objects in cases where
the improved blotter is used for advertising purposes, the sheet of oil-board or other
equivalent material may be of a transparent nature, the advertising matter being
printed on the under side or inner surface of the sheet, and be thus visible in sub-
stantially the same manner as if it were printed on the surface of the sheet. By
such an arrangement, the hand or fingers of the user do not come in contact with any
printed matter which the contact or pressure sheet of the improved blotter may be
employed to display.
A furthur object of this invention is to produce an improved blotter which will.
effectively obviate the disadvantage experienced from the constant loss and displace-
ment of sheets of this character when used upon crowded desks by the production
of an improved device, which, from its nature and construction, can be readily kept
in sight or in convenient location and position for usc.
To effectively carry out the objects and functions for which it is designed, this
invention consists substantially in an improved blotter comprising a retaining and
carrying device adapted to receive one end of one or more flat strips or sheets of
blotting-paper and formed of a main strip having an under face, preferably formed
by a longitudinal shoulder or equivalent projection, a plate preferably having a
spring function and corresponding to and adapted to operate against the face of the

page_text: said main strip, a pin or stud projecting from the plate and through the strip, a
securing-head working upon said-pin or stud, and a strip of oil-board or equivalent
material, preferably corresponding to the shape of the blotter and mounted upon the
pin or stud and against. the under face of the strip with its edge abutting against
the shoulder or equivalent projection, the edge of the sheet, or sheets of blotter
being inserted between the oil-board and the clamping-plate, whereby the top sheet
of oil-board serves as a contact-piece for the-fingers of the user, and the carrying
and retaining devices, including the head, operate to effect the retention of the
blotter in convenient location and position upon the desk.
The invention further consists in certain details of construction and arrangement
of parts, substantially as will be hereinafter fully described.
A main strip or block is provided; which is adapted to extend across the end of a
blotter-sheet of the ordinary oblong or rectangular shape. The strip is provided
with an inner face, preferably formed by a longitudinal shoulder, formed in the
inder side of the strip and extending from end to end; this shoulder being preferably
located near the outer edge of the strip, so that the inner face extends over a large
portion of the under surface. The strip is preferably formed of wood, though it may
be constructed of any other desired or adapted material.
A plate is provided, which approximately corresponds to the inner face of the
strip, and is adapted to operate in conjunction therewith. This plate is preferably
constructed of metal, a spring steel plate being, by preference, cimployed, whereby
the spring function of the plate serves to more securely retain the blotter-sheet in
position. A pin or stud is secured to the plate at about the centre thereof and
preferably nearer the inner edge of the plate which abuts against the shoulder of
the strip, whereby a greater space is left at the outer free edge of the plate for the
reception of a sufficient portion of the end of the blotter-sheet. The pin or stud
may be secured to the plate in any suitable manner, and it projects-upwardly through
an eye or perforation centrally formed in the strip.
A knob or handle; of any suitable-or-desired-shape or construction, receives the
pin or stud, and thus serves to retain the plate-and-strip-in-proper relative position.
This knob is preferably provided with a central bore or opening, suitably_screw-
threaded, and working upon the correspondingly screw-threaded end of the pin or
stud, the knob being screwed home and tightened against the upper face of the strip.
In cases where the knob. is constructed, of wood, a metallic piece is preferably
employed, in a corresponding recess in the-top of the knob, said metallic piece being
provided with a screw-threaded bore registering with the bore through the knob, and
it is also preferable to have the screw-threads upon the pin or stud begin at a point
above the top of the strip, so that that portion of the pin passing through the said
strip and below the same will be entirely smooth. It will be noted that, by means
of the projecting pin or stud, the plate is connected to the strip and retained against
displacement therefrom by means of the knob or handle, and the inner edge of the
plate rests against the corresponding shoulder of the strip, and is thereby retained
against lateral displacement or pivotal movement upon the pin or stud.
A contact-piece is provided, which consists of a sheet or strip of oil-board or
other suitable material, and preferably conforms to the size and shape of the blotter-
sheet. In lieu of oil-board, a celluloid sheet or any other suitable or desired
material may be employed, and the sheet may be of a transparent nature, for the
purposes and under-the-circumstances hereinafter specified.
In using this improved blotter, the hand or fingers of the user rest and press
upon the contact-piece, and thus all contact of the hand or fingers with the blotter-
sheet is obviated. For this reason, it is preferable, under ordinary circumstances, to
use oil-board, which presents a smooth surface best adapted for the purpose for
which the sheet is designed, and is not affected by the natural moisture from the
fingers of the operator. The contact-sheet is provided about centrally near one end
with an eye or opening adapted to receive the pin or stud, upon which the sheet is
mounted and secured in position. The inner edge of the contact-sheet abuts against
the corresponding shoulder of the strip, by which arrangement the contact-sheet is

page_text: secured against displacement or lateral movement and retained in proper position
with relation to the blotter-sheet:
If desired, suitable advertising matter may be printed upon the top surface of the
contact-piece, or the advertising matter may be applied upon the strip. When a
transparent contact-piece is employed, the advertising matter may be printed upon
the under surface of the contact-piece, so that the hand or fingers of the user will
not come in contact with the advertising or printed matter; also, in cases where a
transparent contact-piece is employed, the latter may be entirely clear of advertising
matter, and advertising-blotters may be employed in such a manner that the matter
upon the same will be visible upon the contact-pieces. The contact-piece is mounted
between the strip and metal plate, so that it will be over and above the blotter-
sheet and properly cover the same, and the blotter-sheet is secured in position by
having its edge inserted between the outer end of the plate and the adjoining end
of the contact-sheet. One or more blotter-sheets may be employed, as desired; but
one will usually be found sufficient and may readily be reversed when one surface
has been sufficiently used. The end of the blotter-sheet is preferably inserted under
the plate until its edge abuts against the pin or stud, when, by screwing home the
knob or handle, the outer free end of the spring-plate securely clamps and retains
the blotter-sheet and the upper contact-piece in relative position. It will be noted
that only the end of the blotter and contact sheet is secured, their remaining portion
being entirely free and flexible in such a manner as will facilitate its convenient use
and operation. The under face of the strip is preferably bevelled or inclined from
its outer edge inwardly to the shoulder, which construction more readily accommo-
dates the position of the spring-plate and the contact-piece, when the thicker blotter-
sheet is clamped and secured between the free end of the plate and the end of the
contact-sheet; but this construction is not essential to the proper and effective
arrangement and operation of the improved blotter.
In lieu of the shoulder upon the strip, an equivalent projection or stop is formed
by turning the end of the plate at right angles to the main portion of the plate, this
turned or bent up portion resting across and against the face of the front edge of
the strip, and thus forming a shoulder or stop, which is the equivalent of the
shoulder in the preferred construction of this invention and performs all the offices
thereof.
Another modification, as an equivalent for the shoulder, may be used, in which
the plate is provided at or near its edge with two or more upwardly projecting pins
or studs, which are received by corresponding holes or recesses in the under face of
the strip, whereby, when the several parts are assembled together, these projecting
pins or studs form a shoulder or stop in the same manner as if the shoulder were
employed.
It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise construction
and arrangement of parts herein specified, as manifest modifications may be
made and equivalents employed without departing from the spirit and scope of
the invention.
Dated this 20th day of December 1890.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
I
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Blotters.
A communication from abroad by HOWARD ST. CLAIR WAIT, of the City,
County, and State of New York, United States of America, Attorney &
Counsellor-at-Law.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,

page_text: Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to blotters of that class in which sheets or strips of
blotting paper are secured to or combined with a device or holder which carries
-and retains the blotter-sheets, the whole forming a hand blotting device for use
upon the desk or in any desired manner.
The object of this invention is to provide a simple and improved blotter of this
character in which the strips of blotting-paper can be instantly and conveniently
applied without any previous preparation, which will securely retain the blotter in
the usual flat position in which it is adapted to be operated by a pressure of the
hand or fingers, and which will possess advantages in point of simplicity and
inexpensiveness in construction and manufacture, convenience and facility in use,
durability, ease of adjustment, and general efficiency.
A further object of this invention is to effectively obviate the disadvantages and
inconvenience usually experienced in the operation of flat blotters of this class from
the rubbing of the hand or fingers directly upon the blotter when pressure is
applied, and-to-this end this invention_prov.des_for_the employment of a sheet of
oil-board or equivalent material, which is adapted to normally overlay the blötter
and serve as a contact-piece for the hand. This object and feature of the invention
renders it specially adapted for advertising purposes, the sheet of oil-board or
equivalent material being adapted to carry any suitable or desired advertising
matter, or such matter may be printed upon the retaining devices comprised in this
improved construction.
As a means for effectively carrying out the just described objects in cases where
this improved-blotter is used for advertising purposes, the sheet of oil-board or
other equivalent material may be of a transparent nature, the advertising matter
being-printed on the under side or inner surface of the sheet, and be thus visible in
-substantially the same manner as if it were printed on the surface of the-sheet--By.
such an-arrangement, the hand or fingers of the user do not come in contact with
any printed matter which the contact or pressure sheet of this improved blotter
may be employed to display.
A further object of this invention is to produce an improved blotter which will
effectively obviate the disadvantages experienced from the constant loss and
displacement of sheets of this character when used upon crowded desks by the pro-
duction of an improved device, which, from its nature and construction, can be readily
kept in sight or in convenient location and position for use.
To effectively carry out the objects and functions for which it is designed, this
invention consists, substantially, in an improved blotter comprising a retaining and
carrying device adapted to receive one end of one or more flat strips or sheets of
blotting-paper and formed of a main strip having an under face preferably formed
by a longitudinal shoulder or equivalent projection, a plate preferably having a
spring function and corresponding to and adapted to operate against the face of
said main strip, a pin or stud projecting from the plate and through the strip, a
securing-head working upon said pin or stud and a strip of oil-board or equivalent
material preferably corresponding to the shape of the blotter and mounted upon the
pin or stud and against the shoulder or equivalent projection, the edge of the sheet
or sheets of blotter being inserted between the oil-board-and-the-clamping
plate whereby the top sheet of oil-board serves as a contact-piece for the
fingers of the user, and the carrying and retaining devices, including the head,
operate to effect the retention of the blotter in convenient location and position
upon the desk.
This invention further consists in certain details of construction and arrangement
of parts substantially as will be hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed
out in the claims.

page_text: Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the improved blotter..
Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the same.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line a a, Figure 5.
Figure 4 is a corresponding view taken on the line y y, Figure 5.
Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a corresponding view taken on the line ¹¹, Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on an enlarged scale.
Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the parts of the device separated.
Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the under face of the main strip or block..
Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating a modification.
Figure 11 is a detail sectional view of the same modification.
Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on a longitudinal plane, illustrating another.
modification.
Figure 13 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the latter modification.
Figure 14 is a perspective view illustrating the application of advertising matter-
to the contact-piece.
Figure 15 is a corresponding view illustrating the application of advertising.
matter to the under surface of a transparent contact-piece.
Figure 16 is a similar view illustrating the use of advertising blotters in
connection with a transparent contact piece.
Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same letters of
reference.
Referring to the drawings:-
A designates the main strip or block, which is adapted to extend across the
end of blotter-sheet of the ordinary oblong or rectangular shape, as herein
shown. The strip A. is provided with an inner face a, preferably formed by a
longitudinal shoulder a' a', formed in the under side of the strip and extending
from end to end, this shoulder being preferably located near the outer edge of the
strip, so that the face a extends over a large portion of the under surface. The
strip A is preferably formed of wood, though it may be constructed of any other
desired or adapted inaterial.
B designates a plate, which approximately corresponds to the face a, and is
adapted to operate in conjunction therewith. This plate is preferably constructed
of metal, a spring steel plate being, by preference, employed, whereby the spring
function of the plate serves to more securely retain the blotter-sheet in position.
A pin or stud C is secured to the plate at or about the centre thereof and prefer-
ably near the inner edge of the plate which abuts against the shoulder a', whereby
a greater space is left at the outer free edge of the plate for the reception
of a sufficient portion of the end of the blotter-sheet. The pin or stud C may be
secured to the plate in any suitable manner, and it projects upwardly through an
eye or perforation ', formed centrally in the strip A.
C
A knob or handle D, of any suitable or desired shape or construction, receives.
the pin or stud C, and thus serves to retain the plate and strip in proper relative
position. This knob is preferably provided with a central bore or opening d,
suitably screw-threaded as at d', and working upon the correspondingly screw-
threaded end of the pin or stud, the knob being screwed home and tightened
against the upper face of the strip A. In cases where the knob is constructed of
wood, it is preferable to employ a metallic picce D' in a corresponding recess in
the top of the knob, said metallic piece being provided with a screw-threaded
bore registering with the bore through the knob, and it is also preferable to.
have the screw-threads upon the pin or stud begin at a point above the top of the
strip A, so that that portion of the pin passing through the said strip and below
the same will be entirely smooth, all as shown in the sectional views of the
drawings. It will be noted that, by means of the projecting pin or stud, the plate
is connected to the strip and retained against displacement therefrom by means
of the knob or handle, and the inner edge of the plate rests against the

page_text: corresponding shoulder a¹ of the strip A, and is thereby retained against lateral
displacement or pivotal movement upon the pin C.
E designates the contact-piece which consists of a sheet or strip of oil-board or
other suitable material, and preferably conforms to the size and shape of the blotter
sheet. In lieu of oil-board, a celluloid sheet or any other suitable or desired
material may be employed, and the sheet may be of a transparent nature for the
purposes and under the circumstances hereinafter specified.
In using this improved blotter, the hand or fingers of the user rest and press
upon this contact piece and thus all contact of the hand or fingers with the
blotter-sheet is obviated. For this reason, it is preferable, under ordinary cir-
cumstances, to use oil-board, which presents a smooth surface best adapted for the
purpose for which the sheet is designed and is not affected by the natural moisture
from the fingers of the operator. The sheet E is provided about centrally near
one end with an eye or opening e, adapted to receive the pin or stud Cupon
which the sheet is mounted and secured in position. The inner edge e¹ of the
sheet E abuts against the corresponding shoulder of the strip A, by which
arrangement the contact sheet is secured against displacement or lateral movement.
and retained in proper position with relation to the blotter sheet.
If desired, suitable advertising matter may be printed upon the top surface of
the contact piece, as shown in Figure 14, or the advertising matter may-be-applied.
upon the strip. When a transparent contact-piece is employed, the advertising
matter may be printed upon the under surface of the contact piece as shown in
Figure 15, so that the hand or fingers of the user will not come in contact with
the advertising or printed matter; also, in cases where a transparent contact-piece
is employed, the latter may be entirely clear of advertising matter, and advertising-
blotters may be employed in such a manner that the matter upon the same will be
visible upon-the-contact-pieces, as illustrated in Figure 16 of the drawings. The
contact-piece E is mounted between the strip A and plate B, so that it--will-be-
over and above the blotter-sheet and properly cover the same, and the blotter-
-sheet-is-secured in position by having its edge inserted between the outer end of
the plate-B and the adjoining end of the contact-sheet. One-or-more-blotter-sheets
may be employed as desired; but one will usually be found sufficient and may be
readily reversed when one surface has been sufficiently used. The end of the
blotter-sheet is preferably inserted under the plate B until its edge abuts against
the pin or stud C, when, by screwing home the knob or handle D, the outer free
end of the spring-plate securely clamps and retains the blotter-sheet and the
upper contact-piece in relative position. It will be noted that only the end of the
blotter and contact-sheet is secured, their remaining portion being entirely free and
flexible in such a manner as will facilitate its convenient use and operation. The
under face a of the strip A is preferably bevelled or inclined from its outer edge
inwardly to the shoulder a', as clearly shown in the detail sectional view of the
drawings, which construction more readily accommodates the position of the spring-
plate and the contact-piece when the thicker blotter-sheet is clamped and secured
between the free end of the plate and the end of the contact-sheet, but this
construction is not essential to the proper and effective arrangement and operation
of this improved blotter.
In Figures 10 and 11, is shown a modification, in which, in lieu of the shoulder a¹
_ upon the strip A, an equivalent projection or stop is formed by turning the end of
the plate B at right angles to the main portion of-the plate, as shown at g, this
turned or bent up portion resting across and against the face of the front edge of
the strip A, and thus forming a shoulder or stop, which is the equivalent of the
shoulder a, shown in the preferred construction of this invention, and performs all
the offices thereof.
In Figures 12 and 13 is shown another modification as an equivalent for the
shoulder a', in which the plate B is provided at or near its edge with two or more
upwardly-projecting pins or studs, which are received by corresponding holes
or recesses in the under face of the strip A, whereby, when the several parts

page_text: are assembled together, these projecting pins or studs form a shoulder or stop in
the same manner as if the shoulder a¹ were employed.
:
This invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangement of the
parts herein shown and specified, as manifest modifications may be made and
equivalents employed without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention;
the right is therefore reserved to all such variations, as properly fall within the
spirit and scope of these claims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. An improved blotter, comprising the main strip adapted to extend across the
end of the blotter sheet, a plate corresponding thereto and adapted to bear against
the under face of the strip, a contact-sheet of oil-board or equivalent material
having its end secured between the strip and plate, a blotter-sheet having its end
secured between the contact-sheet and the plate and devices for clamping the plate
and strip together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. An improved blotter comprising the main strip adapted to extend across the
end of the blotter-sheet, a corresponding plate adapted to bear against the under
face of the strip and provided with a pin or stud passing through the latter, a
contact-sheet having its end mounted upon the pin or stud and between the plate
and strip, a blotter-sheet located under the contact-sheet and having its end
secured between the contact-sheet and the plate, and a knob or handle working
upon the pin and adapted to clamp the parts together, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
3. An improved blotter comprising the main strip adapted to extend across the
end of the blotter-sheet, a corresponding plate adapted to bear against the under
face of the strip and provided with an upwardly-projecting pin or stud passing
through the latter, a contact-sheet having an eye or perforation by which it is
mounted upon the pin between the plate and strip, the blotter-sheet having its ends
secured between the free end of the plate and the secured end of the contact-sheet,
a shoulder or its equivalent against which the edges of the plate and contact-sheet
abut, and a knob or handle working upon the pin and adapted to clamp the parts
together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. The herein described improved blotter, comprising the main strip having an
under surface terminating in a longitudinal shoulder, the spring-plate corresponding
to said under face and provided with an upwardly-projecting pin or stud passing
through the strip, contact-sheet having the eye or perforation and mounted upon
said pin between the plate and strip, the edges of the plate and contact-sheet
abutting against the shoulder upon the strip, a blotter-sheet having its end secured
and clamped by the free end of the plate, and the knob or handle working upon
the pin and adapted to clamp the parts in relative position, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
5. The combination, in an improved blotter, of the main strip adapted to extend
across the end of the blotter-sheet, a contact sheet of oil-board or equivalent
material having its end secured to the strip, and a plate bearing against the under
surface of the strip and having a free portion adapted to clamp the end of a
blotter-sheet, whereby the blotter-sheet is secured in position under the contact-
sheet, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. The combination, in an improved blotter, of the main strip adapted to extend
across the end of a blotter-sheet, a corresponding plate bearing against the under
face of the strip and connected to the same, a contact-sheet having its end secured
between the plate and strip, a shoulder or stop against which the edges of the
plate and contact-sheet abut, and means for clamping the same together, whereby
a blotter-sheet is adapted to be secured and clamped by the free end of the plate,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
7. The combination, in an improved blotter, of the main strip or block adapted

page_text: to be secured across the end of a blotter-sheet, a corresponding separate or
independent spring-plate bearing against the under face of the strip and connected
to the same, said plate having a free clamping end or portion extending across the
length of the plate in front of its connections with the main block, and a blotter-
sheet inserted and clamped between the free clamping portion at the front end of
the plate and strip, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
8. The combination, in an improved blotter, of the main strip or block adapted
to extend across the end of a blotter-sheet, the corresponding separate or inde-
pendent bottom plate bearing against the under face of the strip and having the
free clamping portion in front of the connection between the plate and strip, devices
for connecting the plate and strip, a shoulder or equivalent projection against
which the inner edge of the plate abuts, and a blotter-sheet clamped and secured
in position by the free front clamping end of the plate, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
9. The combination, in an improved blotter, with the main-strip having the under
surface terminating in the longitudinal shoulder or abutment and the separate or
independent spring clamping-plate corresponding to said surface of the strip in
front of the shoulder or abutment and having its inner edge abutting against said
corresponding shoulder, the plate being connected with the strip-and-having-the
free clamping portion in front of the connection between the independent clamping-
plate and the strip, of a blotter-sheet clamped and secured in position by the free
front portion or end of the plate, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
10. The combination, in a blotter of the class described, with the main strip or
block A having the under face a, of a separate or independent spring clamping-
plate corresponding to said face and having the free clamping end extending across
the plate and forming the projecting portion in front of the connection between the
separate plate and the main strip, said plate bearing against the base-a-of-the-strip
and connected therewith, whereby the sheets are adapted to have their ends
clamped and secured between the free front-projecting-end of the plate, and the
strip, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
11. The combination, in the blotter of the class described, with the main strip
having the under face and a retaining shoulder or projection or the equivalent
thereof, of the herein described separate or independent spring clamping-plate
corresponding to the under face of the strip and bearing against the face of the
same and provided with a projecting portion extending across the plate in front of
the securing pin or stud, the plate being retained against lateral-displacement by
the said shoulder or projection and provided with the upwardly-projecting pin or
stud, the sheets being adapted to have their ends clamped between the free front
projecting portion or end of the plate and strip, substantially as and for the purpose
set forth.
12. In an improved blotter, the combination of a main strip adapted to extend
across the end of the blotter-sheet, a corresponding clamping-plate, a contact-sheet
of oil-board or equivalent material, and a blotter-sheet secured under the contact-
sheet, the sheets being secured in position and carried by the retaining devices,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
13. In an improved blotter, the combination, with securing and carrying devices
located at the end, of a contact-sheet of oil-board or equivalent material and a
blotter-sheet located under-the-contact-sheet,-the-ends of the sheet being secured
by the carrying devices, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
14. The combination, in an improved blotter of the class described, with securing
and carrying devices at one end, comprising a plate having a clamping end, and
with a contact-sheet of oil-board or equivalent material permanently connected
with the carrying devices when in normal position, of a detachable and reversible
blotter-sheet having its end detachably inserted between the carrying devices,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
15. As an improved article of manufacture, a blotter of the class described,
comprising essentially a main strip, a corresponding clamping-plate connected

page_text: therewith and adapted to bear against the strip, and a contact-sheet of oil-board
or equivalent material connected with and carried by the clamping devices,
blotter-sheets being adapted to be secured and carried by the clamping devices
in position under the contact-sheet, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
16. As an improved article of manufacture, a blotter of the class described,
consisting, essentially, of a flat contact-sheet of oil-board or equivalent material,
and clamping and securing devices secured across one end of the same, said devices
comprising a main strip, a clamping-plate, and an operating knob or handle
projecting at one end of the blotter and adapted to maintain the blotter in convenient
position and location for use, blotter-sheets being adapted to be secured to and
carried by the clamping devices in position under the contact-sheet, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 5th day of January 1891
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.