IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1879

page_text: Filed 20th May 1880.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
ADOLPHUS WATKINS, of the Firm of Hamilton & Co., of Greek Street, Soho,
Brush Manufacturers, send greeting:
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Royal Letters
Patent, under the Great Seal of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at
Westminster the Nineteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine, in the forty second year of Her reign, did for
Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Charles
Adolphus Watkins, my executors, administrators, or assigns, or such others as I, my
executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES, AND IN THE
APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," for and during the term of fourteen years thence
next ensuing: And whereas in pursuance and performance of a proviso in the said
Letters Patent contained, I, the said Charles Adolphus Watkins, did within six
calendar inonths next after the date of the said Letters Patent, cause a Specification
in writing under my hand and seal, purporting to particularly describe the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, to be
duly filed in the Great Seal Patent Office:
And whereas recently, and since the filing of the said Specification, I have been
advised and have ascertained that the first claiming clause of the said Specification
may be held to be of doubtful novelty, and I am therefore desirous of striking out
the first claiming clause of the said Specification, so as to limit the claims under
the said Letters Patent to the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh claims
of the said Specification, and of otherwise altering the said Specification so as to
make the same accord with the claims as so limited:
NOW KNOW YE that I, the said Charles Adolphus Watkins, by and with the
leave of Her Majesty's Attorney General, and for the reasons aforesaid, do alter
the said Specification by striking out of the said Specification printed by the
Queen's Printers, and published at the Great Seal Patent Office, in One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine, the whole of that portion of the Specification
commencing with the words "By its" on line 11, and ending with the words "above
defects" on line 54 of page 4.
I also strike out the words "so as to obviate the defects before enumerated,"
and the word "similar," which occur on lines 1 and 2 of page 5 of the said printed

page_text: "
copy of the said Specification. I also strike out the word similar" and the
words "to those hereinbefore referred to, and " which occur on line 3 of the said
page 5. I also strike out the word "the" which occurs on line 5 of the said page 5.
I also strike out the words " when they are large it is moro convenient during binding
to hold," which occur on lines 31 and 32 of the said page 5. I also insert between
the words "block together" which occur on line 32 of the said page 5, the words
are held." I also strike out the words "when a vice is employed as before
" mentioned for the purpose of holding the bristles, peg, and block together during
"the operation of binding" which occur on lines 48 and 49 of the said page 5. I
also correct a clerical error on line 14 of page 6 of the said priuted copy of the
said Specification by striking out the letters M, M¹, and substituting therofor the
letters N, N'. I also strike out the words "by preference" which occur on line 54
of the said page 6. I also insert between the words "that" and "what," which
occur on line 35 of page 8 of the said printed copy of the said Specification, the
following words, "I am aware that it has been previously proposed to manu-
facture brushes by first securing the bristles or equivalent material to a handle
by tyeing or binding the same thereto, and then inserting the brush thus partially
formed in a ferrule or socket, and therefore to this arrangement in itself I lay
no claim, but." I also strike out the whole of the first claiming clause con-
stituting lines 38 to 41, both inclusive, of the said page 8. I also strike out the
word "Second" which occurs at the beginning of line 42 of the said page 8, and
substitute therefore the word "first." "I also strike out the word "Third" which
occurs at the beginning of line 46 of the said page 8, and substitute therefor the
word "Second." I also strike out the word "Fourth" which occurs at the beginning
of line 50 of the said page 8, and substitute therefor the word "Third." "I also
strike out the word "Fifth " which occurs at the beginning of line 53 of the said
page 8, and substitute therefor the word "Fourth." I also strike out the word
Sixth" which occurs at the beginning of line 56 of the said page 8, and substitute
therefor the word "Fifth." I also strike out the word "Seventh" which occurs at
the beginning of line 3 of page 9 of the said printed copy of the said Specification,
and substitute therefor the word "Sixth,"
"
Ef
"
And in order that the effect of the said Disclaimer may be clearly understood I
anuex hereunto a copy of the said Specification as it will appear when so amended,
the testing clause being omitted.
My said Invention relates to the manufacture of brushes intended more par-
ticularly to be used for painting, varnishing, distempering, and whitewashing; but
it is also applicable to the manufacture of brushes of other descriptions, such, for
example, as are used for tar, glueing, stencilling, shaving, pastry-glazing, and
the like.
In carrying out my said Invention in the manufacture of round brushes, I
employ handles A, A', and blocks B, and ferrules C, illustrated respectively in
Figure 2 and Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings; but in lieu of the handles
and blocks being separate, as is necessarily the case in driven brushes, I either glue
or otherwise fasten them together before making the brushes, or I turn them in
one piece out of the solid, so that the butt of the handle forms a peg A projecting
a determined length beyond the block B for a given size brush, as shewn in
Figure 2.
The relative diameter of the peg and thickness of the block will depend entirely
on the pattern and quality of the brush, as at present, but the length of the peg A
and thickness of the block B together should be about one sixteenth of an inch
less than the length of the ferrule.
The ferrule C, Figure 1, is drawn as being conical, which shape I prefer ; but it
may be cylindrical, in which case the block should be turned to correspond. The
ferrules may be made of cast or rolled metal tube, string, or wire, but I prefer
those made of soldered wire, as described in the Specification to Letters Patent
granted to me dated March Twenty second, One thousand eight hundred and fifty
nine, No. 733.

page_text: Having tied the weighed quantity of bristles in a koot, and cemented the root
ends, I insert the peg A into the centre of the cemented roots, which are held
abutting on the block B, and firmly tie them to the peg A by binding or winding
twine or wire round them as near the roots as possible. Figure 3 shews the
brush thus bound, D being the binding, which should be, say, from about one
quarter to three eighths of an inch deep, and E the knot before to. I prefer to use
wire for the binding, as it occupies less space than twine for the same tensile
strength, and it can be more easily fastened either by twisting the two ends
together or soldering the turns of wire together.
The wire may be round, squaro,
or flat.
The binding of the bristles to the peg A can be effected by hand in the ordinary
manner of tying brushes, but the bristles, peg, and block are held together in a vice
with jaws shaped to fit the brush, as hereinafter described.
The knot of bristles having thus been bound to the peg A, and the tie being
still on the knot of bristles, as shewn at E, Figure 3, the ferrule C is easily slipped
over it and pushed down until it completely covers the block B, to which it is then
pinned or nailed; the tie E is then cut and the brush is complete, as shown in
Figure 4. The object of using the ferrule or socket over the binding D is to protect.
the inner binding D from injury, and to secure additional strength to the brush by
connecting it at the binding D to the block B, and forming a species of wall round
the base of the brush which prevents any movement of the bristles at the root end
while in use, which movement might otherwise arise from the leverage of the long
bristles acting on the narrow binding D as a fulcrum.
The brush should be made in such a manner that the block B and the exterior of
the binding D both fit the inside of the ferrulo C at their respective places, and it
is advisable to make them fit rather tightly, so that pressure is required to force
the ferrule on.
I prefer, in order to secure a more regular tension on the wire (for example) than
can be obtained by hand tying, to arrange the vice at the end of a hollow mandril,
so that the brush can be rotated. The end of the wire having been secured to the
vice the wire is gathered on to the brush as it rotates, the required tension being
obtained by running the wire through the hand or between friction plates, or other
well known contrivance for producing tension.
Figures 5 and 6 represent the form of vice which I prefer for this work, Figure 5
being a front elevation, and Figure 6 a side elevation of the machine. F, F, aro
base and standards supporting the hollow mandril G, which is caused to revolve
by the act of operating a winchi handle H fixed at one end. Attached to the other
end of the mandril is a solid disc I with projections a, a, cast on it. On a reduced
portion of this disc at c is fitted a toothed ring K' similar to the rim of a crown
wheel, and which is free to revolve round the disc, handles d, d, being provided for
the convenience of turning it. The vice consists of two plates or jaws L, L', over-
lapping each other, and so shaped that when placed in the position shewn in the
Drawing an opening is left between the jaws concentric with the mandril, and
of the size and shape of the brush to be made. The plates L, L', are fixed to the
blocks M, M', which slide in grooves in the projections a, a', and are moved to and
fro by screws working in the blocka M, M³, and indicated in the Drawing by the
dotted lines below the plates L, L', such screws turning in fixed bearings at f.,
and being respectively keyed to the pinions N, N', which gear into the toothed
ring K. By revolving the toothed ring K in one direction, say to the left, motion
is imparted through the intervention of the pinions to the screws, and the plates
L, L, are caused to slide away from each other and increase the size of the
opening 6. When this is sufficiently large the brush handle is inserted into the
hole in the mandril at f, the block B, Figure 2, resting on its end, which is
adjusted to allow the peg A to project a short distance beyond the plates L, L'.
The bristles are then inserted in the opening o around the peg, after which the
toothed ring K is turned back, say to the right, and a motion in the reverse
lirection of that previously produced being transmitted through the pinions to the

page_text: screws the jaws L, L', are forced cogether until the bristles are firmly held between
them, when the wire which has been attached to the pin O is wound on the brush
by turning the handle H, and is finally secured as before mentioned. A catch may
be provided for retaining the handle in position.
These binding machines may be made with more than two jaws when necessary,
and they may also be made with one fixed and one moveable jaw, but time is saved
by moving both jaws simultaneously.
When a rotating mandril is not used a vice constructed in the manner herein-
before described may still be employed.
In carrying out the operation of applying the ferrule to the brush in course
of formation it is necessary if the ferrule be made of thin metal, fine wire string,
or similar material to protect it while the brush is forced in, and for this purpose I
employ a ferrule holder, shewn at P in the sectional elevation, Figure 7. This
holder consists of a flanged socket turned inside to fit the ferrule and divided into
halves or segments along its central axis, which halves or segments are held
together by a band Q and set screw g, or other suitable means, so that the parts
can be readily clamped or separated. The ferrule and brush are pushed into the
clamped holder as far as they will enter, and the brush is forced home by pressure
on the block B, such pressure being most conveniently applied by means of a small
screw press, as in Figure 7. The bed plate of this press is made with a slot or
opening at R through its entire thickness for such distance as will allow the brush
to be placed centrally with the screw S, and the holder and brush are slid into
position over this slot between the guides T, T, fixed on the bed. Attached to the
press screw S is a forked plunger U of sufficient length to escape the brush
handle A' and allow its two ends to press upon the washer V covering the block;
by turning down the screw S the brush is forced into the ferrule until it covers
the block. In order to release the brush the plunger is drawn up, the holder P
and clamp Q are slid forward, and the set screw g is unscrowed, which relieves the
two halves of the holder and allows the brush to be withdrawn.
When the ferrule is made of thick metal or large wire not requiring protection
the holder may be dispensed with, the press being however still employed; the
ferrule then rests upon a plate which slides between the guides T, T, and has a hole
the same shape and size as the inside of the ferrule so as to allow the bristles to
pass through. Although I prefer to use the binding machine and the press as
separate machines, they may he combined in one machine by making the press
larger and the vice with three or more plates or jaws. In this case the bed of the
press is so arranged as to allow the mandril G, Figure 6, to pass through its centre
and revolve under the press screw S, so that the disc I carrying the vice is parallel
to the bed. The operation of binding is then similar to that herein before described,
with the exception that the brush is placed vertically in the vice; when the brush
is bound the ferrule and holder are forced down, the jaws of the vice being open
to allow the ferrule to pass over the block.
The process of making oval brushes is similar to that hereinbefore described as
applied to round brushes, oval blocks, handles, and ferrules, being simply sub-
stituted for round ones; the peg A however is provided with a thin plate of wood
or metal which is inserted in a saw cut made down it in the long axis of the oval,
as shewn at E in the perspective view, Figure 8, and plan Figure 9. The object
of the plate or feather is to bear the strain of the tie during binding, which without
it would cause the brush to assume a circular instead of an oval shape.
I have fully described the manufacture of brushes having a block or backing
of wood because they are the kind most generally made, but the same process in
applicable to the manufacture of all painting brushes made in a ferrule socket
or binding without the block.
When brushes are made by my process without the block the bristles after being
cemented are at once bound, as already described, to the handle as near the butt
end as possible, after which the ferrule is forced on nearly level with the roots
which are then singed as usual. Oval brushes without the block merely require

page_text: the metal feather inserted across the handle about as far as the bristles reach.
They are bound and finished in the same manner as round brushes.
For making cheaper dusters and ground brushes either round or oval, in
which the saving of time is a considerable object, I dispense with the binding
operation and secure the brush by simply forcing the ferrule on to the bristles,
peg, and block. Having fastened the block B and handle A, A', together (Figure 2),
I take the proper quantity of bristles tied in a knot and cemented as before
and insert the peg A into the centre, and slip the ferrule with its holder over
the bristles as far as it will go. The brush is now placed bristle upwards on
a plate with a hole in it of just sufficient size to receive the handle at its junction
with the block B at b². This plate rests on the bed of the press and with the
brush is slid between the guides T, T, until it is just under the screw S. Pressure
is applied by the plunger U to the ferrule holder, forcing the ferrule down to the
bristles until it covers the block, the screw is then reversed, the ferrule holder
unclamped, and the brush withdrawn. The brush thus produced is equally as tight
as a similar one made by driving in the handle, but a saving of time is effected
and the brush is free from the defect of "dragging" so common with driven
brushes.
When the roots of the bristles are large the brush will be more conveniently
made by combining the press and vice in one machine, so that the roots may be
firmly held to the peg until the ferrule is brought down to the plates or jaws of
the vice, which are then opened to allow the ferrule to pass on to the block. For
this purpose the vice is fixed to the bed of the press, as it is not required to
revolve.
Brushes can be made in the press with the bristle downwards, the holder being
used in the same manner as for those brushes which have been first bound to the
peg, but I prefer to make them bristle upwards because their weight maintain
them in the places on the block.
Distemper or whitewash brushes, having either one, two, three or four knots of
bristles or fibre to each brush on a flat handle, have hitherto been made by tying
or winding wire or string round each knot separately, saw cuts being made in the
handles to allow the wires to be wound on to the portions of the handles occupied
by the knot.
In carrying out my Invention as applied to the manufacture of brushes of this
description, I make these brushes by forcing the ferrules on to the knot or
knots of bristles and handle while they are held on the bed of the screw press
in a similar manner to the oval and round brushes hereinbefore described, in the
manufacture of which the binding is dispensed with. For a two knot brush a
saw cuth, Figure 10, is made across the blade W of the handle along its central
line for, say, about one inch in depth, the width of the cut being equal to about
twice the thickness of the metal of which the ferrules are made so as to allow
the two ferrules to pass along the slit together. The handle is placed in a
clamp or holder X, Figure 10, formed of thick metal plate bent round, but
leaving a space for the handle between its sides, which terminate in rectangular
flanges i, i, intended to rest on the bed of the press, and slide between tho
guides T, T, Figure 7. The distance from the flanges to the bottom of the
clamp is such that when the small end of the handle rests on the bottom of
the clamp the blade W of the handle stands, say, about one inch above the
flanges, on which stops K are formed for the purpose of maintaining the handle
in position. The ferrule holder for this brush is made to hold two ferrules side by
side in the position which they are to occupy on the handle; the knots of bristle
having been tied up and cemented are placed in the ferrules, which are then inserted
in the holder. The roots of the bristles projecting, say from about one and a half
to two inches, a long knife is passed through the bristles of both knots, by which
the bristles are opened so as to be placed equally on each side of the handle W; the
roots are pressed down on the flanges i, i, and the whole clamp brush and ferrule
holder slid under the forked plunger U (Figure 7), which by being screwed down

page_text: forces the two ferrules on together, perfectly securing the bristles to the handle.
After removing the brush the ferrules are pinned to the handle as before. Two
pins 1, 1, projecting from the flanges i, i, aro provided to serve as guides by passing
through corresponding holes in the ferrule holder, In the case of brushes of this
description having one knot, or a greater number of knots than two, the ferrule
holders are adapted to hold a corresponding number of ferrules. It is obvious that
the converse of the method hereinbefore described may be adopted, that is to say,
the ferrule holder and bristles may be placed on the bed plate, and the handle forced
into them by the plunger U being brought to bear on the handle clamp, Figure 10.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that I am awaro that it has been previously proposed
to manufacture brushes by first securing the bristles or equivalent inaterial to a
handle by tyeing or binding the same thereto, and then inserting the brush thus
partially formed in a ferrule or socket, and therefore to this arrangement in itself I
lay no claim; but what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the
Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patont is,―
First. In the manufacture of oval brushes the employment of a feather or blade
across the handle when the bristles or their equivalents are secured to such handle
by tying or binding them thereto before inserting them into the ferrule or socket,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. The system or mode of manufacturing brushes of the class technically
known as "dusters" or "ground brushes" by forcing the ferrule or socket on to the
bristles or their equivalents, the handle, and the block, in lieu of driving the
handles into the partially formed brush, substantially as heroinbefore described.
Third. The vice or machine with two or more sliding plates or jaws for holding
the brush during tying or binding, the same being either used alone for hand
tying or combined with a rotating mandril, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The combination of a ferrule holder with a screw press, the parts being
arranged and combined substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Fifth. The combination of a vice or holding machine constructed as herein set
forth and of a screw press, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
Sixth. The system or mode of manufacturing brushes having one or more knots
of bristles or fibre by forcing a ferrule or ferrules on to the knots and handles, or
vice versa, in lieu of winding wire or string round the knot or round each knot
separately, substantially as herein before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Adolphus Watkins, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Nineteenth day of April, One thousand eight
hundred and eighty
CHARLES ADOLPHUS WATKINS. (L.S.)
To the Commissioners of Patents for Inventions.
I hereby grant my fiat, giving leave to the above named Charles Adolphus
Watkins to file in the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which 45
the same relates, the above written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
Dated this 19th day of May 1880.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Adolphus Watkins, of the Firm of Hamilton &
Co., of Greek Street, Soho, Brush Manufacturers, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES, AND IN THE APPARATUS
EMPLOYED THEREIN.”
Sealed the 19th August 1879, and dated the 19th June 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Adolphus Watkins
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 19th June 1879.
CHARLES ADOLPHUS WATKINS, of the Firm of Hamilton & Co., of Greek Street,
Soho, Brush Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF BRUSHES,
AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.'
"
My Invention relates to the manufacture of brushes intended more particularly
to be used for painting, varnishing, distempering, and whitewashing, but it is also
applicable to the manufacture of brushes of other descriptions, such, for example, as
are used for tar, glueing, stencilling, shaving, pastry glazing, and the like.
In carrying out my Invention as applied, for example, to the manufacture of
round painting brushes, I form on or glue or otherwise attach to the handle, near
the inner extremity, a block of a conical or cylindrical shape, the inner end of the
handle forming a peg projecting from the block. I also provide a ferrule of corre
sponding shape to the block, such ferrule being composed of cast, rolled, or drawn
metal, of string or wire, but I make the ferrules by preference of soldered wire, as
described in the Specification to Letters Patent granted to me, dated the 22nd
March 1859, No. 733. The bristles are then combined with these parts to form a
brush in the following manner
The requisite quantity of bristles having been tied in a knot and the roof ends
cemented, the peg is inserted into the centre of the cemented roots, which are held,
abutting on the block, and are firmly tied to the peg by binding or winding twine
or wire round them, as near the roots as possible, and fastening the ends. The
operation of tying or binding the bristles may be performed by hand, but in the
manufacture of large brushes it is more convenient during binding to hold the
bristles, peg, and block together in a vice with jaws shaped to fit the brush.
In order to secure a more regular tension on the wiro than can be obtained by
hand tying, I prefer to arrange the vice at the end of a hollow mandril, so that the
i.
Price R21
"

page_text: brush can be rotated. The end of the wire having been secured to the vice the
wire is gathered on to the brush as it rotates, the required tension being obtained
by running the wire through the hand, or between friction plates or other well
known contrivance for producing tension. The apparatus may be conveniently
constructed in the following manner, via:-At one end of the mandril is a winch
handle, by the aid of which the mandril may be rotated, and at its opposite end is
attached a solid disc with projections cast on it. Around the disc is a toothed ring
similar to the ring of a crown wheel, which is fitted in a rebate in the disc so as to
be free to revolve round the saine, handles being provided for the convenience of
turning it. The vice consists of two plates or jaws overlapping each other, and so
shaped that when the vice is closed an opening is left between the jaws concentric
with the mandril, and of the size and shape of the brush to be made. The plates
are fixed to blocks which slide in grooves in the projections before mentioned, and
are moved to and fro by screws working in the blocks, such screws turning in fixed
bearings, and being keyed to the pinions which gear into the toothed ring. By
revolving the toothed ring in one direction, the plates are caused to slide away
from each other and increase the size of the opening; when this is sufficiently large
the brush handle is inserted into the hole in the mandril, the block resting on its
end, which is adjusted to allow the peg to project a short distance beyond the plates.
The bristles are then inserted in the opening around the peg, the toothed ring is
turned back, and the jaws are thus forced together until the bristles are firmly held
between them, when the wire, which has been attached to the apparatus, is wound
on the brush by turning the handle, and is finally secured as before mentioned.
These binding machines can be made with more than two jaws when necessary, and
they may also be made with one fixed and one moveable jaw, but time is saved by
moving both simultaneously. The brush in process of manufacture having been
removed from the apparatus, the ferrule is slipped over the bristles and pushed down
until it covers the block, and finally pinned or nailed thereto, when the brush will
be complete.
In applying the ferrule to the brush, it is necessary in some cases to protect the
former while the brush is forced in. For this purpose a ferrule holder may be
employed, consisting of a flanged socket made in halves or segments, held together
by a band and set screw or other means adapted for the ready relaxing and tight-
ening of the parts as required. A small screw press may be arranged in combina-
tion with the holder, for the facility of forcing the ferrule over the partially formed
brush, the bed of the press being slotted for the passage of the brush, and the
plunger being made of suitable shape to transmit the pressure, and at the same time
be clear of the handle of the brush.
The press may also be used when the holder is dispensed with, and the binding
machine and press may be combined together in one machine if desired.
In applying the Invention to the manufacture of oval brushes, I proceed in a
similar manner, oval in lieu of round blocks, handles, and ferrules being employed.
In this case however the peg must be provided with a thin plate of wood or metal
inserted in a saw cut made in the peg in the direction of the longer axis of the
oval, this plate having the effect of bearing the strain of the tie during binding.
The blocks or backing of wood upon the handle may be dispensed with, and the
brushes otherwise made in a manner similar to those herein before described.
For making cheaper brushes, either round or oval, in which the saving of time is
a considerable object, I dispense with the binding operation and secure the brush by
simply forcing the ferrule on to the bristles, peg, and block. Having fastened the
block and handle together I take the proper quantity of bristles tied in a knot and
cemented as before, insert the peg into the centre, and slip the ferrule with its holder
over the bristles. The brush is now placed by preference bristles upwards on a
plate with a hole in it of just sufficient size to receive the handle at its junction
with the block. This plate rests on the bed of the press, and with the brush is slid
between guides until it is just under the screw. Pressure is applied by the plunger
to the ferrule holder, forcing the ferrule down the bristles until it covers the block

page_text: the screw is then reversed, the ferrule holder unclamped, and the brush withdrawn.
When the roots of the bristles are large the brush will be more conveniently made
by combining the press and vice in one machine, so that the roots may be firmly
held to the peg until the ferrule is brought down to the plates or jaws of the vice,
which are then opened to allow the ferrule to pass on to the block. For this purpose
the vice is fixed to the bed of the press, as it is not required to revolve.
When my Invention is applied to the manufacture of distemper and whitewash
brushes, having a knot or a number of knots of bristle or fibre to each brush on a
flat handle, I make the brushes by forcing the ferrule or all the ferrules on to the
knot or knots of bristles and handle while they are held on the bed of the screw
press.
For a two knot brush a saw cut is made across the blade of the handle along the
central line for, say, about one inch, the width of the cut being equal to twice the
thickness of the metal of which the ferrules are made, so as to allow the two ferrules
to pass along the slit together. The handle is placed in a clamp or holder formed
of thick metal plate, bent round, but leaving a space for the handle between its
sides, which terminate in rectangular flanges, which are intended to rest on the bed
of the press and slide between the guides. The ferrule holder for this brush is made
to hold two ferrules side by side in the position they are to occupy on the handle,
the knots of bristles being tied up and cemented are placed in the ferrules, which
are then inserted in the holder, the roots of the bristles projecting, a long knife is
passed through the bristles of both knots, by which the bristles are opened so as to
be placed equally on each side of the handle; the roots are pressed down on the
flanges, and the whole clamp, brush, and ferrule holder slid under the forked plunger,
which by being screwed down forces the two ferrules on together, perfectly securing
the bristles to the handle. After removing the brush the ferrules are pinned to the
haudle as before. Stops are provided for retaining the handle in position, and two
pins projecting from the flanges serves as guides passing through corresponding holes
in the ferrule holder.
In the case of brushes having one knot or a greater number than two knots, the
ferrule holders are adapted to hold the corresponding number of ferrules. It is
obvious that the converse of the method herein before described may be adopted,
that is to say, the ferrule holder and bristles may be placed on the bed plate, and
the handle forced into them by the plunger being brought to bear on the handle
clamp.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Adolphus Watkins in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
15th December 1879.
CHARLES ADOLPHUS WATKINS, of the Firm of Hamilton and Company, of Greek
Street, Soho, Brush Manufacturers. “IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
BRUSHES, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN.'
"
My snid Invention relates to the manufacture of brushes intended more parti-
cularly to be used for painting, varnishing, distempering, and whitewashing, but
it is also applicable to the manufacture of brushes of other descriptions, such, for
example, as are used for tar, gluing, stencilling, shaving, pastry-glazing, and the
like. By its use the bristles or fibres are attached to the handle and socket of
round and oval painting brushes without driving the handle through the bristles,
as is now practised, whilst at the same time the attachment is rendered more secure
than by any of the methods now employed, and the brushes produced according to
my Invention possess working qualities superior to those made by the existing
methods. In the case, moreover, of distemper and whitewash brushes having one,
two, or more knots, they are manufactured in a more secure manner than by tying
the said knots according to the ordinary method.
In order to render the novelty and utility of my said Invention more apparent
I shall first briefly describe one of the processes of manufacture heretofore employed,
and shall then proceed more particularly to describe my said Invention, reference
being had to the several Figures on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, the same
letters on which indicate corresponding parts in all the Figures.
Previously to this date both round and oval painting brushes, known as dusters
and ground brushes, have generally been made by tying a weighed quantity of
bristles in a knot or bundle, cementing their root ends and inserting the knot in a
socket or ferrule similar to C, Figure 1. A block of wood with a central hole
similar to B, Figure 2, is 'then pushed into the ferrule and the roots of the bristles
brought against its face b. The tie on the knot is then cut and the pointed end
of a conical handle similar to A, A³, Figure 2, is pushed from flag to root through
the centre of the bristles and hole in the block until moderately tight, when it is
driven home by striking the bell with a hammer or other means while the brush
is placed on a firın heavy bench with suitable holes in it.
Brushes thus made are liable to three serious defects which interfere with their
security and proper working.
1. The bulk of the same weight of bristles varies with different dressings and
qualities, the handles are rarely all the same size while the ferrules are invariably
alike, therefore the tightness or soundness of the brushes is uncertain, and the
bristles frequently become loose after the brushes have been in use some time.
2. The handles are not always driven into the position they should occupy in
reference to the ferrule; sometimes the handle is not driven to a sufficient distance
so that the butt projects beyond the edge of the ferrule, in which case the bristles
are caused to spread open instead of closing over the handle; at other times it is
driven to an undue extent when the brush is unsound through insufficient grip
on it.
3. Driving the handle through the bristles occasionally causes some of them to
be drawn or dragged with it into the block, which produces a hole in the centre of
the brush, making it weaker there than at the outside.
Brushes with this defect will never wear with an even edge, the middle wearing
away faster than the outside, thus producing what is known as forking" in the
brush.
are used in the
Although a great variety of sockets, ferrules, rings, and bindings
manufacture of these brushes, the handles are always driven in, and they are con-
sequently liable to the above defects.

page_text: In carrying out my said Invention in the manufacture of round brushes, so as
to obvinte the defects before enumerated, I employ similar handles A, A¹, and
blocks B and similar ferrules C to those herein before referred to and illustrated
respectively in Figure 2 and Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings; but in lieu
of the handles and blocks being separate, as is necessarily the case in the driven
brushes, I either glue or otherwise fasten them together before making the brushes,
or I turn them in one piece out of the solid so that the butt of the handle forms a
peg A projecting a determined length beyond the block B for a given size brash,
as shewn in Figure 2.
The relative diameter of the peg and thickness of the block will depend entirely
on the pattern and quality of the brush as at present, but the length of the peg Å
and thickness of the block B together should be about one sixteenth of an inch less
than the length of the ferrule.
The ferrule C, Figure 1, is drawn as being conical, which shape I prefer; but it
may be cylindrical, in which case the block should be turned to correspond. The
ferrules may be made of cast or rolled metal tube, string, or wire, but I prefer
those made of soldered wire as described in the Specification to Letters Patent
granted to me, dated March Twenty second, One thousand eight hundred and fifty
nine, No. 733.
Having tied the weighed quantity of bristles in a knot and cemented the root
ends I insert the peg A into the centre of the cemented roots, which are held
abutting on the block B and firmly tie them to the peg A by binding or winding
twine or wire round them as near the roots as possible. Figure 3 shews the brush
thus bound, D being the binding which should be, say, from about one quarter to
three eighths of an inch deep, and E the knot before referred to. I prefer to use
wire for the binding, as it occupies less space than twine for the same tensile
strength, and it can be more easily fastened either by twisting the two ends
together or soldering the turns of wire together. The wire may be round, square,
or flat.
The binding of the bristles to the peg A can be effected by hand in the ordinary
manner of tying brushes, but when they are large it is more convenient during
binding to hold the bristles, peg, and block together in a vice with jaws shaped to
fit the brush, as hereinafter described.
The knot of bristles having thus been bound to the peg A and the tie being still
on the knot of bristles, as shewn at E, Figure 3, the ferrule C is easily slipped over
it and pushed down until it completely covers the block B, to which it is then
pinned or nailed, the tie E is then cut and the brush is complete, as shewn in
Figure 4. The object of using the ferrule or socket over the binding D is to protect
the inner binding D from injury and to secure additional strength to the brush by
connecting it at the binding D to the block B, and forming a species of wall round
the base of the brush which prevents any movement of the bristles at the root end
while in use, which movement might otherwise arise from the leverage of the long
bristles acting on the narrow binding D as a fulcrum.
The brush should be made in such a manner that the block B and the exterior of
the biuding D both fit the inside of the ferrule C at their respective places, and it
is advisable to make them fit rather tightly, so that pressure is required to force the
ferrule on.
When a vice is employed, as before mentioned, for the purpose of holding the
bristles, peg, and block together during the operation of binding, I prefer, in order
to secure a more regular tension on the wire (for example) than can be obtained
by hand tying, to arrange the vice at the end of a hollow mandril so that the
brush can be rotated. The end of the wire having been secured to the vico, the
wire is gathered on to the brush as it rotates, the required tension being obtained
by running the wire through the hand or between friction plates or other well
known contrivance for producing tension.
· Figures 5 and 6 represent the form of vice which I prefer for this work; Figure 5.

page_text: being a front elevation, and Figure 0 a side elevation of the machine. F, F, aro
base and standards supporting the hollow mandril G, which is caused to revolve by
the act of operating a winch handle H fixed at one end. Attached to the other
end of the mandril is a solid disc I with projections a, a¹, cast on it. On a reduced
portion of this disc at c is fitted a toothed ring K similar to the rim of a crown
wheel, and which is free to revolve round the disc, handles d, d, being provided for
the convenience of turning it. The vico consists of two plates or jaws L, L', over-
lapping cach other, and so shaped that when placed in the position shown in the
Drawing an opening e is left between the jaws concentric with the mandril, and of
the size and shape of the brush to be made. The plates L, L', are fixed to the
blocks M, M, which slide in grooves in the projections a, a³, and are moved to and
fro by screws working in the blocks M, M, and indicated in the Drawing by the
dotted lines below the plates L, L', such screws turning in fixed bearings at f, f¹,
and being respectively keyed to the pinions M, M', which gear into the toothed
ring K. By revolving the toothed ring K in one direction, say, to the left, motion
is imparted through the intervention of the pinions to the screws, and the
plates L, L', aro caused to slide away from each other and increase the size of the
opening e. When this is sufficiently large the brush handle is inserted into the
hole in the mandril at f, the block B, Figure 2, resting on its end, which is
adjusted to allow the peg A to project a short distance beyond the plates L, L'.
The bristles are then inserted in the opening e around the peg, after which the
toothed ring K is turned back, say, to the right, and a motion in the reverse
direction of that previously produced being transmitted through the pinions to the
screws, the jaws L, L', are forced together until the bristles are firmly held between
them, when the wire which has been attached to the pin O is wound on the brush by
turning the handle H, and is finally secured as before mentioned. A catch may be
provided for retaining the handle in position.
These binding machines may be made with more than two jaws when necessary,
and they may also be made with one fixed and one moveable jaw, but time is saved
by moving both jaws simultaneously.
When a rotating mandril is not used, a vice constructed in the manner herein-
before described may still be employed.
In carrying out the operation of applying the ferrule to the brush in course of
formation, it is necessary if the ferrule be made of thin metal, fine wire, string, or
similar material, to protect it while the brush is forced in, and for this purpose I
employ a ferrule holder, shewn at P in the sectional elevation, Figure 7. This
holder consists of a flanged socket turned inside to fit the ferrule, and divided into
halves or segments along its central axis, which halves or segments are held together
by a band and set screw g or other suitable means, so that the parts can be
readily clamped or separated. The ferrule and brush are pushed into the clamped
holder as far as they will enter, and the brush is forced home by pressure on the
block B, such pressure being most conveniently applied by means of a small screw
press, as in Figure 7. The bed plate of this press is made with a slot or opening
at R through its entire thickness for such distance as will allow the brush to be
placed centrally with the screw S, and the holder and brush are slid into position
over this slot between the guides T, T, fixed on the bed. Attached to the press
Ecrew S is a forked plunger U of sufficient length to escape the brush handle A¹
and allow its two ends to press upon the washer V covering the block; by
turning down the scrow S the brush is forced into the ferrule until it covers the
block. In order to release the brush the plunger is drawn up, the holder P and
clamp Q are slid forward, and the set screwg is unscrewed, which relieves the two
halves of the holder and allows the brush to be withdrawn,
When the ferrule is made of thick metal or large wire not requiring protection
the holder may be dispensed with, the press being however by preference still
employed; the ferrule then rests upon a plate which slides between the guides T, T,
and has a hole the same shape and size as the inside of the ferrule, so as to allow

page_text: "
the bristles to pass through. Although I prefer to use the binding machine and
the press as separate machines they may be combined in one machine by making
the press larger and the vice with three or more plates or jawa. In this case the
bed of the press is so arranged as to allow the mandril G, Figure 6, to pass through
its centre and revolve under the press screw S, so that the diso I carrying the vice
is parallel to the bed. The operation of binding is then similar to that hereinbefore
described, with the exception that the brush is placed vertically in the vice; when
the brush is bound the ferrule and holder are forced down, the jaws of the vice
being opened to allow the ferrule to pass over the block.
The process of making oval brushes is similar to that hereinbefore described as
applied to round brushes; oval blocks, handles, and ferrules, being simply substituted
for round ones; the peg A however is provided with a thin plate of wood or metal,
which is inserted in a saw cut made down it in the long axis of the oval, as shewn
at E' in the perspective view, Figure 8, and plan, Figure 9. The object of the plate
or feather is to bear the strain of the tie during binding, which without it would cause
the brush to assume a circular instead of an oval shape.
I have fully described the manufacture of brushes having a block or backing of
wood because they are the kind most generally made, but the same process is appli-
cable to the manufacture of all painting brushes made in a ferrule socket or binding•
without the block.
When brushes are made by my process without the block the bristles after
being cemented are at once bound, as already described, to the handle as near the
butt end as possible, after which the ferrule is forced on nearly level with the roots,
which are then singed as usual. Oval brushes without the block merely require
the metal feather inserted across the handle about as far as the bristles reach. They
are bound and finished in the same manner as round brushes.
For making cheaper dusters and ground brushes, either round or oval, in which
the saving of time is a considerable object, I dispense with the binding operation
and secure the brush by simply forcing the ferrule on to the bristles, peg, and block.
Having fastened the block B and handle A, A', together (Figure 2), I take the
proper quantity of bristles, tied in a knot and cemented as before, and insert the
peg A into the centre, and slip the ferrule with its holder over the bristles as far as
it will go. The brush is now placed bristle upwards on a plate, with a hole in it of
just sufficient size to receive the handle at its junction with the block B at b'. This
plate rests on the bed of the press, and with the brush is alid between the guides
T, T, until it is just under the screw S. Pressure is applied by the plunger U to
the ferrule holder, forcing the ferrule down the bristles until it covers the block, the
screw is then reversed, the ferrule holder unclamped, and the brush withdrawn.
The brush thus produced is equally as tight as a similar one made by driving in the
handle, but a saving of time is effected and the brush is free from the defect of
"dragging," so common with driven brushes.
When the roots of the bristles are large the brush will be more conveniently
made by combining the press and vice in one machine, so that the roots may be
firmly held to the peg until the ferrule is brought down to the plates or jaws of the
vice, which are then opened to allow the ferrule to pass on to the block. For this
purpose the vice is fixed to the bed of the press, as it is not required to revolve.
Brushes can be made in the press with the bristle downwards, the holder being
used in the same manner as for those brushes which have been first bound to the
peg; but I prefer to make them bristle upwards, because their weight maintain
them in their places on the block.
Distemper and whitewash brushes having either one, two, three, or four knots of
bristles or fibre to each brush on a flat handle have hitherto been made by tying
or winding wire or string round each knot separately, saw cuts being made in the
handles to allow the wire to bo wound on to the portions of the handles occupied
by the knot.
In carrying out my Invention as applied to the manufacture of brushes of this

page_text: description I make those brushes by forcing the ferrules on to the knot or knots of
bristles and handle while they are held on the bed of the screw press in a similar
manner to the oval and round brushes herein before described, in the manufacture of
which the binding is dispensed with. For a two knot brush a saw cut h, Figure 10,
is made across the blade W of the handle along its central line for, say, about one
inch in depth, the width of the cut being equal to about twice the thickness of the
metal of which the ferrules are made, so as to allow the two ferrules to pass along
the slit together. The handle is placed in a clamp or holder X, Figure 10, formed
of thick metal plate bent round but leaving a space for the handle between its sides,
which terminate in rectangular flanges i, i, intended to rest on the bed of the press
and slide between the guides T, T, Figure 7. The distance from the flanges to the
bottom of the clamp is such that when the small end of the handle rests on the
bottom of the clamp the blade W of the handle stands, say, about one inch above
the flanges, on which stops k are formed for the purpose of maintaining the handle
in position. The ferrule holder for this brush is made to hold two ferrules side by
side in the position which they are to occupy on the handle; the knots of bristle
having been tied up and cemented are placed in the ferrules, which are then inserted
in the holder, the roots of the bristles projecting, say, from about one and a half
to two inches; a long knife is passed through the bristles of both knots, by
which the bristles are opened, so as to be placed equally on each side of the
handle W, the roots are pressed down on the flanges i, i, and the whole clamp,
brush, and ferrule holder slid under the forked plunger U (Figure 7), which by
being screwed down forces the two ferrules on together, perfectly securing the
bristles to the handle. After removing the brush the ferrules are pinned to the
handle as before. Two pins l, l, projecting from the flanges i, i, are provided to
serve as guides by passing through corresponding holes in the ferrule holder. In
the case of brushes of this description having one knot, or a greater number of
knots than two, the ferrule holders are adapted to hold the corresponding number
of ferrules. It is obvious that the converse of the method herein before described
may be adopted, that is to say, the ferrule holder and bristles may be placed on the
bed plate and the handle forced into them by the plunger U being brought to bear
on the handle clamp, Figure 10.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The system or mode of manufacturing brushes by first securing the bristles
or equivalent material to a handle by tying or binding the same thereto and then
inserting the brush thus partially formed in a ferrule or socket, substantially as
herein before described.
Second. In the manufacture of oval brushes the employment of a feather or
blade across the handle when the bristles or their equivalents are secured to such
handle by tying or binding them thereto before inserting them into the ferrule or
socket, substantially as herein before described.
Third. The system or mode of manufacturing brushes of the class technically
known as "dusters or "ground brushes" by forcing the ferrule or socket on to the
bristles or their equivalents, the handle and the block, in lieu of driving the handles
into the partially formed brush, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Fourth. The vice or machine with two or more sliding plates or jaws for holding
the brush during tying or binding, the same being either used alone for hand tying,
or combined with a rotating mandril, substantially as herein before described.
Fifth. The combination of a ferrule holder with a screw press, the parts being
arranged and combined substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein-
before described.
Sixth. The combination of a vice or holding machine, constructed as herein set

page_text: forth, and of a screw press, substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
Seventh. The system or mode of manufacturing brushes having one or more knots
of bristles or fibre by forcing a ferrule or ferrules on to the knots and handles, or
vice versa, in lieu of winding wire or string round the knot or round each knot
separately, substantially as hereinbefore described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Adolphus Watkins, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, the Ninth day of October, One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
CHAB. A. WATKINS. (L.&.)