An Improved Method of Lettering or Figuring Sheet-metal and other Material, and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 20th Oct., 1896-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of Lettering or Figuring Sheet-metal and
other Material, and Apparatus therefor.
I, TIMOTHY SHEPHERD, of Kenilworth, Oakfield Road, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to lettering or figuring sheet-metal and other material, and
comprises the improved method and apparatus hereinafter described.
The chief object of my invention is to produce lettered or figured plates in a
better and cheaper manner than has heretofore been accomplished and so that such
plates are more durable and effective than ordinary engraved, embossed and like
plates.
According to my invention I pierce, punch-out, or perforate, in two plates or
sheets of different metals or other materials the required letters, figures, or pattern,
by means of steel punches or dies and bolsters, and I insert the blanks or pieces
pierced, or punched out of the one sheet or plate into the spaces, or perforations
formed in the other. The plates or sheets of metal are exactly or approximately
of the same gauge or thickness and preferably of such metals or materials that the
colour or colours of the inlaid or inserted letters, figures, or devices will forma
desirable and suitable contrast to the rest or body of the plate. To rivet or fix
the inlaid inserted or bedded portions in position I next pass the plate or plates
between a pair of flat planishing tools between which they are subjected to a very
considerable pressure, after which they may be highly polished.
To form a bold contrast on a white metal or other substance I may employ
blanks or insertions of vulcanite, coloured papers or fibres, or any material suitable
for the purpose to be had in compressed sheets. For transparencies I may use
celluloid or the like in combination with a suitable sheet of opaque material.
It will be readily seen that lettering, figuring, or ornamental work made
according to my said invention will be far more durable, neater, and less costly
than plates engraved in the ordinary or usual manner. Moreover inasmuch as the
countersunk or recessed portions of ordinary engraved plates have to be filled up
with wax they are not capable of being subjected to as high a degree of polish, as
were this to be done the heat generated by the friction in polishing would cause
the wax to soften and be wiped off.
I may as hereinbefore stated employ any ordinary form of punches or dies,
bolsters, and press, so arranged as to perforate, strike, or punch out the whole
matter together when any considerable quantity of lettering and figuring has to
be executed whenever such combined action is possible. When, however, it is
desired to execute work of a varied character I prefer to employ the improved
form of apparatus about to be described.
I arrange or place round the periphery of a circular punch or die suitably
mounted upon a powerful shaft or spindle carried between two plates or arms the
lower extremities of which are screwed into the press. A number of holes are
formed in this circular punch or die corresponding to the number of letters, figures
or other devices around its periphery, and the above mentioned arms are provided
with two holes in line with those in the said circular punch. When the said
circular punch is rotated to bring the desired letter, figure or other sign into

page_text: position, a tapered pin is forced or driven through the said arms and circular
punch thus holding it firmly in position ready for piercing or perforating. The
bolster is made on the same plan but the letters, figures or other devices are put
on the face instead of on the periphery of the wheel and its centre is pivoted on a
solid metal bed which is screwed in a suitable position to the bed of the press so
that the figures will revolve immediately under those on the revolving circular
punch. This bolster is likewise fastened or secured to its bed in the desired
position by means of a tapered pin passing through suitable holes as above
described with reference to the circular punch. By this means I am enabled to
change the figures rapidly and accurately, saving thereby the time necessary to
adjust the varying tools after being once set. For the same end, when this method
would be clumsy as in the case of large letters or figures, I make a universal punch
and bolster, and each letter or figure is made to fit exactly into them. After
being screwed or pinned through a hole common to each, they are ready for use
after one setting as in the former case.
Dated this 18th day of January 1896.
A. F. SPOONER,
124 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
An Improved Method of Lettering or Figuring Sheet-metal and
other Material, and Apparatus therefor.
I, TIMOTHY SHEPHERD, of Kenilworth, Oakfield Road, Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described aud
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to lettering or figuring sheet-metal and other material, and
comprises the improved method and apparatus hereinafter described.
The chief object of my invention is to produce lettered or figured plates in a
better and cheaper manner than has heretofore been accomplished and so that such
plates are more durable and effective than ordinary engraved, embossed and like
plates.
In the accompanying drawing,
Figure 1 illustrates a lettered plate made in accordance with my invention.
Figure 2 shows in elevation one form of my improved apparatus, the punch or
die being in its lowermost position, and
Figure 3 shows in vertical section a modified form thereof, the punch or die being
in its raised position.
According to my invention I pierce, punch-out, or perforate, in two plates or
sheets of different metals or other materials the required letters, figures, or pattern,
by means of steel punches or dies and bolsters, and I insert as seen in Figure 1,
the blanks or pieces A pierced, or punched out of the one sheet or plate into the
spaces or perforations formed in the other sheet or plate B. The plates or sheets
of metal are exactly or approximately of the same gauge or thickness and
preferably of such metals or materials that the colour or colours of the inlaid or
inserted letters, figures, or devices A will form a desirable and suitable contrast to
the rest or body of the plate B. To rivet or fix the portions A in position, flat
planishing tools may be employed or the back of the plate may be indented or
serrated either in a press or otherwise so that the one metal or substance is made
to overlap or interlock with the other. The face of the plate may afterwards
be highly polished.
To form a bold contrast on a white metal or other substance I may employ

page_text: blanks or insertions of vulcanite, coloured papers, or fibres, or any material suitable
for the purpose to be had in compressed sheets. For transparencies I may use
celluloid or the like in combination with a suitable sheet of opaque material.
In some cases I may back the plate with an additional sheet of metal or other
material.
It will be readily seen that lettering, figuring, or ornamental work made
according to my said invention will be far more durable, neater, and less costly
than plates engraved in the ordinary or usual manner. Moreover, inasmuch as the
countersunk or recessed portions of ordinary engraved plates have to be filled up
with wax they are not capable of being subjected to as high a degree of polish, as
were this to be done the heat generated by the friction in polishing would cause
the wax to soften and be wiped off.
I may, as herein before stated, employ any ordinary form of punches or dies,
bolsters, and press, so arranged as to perforate or strike or punch out the whole
matter together when any considerable quantity of lettering and figuring has to be
executed whenever such combined action is preferable.
desired to execute work of a varied character I prefer to employ the improved
When, however, it is
form of apparatus about to be described.
or
Referring first to Figure 2, I arrange or place suitable characters around the
periphery of a circular punch or die C which is suitably mounted upon a strong
shaft or spindle D carried between the forked extensions E, E of the frame E
which screws at E³ into the press. F, Flare washers serving to retain the circular
punch or die C in position. A number of holes are formed in this circular punch
or die corresponding to the number of letters, figures or other devices around its
periphery, and the above-mentioned arms are each provided with a hole in line
with those in the said circular punch. When the said circular punch is rotated
to bring the desired letter, figure or other sign into position, a tapered pin G is
forced or driven through the said arms and circular punch thus holding it firmly
in position ready for piercing perforating. The bolster is made on the same
plan but the letters, figures or other devices are sunk into the face instead of
standing in relief upon the periphery of the disc. The disc H is rotatably
mounted by means of a vertical spindle J on a solid metal bed K which is screwed
in a suitable position to the bed of the press so that the characters will revolve
immediately under those on the revolving circular punch and the said bed is
provided, as shown, with a way for the pierced-out blanks to fall clear of the
apparatus. This disc is likewise retained in any desired position by means of a
tapered pin L passing through suitable holes as above described with reference
to the circular punch and through a hole in the metal bed K, which is recessed as
at K' to allow of the pin being hammered out. By this means I am enabled to
change the characters rapidly and accurately, saving thereby the time necessary
to adjust the various tools after being once set.
Figure 3 illustrates a modified form of apparatus which is more especially
applicable for use in the production of large characters or to which the apparatus
described with reference to Figure 2 is not adaptable, and whereby the necessity
for having separate expensive tools for the production of each character is
avoided, and whereby the tools employed can be much thinner and less expensive
than hitherto. According to this modification of my invention I employ a universal
punch M and a like bolster N. Formed on, or secured to, the respective faces of the
punch and bolster are dovetailed side slides P located the required distance apart.
The drawings show the slides secured by the screws p. At one end of the punch
and bolster faces respectively are fixed end plates similar to those P and at the other
end is a hinged or movable gate or stop retained in its closed position by a suitable
catch or pin, or otherwise. Into the frame thus formed on the respective faces of
the punch and bolster is fitted exactly a bedplate Q having bevelled edges as
shown and the desired character R raised thereon or sunk therein as the case may
be. In order to reduce the thickness of the bed which would otherwise be
necessary for piercing, the bolster N is recessed on its face and into such recess a

page_text: slide S passes underneath the dovetailed bed Q so that when the punch comes
down, the slide, which is sufficiently rigid, will form a support for the bed and bear
the shock during the process of piercing.
After each piercing operation of the punch the slide is, either automatically or
by band, withdrawn and so left during the next depression of the punch whereupon
the character cut out by the last depression, but remaining in the bed, is forced
therethrough on to the ground or into a receptacle. The slide is then again close:1
and the operation repeated.
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 :-
1. The manufacture of lettered, figured or like metallic plates by piercing,
punching-out, or perforating various plates or sheets of different metals or other
materials, inserting the one within the other, and riveting, fixing or causing the one
to adhere to the other substantially as set forth.
2. The revolving punch substantially as described and as illustrated with
reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawing.
3. The combination of the revolving punch and the revolving bolster substantially
as set forth.
4. A taiversal punch or bolster so constructed and arranged as to permit of its
receiving various tools or patterns substantially as set forth.
5. The combination, with a universal bolster, of a slide serving to support the
cutting bed and adapted to be withdrawn so that the previously cut-out blank may
be cleared from the cutting bed substantially as set forth.
6. In combination with a universal punch or bolster having dovetailed slides on
its face, an interchangeable cutting bed with bevelled edges permitting of its
sliding into and being retained upon the face of the punch or holster substantially
as set forth.
7. In the manufacture of lettered, figured or similar metallic plates, means for
perforating such plate in the required form and for punching out of other plates
or substances blanks forming a desirable contrast of a size and shape to fit within
the said perforations, inserting the one within the other, and means for securing the
same to one another substantially as set forth.
8. My improved method of lettering or figuring sheet metal and other material
and apparatus therefor substantially as set forth and as illustrated in the
accompanying drawing.
Dated this 20th day of October 1896.
A. F. SPOONER,
124 Chancery Lane, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.