IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF FIGURED SURFACES, AND IN PRINTING, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS USED THEREIN
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
SWAN, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain, Engraver, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-fourth day
of June, in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and
successors, give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Swan, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Joseph Swan,
my exors, adñiors, and assigns, and such others as I, the said Joseph Swan,
my exors, adiñors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and in the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her Majesty's Colonies
and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF
FIGURED SURFACES, AND IN PRINTING, AND IN THE MACHINERY OR APPARATUS USED
THEREIN;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso, requiring
that I, the said Joseph Swan, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, shall particularly describe and ascertain the nature of my said In-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, and shall cause
the same to be enrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within

page_text: six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Swan, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by this present Instrument in writing as follows, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto attached, and to the letters and figures marked thereon,
that is to say:
My said Invention relates,-
First, to a mode of engraving metal plates, or of producing figured surfaces
on various substances by the use of a species of pentagraphic apparatus,
worked in connection with guide figures or surfaces, so as to enable an
unskilled operator to produce an engraving or figured surface of great
accuracy, and in a much shorter time than has hitherto been required for
the execution of similar work by the hand of a skilled engraver.
Second, to a mode of increasing the efficiency of the ordinary lithographic
press or modification thereof, by actuating it from some continual mover, as
the shaft of a steam engine or water wheel, instead of working it by hand as at
present; such connection being effected by suitable engaging and disengaging
apparatus, actuated by simple self-acting mechanism. And in order that my
Invention may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the
several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto attached.
Figure 1 on Sheet 1 of my Drawings is an external side elevation of my
engraving or figuring machine complete, as arranged for producing an engraved
device on a reduced scale from a larger original. Figure 2 is a front elevation
of the machine corresponding, the view being taken at right angles to Figure 1.
The framing consists of two vertical side standards A, held together by
transverse pieces B, C, D, and bolted down to the floor, forming an inde-
pendant machine. The centre of the highest transverse piece or frame
piece B carries a spherical or universal joint socket E, in which is fitted
a corresponding sphere or ball F, fast on the long main pentagraph rod G.
This rod is a true and straight metal bar of considerable weight and substance,
and carefully balanced and suspended on its joint E, F, as a centre, without
being in any way connected to the other details of the framing. It is
weighted and steadied at its upper end by an adjustable ball H, and although
freely suspended by its ball and socket, so as to be capable of lateral motion
in any direction out of the perpendicular line, it is yet prevented from
revolving in the slightest degree upon its own longitudinal axis by reason of
a back parallel motion retaining joint I, the parallel links of which are

page_text: jointed at one end to the main bar, and at the other to a short cross link,
fitted at its lower end to work in a second spherical joint. A similar effect
may be produced with a single joint on the main pentagraph bar, by forming
the ball of the joint with vertical ribs, projecting into corresponding slots or
grooves in the concavity of the socket, so that the bar may still have the
desired universal motion without the freedom of revolving on its axis. To the
lower end of this main bar is attached a finely pointed metal tracer J, by
means of the pair of jointed parallel motion links K, the weight of these
details being counterpoised by a back lever piece L, fast on the upper parallel
bar, and carrying a small adjustable weight. In this way the tracing point
is adjusted to bear lightly upon the surface of the original figure or engraving
M, which is to act as the matrix for the production of a smaller engraved
figure on a second surface overhead. This matrix is carried in a horizontal
guide frame, on the adjustable traversing table N, fitted with a traversing
counter weights and chains O, and contrived to traverse on slides, to be used,
however, only when ruling parallel lines. In its application to the ordinary
work of engraving lettering on plates of various kinds the required letters or
figures are engraved in intaglio on metal plates, which are then cut up into sepa-
rate letters, so as to be capable of being combined at pleasure to form words and
sentences, or various other kinds of letters and figures may be thus used. The
operator then, having arranged his line or lines of letters, or his device, as the
case may be, traverses the tracing point J along or over the original or guide
figures, the tracing point being carefully kept in the bottom of the sunk lines of
the figures. The movement thus given to the tracer J, and through it to the
lower end of the bar G, is carried upwards through the bar, and communicated
to the diamond pointed graver or etching needle P, connected to the bar
overhead by a balanced parallel motion Q, precisely similar to that of the
tracer beneath. This point P therefore rests lightly upon the surface of the
plate R, which is to be engraved or lined out for etching on a reduced scale,
being adjusted for this purpose upon a vertically traversing table S, adjustable
at any height upon the graduated vertical guides T, by means of nipping set
screws. By this means whatever figure is submitted to the tracing action
beneath at M is reproduced and delineated on a smaller scale at P, the relation
between the size of the original or matrix and the engraving actually produced
above being obviously determined by the relative positions of the tracer and
engraving point as regards the centre of motion of the pentagraph bar, these
relations being adjustable by shifting the two parallel motion arrangements
at pleasure. In the arrangement which I have shewn I have supposed the
etched figure to be produced on a much smaller scale than the original

page_text: figure, but I may remark, that, in addition to the capability of varying these
relations by shifting one or both of the parallel motions of the tracer and
etcher, one or more etching points may be attached to the bar above the
centre of suspension, and additional ones may be placed below that point
if more than one copy is wanted. In thus engraving from an intaglio or
sunk original the sunk lines form a most accurate guide for the tracer, and
the engraver simply passes this tracer over or along all the lines, causing the
etching point to be elevated, either by the machine itself or by hand, in
concert with the elevation of the tracer in passing over blank parts of the
figure. The machine, or a modification of it, is capable of performing various
kinds of work, more especially lettering, writing, and lines for groundwork,
either straight, curved, or differential, also ornamental work, designs, or devices
for calico printing and other purposes. When used as herein-before described,
as, for example, in engraving ornamental lettering with heavy and fine lines
combined, it is necessary in producing the best result to trace out at first
the heavy lines only on the etching ground of the plate, which is then
removed for etching out these lines to the required depth, and to enable the
plate to be again accurately placed in the machine for completion, by adding
the finer lines. The plate is attached at first to a moveable board adjus-
table on the carrying table S by clamping screws, so that no distortion may
occur on thus continuing the figures prior to the final etching process. By
making one or more of the tracing and etching parallel motions duplex it is
obvious that several matrices or engraved guides may be produced in the
machine from a single manually engraved original, so that, with a letter or
device once engraved, the machine may be made to produce its own matrices
or original guide figures. In working this apparatus in connection with a
ruling machine the original or matrix is carried upon the ruling table, so that
facilities are afforded for producing in it flat tints, grounds, and section lined
surfaces. In engraving parallel lines, for example, the table N, carrying the
matrix or guide, is traversed as required by a horizontal guide screw U, fitted
with a ratchet catch or detent arrangement V, for giving the requisite
periodical traverse at the completion of each ruled line. In ruling flat
tinting, such, for example, as the filling up spaces between the figures of a
pattern for a calico printer's roller or block, the machine is capable of great
accuracy and speed of execution when fitted as I propose with a plate of
glass ruled by a diamond point in lines of the required width asunder, and
laid on the design to be copied as the matrix or guide. When so arranged
the engraver can see his entire pattern, and therefore he traverses his tracer
along the glass lines only at such parts as are over the spaces between the

page_text: figures of the device in hand, and this flat lining is consequently conveyed to
similar portions upon the plate which is being engraved. Or, instead of this
plan, the edge of the glass plate may be used instead of the guide lines ruled
upon its surface, still affording the operator the opportunity of clearly seeing
his pattern.
Figure 1 on Sheet 2 of my Drawings is an external side elevation of a
common form of lithographic printing press, adapted for working according to
the second head of my improvements. Figure 2 is a corresponding end
elevation of the press taken at right angles to Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a
detached plan in detail of the engaging and disengaging movements. The
press consists, as is usual, of the two vertical standards A forming the main
framing for the whole apparatus, the lithographic printing stone B being
carried on its traversing table C in the ordinary way. It is driven by the
continual mover or revolving shaft D, which, when a number of presses are to
be actuated in one apartment, is supposed to be a long straight line of shafting
running from end to end of the room, immediately behind a row or series of
presses. At each press this long shaft has keyed upon it a spur wheel E, in
gear with a similar wheel F, fast on the short horizontal shaft G, which forms
the direct driving connection of. the press. This shaft is supported in a long
or duplex bearing H fast in the end of the bracket arm I, bolted to the side of
one of the standards of the press, and the inner projecting end of this shaft
carries a duplex armed engaging piece J, arranged to act as a driver upon the
corresponding arms of the sliding half of a loose ratchet clutch piece K, which is
bored to fit the cylindrical end of the shaft. By this arrangement the clutch
piece J has liberty to slide to a short distance longitudinally upon the shaft G,
whilst both the shaft and clutch are compelled to turn together, the sliding
half clutch being governed by a hand lever L set on a fixed centre M carried
by the frame. This lever is workable by the handle N, and it is connected to
the sliding clutch by pins and a ring groove in the usual manner, the
opposite end of the lever being linked to the frame by a helical spring O,
which always tends to draw that end of the lever towards the frame, and thus
keep the sliding clutch piece G out of gear with its corresponding half
clutch P. This clutch is of the common serrated or toothed kind, the part P
being connected to a disc piece fast on the projecting end of the horizontal
presser roller, which runs across the press beneath the stone, and beneath this
is a horizontal cam shaft Q, carrying a pair of cams or eccentric pieces Q¹, for
the periodical elevation and depression of the roller during printing. The
half clutch P is connected to the disc piece on the end of the roller by means
of pins passing through circular slots in the disc piece, the traverse of the pins

page_text: in the said slots being regulated by a spring, so that when the balf clutches
are brought into gear with each other the spring allows of a slight action
taking place before the whole force comes upon the roller, thus ensuring the
complete engagement of the clutches. In arranging the Figures in the
Drawing I have supposed the press to be in printing action, the stone B
being run out and the paper ready laid down upon its face, with the tympan
R turned down upon it in readiness for the stone being run in to print.
When so arranged, the printer runs in the table carrying the stone until its
front edge comes between the pressing scraper S on the upper side, and the
pressing roller T beneath. He then brings down the lever U, which is fast
on the projecting end of the cam shaft, until the handle end of the lever rests
on the bracket support V. This movement turns the pair of cams Q', and
their eccentric action then presses up the bearings of the roller T, in the usual
manner. This action, of course, compresses the stone to the required extent
between the roller and the scraper S, and at the same time elevates the axial
line of the roller and its fixed half clutch P, until that line exactly coincides
with the horizontal axial line of the short shaft G. In this position the two
halves of the clutch are suitably arranged for being geared together by the
usual horizontal traverse of the sliding half K, and the printer effects this
engagement by moving the handle of the engaging lever L in the direction of
the arrow.
This lever is thus moved on its fixed centre M, and it therefore
traverses the teeth of the sliding clutch piece R into gear with its counterpart P
on the roller shaft. The action of the continual moving shaft D therefore
now works the roller T, and the stone is therefore drawn in beneath the
scraper to give the printing effect. At the termination of the stone's travel, the
bevilled or sloped off end of the stone at W causes a relaxation of the pressing
strain, and the helical spring O being no longer prevented from acting owing
to the relaxation of the strain on the clutch teeth of the driving coupling,
now draws back its end of the lever L in the direction of the arrow, and thus
disengages the clutch. The motion of the press being now stopped, the
counterweight H, which has been elevated by the drag of the two cords Y
over the pulleys Z, the cords being attached to the traversing table, now draws.
back the stone to its original starting point, the lever U being first elevated to
its vertical position to lower the eccentrics, and through them the level of the
stone to clear the latter from the pressing scraper. The counterweight is
guided and steadied perpendicularly by two rods a passing through it and
fixed to the flooring. The tympan may then be raised, the printed plate
removed from the stone, and a new blank sheet deposited in readiness for a
repetition of the action described; or, instead of having the tympan to be

page_text: worked by hand in this way, it may be actuated by the press machinery, by
making it in the form of an endless band carried over suitable guides. By the
adoption of this system of working it is obvious that the common lithographic
press is not only capable of being much more economically worked with a
great saving of time, but the printing action being steadier, very superior work
may be produced from it.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without
deviating from the principles or main features of my Invention. But what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured
to me by the herein-before in part recited Lettors Patent, is,
First, the general arrangements of machinery, apparatus, or means for
engraving and printing, as herein-before described.
Second, the application and use of the pentagraph or modifications thereof
for the copying on any required scale of original letters, figures, or devices, as
herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of constructing pentagraphic apparatus for copy-
ing purposes, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the application and use of pentagraphic apparatus suspended on a
ball or universal joint, for the purposes herein-before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of engraving letters, words, or figures from
detached original guides or matrices.
Sixth, the application and use of separate or detached guide figures or
matrices, combined at pleasure to form words, sentences, or devices, by the
agency of the pentagraph.
Seventh, the systems or modes of ruling or drawing parallel lines by the aid
of the pentagraph, as herein-before described.
Eighth, the application and use of ruled or lined glass surfaces or the edges
of glass sheets for producing engraved lines, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the system or mode of working or actuating lithographic printing
presses by engagement or disengagement of the driving pressure roller with a
continual mover, as herein-before described.
Tenth, the application and use of an engaging and disengaging clutch to the
pressing rollers of lithographic presses, as herein-before described.
Eleventh, the system or mode of working lithographic presses wherein the

page_text: engaging movement of the pressing roller with the stone table also simulta-
neously engages such roller with the continual moving shaft.
Twelfth, the system or mode of releasing the stone from the printing
pressure by means of a bevil or reduction of the stone's thickness at the end
of the stone.
Thirteenth, the application and use of a duplex ball and socket joint, and
parallel motion to act as a universal joint, as described in reference to my
pentagraphic apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Swan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
Signed, sealed, and delivered, in the
presence of
JOSEPH (L.S.) SWAN.