IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING PAINT AND OTHER PIGMENTS
Year: 1884

page_text: "
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
I WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A., of the Liverpool and London
Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING PAINT AND OTHER
PIGMENTS" 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 machines employed in the distribution of pigments in
the art of painting, but more especially in the fine arts. The object of this
Invention is to produce a more efficient machine of its class in a more convenient
and practical form, and it consists in the novel construction and arrangement of
the parts and in the mechanism employed as embodied in the accompanying
Drawings all of which will be hereinafter more fully described.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my Invention and in which the
operative parts are in their central position in the case.
Fig. 2 is an under face view thereof.
Fig. 3 is a plan view with the cover removed and in which the operative parts
are in their forward position.
Fig. 4 is also a plan view with the cover removed and in which the operative
parts are in their rear position.
Fig. 5 is a front edge view.
Fig. 6 is a front end view in which the vertical air tube and the pigment
receptacle are shown in central section.
Fig. 7 is a vertical central section of the wind wheel and walking beam.
Fig. 8 is an isometrical representation of the operative parts removed from
the case.
Fig. 9 is an under face isometrical representation of the removed cover.
Fig. 10 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of air pump and
chamber.
In the several Figures of the accompanying Drawings like, parts are designated
by like letters of reference and in this instance the working parts of the improved

page_text: machine are mainly enclosed in a hand piece of case form. This hand piece is
composed of a bottom A and vertical edges B, in this instance of plate material
produced in the box form represented, having its forward end portion inclined
rearward and oblique or inclined to the horizontal plane of the handle portion
having its rear edge on a higher plane. This forward inclined end portion is
provided with a lid or cover C made removable or having a hinged connection
with the upper edge of its rear vertical wall in a manner to permit it to open
rearward to expose the working parts located within the forward section of the
case. This hinged cover, is provided toward its forward end with a crystal a,
through which the movement may be seen without opening the cover.
Ex..
The handle portion of this case is provided with a cap D having a detachable or
hinged connection with the vertical side walls thereof. The removal of this cap in
connection with the hinged cover when open serves to expose the working parts
contained within the case. At E is represented a wind wheel support of bed plate
form on which to support the main working parts of the machine. This bed plate
is placed in the forward end of the case and is connected to the bottom thereof by
means of screws b passed through oblique slots b¹ formed in the bottom of the case
and screw-threaded into the bed plate in such a manner as to permit the plate to
move end wise in the case in the direction of the slot openings.
D
34
At bis represented a spring. washer placed under the head of one of the
screws 6 on the outer side of the bottom plate of the case, to regulate the friction
of the bed plate on the bottom. thereof.
At F is represented a wind wheel composed of two annular rings of disc form
suitably separated and provided at proper intervals in the form of an over-shot
water wheel with buckets to receive an air jet to cause it to revolve on its journals
supports. This wheel is supported on a crank shaft c to revolve in a suitable foot
bearing in the bed plate and in an adjustable screw bearing in the free end of the
overhanging arm e rising' from 'the bed plate and overhanging the wheel on its
upper side.
At d is represented a vertical shaft supported to oscillate in a foot bearing in the
bed plate and in an adjustable screw bearing in the free end of the overhanging
arm d¹ rising from the bed plate and overhanging the upper end of the shaft.
At e is represented a walking beam fixed to the vertical shaft d to oscillate with
the shaft. Both arms of this walking beam are slotted' lengthwise and its rear
slotted arm extends over the wind wheel and receives the wrist of the crank shaft c
thereof. The forward slotted arm of the walking beam extends through a slot el
formed in the forward vertical" end wall thereof, and immediately outside of the
case receives the wrist or down turned end of the needle h.
ST
117
+
At h¹ is represented a guard plate fixed to the forward vertical end wall of the
case in the plane of the lower wall of the slot e, from which it extends forward to
protect the forward free end of the walking beam projecting from the case over
the plate. The vertical arm of this plate extends lengthwise of the vertical
end wall and its inner face is reduced to form a vertical slot'i bétween it and the
vertical end wall of the case. This vertical slot i secures the wrist or inner end
down-turned arm. of the needle h depending through the slotted free arm of the s
walking beam in such a manner as to permit a free reciprocating movement of the
needle in the direction of its length.
At H is represented a pigment receptacle, in this instance of spoon form provided
with an arm / extending rearward on the front edge of the case having a pivotal
connection therewith at ¹ in a manner to permit its spoon portion to swing
downward from the case. The rear edge of the spoon portion is provided with a
lip extension represented in dotted lines at 11 designed to engage an indentation
in the edge portion of the case to hold the spoon in connection therewith in a
detachable manner and in position thereon to receive the needle in its angle centre.
The receptacle is not necessarily confined to the spoon-like form shown in the
Drawings, as it is apparent that many other shapes may be resorted to if desired
which will fill the same function equally well. The form shown is excellently
0:08 PQ 19 m2 40,

page_text: adapted for the purpose inasmuch as the pigment of another colour can be easily
introduced into it and as easily removed when desired to employ pigment. of
another colour. This last is a valuable feature, for in the transition from one
colour to another all artists' tools should be perfectly clean.. The receptacle may
also in some cases be provided with a groove on its front face adapted to receive
the needle which is retained therein by a staple or other equivalent device. As
this forms the deepest portion of the receptacle the coloring matter will gravitate
toward it and supply the feeding needle. Also in some cases the upper covering
to the spoon-like receptacle. is dispensed with.
At Z is represented a finger pivoted at one end to the vertical end wall of the
case and capable of a swinging movement in the vertical plane of the needle and
having its free end forked to engage the needle when in its down turned position
to hold it in the centre of the receptacle to give direction to its reciprocating.
movements.
At I is represented an air tube supported on the bed plate, in such position
relatively with the wind wheel that a current of air forced through its nozzle end
will be delivered onto the buckets of the wind wheel to cause it to revolve. This
air tube is fitted with a single way check valve ¹ to regulate the flow of air
through the tube to the wind wheel. This valve is fitted with a lever arm ¹¹
projecting laterally from its upper end, having its free end portion extending
through a suitable opening in the free end of an arm fixed to the rear vertical
wall of the case in a manner to permit of an adjustment in the lengthwise direction
thereof.
This connection of the valve with the arm (111 is such that the backward and
forward movement of the bed plate within the case. operates the valve to vary the
quantity of air delivered on the wheel, and by means of the adjustable arm the
movement of the valve may be so changed as to vary the quantity of air delivered
at different points in the backward and forward movement of the bed plate.
This air tube I is connected with a branch tube m by means of a flexible tube K
in a manner not to interfere with the backward and forward movement of the
bed plate.
At L is represented the main tube, a portion of which extends rearward through
the case and is designed to connect with the air supply. The branch tube m
connects with this main tube within the case, and receives the rear end of the
flexible tube K. At M is represented a branch of the main air tube, which extends
forward in the case and outward through the front edge thereof near its forward
end and its outer end is fitted with a vertical nozzle n opening centrally over the
needle in front of the pigment receptacle. The rear end portion n³ of the main
tube extending through the rear end of the case is fitted in valve seat form as
represented at n¹ consisting of a prominence projecting inward from one side of
the tube, and an external opening on the opposite side thereof centrally over the
prominence. This projecting end portion of the main tube is provided with a
flexible tube 2111 which extends over the external side opening in such a manner
that when pressed into the side opening of the tube will engage the prominence
projecting inward from its opposite side, and close the passage and cut off the flow.
of air through the tube. The extreme outer end portion of the main air tube L.
receives the end portion of a flexible tube P designed to connect with the air supply.
At R is represented a valve lever placed within the case having a pivotal connection
at o with the bottom thereof. The rear end of this valve lever extends outward.
through the rear end of the case, and its projecting end at o¹ is fitted to engage. the
flexible tube n1 over the side opening in the main air tube L to press it against
the prominence in the tube to close the passage.
At p is represented a spring having a connection with the valve lever and with
the case opening to hold the valve lever to the valve seat.
At T is represented a thumb lever of a suitable conformation extending through
the front side of the case which is slotted to receive it in a manner to permit of a
backward and forward movement of its free end in the lengthwise direction of the

page_text: case.
The inner end of this thumb lever is pivoted at p to the forward end of
the valve lever in such a manner that its inward endwise movement will counteract
the force of the spring'p and open the valve.
At is represented a connecting link having a pivotal connection of one end
at: with the bed plate E and a pivotal connection of its outer end at 1 with the
thumb lever T near the centre of its length, by which the backward, and forward
movement of the free end of the thumb lever will impart an endwise back and
forth movement of the bed plate and of the several parts mounted thereon.
At u is represented a thumb screw having a screw thread connection with the
case at its forward end in such position that its inner end will engage the bed
plate to limit its forward movement. By means of this thumb screw the forward
movement of the bed plate may be regulated to limit it at any point within the
limits of the devices. At ¹ is represented a rod fixed to the front edge of the case
and extending forward thereof in position to be received in the left hand of the
operator to enable him to control the movements of the machine with greater
certainty.
In some cases instead of employing the thumb piéce T and its levers to the
outside of the hand piece is pivoted a spring pressed plate for forcing the flexible
tube into the pipe as herein described; this is so arranged that it may be easily
applied by the artist.
The air-pump designed to be used with the pigment distributer is adapted to be
worked by foot power. It consists of a standard V to which an upright cylindrical
air chamber W is secured. A cylinder X has communication with the said
chamber. U through an aperture X¹ located in the chamber X2, which is the lower of
the two chambers into which the said cylinder is divided by the perforated disc X³.
A piston rod Y suitably packed is adapted to be reciprocated in the upper
chamber of the cylinder X by power transmitted from the foot pedal Z through a
pitman Z. As the piston descends it will force a column of air into the lower
chamber X2 and in so doing overcome the force of the spring x which normally
supports a disc ¹ in contact with the perforated dise X³, and thus prevents the
escape of compressed air from the chamber W through the chamber Xinto the
chamber in which the piston itself is located. When the said disc x¹ is depressed
the air carried before the piston will flow into the chamber X2 and thence into the
air chamber W. The moinent the piston completes its stroke the pressure being
removed from the spring x it will react and again hold the disc ' against the
perforated disc X³. A short pipe Z³ is secured to the top of the chamber W for
the attachment of the flexible pipe P which conducts the air to the supply pipe L
of the distributer. The particular value of the air chamber W lies in the fact that
the compressed air is supplied to the pipe L in a more even current than could be
obtained by its connection directly with the cylinder X.
In the use of the improved paint distributer the main air tube is connected with
the air supply, the pigment in liquid form of proper consistency is then placed in
the receptacle H, the valve o! is then lifted from its seat by depressing the thumb
lever T, which permits a flow of air under pressure to pass through the branch
pipe I and impinge upon the buckets of the wind wheel, causing it to revolve
rapidly and by reason of its crank and walking beam connection will impart a
rapid endwise reciprocating movement to the needle connected with the walking
beam. In this inovement of the needle through the pigment contained in the
receptacle will in its outward throws carry with it a quantity of the pigment
under the air jet delivered from the vertical nozzle n, which jet of air will disengage
the pigment from the projecting end of the needle and deliver it in finely divided
particles or spray to any surface a proper distance below the needle. The quantity.
of pigment delivered at each outward throw of the needle and the character of
work of which the machine is capable is dependent mainly upon the rapidity of
the vibrations of the needle and the length of its throws:
These for the various kinds of work to which the machine is adapted require
that they be under the control of the operator to be used at any point within the

page_text: capacity of the devices. This is accomplished in the improved machine by means
of the thumb lever and its connection with the working parts from which it will
be seen that with the thumb lever in its rearward depressed position as shown in
Fig. 4, the check valve will be open to its greatest capacity to impart to the
wheel its greatest velocity.. And the relative position of the wheel to the needle
will be such as to impart to the needle its greatest throw and give to the machine
its greatest capacity for the distribution of the largest quantity of the pigment.
When the thumb lever is in its forward position as shown in Fig. 3 if depressed
to open the valve in the main tube the check valve L¹ will be in position to
deliver the smallest quantity of air to the wheel to cause it to revolve at its lowest
velocity. And the relative position of the wheel with the needle will be such as
to impart to the needle its shortest throw and reduce the capacity of the machine
for the distribution of the pigment to its lowest point.
Between these extremes the machine by means of the thumb lever is under the
complete control of the operator to regulate the distribution of the pigments as the
character of the work may require in the judgment of the operator.
It is to be understood that the exact construction is not limited to that shown
and described but such slight changes and alterations as fairly fall within the scope
and spirit of the Invention are at liberty to be made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention as communicated to me and in what manner the same is to be performed,
I declare that what I claim is:-
1st. The manufacture and use of apparatus for receiving and distributing paint
evenly and artistically over a canvas or other surface by means of a jet of
compressed air ejected on to a needle reciprocating in colouring pigment,
substantially as herein set forth.
2nd. The process of painting surfaces which consists in blowing from a needle by
means of compressed air a spray of finely divided particles of colouring pigment
onto a surface below the needle, substantially as herein set forth.
3rd. The combination of a wind wheel mounted on a support capable of receiving
an endwise adjustable movement within an obliquely inclined hand piece or case
with a reciprocating needle and pigment receptacle, substantially as herein set
forth.
4th. The combination of a wind wheel mounted on a movable support, a main
supply pipe with branch tube and valve to control the supply of compressed air
through it, a thumb lever and link connecting the valve lever and movable support,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
5th. The combination of an air compressing apparatus, consisting of an air pump
and chamber provided with apertures and disc valves, with the supply pipes for
conveying the compressed air to the needle and wind wheel, substantially as and
for the purposes herein set forth.
...1
חד .
ג
1004