Improvements in Engraving Machines, useful for Engraving on Metal Plates Series of Long Parallel Lines, and for Uniting the Lines in a Corner in a Mitred Joint to Form the Borders for Maps, Charts, and the like.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug.. 1890-Accepted. 22nd Nov.. 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Engraving Machines, useful for Engraving on Metal
Plates Series of Long Parallel Lines, and for Uniting the Lines
in a Corner in a Mitred Joint to Form the Borders for Maps,
Charts, and the like.
We, VINCENT LECOMTE OURDAN and CHARLES ANDREW KOLB, Citizens of the
United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, United States of
America, Mechanical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of our invention is to produce a machine for engraving on a copper
plate, or the like, a series of long parallel lines, for uniting the lines where they meet
in a corner in a mitred joint, and for distributing the spaces between them at the will
of the operator.
Our invention consists of the combination and arrangement of the parts hereinafter
described in the Specification and set forth in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of our machine, showing the ends of its tracks and the ends
of the machine cut away ;
and
Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2, 2, of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a detached view of part of the spacing mechanism;
Fig. 4 is a detailed view of the caster and bracket for supporting a tool-carriage;
Fig. 5 a detailed detached view of one end of the machine;
Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of our machine; and
Fig. 7 a section of the same on the line 7, 7, of Fig. 6;
Fig. 8 is a plan view of the tracks upon which the machine moves, showing the
ends attached : and
Fig. 9 is a front elevation of one of the ends.
n
Referring to the letters upon the drawings, A and B indicate, respectively, the two
side pieces of the frame that are rigidly united by rods C which pass longitudinally
through the sleeves each of which is screw-threaded at each end to carry the nuts Ď
whose heads are sunk flush with the sides of the pieces A and B. These rods are
very slightly tapered between the side pieces A and B, and are surrounded by a
sleeve c that is tapered in the opposite direction. By means of the tapers, wear,
occasioned by the rotation of the sleeve upon the. rod, may be taken up by loosening
the nut D at the larger end of the taper and tightening the nut at the opposite
end, so that the taper on the rod is drawn into the taper on the sleeve.
The bottom of the side piece A is provided with a V-shaped channel E that
slides upon the track F, and the bottom of the side piece B is provided with a
flat surface G that slides upon the track H. These tracks are secured together at
their ends in parallel relations by end pieces, and support movable cross pieces I
that are provided with clamping ends J, and thumb-screws K for fastening them
to the tracks.
L L indicate cross bars that are secured to the ends of tho sides of the frame
by screws M. Near one end of the frame is secured, by lugs N¹, between the
side pieces A and B, a dovetailed track N, upon which travels the block O which is fitted
to it. Upon a projection P, upon top of the block, by means of the pin Q, is
pivotally carried a half collar R. The interior of the collar R is screw-threaded to fit
he endless screw S which is carried in suitable bearings in the side pieces A and B.
By means of the thumb-screw T, the loose end of the collar may be fastened to the
ngular plate U, which is secured by the screw V to the block Ŏ. When the collar

page_text: is secured to the plate U, the screw-threads upon its interior are in engagement with
the screws S. By unscrewing the thumb-nut T the collar may be released, and may
be turned back upon its pivot. In a recess W, in the inner edge of the side piece A,
is secured to the screw $ a ratchet-wheel X. To the top of the same side piece, by
screws Y, is fastened a guide-piece Z. Upon a smooth journal, on one end of the
screw S is collared a handle A', that is provided with a tilting pawl B¹ which engages
with the notches in the ratchet-wheel W. C indicates a pin which passes through
the slot in the guide-piece Z, to which it may be secured at any position by the
handle E that is screwed upon its outer end. It projects at its other end through the
slot in the path of the handle A', and serves as a set guide in working in equal spaces,
by regulating the swing of the handle A¹. F' indicates an oil-cup which carries the
oil for lubricating the track.
G² indicates a bifurcated tool-carriage, which is hinged at its divided end to the
block by abutment screws H³ that are secured to the ends of the carriage, and set
into the pivot-pin Q. By this means the half collar R, and the tool-carriage are
hinged to the same part, but independently of each other. In the opposite end of the
tool-carriage is the block H', which is preferably made integral with the carriage.
The lower part of this block is provided, upon each side, with a longitudinal groove I'.
Only one groove is shown in the drawings, but the other is exactly the same as the
one shown. In one of these grooves is provided a sliding bar J¹ that carries on its
inner end, at right angles to it, a cylindrical cover K¹. Upon the upper end of this
cover is provided an annular groove L', in which work the ends of set-screws M',
which are attached to the rotatable head N3 that is provided with the thumb-piece O¹.
This head is internally screw-threaded to receive the screw-threaded end of the
vertical rod P¹ that carries, in suitable bearings on its opposite end the wheel or
caster Q. The two grooves I¹ are provided so that the caster may be shifted from
one side to the other.
R¹ indicates a vertical slot in the side of the cover, in which plays a pin S¹ that
projects from the side of the rod P' to prevent it from turning. By turning the
head N¹ the wheel Q¹ may be raised or depressed as desired. T¹ indicates a thumb-
screw that is screwed into the block H', and passes through the slot U₁ in the bar J¹.
By means of this thumb-screw, the bar J' may be secured in any position upon the
block H. Vindicates a central vertical slot in the block H', which is adapted to
receive and carry the graver W. X¹ indicates a set-scrow screwed into the block H',
and provided with a beveled end to wedge against the side of the graver and hold it
in place. a indicates a vertical rod adapted to carry weights for pressing the graver
into the plate. Y¹ indicates a rod secured between the arms of the tool-carriage by
means of screws Z' on its ends. Upon this rod is provided a collar A³, which is
adjustable by means of a set-screw B². C² indicates a screw-threaded engraving
point that is screwed into a projection in the collar.
D2 indicates a projection which extends longitudinally from the end of the
block H. It rests lightly so as to be easily moved from side to side upon a
rectangular frame E' which is secured to the sleeve c by the collars F2 which
surround the sleeve, and the abutment screws G2 that are adapted to press
against it.
Upon one side of the frame, around each of the sleeves c are secured, by any
suitable means, such for instance as shrinking, the collars H³, each of which is
provided with arms 12. The ends of these arms are joined together by a pitman J,
which is pivoted at each end to the arms. To the sleeve c, that is nearer the
screw S, is secured, by an abutment-screw K³, a collar L2 which carries a
handle M².
Extending longitudinally the whole length of the bottom of the machine, and
projecting at each end, is a bottom plate N2, which is provided near its ends with
transverse slots O2, through each of which is screwed into one of the end pieces L,
a guide-screw P².
Qindicates an oblong rectangular aperture in the bottom plate N2, to allow room
for the cutting parts. The bottom plate is firmly secured to the block O by the

page_text: quermany screw-threaded bearings, on each end of the bottom
plate, is screwed a bumper T.
Upon each of the end pieces I, by means of a thumb-nut U2, is secured a swivel
abutment V2, which is provided with an obliquely inclined face W2 on its inner edge,
and the bolt X2 to which the thumb-nut is attached.
The operation of my machine is as follows:-
-
Suppose the tracks to have been properly located upon the plate to be engraved,
the graver W₁ to have been set properly, the rod P¹ bearing the caster Q¹ at its lower
end to have been properly adjusted to regulate the depth of the cut to be made by the
graver and the machine to be set in position upon the tracks; then grasp the
handle M2, and, supposing the machine to be in position to require it, push the
handle M² toward the end of the machine opposite to that to which it is pivoted, and
so push the machine to the place from which the cut should begin. The force
applied to the handle M² will first produce a partial rotation of the sleeve c to which
it is attached, and that, by means of its arm 12, the pitman J2, and the other arm I²,
will produce a corresponding rotation of the other sleeve c; whereupon the frame E
will be tilted, and it in turn will raise, by means of the projection D² resting upon it,
the loose end of the tool-carriage and the engraving tools carried by it. This
operation will allow the machine to slide freely over the tracks without scratching the
plate. When the point has been reached from which the operator desires to cut, that
in practice is fixed by the position of one of the end pieces I upon the track, he pulls
upon the handle M². Whereupon, by an operation the reverse of that just described,
the graver is set into the surface of the metal, and a continued pull upon the
handle M² will draw the machine along the tracks, and cause it to cut a clean smooth
straight line in the face of the plate.
It will be observed that when the handle M² has caused the frame E2 to tilt, the
arm I² furthest from the handle, will strike the projection i in the side pieces A and B,
so that all strain in driving the machine will be taken up by it, instead of being laid
upon the movable parts. When the pull upon the handle M2 is made, the base of the
handle strikes against one of the end pieces L, and is supported by it when the machine
is cutting. When the end of the line is reached, the bumper T2 strikes the oblique
surface of one of the abutments V2. Then by pushing the handle as above described,
the operator should lift the graver free from the plate, and, holding it in that position,
give the screw S a turn by means of the handle A', the pawl B¹ connected therewith,
and the ratchet-wheel upon the screw. The rotation of the screw will cause the half
collar R to travel upon it a certain distance, determined by the distance the screw is
revolved. The half collar carries the carriage and the engraving tool with it, so that
when the machine has been pushed back to position for another cut, and the tool let
down upon the metal, the space between the lines will have been provided for.
Repeating the operation of cutting a line by drawing the machine along the tracks,
when the end of the line is reached, the bumper T2 will again come in contact with the
face of the abutment. This time the line will be shorter or longer, according to the
position upon which it strikes the oblique face W2. By setting the abutment so that
its face bisects the corner of the copper plate, each succeeding line will be shorter than
its predecessor, so that when the tracks are again set, and the cutting is begun from
the corner, a perfect mitred joint between the lines will be effected. "Of course when
the cutting is to be begun from a corner, one of the abutments from which the start is
made should be set, as above suggested, across the corner, so that the commencement,
as well as the ends of the lines, may be regulated by the mitreing device.
It is well known to those skilled in the art that inequalities occur in the faces of
copper plates, which have heretofore interfered with the correct working of engraving
machines of this kind. In order to carry the tool over the inequalities we have
prepared upon the pivoted tool-carriage, the adjustable wheel Q', which is located
near the point of the tool, and carries it to suit the inequalities of the surface over
which it travels.
To regulate the depth of cut at all times, and also to provide means for lifting the
tool free of the track when the machine is to be set in position, we provide the

page_text: frame E, and means for setting it upon the collar c. The relation of the frame E2,
and the projection D2 should always be such that the pressure against the handle M²
shall cause the frame to lift the projection such a distance as to raise the graver free
from the plate.
While it is entirely practicable, by the means just referred to, to regulate the cut of
the graver for all lines of any considerable depth of cut, it is usual in map engraving
to have, parallel with the border lines, one or more fine hair lines. To produce this
the faintest scratch of the tool upon the plate is required. We find that for this
purpose the engraving point C2 is desirable, in addition to the ordinary graver.
We have provided means for carrying and adjusting it independently of the graver,
so that the point may be set down against the metal and the graver raised above the
surface by properly adjusting the caster. By this means the machine may be made to
execute all kinds of border lines without change of parts.
The collar Ris pivoted to the block O, in order that when the operator desires to
shift the position of the carriage rapidly he may swing back the collar from
engagement with the screw, and push the carriage to the desired position instead of
working it across by the rotation of the screw.
The tool carriage is pivoted to the rear of the handle by which the frame is drawn
along the tracks, and the machine is adapted to execute its function by drawing the
frame instead of pushing it upon the tracks, as has been done heretofore. The graver
also is set at an angle in the tool-carriage, so that if, in cutting, it should strike an
obstruction instead of throwing the frame off the track, or digging into the metal,
which has heretofore been an objection to machines designed to do this kind of work,
it will throw the arm up and relieve itself without any injury to the plate, or any
interruption of the work.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. An engraving machine consisting of the combination with a pair of parallel
tracks, of a frame adapted to move thereon, and a tool-carriage provided with a
cutting tool, and pivotally carried upon the frame, as set forth.
2. In an engraving machine comprising a pair of tracks, a frame adapted to move
thereon, and a tool-carriage upon the frame, the combination with the frame of an
endless screw, means for rotating the screw, and a transversely movable part
operatively connected with the screw and secured to the carriage for the purpose of
shifting its position transversely, substantially as set forth.
3. In an engraving machine adapted to travel above the surface of a plate and
provided with a pivoted tool-carriage, the combination with the carriage of an
adjustable caster adapted to be carried close to the point of the tool upon the carriage,
as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In an engraving machine adapted to travel above the surface of a plate and
provided with a pivoted tool-carriage, the combination with the movable handle of the
machine, of a movable frame in operative contact with the tool-carriage, and means of
connection between the frame and the handle, whereby force applied to the handle to
set the machine in position for work will automatically lift the tool-carriage, and force
applied to cause the machine to cut will automatically drop the carriage and set the
tool into the metal, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
5. The combination with a pair of tracks and an engraving machine adapted to
travel thereon, of cross pieces on both ends of the tracks, and swivel oblique faced
abutinents on each of the cross-pieces adapted to cause the ends of the series of
engraved lines to conform to a mitre, substantially as set forth.
6. In an engraving machine, the combination with its frame, of a tool-carriage
pivoted thereto, a fixed graver in the carriage and another engraving tool transversely
adjustable upon the carriage, substantially as set forth.
7. In an engraving machine, comprising a frame and a tool-carriage adapted to be
carried thereon, the combination with a transverse track in the frame, and a block

page_text: secured to the carriage and adapted to travel on the track of an endless screw journaled
in the frame, and a half collar pivotally secured to the block and adapted to be engaged
with or disengaged from the screw, substantially as set forth.
8. In an engraving machine adapted to travel above the surface of a plate and
provided with a frame and a tool-carriage. pivotally borne thereby, of the frame E2
adjustably secured to the frame of the carriage and adapted to support the free end of
the carriage for the purpose of regulating the depth of cut of the tool that it carries,
substantially as set forth.
9. In an engraving machine adapted to travel above the surface of a plate, the
combination with its track, of a frame adapted to move thereon, a carriage pivotally
secured to the frame, a handle upon the frame, and a graver borne in the loose end of
the carriage with its point set towards the handle, so that the cutting operation is
performed by drawing upon the handle, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 26th day of
3000
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.