Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1886.
Complete Left, 25th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 17th May, 1887..
I, WILLIAM NORMAN SEARS of 144 High Holborn London, Merchant do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The letters and figures which are generally used for advertizing purposes are made
with rectangular sides.
These possess the disadvantage of hindering the cleaning of the surfaces whether of
glass, windows, doors or otherwise on which they are fixed.
Another disadvantage is the liability of the letters or figures to be chipped, broken,
or defaced in the operation of cleaning or from the pressure necessary to affix them
to, or remove them rom the said surfaces.
Another disadvantage is that being generally made either solid or with a solid
backing of wood or other material they are heavy in weight and become easily
detached from the surfaces to which they are affixed.
Another disadvantage is that from the thickness of the glass metal or other
material from which the letters or figures are cut, and the manual labor necessary
to cut them, they are rendered expensive to manufacture.
Now the object of my invention is to obviate these disadvantages and to this end
it comprizes the improvements hereinafter described.
According to my said invention the letters or figures are made hollow at the back
with a correspondingly projecting surface shaped in such a way by being curved or
inclined towards the back that no rectangular sides exist but a thin bladed edge only
is left which meeting the surface to which the letters or figures are to be affixed is
capable of being cemented or otherwise attached thereto. These letters or figures
may be cast from metal or other material or pressed and cut from glass, thin sheet
metal or other substance by means of a press and clipping tools and the bodies

page_text: afterwards stamped up by means of suitable dies into any hollow form, giving a bold
projecting surface so inclined or curved backwards as to cause the inner and outer
rims to present a thin edge only to meet the surface to which they are attached.
Letters or figures of this shape enable the doors windows or other surfaces to which
they are affixed to be cleaned without hindrance or injury either to the letters figures,
or said surfaces.
They combine a bold appearance and elegant designs with extreme lightness. They
can be produced at a low cost as the method of manufacture compared with the
method now in vogue effects a great saving both in the labor and material utilized in
their production. The letters or figures may be burnished, plated, painted, enamelled
or otherwise ornamented.
Dated this 5th day of Annot 1886

page_text: Improvements in the Manufacture of Letters and Figures Designed
for Attachment to Glass and other Surfaces.
I, WILLIAM NORMAN SEARS, of 144 High Holborn, London, Merchant 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 :—
My invention relates to the manufacture of letters or figures designed to be attached
to glass and other surfaces for advertising and like purposes.
The letters and figures generally used for such purposes have rectangular sides and
are made either solid so that the backs of the said letters or figures are flat or plane
surfaces, or with a solid backing of wood or other material. Such letters or figures
are objectionable or disadvantageous for the following reasons, viz :-They hinder the
cleaning of the glass or other surfaces to which they are attached; they are apt to be
chipped or otherwise broken or defaced in the operation of cleaning the said surfaces,
or by the application of the pressure requisite in affixing them thereto or in removing
them therefrom when necessary; they are heavy and easily become detached from
the said surfaces. Moreover, by reason of the thickness of the glass, metal or other
material from which the said letters or figures are usually cut and the manual labour
necessary in cutting them, the cost of their manufacture is very great.
Now the object of my invention is to obviate these disadvantages and to provide
letters or figures which can be cheaply manufactured and very readily attached to
glass or other surfaces, and which can be removed from such surfaces, when necessary,
without liability to breakage or other injury.
According to my said invention, the letters or figures are made with a regular or
perfectly formed hollow or cavity at the back, and their front surfaces are curved or
inclined towards the edges so that no rectangular sides exist, but a thin or sharp
bladed edge only is left, which, meeting the surface to which the letters or figures
are to be affixed, is capable of being readily cemented or otherwise secured thereto.
My improved letters or figures are preferably pressed and cut from glass, thin sheet
metal, or other suitable material by means of a suitable press and clipping or shearing
tools, and then stamped up by means of suitable dies into any hollow form, giving a
bold projecting surface, so inclined or curved as to cause the inner and outer rims of
the letters or figures to present a thin edge only to meet the surface to which they
are to be attached.
When my improved letters or figures are affixed to doors, windows or other
surfaces, the said surfaces can be cleaned without hindrance and without injury either
to the letters or figures, or to the said surfaces.

page_text: My improved letters or figures combine a bold appearance and elegant design with
extreme lightness. They can be produced at a low cost, as the method of manufacture
(as compared with that now in vogue) effects a great saving both in the labour and
material utilized in their production. The letters or figures may be burnished, plated,
painted, enamelled, or otherwise ornamented.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood that I claim :-
A letter or figure formed of glass, metal, or other suitable material and having a
hollow or cavity at the back and thin or sharp edges, substantially as, and for the
purposes, set forth.
Dated this 17th day of February 1007.
WILLIAM NORMAN SEARS.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.