CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MAKING, FORMING, OR PRODUCING RAISED OR PROJECTING LETTERS, MOULDINGS, FIGURES, OR OTHER ORNA- MENTAL WORK FOR EXTERNAL DECORATIONS OF BUILDINGS AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1839

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
YATES, of the Effingham Works, Rotherham, in the County of York, Iron
Founder and Earthenware Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria; by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of. Great Britain, bearing date at
Westminster, the Third day of July, in the third year of Her reign, and in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, did, for Herself,
Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James Yates, Her
especial licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said
James Yates, my executors, administrators, and assigns, and such others as
I, the said James Yates, my executors, adininistrators, 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 mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN MAKING, FORMING, OR
PRODUCING RAISED OR PROJECTING LETTERS, MOULDINGS, FIGURES, OR OTHER ORNA-
MENTAL WORK FOR EXTERNAL DECORATIONS OF BUILDINGS AND OTHER PURPOSES;" in
which said. Letters. Patent is contained a proviso, obliging me, the said
James Yates, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, particularly.
to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and in- what
manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in
Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent,

page_text: as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at
large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
James Yates, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and the
manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon, that is to say:-
My Invention of certain improvements in making, forming, or producing
raised or projecting letters, mouldings, figures, or other ornamental work for ex-
ternal decorations of buildings and other purposes, applies in the first instance to
a novel or improved mode, manner, or method of making, forming, or producing
separate, raised, or projecting letters or figures, as also what are commonly
called "block letters," for the external decorations in writings on shop fronts,
sign-boards, tablets, direction boards, or names of streets, and other places, as
well as for internal tablets, shew boards, names of proprietors, and various
other purposes, for instance, types or reversed letters for printing; and for
many other purposes wherein wooden or metal letters or types are now used;
and in the second instance an improved manner, mode, or method of making,
forming, or manufacturing other figures, or devices, or mouldings, as rosettes, or
other such ornamental work, which can be made of the materials herein-after
named, and consists in the first place in the making, manufacturing, or forming
by means of pressure, such separate, raised, or projecting letters, figures, or
types of a new material, and in a novel and peculiar manner (that is to say,)
in earthenware, clay, or porcelain ware, or stone ware, or glass or other
mixtures of earthy materials in contradistinction to those usually made or formed
in metal by casting it in a fluid state into moulds, or by raising or depress-
ing the form of the letters or mouldings, or figures out of plates or sheets
of metal by dies and matrixes, or by cutting the shapes or forms of such letters,
figures, or types out of wood, and carving them into the shape required for the
character or figure; and in the second place, in the making, forming, or
producing mouldings, rosettes, slabs, tablets, or other ornamental work in
a novel manner, that is, by means of great or extraordinary pressure. And
I would here remark, as regards the first part of my improvements, that I am
aware earthenware letters may have heretofore been made by cutting them out
of sheets of soft clay or earthy materials, but such letters are imperfect from
many causes (viz*), the roughness of the edges where they have been separated
from the sheet, the imperfect drying, shrinking, and cracking of the material,
the difficulty of keeping them in the required shape previous to baking, and:

page_text: other causes; also the earthenware letters so cut out have necessarily (from the
mode of making) their sides straight or at right angles to the plane or front
thereof, whereas by my improvements my novel or improved letters, figures, or
characters may have their sides formed at any angle to the plane or front
surface of the letter, and be formed perfect on all the edges so as to ensure the
correct form of the letter or figure; and, moreover, the front surfaces of
the letters or characters may have an indented, corrugated, or raised pattern or
design formed thereon, for the purpose of producing prismatic colours, different
effects of light or shade in colours or gold and silver; in order to heighten or
improve the effect or appearance; also they may be ornamented with patterns
or devices painted thereon, such designs being enamelled or burnt into the
earthenware or china while the letters are being heated, as in the ordinary
process of manufacturing earthenware or china articles. It will be evident
that these letters, whether made of earthenware, china, or glass, or other
mixtures of earthy materials will not be liable to injury by exposure to the
weather or the changes of temperature, as is the case with metal or wooden
letters, with painted, colored, and varnished surfaces; and I would further
remark as regards the second part of my improvements, that I am aware
'mouldings, rosettes, and other ornamental work has been heretofore formed of
earthenware or earthy materials, but such ornamental work has only been
formed out of such materials when in a wet or damp or soft state, as it is com-
monly used in pottery, earthenware, or artificial stone manufacture, which
articles when so made are subject to all the disadvantages above named, as
regards the earthenware letters or figures when cut out of sheets or layers of
the materials, whereas by my improved method of preparing and acting upon
the earthy materials, I am enabled to produce a much better article not subject
to such disadvantages, and, therefore, the improvements contemplated and
claimed by me in the above-named Letters Patent consist in making-or
manufacturing or forming such earthenware or glass letters; and earthenware
mouldings, rosettes, and other ornamental work by means of pressure and
suitable dies or matrixes, or countersunk tools made of metal or other suitable
substances or materials, and shaped of the required figure into which moulds,
matrixes, or dies, the soft or damp clay, or other earthy materials (or fluid
mixtures thereof when glass is used), is forced by means of the pressure and
made to take the required form of the letters or figures, device or pattern
formed or countersunk therein. The tools, dies, and matrixes may be worked
by hand or by machinery, and I will therefore proceed to describe the process
and method I pursue it making or manufacturing the improved articles, and

page_text: some modifications and arrangements of machinery by which the same may be
carried into effect.
The mixtures of earthy materials or matters may be prepared after the usual
manner of potter's clay, and then used in the manner herein-after described;
but in order to obtain a more compact body I prefer to use the earthy matters
or mixtures of materials in a much dryer state than the usual consistency of
potter's clay, or than has heretofore been used in the usual process of making
pottery ware. And, moreover, in order still further to prevent the shrinking,
the warping, and cracking by contraction, I take ground baked clay, "biscuit,"
or potsherds" and flint, and other siliceous powder slightly moistened by "clay
slip," or by "clay slip" mixed with "rice water," which material is put under
immense pressure in the process of manufacturing the articles in order to bring
all the particles in close contact with each other. The material, after being
properly prepared, is placed in a convenient situation, where the workman can
readily supply a sufficient quantity to the moulds ready to be passed under the
press, in order to force the material into the die or matrix.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one description of press adapted for this
purpose; Fig. 2 is a side view; and Fig. 3 is a plan of the same, the top part
of the framework being removed to expose the revolving table.
a, a, is the
frame, which may be made in wood or metal, and affixed by screws or bolts
in any convenient situation; 6 is the shaft of the follower or presser, which
may be raised and lowered by a male and female screw, or by a lever or other
means, according to whatever agent is used to give the required pressure; c is
the table having an interrupted rotary motion given to it in any convenient
manner. This table moves upon the cross-piece or bed d, and may be divided
into several compartments, each of which carries a receptacle for a die or
mould. The interrupted rotary motion of the table must be so arranged that
the dies or moulds shall be made to stop at the required intervals and proper
position under the presser k a sufficient time for the forcing of the material
into the mould to take place. The table is shown in the Drawings as having four
receptacles, e, e, e, e, for the dies, one of which is supplied with a mould in it
at f; the receptacles in this instance are countersunk, dovetailed recesses formed
in the table, the moulds having a corresponding dovetailed piece fitting into the
recesses, so that they may be readily applied and removed each time a letter
or figure has been pressed or formed. The manner of giving the interrupted
rotary motion, as represented in the Drawings, is as follows:-Around the
table is formed a toothed wheel 9, 9, taking into gear with a toothed
segment or half wheel mounted upon a shaft i, turning in suitable bear-

page_text: ings; this shaft is turned with a continuous motion by a strap or toothed
gear from any convenient first mover. The wheel h is of only half the
diameter of the wheel g; and by having only half its periphery furnished with
teeth, it consequently will give as it revolves to the table the interrupted rotary
motion required, the table resting at each interval with a die or mould under
the presser or follower k, while it is made to descend by the action of the press-
and force the material into the mould; which operation will take place while the
blank part of the wheel his revolving next the table. And in order to ensure
the table stopping and remaining with the die in the precise position required to
bring the mould directly under the presser, the following contrivance is adopted:
7 is a bolt or pin sliding in bearings on the cross piece d of the frame; the
upper end of this bolt projects upwards, into shallow holes or recesses formed
in the under side of the table beneath the receptacles e, e, and is forced
upwards into these holes, by means of the weighted lever m, whenever the
mould arrives at the proper position, and thus stops and retains the table. In
order to release the table after a letter or figure has been formed, the following
contrivance is used:-Upon the depression of the follower k, a lappet n, on the
shaft b, will have passed the end of the lever o, which it is allowed to do by
means of its joint to the stop piece resting on the frame. This lever is con-
nected by a rod p to the weighted lever m; and as the shaft b moves upwards,
the tappet n will come into contact with the end of the lever, and consequently
raise it and the stop piece, and by the connection with the lever m, withdraw
the bolt 1, and thereby release the table, which is now free to turn round, the
toothed segment h at this time coming into contact with the wheel g. The
table being moved a portion of a revolution brings the next receptacle and
mould under the action of the presser; the attendant having placed a mould
containing the proper quantity of material in a receptacle on the one side
ready to pass under the presser, removing that which has undergone the
operation on the other; it is then taken away, another applied, and so on.
Having described the several Figures in the Drawing, I would remark that
I do not intend to confine myself to the description of press therein shewn,
nor to the use of a revolving table, as an oblong table, having an interrupted
horizontal reciprocating motion given to it may do equally well. The motion
being such as to bring the receptacles and moulds or dies alternately under the
action of a presser, the moulds being supplied with the material on the one side
of the follower, and removed on the other, after the operation has taken place.
The letters and figures made of glass are formed in the same manner as those
of earthenware (videlicet), by pressing the materials in moulds, with this
difference only, that the glassy material is first to be heated into a melted state,

page_text: and then placed into the dies or matrixes; the follower or presser being
brought down into operation so as to force the material into the recess of the
mould or matrix, and drive away the superfluous parts; the proportions of the
different matters in the glassy materials being varied according to the colour
intended to be given to the letters or figures; after the letters or figures, or
other articles with flat faces, have been formed in the press, and dried and
baked in the ordinary kiln, I rub or grind their faces upon flat slabs of stone
or metal, supplied with sand, emery, or other grinding materials, and thereby
reduce any unevenness of surface; and produce a smooth flat face on the letters
fit to receive the colouring matter, gilding, or other ornamental material, and
also the glazing; and when the reversed letters are used for types for printing
from, they may be left with the smooth ground surface, without any glazing or
other preparation thereon. The moulds, dies, or matrixes in which the letters,
figures, types, mouldings, or other ornamental work is formed, may be of any
suitable metal, or mixture of metals, as in Figs. 3 and 4; or they may be
formed of earthenware or other earthy materials, hardened and baked; or they
may be formed of plaster of Paris, or other plastic matters or compositions;
but these latter materials must be secured and supported within metal boxes
or frames, to prevent the moulds bursting under the pressure required to force
the material into the die. The letters, figures, mouldings, or other ornamental
work, after being completed, may be fastened in the required situations by
cement, or by metal pins driven through holes formed in a slanting direction
in the sides previous to the letters being baked or hardened; or they may have
small ledges or ears left upon their top and bottom ends, in order to slide into
grooves in a frame; or they may be fixed and applied in any other convenient
manner.
Having now described and ascertained my improvements, I would in con-
clusion remark, that what I claim as my Invention, secured to me by the above
in part recited Letters Patent, is the making, forming, or producing of raised or
projecting letters, mouldings, figures, devices, tablets, slabs, or other ornamental
work for external decorations of buildings and other purposes in the manner
herein-before described, out of the earthy matters or materials commonly used
in pottery or earthenware manufacture, or from any mixture of earthy
materials which will allow of the articles being pressed, dried, baked, ground,
painted, glazed, and otherwise ornamented and treated according to the pur:
pose for which they are required. And I also claim the making of reversed
letters, figures, or types for printers' use, from earthenware or potters clay.
And I also claim the making, forming, or producing separate letters, figures,
devices, or characters in glass, or mixtures of glass, and other materials, either

page_text: opaque or coloured as desired; all such carthy or glassy materials being
prepared and forced into suitable moulds by means of pressure, in order to give
the required form or figure, which is afterwards to be furnished or completed,
as herein-before set forth and described. And, lastly, I claim the application
of such raised or projecting letters, mouklings, figures, or other ornamental
work, for the external decorations of buildings and other purposes to which
they are applicable.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Yates, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of January, in the year of our Lord Ono
thousand eight hundred and forty.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the First day of January, in the
third year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, the said James
Yates came before our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknow-
ledged the instrument aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and
specified, in form above written. And also the instrument aforesaid was
stamped according to the tenor of the Statute made in the fifty-fifth year of
the reign of His late Majesty King George the Third.
Inrolled the Third day of January, One thousand eight hundred and
forty.