Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 17th Apr., 1897
1, WILL STEPHEN TURNER of Greenville, County of Greenville and State of
South Carolina, U.S.A., Manufacturer, 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 :-
This invention has for object to provide a graining tool which can be operated
upon cornices, in sharp angles, and at all points where it is possible to grain by
hand, which also can be easily manipulated and made in various sizes.
In the accompanying drawing
Fig. 1 is a perspective view shewing the graining tool of this invention in use.
Figs. 2 and 3 respectively a face view and a cross section thereof.
Fig. 4 shews one way of using the tool.
A is a flat elastic base preferably of soft india rubber, the thickness of the same
varying with the size, say from a quarter to half an inch. Upon one face of this base
are arranged a series of concentric circular grooves B, substantially of the same
width and depth and the same distance apart. In this manner the entire face of
the base is broken by a series of concentric grooves, the majority of which are
circular, while the remainder are made on concentric arcs.
In operation, the base is folded or rolled either transversely or longitudinally,
according to the grain desired, and, as a rule, one or more fingers are introduced
between the ends of the base, thereby affording a convenient means for holding
the tool while operating therewith.
The tool thus folded provides a curved surface having a series of grooves thereon,
and by drawing the tool thus folded, over the face of the board properly ground
and stained, any desired character of grain may be obtained, and by giving the
tool a slight rolling motion by wrist movement and irregular finger pressure thereon
as it is drawn along, both the heart and sap portions, may be produced. It will be
noted that the sap portion will follow the heart, thereby producing a natural
imitation of the grain, and this feature is particularly valuable.
It should be stated that by providing a flexible body which normally expands to
a perfectly flat condition the same will at all times make a perfect contact with
wood upon which it is operated, as no matter to what shape it may be bent up in
the hand, that portion in contact will be held flat by the natural hand pressure.
Furthermore, as the body is flexible in every direction it follows that by the
operator varying the finger pressure as he slightly rolls or draws the tool over the
wood, the different qualities or designs of grain can be produced, as for example,
by slightly rolling the tool as it is drawn over the wood and applying a maximum
pressure a representation of the heart and sap of an old tree can be produced, as
the rubbing face of the tool would be squeezed or pressed out in accordance with
the degree of pressure applied, whereas a slow slight turn with a minimum pressure
would produce the heart and sap of a young tree.
Instead of the base being of soft rubber, any other suitable material may be
employed, such as gelatine or composite fibre of any kind, the essential feature
being to produce the flat flexible base which can be folded in any direction, the
exterior face of which base is grooved concentrically, as shewn.
Graining implements having rollers adapted to receive the paint and deposit it

page_text: on the wood to be grained are known. Such devices, however, are in the nature of
printing means, as they distribute the colour and print the design simultaneously.
The tool of this invention is only intended for use after the ground or stain has
been applied on the wood, and is operated by a drawing or rubbing action, not by
rolling.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A graining tool, consisting of a flat flexible body having a series of grooves on
its under or rubbing face, substantially as described and shewn.
2. A graining tool, consisting of a flat flexible non absorbent body having a series
of concentric grooves on one face, substantially as described and shewn.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.